Oh well, not again.The Japanese model comes only with Japanese menus, you won't be able to switch it to English ever. It can't be flashed to a non-Japanese firmware even once Panasonic releases updates. Your only option in Japan would be to buy an overseas model but those models usually retail at RRP and so they are more expensive than here in SG. Of course if you can read Japanese I highly recommend buying the Japanese model. All this is only the case with Panasonic and Sony, all other camera brands come with English menus even in Japan.
Suggest making this a sticky
(1) jap model doesn't come with English and one can't ever get English even with flashing the firmware. Good idea to start learning Jap
(2) savings wise, there's not much point buying an overseas model in Japan.
(3) Panasonic will NOT honor international warranties. There are many shops in HK that will say their sets have international warranty but that's a scam. You need the original warranty card & receipt to claim for local sets hence note that when buying 2nd hand.
(4) Olympus will honor international warranty. You need at least photocopies of the warranty card and receipt to claim. They are more flexible coming to this , kudos to them for this.
