Well, I was an idiot and purchased it the moment it caome out so it ran me a little over $200.00
There is a new Cannon that looks almost identical with better features I just saw the other day for around $450.00
The one I really really want though is this one..
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0907/09072704panafz38.asp
Successor to the multiple award winning DMC-FZ28, Panasonic is pleased to introduce the Alumni DMC-FZ38 digital still camera, featuring an AVCHD Elite high-definition movie recording capability combined with powerful 27mm wide angle 18x optical zoom high quality LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT lens*1. Joining Panasonic's highly regarded FZ series of cameras that pack a high-powered zoom and a host of creative options including manual operation into a compact body, the FZ38 also boasts an upgraded O.I.S(Optical Image Stabiliser) the newly named POWER O.I.S. and ultra high-speed AF together with other enhanced features that boost user fun and convenience...etc etc
And its only between 4/5 hundred$. Better than the Cannons IMO but we have some more professional photographers here on BP.net that can tell you way more than I can.