Digital camera - just can't decide - smaller but lower zoom or bulkier but bigger zoom??

[TheMNPeacekeepingForce]

Hi
I've been trying to get a new digital camera for a month or two and just can't decide...
should I get a super slim one with a normal 3x optical zoom or a slightly bulker (but not like a professional one) with a 7x optical zoom???

I can't decide at all. The bigger zoom one is the Ricoh Caplio r7 and the other one would prob be the Casioexilim.

I've pored over online reviews but ultimately this is what it boils dow nto.

Help me decide before my indecision means this xmas doesn't get photographed in our house!

Big question is how will you normally carry it? If having the smaller one means you can put it in your pocket & so will use it more, I'd go for that.

I guess I normally would use it at home or when I am out but have a bag rather than carrying it around all the time anyway. Those super slim ones do look snazzy and I think that is distracting me!

We have a little one and a much bigger (SLR size) one. The big one takes much better pictures and you can use a viewfinder, which I find more intuitive. The little one is handy becase it's so small, but to be honest I don't use it that much because the pictures are often disappointing. I'd go for the one that takes the best pictures.

I got one for my birthday with 7x optical zoom - it's great for outdoors, but I took some pictures of the school plays from the back of the hall on zoom & they were quite dark - I need to learn how to use all the manual settings instead of leaving it on automatic.

Which one did you get Partridge?

This one (Actually it's 6x zoom, not 7 - it's the 7 megapixels I was thinking of )It's about 10 x6 cm & about 4.5cm front to back, including the lens.
I like it so far, but as I say I've not really had a chance to play aroud with its settings.to

I've got the casio 1, but I agree with it not taking very good photos (brought it because it was small enough to fit in my bag). Would rather have a different one now!

Found my solution - SOny DSC t200 or something like that but can't bleeding get it in any shops before xmas so will have to wait now - annoying but at least i've found my answer (although it costs an arm and a leg!)