Which compact to supplement the M8?

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pizzahut88

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I want to buy a small compact digital to supplement the M8, any ideas?
Being a Leica user, what will you choose? & why?

I have been looking the following models:
(1) Canon G9
It has raw file capture, manual mode display is quite nice.
Missing 28mm, a little bit too big.

(2) Panasonic LX2
Leica lens, but is it good?
But no hot shoe.

(3) GR Digital II
I like DNG raw file, good lens no doubt.
But sometimes zoom very useful.

(4) Nikon P5100
PASM mode, pro compact from Nikon.
But missing raw mode.

(5) New Ricoh G8
I like the zoom lens - 28mm to 200mm?
Good size, but missing M mode.

(6) Sigma DP1
A little bit too expensive for a compact,
Don't have experience using Sigma cameras.
 
If I were you I would go for the GR-DII or the LX2. I am very impressed by the GR-DII especially for b&w and if you are worried about a zoom, you can still by the "creative kit" with the add-on lenses.. The LX is a very good camera but lacks of viewfinder and is quite noisy at high ISO. I think the 16/9 format is really cool and it also have RAW format. I use to have the LX1 but it got stolen, I quite miss it.

The G9 is also very good but has you say it's a bit too big.

BTW, when are we going to see you at a HK RFF meeting?

Cheers
Max
 
The GRDII is a terrific little camera, a really nice companion to my M8. Ergonomically, the best.

Have taken the camera to Paris and it made for a wonderful travel companion.

All are nice choices to have :)

Kent
 
Since purchasing the M8 and two lenses, I can’t justify another camera quite yet. Then again, I purchased the M8 so that my super camera and pocket camera could be one in the same. Now that I scramble to justify the upgrade, I noticed the Euro/dollar conversion equals the cost of a D300 so perhaps that will become my back-up (pocket) camera.
Regards,:D
 
My needs were something strictly for a backup for when my M8 goes haywire on a trip, not really intending to use it otherwise. I wanted something small but not so small I can't get a good grip on it. I would have liked an optical viewfinder but it would have to have a diopter adjustment which rules out most, and the G7/G9 are too big for my needs, although the Canon-dedicated flash shoe would have been nice since I have EX-type flashes. It also has to go to 28mm effective angle at least.

I was looking at the LX2 but had a chance to get a mint DLux-2 for the same money. After a while I ended up selling it to a guy who "read someplace" that the DLux-2 was "better" than the 3 and offered me $100 more than I paid for it. (Offer I couldn't refuse, though he didn't sound like Marlon Brando:D) So then I bought a new DLux-3. Yes, I know, why didn't I just get an LX-2 since I shoot RAW anyway. I like the looks of the black DLux-3, dumb reason for a "real photographer" to buy one, so go ahead and flame away :angel: Anyhow, I like the camera except I wished it had an optical viewfinder, but like I said, it's only for a backup. I did take it on a weekend business-type trip, and it worked out well enough, but really those hold-your-arms-out p&s types aren't my cup of tea.
 
I own the P5100 with an WC-E67 wide angle converter. This is a fun camera that reminds a bit of the DSLR grip. The optical viewfinder is pretty useless though as way too small and only 85% of real view. As for the lack of raw, if I need them, I usually would take the R-D1. Picture quality is great though and I love the ability to have 1:1 or 16:9 format.
 
i use my M8 and also i have a point and shoot yashica T4 and one T4D
although there are film cameras but the quality is unbelievable.
i spent around 150 euros for both of them.
 
I like to have a back-up on trips and wanted RAW files. I bought a Lumix DMC-LX2 (Panasonic, Leica version is the D-Lux 3). Since it was intended as a back up to a very compact travel kit (M8/28/50) It needed to be as small as possible. It uses the same cards as the M8. Battery and charger are very small. When I have the M8 with me my intent is not to use the DMC-LX2 so it hides in the hotel room or in my wifes bag. It is a nice little camera but has all the usual small digicam drawbacks (shutter lag being one of the biggest). It is noisey above base ISO. RAW files are nice. Pixel number is about the same as the M8 (pixel size/sensor size is cetainly not). Small size and the RAW files were most important to me. Other digicams are more capable (G9) but larger. I really do not use this as a main camera, even on local trips. If a trip warrents a more solid backup or a camera other abilities that are not a strong suit of an M Leica then I add a DSLR and leave the digicam at home.
 
Leica IIIa film camera with 50mm collapsible Elmar 3.5. Great little pocket camera, and has been an unfailing backup for many other, more sophisticated or "modern" pieces of gear over the years.

NS
 
If you want to have excellent low light capabilities (just like leica M),
nothing will beat fuji finepix f series.
F31fd is the latest one, that have high iso with great IQ unseen before in a pocket digicam. Avoid f40 and f50, as many people said that the IQ is worse than the predecessor.
I myself have fuji finepix F11 and so far still impressed with its ability in capturing low light scenes.
They just rolled out the new F100fd, supposedly with iso 12800!!
But i havent got a clue how it performs in real life.

one thing i dislike about fuji is the dynamic range is not as good as similar digicams. So if you'll shoot lots of oudoor scenes with high dynamic range, better find another camera. But i guess its the price you'll pay for the excellent low light capabilities.

good luck with your quest.
 
Fuji

Fuji

I was using the Fuji finpix F10 until I accidentally dropped it in a river in Belize:bang: I tried to get an F31 but could not find one at a reasonable price. The F31 is supposed be the best performing at high ISO despite it being an older model. The newest model is the F45 and the F50. I ended getting an F40 from BH with a $75 rebate for a final price of $175. I don't think that it's as good as the F31 but it is much better than the competition at high iso. DPreview has some samples posted so that you can compare.
 
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The backup to my M8 is my MP, but I carry a Ricoh GX-100 in my purse. It is a really fun little camera to always have on hand. I did not want to be restricted to the 28mm field of view (and did not want add-on lenses), so I opted for the step-zoom GX-100 over the GRD-2. I carry a few optical finders for really sunny days and am always ready to get the shot.
 
I don't have a compact supplement, but I recently purchased a Nikon D60 as a backup for the M8. It does a few things the Leica does not and I saved 80% compared to the cost of buying another M8.
 
For me the M8 is my compact camera. That is compared to a large DSLR.
I didn't like the lack of picture quality on all compacts.
Perhaps the new Sigma DP-1 with a large sensor is an alterntive, but it is not small.
 
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