My favorite ultra-zooms

I've just lately been lusting after ultra-zoom digicams and two wide-angle(!) ultra-zooms have just been recently released.

They are the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18 and Fujifilm FinePix S8000fd.

FZ18

S8000fd

They have similar specs, namely:

• 8Mp effective resolution (3264 x 2448)
• 18x optical zoom with good wide angle (FZ18: 28-504mm, S8000fd: 27-486mm)
• Image Stabilisation
• 2.5" LCD; EVF
• face detection technology
• high sensitivity mode up to ISO 6400 (though one would be led to ask WHY??? WHAT FOR?)
• SRP US$399

Pending availability and reviews, I like the FZ18 better due to its:

• high quality Leica lens
• lens-based image stabilisation (versus sensor-based on the Fuji)
• joystick controller
• 16:9 aspect ratio option
• RAW capture
• snappy performance (based on previous models with Venus III Engine)
• Intelligent Auto Mode
• sleeker looks
• lighter weight

Although the S8000fd has a lot going for it, too:

• wider wide angle (27mm vs 28mm on the FZ18)
• larger sensor (1/2.35" vs 1/2.5" on the FZ18)
• uses AA batteries (a big plus)
• bigger internal memory (58MB vs 27MB on the FZ18)
• slightly higher resolution LCD and EVF

The ultimate deciding factor for me would be image quality. Olympus was the first to release an IS'd 18x super-zoom (SP-550UZ), and while it looked excellent on paper, various reviews revealed its performance and image quality issues were just not up to snuff. This on-line review summed up the 550UZ's shortcomings well.
Hopefully, the FZ18 and S8000fd aren't as big of a letdown as the 550UZ was.

On a last note, it confounds me how, in this day and age, a high-tech ultra-zoom can still be using the USB 2.0 Full Speed (read: slow) protocol. Come on, Panny and Fuji! Is it so difficult to step up to USB 2.0 High Speed???