I don't think it'll drive anyone anywhere, but it will probably separate m43 users into 2 camps, hobby and pro. Those who make money with their m43 will probably find a reason to get this lens, and hobbyist will have to think thrice and settle for some old legacy glass :)

http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Panasonic_Leica_DG_Nocticron_42-5mm_f1-2_H-NS043E/

The performance in the frame centre can be described only as brilliant - already at the maximum relative aperture you get useful images, with the MTFs as high as 48 lpmm; then, on slight stopping down, they rise to 50 lpmm and continue the swift increase afterwards. By f/2.8 you exceed 80 lpmm and by f/4.0 the lens is hitting its peak performance – almost 82 lpmm. It is a sensational result, within the margin of error the same as the record values of the Voigtlander 0.95/25 and the Olympus 1.8/75.

The performance on the edge of the frame can be described in very positive terms as well. Even at the maximum relative aperture the images you get are useful, with the MTFs getting to 47 lpmm – a very important feature and a very good result, taking into account the aperture fastness of the lens. On stopping down the resolution first increases quite slowly but from f/2.8 it improves faster. By f/4.0 the lens performs the best – a value of 67 lpmm ensures very high image quality.

http://www.lenstip.com/index.php?test=obiektywu&test_ob=394

He is so scary looking, right as his photos...

http://www.thephoblographer.com/2014/01/10/first-impressions-panasonic-42-5mm-f1-2-micro-four-thirds/

http://cameras.reviewed.com/features/hands-on-with-the-leica-dg-nocticron-45mm-f12-gallery

Another preview at http://www.quesabesde.com/noticias/leica-nocticron-42-5mm-f1-2-analisis-fotos_11255 has raw files for your to research.

If you want razor-sharp images, then the Panasonic 42.5mm ƒ/1.2 Nocticron lens delivers! Even wide open at ƒ/1.2, this lens produces stunningly sharp images with almost no softening in the corners. Stopping down to ƒ/4-ƒ/5.6 shows even sharper images with excellent corner-to-corner sharpness.

This lens is not only great for shallow depth of field and low-light work, but also studio shooting where you tend to stop down for maximum sharpness and a bigger depth of field ensuring your subject is tack sharp everywhere. When stopped down all the way to ƒ/16, softness from diffraction limiting is well-controlled. Note: No ƒ/22 or smaller apertures, so be careful when shooting in very bright conditions, particularly with video recording, as high shutter speeds can lead to very choppy-looking video.

http://slrgear.com/reviews/showproduct.php/product/1675/cat/all

this lense loooks like a keeper...but I am in conflict now...I have the 12-35 and the 35-100 lenses...I am short on budget and this one is very expensive...I am new to MFT and I need a lense to shoot videos with more the look of those for example: http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOCjoq4cms20Ik39r1aOqXA the shallow DOF won't hurt but the image itself...it is too clear for some of the videos I want to shoot I know that is off topic but maybe not? Maybe I can achieve this look with my lenses or this lenses and with some other filters/setting or post editing? thanks for any advice

Centre sharpness is more than acceptable wide open at f/1.2, and simply outstanding from f/2-f/11, with diffraction adversely affecting f/16. Edge sharpness is impressively almost as good, with the best results obtained from f/2.8-f/8.

Chromatic aberrations, typically seen as purple or blue fringes along contrasty edges, are only conspicuous by their almost complete absence.

http://www.photographyblog.com/reviews/panasonic_leica_dg_nocticron_42_5mm_f1_2_asph_review/

I wonder how this would stack up against a good 58mm lens, like the Voigtlander f/1.4 for Nikon, with a Speedbooster (41mm equiv)? With that setup you'd get shallower DOF, and gain a half stop of brightness. It would also be a more affordable solution - even if you have to buy a Speedbooster with it, you're only looking at $900, instead of $1300. Of course you'd lose OIS, but you'd have a lens that will work on larger sensors if you ever change to FX or DX.

http://news.mapcamera.com/KASYAPA.php?itemid=23163

http://www.focus-numerique.com/test-1829/objectif-panasonic-leica-noctricron-42mm-f12-sur-le-terrain-4.html

42.5mm lens is in stock:

• http://www.adorama.com/IPC425.html
• http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1023336-REG/panasonic_leica_dg_nocticron_42_5mm.html