If anyone is interested in a bridge camera between pocket models and DSLR, I can recommend the Panasonic Lumix FZ28.
I first saw it highly recommended on PPRuNe and, when I did some research, also highly recommended in numerous photography forums.
Much cheaper than a DSLR and good enough for my purposes, it has a 27-486mm zoom which means no (very) expensive lenses to buy. It seems to be a good combination of Leica lens and Panasonic electronics.
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