This camera just comfortable to wear. This particular (black) body is rubberized (but all metal underneath the rubber coat), something not apparent in the pictures or description. It is a small camera, small compared to the canon eos SD870, however , not no more than the Canon SD1000. Slim and pocketable, easily.

I was attempting to decide between these three cameras, and I got the Lumix as a result of it's optical image stabilization (SD1000 hasn't got this) and because it felt better inside my hands as opposed to the SD870.

This camera carries a wide angle lens (28mm equivalent), which REALLY makes a difference if you are supplementing with group picture in a small room or aiming to fit a cathedral proper shot when you go waiting in front than it.

Optical image stabilization might help remove your hand jitter in low light situations. Likely the best new, real feature heading to digital cameras since 7 megapixel resolution.

The other major feature during this camera will be the new "Intelligent Auto" mode which works well, but it surely basically detects between 4 different scenes, not every single scene mode as I was led to believe. Face detection really does work, but Take part in think it's much better than all other autofocus system.

Image quality is average, whatever which means. On a compact digital though, nobody should really be expecting SLR quality shots on this type of tiny camera, tiny lens, and tiny CCD sensor. In my opinion it's ridiculous how anyone expects SLR quality in the slightest degree. Physics people! So for it's size, the photos ended up great, and I am not disappointed.

Video quality is excellent it supports by far the most high 848x480 (widescreen) resolution, compared to most (if not completely) other compacts these days right now. The audio quality does suck. For me, it appears like it's underwater as compared to my old Sony or Nikon digital compacts. However, it's good enough, considering the fact that you are looking for better, obtain a real camcorder. Caveat the "Video" mode is at the opposite side of one's mode dial from "Picture" mode. Somebody missed the usability memo.

Screen is sharp and it is included in glass, not plastic. This implies greater scratch resistence, but as the glass protrudes slightly through the body on the camera itself, it could also get more scratches, too.

The only major disadvantage to this camera is always from power on until picture taken, it comes down to 3 4 seconds. This really detrimental to at the time you must have that once in a lifetime shot. However, if moment only lasted 3 seconds, I'm not against the think anyone would have gotten an excellent picture than me.

Look towards the present camera for a real substitute for the insanely popular Canon digital elph line. Definitely, Lumix cameras look cooler with the many important features Canon has. I agonized between Canon and Panasonic, but Concerning no regrets with my choice. Achieve it!