No need to look any further. Having had a similar problem I took the advice of Jack straw et al on the other thread. I found a reconditioned Panasonic DMC-TZ18 on Amazon.
There are later models, all slightly different versions of the same Camera. They are all good, I found out after I brought mine that my Sister had had an early version for years.
It is far better than the Fuji bridge camera I had earlier bought my Son. Much more useful as well as it lives in a little pouch attached to my belt, ready for instant use.
