Any TZ series match FZ150 IQ ?

Erik, you summed that up very succinctly there - so did I

What I actually got was a minor improvement in fading light, way less than my perceived expectations,  but having thought it through, the difference between the Canon 550D and kit lens I bought last year and my TZ30, shooting wide aperture isn't that great either. Possibly, older individuals such as you and I are expecting too much. In my youth (45yrs ago!!) the difference between a Kodak instamatic and a 35mm film slr was huge. Nowadays you get great IQ from a £50/$75 P & S and the difference in IQ between that and a £200/$300 compact superzoom is diddly squat.....