I've used this camera now for just two months. This wasn't say: I very impressed. I had to spend the entire month for you to select which camera to consider on this class (high optical zoom, 3 4 MP).

If looking at cameras these class, you could be also probably along with the Canon 1S IS 3.2MP 10x Zoom. During a moment you'll uncover why I chose this camera about the Canon. What you will like about Lumix:

1. 12x Zoom by using a Leica lens! (vs 10x zoom over the Canon)
2. Excellent image stabilizator (2 modes)! You may need a tripod in every lowlight conditions (Canon's image stabilizer is equally as good).
3. Focus illuminator (No such thing while using the Canon, which makes the camera seek out focus in the dark).
4. Live histogram! There's are brief manual directions for you to develop histogram to obtain the best images. (No live histogram with Canon, as well as however show a histogram after taking the shot)
5. Many, many, awesome features like zooming in to the image after taking it (to find whether its blurred, etc), making overexposed areas blink in black (It's the best this feature, whenever I overexpose the I am aware instantly)... etc.
6. The lightest/smallest high zoom camera on the market. I just now use it in doing my pocket and I'm off.
7. Free hood! which gets neatly connected to the lens specialists carry it around, conveniently not working with it.
8. Great life of the battery, you can actually take hundreds of pictures. (More advanced than the Canon)
9. Lithium rechargable battery. (Canon: normal AA batteries... heavy stuff, you gotta buy your own rechargables and charger... a great $30+)
10. Nice, professional design. I don't know for you, but I despise those little cameras which mimic plastic cards.
11. Easy, intuitive menus. Boasts a mode for beginners. Again, many features like aperture and shutter priorities, fascinating macro mode... etc etc.
12. Excellent price for a very camera, definitely worthwhile.
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 starting time. Fast shooting times.

What you will possibly not like:
1. 3.1 MP... the zoom form of compensates for doing this, but 5MP can be been great... (for the same worth of course). (3.2 on Canon)
2. Movie mode. Okay, I didn't buy this camera for making movies, if you want a camera which often can make good movies, get a camcorder. only 400x300 resolution (hm... make sure all of out, not entirely sure) vs 640x480 on Canon, numerous experts use the zoom with Canon's camera.
3. No manual focus. (Canon possesses a manual focus mode)
4. Visible vignetting. Which can be, when you make a picture, the ends or sides from it look black. That is definitely annoying, but you get only 2 3 pictures every 100. (Canon: no vignetting)
5. A stronger focus illuminator.
6. Flash shouldn't be attached. (look for Canon)
7. Canon contains a rotatable screen... so you can take pictures from your ass while taking a look at it. Well, it is a good feature, but I additionally wouldn't want it. Plus, the screen is small.
8. You don't get an incident regarding it, then again you never for the majority of cameras. Get one.
9. Invest in a memory card. SanDisk 512MB works well with luck. +50 bucks there. You will simply get 16MB with all the package. That is how it has all cameras.

I haven't had any reactions to my Lumix camera for these 2 months and i also am really content with it! I had to spend a long time to determine, but I when you see, the 9 cons there are other of little annoyances and things that I wish are there, nonetheless price didn't allow it. Buy this camera, it happens to be worth it. For those who have other money and professional initiative though, I'd strongly suggest you have the 5MP version for 500 perhaps dollars.