since none of those is an SLR and they're all over 7x zoom.

Given the price (looks like under $350), I'd say go ahead and get one. A D-SLR (I like Sony/KM) with a similar lens (say 28-300mm or 18-200mm) is going to cost significantly more; IIRC, a superzoom D-SLR lens is at least $200 new (and they don't have the best quality).

OTOH, a SLR is significantly more capable and part of a very capable system; about the only digicam that comes close is the [link|http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sonydscr1/|Sony R-1] because it uses a APS-sized sensor and has an excellent lens, but it's pricey.

--Tony