Hi- I am upgrading from a very basic little pentax optio m20 that was the first digital I've owned. I need advice - My 2 year old daughter is my most common subject but I would like to experiment with some more creative shots and I like to photograph gigs and concerts as well as outdoors (ocean, mountains etc). I am really frustrated by slow shutter speed causing me to constantly take the photo after the one I want. I also take little movies of my daughter frequently. I'm much too amateur to be ready for a DSLR but I envy the fantastic photo quality my sisters get with theirs. I want something that will take great shots in the Automatic setting but still give me manual options to play with/learn on. I want a 'burst' function to capture action shots (particularly of my daughter and my dog). I also need something tough - able to cope with my clumsiness and my toddler accidentally getting her hands on it. I can spend about $600 - $700.

So far I have been drawn to to the Panasonic Lumix DMC LX3 and the FZ28. I love the look of the LX3 - it really appeals to me - but I am disappointed by its 2.5x zoom (even my little Pentax has 3x) and the fact that you can't zoom during video recording. Also, some reviews have said it's best suited to landscapes and streetscapes, which are not my main focus. So then I look at the FZ28- but some reviews say the images can be a little soft and I want good sharp photos. I'm also a bit put off by it's plastic appearance - not so classy. Obviously appearance is not as important as performance - but I also worry it won't be as tough. Having said that, I can only go by what I see and read online as Kmart is the only camera retailer my hometown has to offer.

Sorry about the essay - but I need advice. I have also looked at the Canon Powershot G10 but it seems a bit advanced for me and its burst is very slow.

So - will the 2.5x zoom on the LX3 be enough? Are the Fz28's photos really a bit soft? Which should I choose? Or is there another camera that would be better? Please help.