Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1

Had Panasonic G1 for two months now.

Came with two fabulous kit lenses with great image stabilisation worth 3 f stops and they really do reduce camera shake on telephoto shots. Camera is lightweight with easy to use controls and viewfinder is great with much more in vue information than any SLR. Ability to take Raw and 16 by 9 shots is a feature that is well worth while. I find battery life is good particularly if you keep camera switched off with the handy access on/off switch. Start up to first shot is so quick you do not notice it. Intelligent auto mode takes such good shots in all but the most complex situations that most programme / aperture or manual settings cannot improve them. Many shots I have taken required no electronic manipulation for colour balance and no sign of any induced lens effects.

I will save up for a macro lens to go on it.

A superb camera - do not be put off it by comments from traditional SLR fans who haven't tried it in the field. Better than a SLR as its smaller, lighter and will appeal to all compact users who want to take better shots. I expect in time this type of camera will take over from traditional (albeit electronic) SLRs.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 handles well and is responsive. All the controls that I need. Lots of clever features. Bad points are: The live viewfinder is nasty in low light: the "intelligent" selection of f number and exposure is not intelligent - often pictures are soft or movement is blurred. Pictures seem to be worse, in general, than with my compact and I have not fallen in love with my new camera at all!

Overall a very nice bit of somewhat different kit, maybe a new breed. Certainly when I picked it up (& I went in to buy a Canon G10 - but came out with a Panasonic Lumix DMC G1 but without a G10...) I really fell in love with the whole concept. The other lens available, the 45 - 200) is very nice indeed & I look forward to the other new one due in 2009.