I bought the Panasonic DMC-FZ30 after I'd actually held an FZ7 and realised how diddy it is. I'm delighted with the FZ30 - it was a bit dearer, but it's bigger and more robust, which is important for a clumsy oaf like me. I think it's been replaced now, so there may be good deals on offer.
It does take longer to write a "normal" SD card rather than the "fast" ones. I use a 1GB SanDisk Extreme III which seems fine.