I've used this camera now for just two months. Need to say: I very impressed. I had to spend a total month to determine which camera to buy within this class (high optical zoom, 3 4 MP).

If you are thinking about cameras from this class, you're also probably taking into consideration the Canon 1S IS 3.2MP 10x Zoom. At a moment you'll see why I selected this camera on the Canon. What you will really like about Lumix:

1. 12x Zoom along with a Leica lens! (vs 10x zoom to the Canon)
2. Excellent image stabilizator (2 modes)! You'll need a tripod generally in most lowlight conditions (Canon's image stabilizer is simply good).
3. Focus illuminator (No such thing with the Canon, that produces you seek focus during the night).
4. Live histogram! There's are brief manual directions regarding how to utilize the histogram to discover the best images. (No live histogram with Canon, it is doing however show a histogram after utilizing the shot)
5. Many, many, awesome features like zooming in to the image after taking it (to check if it is blurred, etc), making overexposed areas blink in black (I enjoy this feature, whenever I overexpose the I've met instantly)... etc.
6. The lightest/smallest high zoom camera out there. I stuff it inside pocket and i am off.
7. Free hood! which gets neatly attached to the lens and you could carry it around, if you live not making use of it.
8. Great life of the battery, you may take a huge amount pictures. (Superior to canon's)
9. Lithium rechargable battery. (Canon: normal AA batteries... heavy stuff, you gotta purchase your own rechargables and charger... a fantastic $30+)
10. Nice, professional design. I'm not sure available for you, but I detest those little cameras which seem like credit lines.
11. Easy, intuitive menus. Possesses a way of beginners. Again, many features like aperture and shutter priorities, fascinating macro mode... etc etc.
12. Excellent price for this type of camera, definitely worth every penny.
13. Unnoticible distortion at high zoom.
14. Barely any blue aberration and fringing errors. ( Canon has some visible fringing (especially at high zoom).
15. Really fast establish time. Fast shooting times.

What you possibly will not like:
1. 3.1 MP... the zoom a type of compensates because of it, but 5MP could have been great... (for the similar valuation on course). (3.2 on Canon)
2. Movie mode. Okay, I didn't buy this camera to help make movies, try some fine camera which may make good movies, purchase a camcorder. only 400x300 resolution (hm... be sure out, not entirely sure) vs 640x480 on Canon, sign in forums make use of the zoom with Canon's camera.
3. No manual focus. (Canon incorporates a manual focus mode)
4. Visible vignetting. That may be, while you please take a picture, the ends or sides of the usb ports look black. That is definitely annoying, however you get only 2 3 pictures every 100. (Canon: no vignetting)
5. A stronger focus illuminator.
6. Flash may not be attached. (carefully consider Canon)
7. Canon provides a rotatable screen... so you're able to take pictures on your ass while focusing on it. Well, it is a good feature, but I can't demand it. Plus, the screen is small.
8. You aren't getting in a situation for doing it, but then you may not on most cameras. If you buy one.
9. Invest in a memory. SanDisk 512MB works great for me personally. +50 bucks there. You'll get 16MB considering the package. But that's what has been all cameras.

I have never had any complications of my Lumix camera for these 2 months and i also am really proud of it! It took me time to settle on, but I as you may see, the 9 cons individuals of little annoyances and items that I wish are there, however the price didn't take. Buy this camera, it truly is of great benefit. If you have extra money and professional initiative though, I'd can't help but recommend the user gets the 5MP version for 500 and maybe dollars.