Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ38

I'm currently using a Panasonic DMC-TZ5 that I've owned for about a year or so. I love the quality of the images, but I'd really like to have a longer optical zoom. I like the 28mm wide-angle lens too, and the macro is fantastic, for my needs. I'm wondering if I should move up to a super-zoom type of camera, such as the DMC-FZ38, or splash more cash and go for a digital SLR. I travel a lot, so a compact body is quite important to me too.
Any thoughts or suggestions?

@DaveD. Have you ever considered the Panasonic Lumix TZ7 (aka ZS3)? It's got a zoom from 25 - 300 mm, and is very compactly sized.
I 'downgraded' a month ago from a Nikon D90 (!!) to a FZ38, and have not regretted it so far. Although, I must say, the D90 is a fantastic camera, but it's so big and heavy, and if you don't want to carry around several lenses, the zoom range is very limited. So, I decided to get the FZ38, and have already shot some really nice pictures. Nevertheless, I have to get used to the fact that the FZ38 is slower than the D90, but then again one cannot compare these two cameras. I like the movie function of the FZ38, especially as you can now also use the zoom during filming, and it's so small and light that you can carry it around almost without noticing.

Hi. I want to buy my first real digital camera, the one that i had and broke was a crapy konica-minolta 4MPS one from 2004 (also compact).

I want to use my camera mainly for family pictures. And pictures on trips, and inside spaces (of objects closer then 20m) with low light. (Preferably using built in flash)

I love taking pictures of landscapes wile i travel (pretty often, short work related travel) I often found with my old camera, that not everything of the landscape is in sight, and was angry because i couldn't upgrade it with wide angle to fit more in one picture.

From all the reviews i found this to be the best image quality camera, of all price ranges. 10/10 (i wonder: compared to what image quality ?) I cant believe that a camera that costs more then 2000 euros has the same image quality than this Panasonic FZ38.

i have some main thing that aspect from my new camera:
1. it should start up fast, so i wont miss the moments that need to be captured, (my little daughter growing up so fast)
2. it should capture nice clean pictures using built in flash inside the house.
3. it should have a visor, for grater image stabilizing, and in bright sun light, one cant see the lcd.
4. it should have energy saving capability, so battery lasts longer between longer pauses from one picture to other.
5. it should have fast focusing, for the same reasons as in point 1.
6. it should be in my price range of maximum 500 euros

optional prefered:
1. should be powered with AA sized rechargeable
2. should be possible to fit an external flash
3. should be possible to remotely take a picture, for example, a picture of all the family members including the person who should take the picture

PLS help me find the right one. I wont buy other camera until this one gets broken, as my last one.

THX guy's.. i hope there are more experienced ppl out there who can chose more wisely then I could.