Have been using one since last week. Best compact camera to date for me. I also have the canon S95 which i still hold in high regards.
imho, this is better than nikons offering. (of course if you are buying the nikon to use your existing nikon lenses / the many frames per second "moving" pic , then of course no need to compare - I have tried out the J1 and v1 as well)
Why ? When buying this type of camera, one looks for convenience and having fun taking pics, and not image quality rivaling a full fledged dslr.
If I want superb image quality / to change lenses in the field, I will use my big dslr, since i got to bring out so much gear anyway.
Best plus points : F2.0 to F2.8 through the useful 4x zoom range. It has fast AF and is responsive. Easy to access controls.
You turn the barrel to zoom (handles very well), much better than using a lever or button which is slow and limits you to
steps only.
REally "feels" like a mini dslr, while the other compacts don't give me this "shiok" feeling.
Bonus: Built in fill flash, hotshoe and clear viewfinder all in one small package. (which is the clearest I have seen in cameras this size even
up to entry level dslrs) go try one and see for youself. I was amazed. Even has a larger range of dioptre adjustment !
I don't have to wear my specs to see clearly in the viewfinder !
Biggest downside for me: no AF point/confirmation info shown in the viewfinder, and also only 85% coverage only.
Is it a good camera for 90% of your non professional needs ? I think so.
Will there be a better one coming in the next few months ? There always will be...
Just wanted to share my opinion, everyone of course has their own.
Will check it out next week.
