Last year, when DPR ran its testing of cameras before the Christmas Season, the Pany camera in each category was judged either best or co-best. I have been a total Canon owner ever since I traded my junky Nikon 8008 on a Canon EOS A2E. I have owned a powershot G1, G3, G9 and G-10 along with the first Digital Rebel, 20D, and a 40D which I still own. I also have a lot of canon lenses and other accessories. Last year, I bought my grandaughter the least expensive pany point and shoot, which was highly recommended by DPReview. It was so nice that I bought one to use at my office for close-photographs of patients. After much soul-searching, I took the plunge and bought a micro4/3rds camera, the Pany GF1. I wanted a smaller camera because it is hard for me to lug around the 40D and various lenses. I use a Clearviewer for eye level photography and I use a Gordy's sling strap. The GF1 is a wonderful camera. It is like carrying a small rangefinder camera. I make prints up to 13 X 19 inches and they have come out very nice.

I have been a passionate photographer since my teenage years. My first real camera was a Retina IIIC which was a really fine little rangefinder camera that Kodak imported from Germany in the late 1950's (that is how long it has been since Kodak sold a good camera). The GF1 has returned me to those days.

I think that Panasonic has hit on what the photographers of my ilk want. I believe that the DSLR's will be around for many years for use by pro's and for special circumstances. Panasonic has moved ahead of Canon and Nikon in their technology on these smaller cameras both point and shoot and the micro 4/3rds. The problem is that Pany does not have the distribution that it should have. They probably could have sold double the number of their LX3 if only they could produce them.

I only hope that their manufacuring arm can catch up with their R and D arm. The cameras that they produce seem to be the best.