Dont blame her, the Panasonics are nifty cameras with plenty of capability
Later Canon 350Ds can flip their mirror up so you can clean the sensor surface with a blower, not as nifty as sonic shake but start up is only .2 sec to compensate.
TBH my brothers 350D and my FZ20 complement each other very well, each filling in areas where the other has problems.
Also remember that unless you fancy paying something like £1750 for a 5D you arent going to get a full 35mm size sensor. the 350Ds means a 55mm lens is the equivalent of a 90mm
Hes now got an 18-55mm + 55-200mm Canon zoom kit with a 100-400mm Cosina for longer range stuff