Having used different 35mm film camera from Leicaflex and R4, to Contax G2, to Canon EOS DSLR, this is a nice comfortable small camera with almost all the features of the aforementioned cameras. I can use almost ALL my Leica lenses, as there are practically adapters for all the popular mounts (in manual modes only, of course). I don't miss my SLR anymore (okay, i still like my Leica!). In fact, with a full-size SLR lens, it actually feels comfortable with a hefty lens and the light camera body.

The 12MP imager is much sharper than the 8MP in the EOS I was used to; and i always like the warm and vibrant color balance/tone of the Lumix processor. The pop-up flash is neat, and you can tug it to point it upward with you finger for bounce-flash (actually I learned this from an Olympus tech at a demonstration of the EPL2!) The 3-inch LCD is big and bright but if you have vision issue, manual focusing can still be a problem (same with any camera without a diopter-corrected... Read more

I purchased this camera in Nov. 2011. It's now Jan. 2012. I've literally learned photography's secrets through this camera. I've researched and learned non-stop for the past 2 months or so and this has been my experience so far...

Let me start off by saying that the touchscreen is very responsive if you think of it as being like a Nintendo DS screen rather than an iPhone screen. In other words, a stylus works better than your fingertip. Or, you can be like me, slap an LCD screen protector on there and use your thumb nail. In fact, a little stylus in the shape of a soda can tab is included with this camera in the box. But I think it will be a little weird to have to start carrying around a stylus with your camera, though I admit, I keep a black Nintendo DS stylus in my camera bag.

If you have no interest in using a touchscreen, you can still navigate through the menus and do everything through the physical buttons. However, I highly suggest using the... Read more

Pros:
- LCD has great color and viewing angles
- Light
- Stereo video
- Hotshoe
- Responsive touchscreen
- Snappy startup
- Dedicated movie button
- Automatic image rotate
- Flash is mechanically released; you can tilt it up for ceiling flash shots, which is nice
- Surprisingly easy to grip (not great, but better than expected for the slim body)

Cons:
- Menus a bit confusing
- Lens is huge (this is excusable)
- Thumbwheel is a bit stiff
- Flash does not extend high enough to avoid 14-42mm lens; ergo, some shadow appears from the lens
- Flash power is okay
- Camera strap is generic and uncomfortable; plan on getting a better one
- Some special color effects inhibit speed (only the really fancy ones, though)