Panasonic's MFTS camera

12 MP Lumix GF1 adopts the Micro Four Thirds System standard

My experience with DSLR cameras isn't extensive since I'm a point-and-shoot kind of girl but I think it helped me look at the Panasonic Lumix GF1 from a more casual perspective. 

 Here's a techy introduction from Panasonic for its Micro Four Thirds camera:

 The GF1 adopts the Micro Four Thirds System standard, which was developed as an extended version of the Four Thirds System standard for digital camera systems. By using this standard and developing a camera body that eliminates the mirror box and optical viewfinder unit, LUMIX was able to achieve a dramatic reduction in both size and weight compared with conventional digital SLR cameras, to create a new-generation system camera that features Full-time Live View, high-speed, high-precision Contrast AF, HD movie recording, and more.

To put that in plain speak, it boldly goes where other professional cameras haven't gone in a long long time - a ladies handbag.  And this 12MP digital camera comes with a handy intelligent auto mode so you don't have to don your professional photographer hat to get it to do awesome things.

The fixed focal lens (20mm) means you can't really zoom and get really into the close shot you want, and it can get a bit shaky if you're not sure of what you're doing (ahem). Features like face recognition, the intelligent auto mode and AF Tracking (that lets you keep a subject in focus even if it's moving until you press the shutter) means that the GF1 also appeals to a more mainstream audience.

I've yet to find a professional photographer that would make it their weapon of choice. It's somewhere in the middle of being a regular point-and-shoot camera and a DSLR, but can't fully match either. It really doesn't need to though because it's another alternative and having options is good from any perspective.

LG feeds us more chocolate

 LG Chocolate BL40 is the fourth handset in its Black Label series

The generous 'Real VGA' touchscreen display comes with a 21:9 aspect ratio and I haven't seen anything quite like it. It's intuitive so you can flip easily from landscape to portrait, but the display size means that interface elements jumps from taking over the entire screen to being squished to the top when the phone's vertical again. It's not really a massive downside but it can take some getting used to. Watching videos on this beaut helps ease that worry considerably. 

 Sticking with the topic of usability, it can get a bit tiresome searching for applications. There's a funky rotating 3D cube that displays some, a shortcut menu that has a few others, and a full-length line dancing version that I found myself going straight for. I really think LG needn't have tried so hard.

The one thing that does stand out in this phone is its 5MP camera and a panoramic mode that stitches different shots together. It also comes with autofocus and an LED flash, taking crisp photos regardless of lighting. The battery life is also not bad for its range but if you forget to charge it at night, it'll definitely die on you early the next morn.

The one thing I can't get over is its size. It's like I'm walking around with a classy remote control. I had to get into an in-depth discussion with my two year old niece, convincing her that it couldn't operate the TV or play cartoons. She did pick up on the word ‘chocolate' though...and then tried to bite it.