What are the panasonic lumix cameras like?

Canon probably make the best pocket-sized cameras in their Ixus / SD range, but for me there is too much vignetting going on for it to be of any serious use, owing to the lens being physically so small. Can't speak for Lumix, but if you go for the biggest lens element you should be able to cut out the most obvious vignetting (which, simply put, means that the image is darker towards the corners).