Thinking about getting this LUMIX 12-35mm/F2.8 POWER O.I.S lens for the Pocket. My concern is how good is the POWER O.I.S? Is it just OK or is it really really good for shooting handheld?

Well it's not a Steadicam if that's the kind of smoothness that you're hoping for.
It does a good job of taking out the little jitters and shake that are present in handheld shots but wont help with big lumps & bumps.

I currently have a Canon EOS M camera with the 18-55mm IS lens and it performs quite well for making a shot steady being handheld. I understand there is no lens with IS that will be like a steadycam if I walk or run with it. I thought I heard some lenses with IS do not work all that well.

I did a video with the gh3 and the 12-35mm last week all handheld for one of my clients, the video will be published soon but until then I have no permission from the client to show it online, but if you want I can give you access to it to have a look so you"ll get a good idea how the stabilization works, I only can give you a password for a day before I change it again.

Thanx Noa, I would appreciate seeing it. And what is your opinion on how it worked for you?

I think the 12-35mm is a awesome lens, expensive but worth every cent, it renders colorful and very sharp images and it's stabilisation is good enough, it's not as good as my sony cx730 but I think not many camera's exist that can match sony's stabilisation, it is my main lens when I shoot weddings. For that shoot I did for my client I was satisfied with the outcome, but you better judge that for yourself when you see my footage. :)

Noa,
thanx. I just emailed you.

edit-i also just changed my profile to now receive emails from other members.

just send you the link, let me know what you think :)

Just to let you know, only the 2 close up panshots at 00:15 of the girl her hands where done on a tripod, all the rest is handheld.

Noa,
I thought it all looked very good. I was wondering how much was handheld because I could not tell. Nice work. Thank you for sharing that.

Alex

I used a varavon loupe for this video which helps in stabilizing and I also have a small shouldersupport which I didn't use for this shoot but that helps stabilizing even further.

Alex, if you want I can send you some footage from the gh3 straight off the card shot in a dark venue at a high iso, I remember that was one of your worries, no? Not trying to sell you the camera but I guess the more you know about the camera the better decision you can make.

sure, i would like to see the low light stuff. send it to me, please. I appreciate you taking time and sharing your hands on experience.

Don't forget with the crop factor the BMCC is going to be more telephoto / less wide / more susceptible to bumps and handling movements.