Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1

Both use the same type of 17.3x13mm Four-Thirds Live MOS 12.1 megapixel sensor, both have (of course) the same lens mount, and both lack a built-in viewfinder, relying instead on a large three-inch monitor, although the GF1's screen has double the resolution.

12 Megapixel is easily enough for 16x20 prints, with the right choice of subject, and remember that it wasn't that long ago sports photographers were doing full page magazine illustrations with 1.3 Megapixel Nikon D1s!

Ultimate picture quality is probably not as good as a DSLR.Compared to a high-end point and shoot (S90, LX3, or G11) it is larger (especially with any zoom lens) but it auto-focuses faster and takes better pictures.Compared to other Micro Four Thirds cameras: Olympus EP Series has in body Image Stabilization but auto-focus is said to be slower.

Shooting log-exposure shots in low light at high IS settings is usually a sure recipe for chronic image noise, and some previous 4/3 cameras have stumbled at this particular hurdle, but the GF1 performed much better than I expected, producing virtually noise-free images at 800 ISO, which is what I would expect from a good APS-C digital SLR.

Anyone who wants to have a small compact and lightweight camera with great image quality, are not concerned about focus speed/flash and want to use the in camera IS to stabilize non-IS lenses.

The size was great, easy to carry in hand, not too heavy on my neck when I had to use my hands for other things.

We've already looked at the feature and design differences between the GF1 and its only direct competitor, the Olympus E-P1, and it would seem to be fairly obvious that the Panasonic wins - by a narrow margin - on points, thanks to its better focusing, better screen and built-in flash.

Bottom line up front: The elusive compact camera with interchangeable lenses, DLSR Image Quality, DSLR Focusing speed and DSLR performance has finally been made.