In most ways, our shooting experience with a pre-production sample of the Panasonic Lumix G1 was first-rate and often surprising. We anticipated laggy auto focus performance, based on the need to use contrast-detection auto focus instead of the well-established phase detection focus technology used in SLRs. In fact, the G1 consistently focused quickly and accurately, both indoors and out.

We expected the smaller camera body to be tough to handle, especially for a reviewer with big hands. Instead, the G1 proved perfectly comfortable and, with its light weight and well-balanced body, actually a pleasure to shoot with.

We haven't done lab tests for image quality, but we were allowed to keep the photos we shot and, while we can only reproduce them at a maximum 640 x 480 (see the image gallery here), we're impressed with the color, saturation and apparent noise performance of this pre-production model, and look forward to getting the final unit for a true performance evaluation.

And yet... we can't help but wonder who is going to buy this camera, especially if the estimated $800 price (with lens) holds up. We can't see an existing SLR customer moving in this direction -- too few available lenses, and while the camera is smaller than many traditional SLRs, a high-end compact camera makes a better addition to your shooting arsenal if the point is pocketable convenience when you don't want to lug your full-size SLR.

As for point-and-shooters thinking of moving on up, the system's stated target audience, size and cost are again factors to consider. "Smaller than an SLR" still doesn't provide the traveling convenience these users are used to, and the size difference just isn't that radical when compared to petite SLR rigs like the Olympus E-420. Once you need to wear a neck strap or carry a camera bag, a few ounces and inches here and there won't make that much of a difference. In fact, the Micro Four Thirds concept camera Olympus displayed at Photokina (see story here) uses a shape much closer to traditional point-and-shoot (albeit in a larger size) than the G1's mini-SLR approach.

And if that $800 pricing neighborhood does prove to be accurate, there are a host of name-brand SLRs with huge selections of lenses and accessories on the market in this bracket already.

Based on the pre-production model we took for a test drive, we applaud Panasonic for trying something different in a me-too marketplace and producing a stylish camera which, at first blush, performs very well. We're just not sure that leading the parade in a bold new direction will necessarily guarantee a lot of buyers marching their way.