successful system camera with some nice gadgets

Frankly, had so far not really opened up to me the meaning and purpose of system cameras.
For "good" a classic SLR for quick snapshots in between or for trips in which one wants to burden with as little luggage, a small compact digital camera, which indeed partly already today are very well done.
Why and what for but as a "hybrid" often more expensive than a compact digital camera, but probably still can not fully replace the classic SLR?
Still, I was secretly but a bit curious as to what system cameras so can offer and could not resist the reviewed here Lumix therefore.
However, as this is my first system camera, comparison with corresponding other models from me can not be taken; Who those are important, which is at the other reviews probably be rather find.
The technical details I will not enumerate here in detail, since this the Amazon product description and the manufacturing side can be removed so, where it is likely to advance anyway erstmal inform interested in buying it.

First, a few words about the first impression:
The camera comes well packed in, making a blameless processed impression and fits comfortably and securely in your hand.
The housing is relatively insensitive to fingerprints and most controls are easy to reach.
Inglorious exception to this is in addition to the minimal unfavorable recessed in a kind of corner lying Playback button Blitzentriegelung whose pretty tiny button only about 2 mm is next to the place where the rockets of lightning with Schmackes from the device, which he regularly a little on the triggering finger is disabled.
Since the flash attachment on a thin plate, moving from a very fragile-looking tiny spring, unfortunately, in any case does not particularly robust impression on me, this is not very practical; Women with only minimal on the fingertip beyond reaching nails can trigger the flash only with the nail, although it would not have been a problem from the square to place the shutter in a slightly more comfortable distance from the flash.
Unfortunately, this can also connect any external flash.
Getting used to even the lens cap that is not fake, but pinched.
When changing the lens you have to therefore take care to not unfavorable to come to the cover, as this then quite easily pop out the lens.
Overall, the external design of the device is so successful, but for "Grobmotoriker" the whole thing is nothing but have to be very cautious and a little spitzfingrig traded.
The included shoulder belt does the job, but at a camera but slightly higher price class a leather strap would have been simply nicer than the not particularly pleasant wearing belt of strongly smelling plasticky, rubbery synthetic leather.

It should be noted yet that the unit is not dust or moisture-proof;
This is for cameras with interchangeable lens and / or other moving parts while common, but those like me who has previously used mainly a camera with all-weather housing, I can even accept without hesitation into the water, although it is not an underwater camera who has to have a little change and, for example, in use at the beach take special care.
Pronounced practical, for example, overhead shots or when using the camera in reflective sunlight, that's down collapsible display.
For round-the-corner shots, it would be even better if it would also rotate, but unfortunately this is not the case.
The first time you charge the battery, I had stunned a little shake his head, with all 60 cm (!) Cable length must be lying charge the battery when using an underlying outlet on the floor, because the cable length not and on a table, cabinet or other enclosed reaches up in overhead outlets (kitchen) it is not enough on the work surface down.
Of course this is not "bad", particularly as it is likely to give extensions in every household, but I'll never understand how manufacturers can skimp on some hundreds euro expensive electrical items such at a few cm cable length.

After recharging the battery, the practical test is carried out.
The initial settings such as date, time, etc. are done without difficulty;
the included software (a CD with detailed instruction manual, one with image processing software) can be installed (with me by Windows 7) quickly and easily.
The menu structure of the unit seemed a bit confusing at the beginning, but probably just because of the fact that it is structured differently than my Olympus; with a little practice, but you get used to it quickly.
The combination of classical key operation and touch screen was new for me, was my way through the intuitive operation but quickly convinced.

Now for the photo test:
Unusually for me was initially the lack of a viewfinder, but I quickly found in the first test with the Lumix, to my amazement, that he hardly miss it.
The image processor is working in autofocus pleasing quickly and zooming range of 14 to 42 mm covers the usual standard shooting situations for me from fully.
The Lumix has an Intelligent Auto Mode, succeed with even inexperienced photographers very nice shots, appraised immediately in full glory reflected on the generous and very good resolution display (16 megapixels).
Especially the color brilliance even indoors and / or in non-optimal lighting conditions could convince myself right away.
Otherwise offers the Lumix addition to the usual modes, eg for night, portrait and panorama assist, also some other nice effects like a "Soft skin mode" for portraits or the possibility to dispense with depth of field, so that the background of the image behind the main subject a little blurred.
A nice gimmick, it is also a wireless connection with the Lumix smartphone or tablet.
Since I do not own a tablet, I had first thought it a nice, but at least for me unnecessary gimmick, to transfer images wirelessly to my smartphone because its display is not significantly greater than that of the Lumix.
Class, however, that "Panasonic Image App" can transmit images wirelessly not only to other devices such as a smartphone with the free, but smartphone or tablet can then use as a remote shutter equal - a great and useful extra eg for self or animal photography.

The equipment of the Lumix belongs next to the attached lens, which other quickly, easily and safely and dismantle and can be naturally replaced at extra wertigere lenses, also a stable sun visor.

For Battery performance:
After more than 200 photos of this needs to be charged, which is not a completely bad, but also not an outstanding value, so that the purchase of a second battery pack is at least worth considering.

Finally, a few words about the video function, I though for many years and much like photographing, but I am never more intensively engaged in the movies, I have thus no appreciable experience.
If I wanted closer busy with filming, I would in any case tend to separate devices to take pictures and movies.
All I can therefore only say that the video mode, the Lumix is ​​user-friendly and image quality as well as the transfer to other devices with the "normal" photo feature are comparable.
The sound quality I find neat.

Conclusion: Aside from the fact that the Lumix makes very nice pictures that even for me as a hobby, but it is still an amateur photographer are significantly better than the shot with my compact digital camera, me and the many technical possibilities of the Lumix have amazed and convinced.
It's just fun to work with, regardless of whether one is in the automatic mode is really nice shots or whether one a bit with the manifold other possibilities offered by the machine to experiment or just playing around.
Whether one is better visual quality and color and the additional technical Möglicheiten a system camera such as the Lumix worth compared to an ordinary compact digital camera but significantly higher price or whether it's better a little bit what drauflegt and invest the same in an SLR, must and can of course only each decide for themselves.
I found the combination of portability and low weight, almost like a digital camera, with a whole lot "more" of image quality and various extras anyway very pleasantly surprised, although the Lumix despite its not just low price an SLR as expected can not entirely replace.