Hello! I'm new to the forum - I've been lurking for a little while and the forum seems brilliant so thought I'd join as everyone seems very helpful
Briefly, I'm a photography noobie/beginner, but I've been looking at the GF1 for some time and researching into it a lot and really like it.
1) Would it be hard to grasp how to use the GF1? Provided I've not used an SLR before - I would get a higher end compact instead but I want something with more scope for progression and I feel like the GF1 provides this.
2) How sturdy/fragile is the camera? I'm scared I might drop it!
3) I read somewhere that there's no zoom on it, meaning that you have to literally get close to the subject to have it seem that way on the LCD. Not sure if this was a dodgy source or not but can anyone shed light on this? (this is referring to the camera with toe 20mm f/1.7 pancake lens)
Thanks on advance!! Oh and, would it be safe to buy the camera off, say, ebay, as opposed to an actual camera shop? I've seen some going for decent/cheaper prices on ebay but I'm not sure if I should buy off there as I'd probably have no warranty/guarantee etc. I feel a bit worried because I've been reading quite a few pages back on this thread and have read about people with issues with like.. a strange 'banding'/'wiring' effect down their camera, and sensors getting dirty etc and if I was to buy off eBay I'd find it harder getting these sort of things seen to
or at least it feels that way ha.

1) Would it be hard to grasp how to use the GF1? Provided I've not used an SLR before - I would get a higher end compact instead but I want something with more scope for progression and I feel like the GF1 provides this.
2) How sturdy/fragile is the camera? I'm scared I might drop it!
3) I read somewhere that there's no zoom on it, meaning that you have to literally get close to the subject to have it seem that way on the LCD. Not sure if this was a dodgy source or not but can anyone shed light on this? (this is referring to the camera with toe 20mm f/1.7 pancake lens)
Thanks on advance!! Oh and, would it be safe to buy the camera off, say, ebay, as opposed to an actual camera shop? I've seen some going for decent/cheaper prices on ebay but I'm not sure if I should buy off there as I'd probably have no warranty/guarantee etc. I feel a bit worried because I've been reading quite a few pages back on this thread and have read about people with issues with like.. a strange 'banding'/'wiring' effect down their camera, and sensors getting dirty etc and if I was to buy off eBay I'd find it harder getting these sort of things seen to