Thanks all. Well I broke down and got the C-4000Z and couldn't be more pleased--so far. I got it at Costco ($419 US). Was willing to pay the higher price because Costco has a very, very lenient satisfaction guarantee, meaning if you're not satisfied for any reason at any time, bring it back for a full refund. Figured the higher price is a good enough deal to act as an insurance policy!
I've only had the camera for one day, but let me tell you, it has every bell and whistle you can imagine. I'm somewhat of a neophite with photography but know enough to be dangerous. Many of the negative comments on websites like CNET and Amamzon, etc., were people complaining that it's difficult to learn and they kept getting blurry pictures in indoor shots. I can honestly say this isn't the case. As soon as I had the batteries in, I was shooting away at the kids, etc., and most, if not all came out crystal clear. The 4 megapixel is unreal and the macro is unbelievable. I've been taking pictures of items around the house from about 4-5 inches away and they come out beautifully.
I've started taking pictures of the layout and I'll post them later today. Wow, what a diffierence in clarity from my previous camera.
Word to others: If you're somewhat new to photography, or are looking to step up from a point and shoot to a more feature laden camera and don't want to spend a king's ransom, the C-4000 can't be beat. It's inexpensive for its class and has everything you would ever need.