Panasonic is aiming the Lumix GF3 at novice photographers who want to upgrade from a compact camera, and on the basis of my time spent with it, we think it's a great choice for these users.

However, the Panasonic GF3 will also be of interest to enthusiasts who want a camera to slip in their jacket pocket.

The Panasonic GF3's aluminium chassis gives it a high-quality feel, and it seems like a camera that will survive being taken on your travels.

Panasonic has managed to simplify the handling without losing much in the way of control.

Although Panasonic has put a lot of work into reducing the level of noise in the images produced by its Lumix G series cameras, their strength is still their performance in bright or 'average' lighting conditions.

On the face of it, the Panasonic GF3 appears to be an ideal alternative to a compact camera. It offers good image quality, an extensive range of controls and simple, yet sophisticated, handling.

We can't wait to get my hands on a full production sample!