Image quality is very good, thanks both to the camera's sensor and processing prowess, and the extremely high-quality lenses that Panasonic is bundling. That said, if you're used to shooting in low light with an SLR that has very good high ISO performance, then the DMC-GF1 will be a disappointment. In a low-lit café, I found images shot at 1600 unusably noisy.

For those who are looking for video capability, note that the camera provides 720p video recording with mono sound. When combined with a lens like the 20mm f1.7, you can make creative decisions that you can't get on a point-and-shoot still camera or even most video cameras.

The Lumix DMC-GF1 is a very interesting little camera. It's small size and traditional design make it ideal for simple street shooting and other casual shooting endeavors. While the LCD viewfinder makes it difficult to shoot in bright light, the lens quality will still be tempting to shooters of any kind of subject matter. If you've been thinking of buying a larger point-and-shoot type camera (something like the Canon PowerShot G11) then you'll definitely want to take a look at the DMC-GF1. It's more expensive, but the better image quality and option to change lenses give it a definite advantage over an advanced point-and-shoot.

If you're an SLR shooter, the DMC-GF1 provides a nice alternative to a bulky SLR rig. For times when you don't want to take your full kit, the DMC-GF1 might be an ideal alternative. Bear in mind, though, that it still might not fit in a pocket, and if you're heading somewhere dark, you might be better off with your SLR.