Got this combo delivered today with the 20mm pancake. Absolutely awesome so far based on initial use. Thought I'd post some thoughts on the viewfinder, as I know there are a lot of conflicting opinions.
I have to say, pretty categorically, that it is not possible to use the VF for manual focus because the resolution is so low, and because the image quality is not up to scratch for that. Given the desired form factor, it's difficult to see this improving much, if at all. However, the viewfinder is, I think, a very useful tool despite this if (like me) you like the feel of having something to your eye rather than composing on screen.
Once you have your AF point set (rather than relying on the auto [multiple] point selection) it's quite easy to get it where you want it, and then let the AF do its thing - I've had an LX3, and was very confident of it's AF; I've no reason to expect this to be any different, so I'm more than happy to use the VF to compose and get the camera to focus where I've placed the AF point (which incidentally you can adjust to make very small - akin to AF points on dSLRs, rather than the massive big boxes of some compacts).
I think you could live without it, and at £165-180 it's no doubt a luxury add-on rather than a necessity given the inability to MF using it. But, I can recommend it if you're coming from the world of the dSLR and want something smaller with good IQ and dof control, but which feels intuitive to use.
I've yet to use the 20mm in anger, but initial impressions are favourable - main advantage for me in this combo is the larger sensor and fast lens resulting in oof background regions - something that has been sooo hard to get from any other 'compact', present generation included. Seems nice and sharp, and appears to have nice bokeh. I think this coupled with Panasonic's awesome 'Dynamic B&W' mode (if that's on this camera) will be killer for street stuff if that's your thang.
I have to say, pretty categorically, that it is not possible to use the VF for manual focus because the resolution is so low, and because the image quality is not up to scratch for that. Given the desired form factor, it's difficult to see this improving much, if at all. However, the viewfinder is, I think, a very useful tool despite this if (like me) you like the feel of having something to your eye rather than composing on screen.
Once you have your AF point set (rather than relying on the auto [multiple] point selection) it's quite easy to get it where you want it, and then let the AF do its thing - I've had an LX3, and was very confident of it's AF; I've no reason to expect this to be any different, so I'm more than happy to use the VF to compose and get the camera to focus where I've placed the AF point (which incidentally you can adjust to make very small - akin to AF points on dSLRs, rather than the massive big boxes of some compacts).
I think you could live without it, and at £165-180 it's no doubt a luxury add-on rather than a necessity given the inability to MF using it. But, I can recommend it if you're coming from the world of the dSLR and want something smaller with good IQ and dof control, but which feels intuitive to use.
I've yet to use the 20mm in anger, but initial impressions are favourable - main advantage for me in this combo is the larger sensor and fast lens resulting in oof background regions - something that has been sooo hard to get from any other 'compact', present generation included. Seems nice and sharp, and appears to have nice bokeh. I think this coupled with Panasonic's awesome 'Dynamic B&W' mode (if that's on this camera) will be killer for street stuff if that's your thang.