Poorly camera

Today took an unexpected turn and left me without a blip. Decided to report the following instead.

Rang camera shop for advice. "Sounds like the internal lens mechanism." It will cost £25 to get an estimate for repair and the repair itself could be quite a bit. "With a four year old camera you have to ask is it worth it."

Have investigated new cameras and, of course, you can now get a much higher spec with superduper zoom + wide angle, which would be wonderful. But I love this camera and it has been a faithful companion over many miles.

Can't help thinking that it was the fall that did it. Could be an expensive mistake! Big dilemma. Answers on a postcard please! Anyone use a bridge camera?