I am sure there are people watching this forum who are trying to decide which ultra zoom camera to buy. As I have used this forum myself for this reason I thought it only fair that I should give my opinion now that I have reached a decision:

I spent 6 weeks researching ultra zoom cameras until I narrowed it down to the canon S1 and FZ10. The single most useful bit of advice I got was from my local Jessops camera shop. The assistant told me to buy the Canon, use it for 29 days, bring it back (in perfect condition) and then exchange it for the FZ10. After another 29 days I could keep it or exchange it for the Canon (or get my money back). This is not company policy but because they offer a 30 day no quibbles money back gaurentee then anyone can do it.

I took hundreds of pictures with each camera and was very happy with both. But, there were two factors which swung my decision.

1. The FZ10 produces sharper, brighter pictures at full zoom.
2. The canon feels ordinary in your hand, like any 3X zoom digi camera. The FZ10 has a real SLR feel which somehow makes you want to use it more often. I found myself taking 3 times more photos with my FZ10 than with the Canon.

Not very technical advice I know - but there are lots of techinal reviews on this forum. This is just my gut feeling.
I have taken the Canon back. Jessops price matched the FZ10 at £349.

Hope this helps someone,

Col.