So I've been eyeing up some micro 4/3rds cameras as a step on from various point and shooters. Panasonic comes up on here fairly regularly as a good option, but with the GF3, G3 and now GX1, it can get a bit confusing.
How do they stack up to each other?
GF3 - 12MP step up from point and shoot. Works well but no option for viewfinder or external flash. A bit small for me to comfortably use.
GX1 and G3 are quite similar in terms of performance. Same sensor but tweaked for a bit higher performance in the GX1. G3 has built in VF and tiltable screen, GX1 doesn't have either but is better built, slightly smaller and, in my opinion, is nicer to handle and produces nicer JPEGs.
Really depends what you want out of the camera. To throw a spanner in the works the new G5 should be coming out soon(ish).
Have a browse through dpreview, ephotozine and the like for more in depth reviews. And the is 43rumours.com as well which has links to most m43 related stuff.
Gf2 looks like a good option at the moment
I have the Olympus epl1 which has been excellent
Panasonic 20mm lense and 45-200 are pretty good
OH has a GF2 and rates it highly. Seems decent enough.
I have a GF1 with the 20mm lens and its fantastic, a real improvement over a compact for the full range of adjustability and it can still fit into a decent size pocket. The later gf's have gone even smaller so more portable and i'm sure they will have improved technically over the GF1 as well.
If you're not too bothered about the size of a camera and plan to use numerous different lenses I would recommend going for a DSLR though. The lens are cheaper and more readily available on the used market, choose either a Nikon or Canon and you can't go far wrong.
Loving my Panasonic G1 here. Bought as a good travel camera because my compact LX 3 was too slow and my Nikon D300 too large.
Now I don't own an LX3 or a D300.
In tests when the g1 first came out, the picture quality beat the Nikon D300!
They're all tracking cameras. You just need to decide what functions you need.
Personally I prefer the Sony NEX series.
Better sensors than micro 4/3. Fewer lenses available though.
I wouldn't necessarily say better sensors on the NEX - but they are certainly bigger (although not by much). The sensor in the GX1 and the new Oly OM-D especially, are capable of producing stunningly good quality that matches 'proper' SLRs. I think m4/3 is now mature enou with a great selection of lenses and bodies, and image quality that is easily better than most 'normal' photographers will require that it is the better choice then the DSLR route if upgrading from a point and shoot.