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The GX1 packages external camera control points and a class-leading touchscreen interface in a classically-styled small form factor that produces the best image quality we've yet seen from a Micro Four Thirds camera.

Still, the GX1 is far from perfect, and if it the handling and expandability don't matter to you, go for something cheaper that doesn't run up against the limitations of Micro Four Thirds sensors: The Sony NEX C3 and NEX-5N perform much better in low-light conditions, according to our tests.

This clearly wants to be a photographer’s camera; it’s not easy enough to use to be anything else. So why so many auto and art modes? Why a touchscreen and a galaxy of buttons? There’s just a hint of identity crisis here that its successor will hopefully address.

Easy to carry, yet not too small, the Panasonic GX1 offers a lot to the photography enthusiast who's looking for a compact system camera. It offers compatibility with a growing set of high-quality lenses, and is a lot of fun to use.

The Panasonic Lumix GX1 is an excellent enthusiast-level compact system camera that offers plenty of flexibility and customisation options in a small and stylish package. On top of this, build quality is excellent and image quality rarely disappoints.

The Panasonic Lumix GX1 is a compelling compact system camera for enthusiasts who demand decent quality and control from a small body. Highlights include solid build, responsive focus, mature touch-screen operation backed-up with lots of physical controls.

The GX1 leaves a favourable overall impression: we'd certainly recommend adding it to your list of models to try before you buy if you're shopping for a high-quality CSC that delivers results where it matters.

If you want virtually all of Panasonic's compact system camera technologies in a small, customisable and intuitive package, the new Lumix DMC-GX1 fits the bill almost perfectly.