QUOTE(ulwan25 @ Mar 13 2014, 11:08 PM)
but then again RAW is messy and a big burden. Too sizey and kinda slow to process. Heard of a new jpeg scheme that works like RAW but with minimal of filesize and I'm looking forward to it

Yes, and it needs to be processed.
Anyway, JPEG with minimal processing is good enough, but it will need some processing for different situations due to the minimal processing done.
That's why for DSLR, there is an advice for settings all adjustment to lowest/zero for JPEG.
JPEG is a processed file, think of it as cooked meat, if over-cook, then you can't really do much, but if mildly cook, then you can cook it further to your preference.
Then again, not everyone wants to always edit a photo, so a default processing has to be good and suits most people. I guess L1020 adopted more vibrant/contrasty processing on the JPEG was due to more people seems to prefer it. They have to follow the market majority, e.g. when people took a photo with the demo unit, "wow, it's so beautiful and colorful".
But as long there is option to adjust the settings and RAW option as a plus, it's very good already. Plus, the manual control is one of the main highlights.
The main issue with L1020 is the price, but then for those can afford or feels it's worth it, then go for it.
Another lacking is the storage options, for the price, if it's 64GB it's more worth it, but it's better to have external storage options; being a camera focus device, the user may use up many of the space.... Actually the external grip should comes with battery + storage.
Looking forward for the successor for L1020.