Decision Time: GF1 or S90?

[Steadyone]

I know it's apples to oranges, but I can't decide between the Lumix GF1 (20mm 1.7) or the Canon S90. I purchased them both and have compared the performance & image quality and I am at an dead-end. In full auto, both camera's perform well. I like the pocketability of the S90 but the GF1 gives me more photo opportunities and expandability as I advance my photography skills. Someone talk me off of the ledge as I can't keep both! thanks

 

[jbf]

i love the idea of the GF1 but until they have a prime wide equivalent i wont be buying into the system.

s90 looks great for a pocket cam, but not so keen on the small sensor aspect of it.

 

[thegman]

GF1, so much more flexible, and a great lens.

 

[pagpow]

So, Steadyone, tell us a bit about how and what you shoot under what circumstances -- on the run while you go about other activities, periods of time dedicated to photography, a lot of telephoto work, etc. That might help us point to things you might want to consider in your decision. For example, I bought the S90 and now take it everywhere. I had not had a carry everywhere camera recently. You might have other circumstances.

 

[jsrockit]

GF1 ... it's a no brainer if you are serious about Photography. The S90 is more of a 2nd camera type of camera.

 

[PatrickT]

I went through this same thing a few months ago and went with the S90. I wanted the pocketability and take everywhere-ness of it (bring it to a concert, grocery store, whatever). The GF1 seemed a little too big for those times. This camera was meant as a 2nd shooter to my main rig (Canon 5D).

Now that I've had it a few months, I have to say that the results are great, but the user experience has me wanting more. I don't "enjoy" taking photos with it. One of the things I've heard about the m4/3's cameras (especially the EP-1/2 and GF1 cameras) is that they are a lot of fun to use. I just don't find that with my S90.

Like I said, the S90 is a great little take everywhere camera (and produces nice results), but it's not giving me the user experience that for some reason I thought I'd get. So now I'm not sure what to do 🙂

 

[dnk512]

I gave my LX3 away because of what PatrickT said. Can not explain why. I do not have the same problem with my DSLR.

 

[Finder]

Well, you have bought them, so keep them. I hope you were not going to send one back for a refund. This practice, especially in the US, is a major expense for manufacturers which forces prices higher for the rest of us.

 

[Steadyone]

Well, you have bought them, so keep them. I hope you were not going to send one back for a refund. This practice, especially in the US, is a major expense for manufacturers which forces prices higher for the rest of us.

No, I am planning to sell the one I don't keep on Ebay. Both are very "hot" cameras right now so I don't expect I will have trouble selling. And, I have taken less than 300 shots on each so they are in "like-new" condition.

 

[BillBingham2]

I don't have a S90 or a M4/3s camera, but I can say that I enjoy using my GX-100 (very similar to S90). They are two different cameras as the GF-1 can take all sorts of glass making it fun to try and stretch your vision/approach a bit. I pair my GRD III with the GX-100 to cover wide and moderate tele but I miss not having something to really reach out there (180 or 300 mm). You can get that with a GF-1 with ease.

I'm not sure about your situation on the return and all but I agree, more Karma is better than less.

B2 (;->

 

[BillBingham2]

What's your other stuff (read cameras) & what do you shoot?

b2

 

[Steadyone]

What's your other stuff (read cameras) & what do you shoot?

b2

The GF1 or S90 will be my primary camera. Years ago I had Olympus & Canon film cameras but only Canon point n shoots since. The S90 is much better than any other point shoot I have ever owned. But the GF1 seems to have everything I'll need to reallly explore the world of photography long term.

 

[BillBingham2]

There is something very handy about being able to carry a camera you can get good results from in your pocket. I'm not convinced that the M4/3s are all they are cracked up to be, but then I have not held/used one. I think there are/will be better alternatives out there in a year so I'm sitting on the side lines (besides the fact that I have no money right not). If you fell comfortable with the S90 menus and controls then I'd go that way. As I said, I'm a Ricoh man myself and it would be hard for someone pry my GRD III even out of my cold dead hands.

B2 (;->

 

[BillBingham2]

I forgot to say, great approach to testing cameras.

B2 (;->

 

[kuzano]

P&S vs larger sensor, interchangable lens

P&S vs larger sensor, interchangable lens

No Contest in my thinking.

The absolute ONLY reason to buy a P&S camera is to have it with you AT ALL TIMES.

If that's not what you goal is, there is no other consideration that gives advantage to the smaller camera. In fact, for me it is much harder to handhold a P&S, which is why I most often shoot with the timer on two seconds so I can steady the small camera. How's that for shutter lag?

I've had about a half dozen p&s cameras so far and they have generally never been in my pocket any more than a small DSLR has been with me in the car or on a strap.

Personally, I cannot justify the price of the best P&S (like the S90) than I can over almost any 4/3 or micro 4/3 camera. That is, of course, given contemporary technology on both. The lenses will continue to improve and be available on the micro 4/3 format. I am going to watch a couple more new entries on the micro 4/3. I was very close to buying an S90, but the E-PL1 at $600 looks far more appealing.

I can't make myself carry a camera any more than I do by sacrificing so much for diminutive size.

 

[sevres_babylone]

GF1 ... it's a no brainer if you are serious about Photography. The S90 is more of a 2nd camera type of camera.

I don't have the S90, but do have the Ricoh GRD3 which uses the same sensor. On a recent trip to Haiti, I used the GRD3 in addition to my R-D1, while a photographer I was with used his GF-1 in addition to his Canon DSLR. Both of us used the smaller cameras more than the larger ones. Both of us were also happy with purchasing decision we had made in deciding between the GF1 and GRD3. For me the things I appreciated with the GRD3 was the 28mm equivalent view, the depth of field, its size and its silence. I was happy I brought the Epson too, because I did like to take some shots with a shallow depth of field, and sometimes the 28mm was too wide. Being a zoom, the S90 would take care of the latter, but given the small sensor, not the former.

In May I will be showing some of the prints I have made of shots from that trip during CONTACT, Toronto's photography month. They will be a mixture of shots made with the Epson and with the Ricoh. The prints will not be exceptionally large, at most 10 x15 (I don't usually print bigger anyway.) I suspect the only people who will be interested in which pictures were taken with which camera will be my flckrite friends and RFFers who I hope will come to the show. If this means I'm not serious about photography, so be it.

 

[BillBingham2]

...The absolute ONLY reason to buy a P&S camera is to have it with you AT ALL TIMES.....

I can't make myself carry a camera any more than I do by sacrificing so much for diminutive size.

I can imagine the same comments being said by photographers who used 4x5 cameras looking at a Barnack!

Shutter lag can be beaten by prefocusing. The way I shot with my GRD most of the time there is no shutter lag (snap mode).

While the smaller sensor does not resolve the same as the big boys but a world class lens does bring it a lot closer.

B2 (;->

 

[joachim]

No, I am planning to sell the one I don't keep on Ebay. Both are very "hot" cameras right now so I don't expect I will have trouble selling. And, I have taken less than 300 shots on each so they are in "like-new" condition.

Like new is unused, on my books 300 shoots is used (that is 8 rolls in old money). If I were your buyer, expect to get trouble (e.g. neg feedback, complaints to ebay/paypal for misrepresentation).

 

[jsrockit]

I don't have the S90, but do have the Ricoh GRD3 which uses the same sensor. On a recent trip to Haiti, I used the GRD3 in addition to my R-D1, while a photographer I was with used his GF-1 in addition to his Canon DSLR. Both of us used the smaller cameras more than the larger ones. Both of us were also happy with purchasing decision we had made in deciding between the GF1 and GRD3. For me the things I appreciated with the GRD3 was the 28mm equivalent view, the depth of field, its size and its silence. I was happy I brought the Epson too, because I did like to take some shots with a shallow depth of field, and sometimes the 28mm was too wide. Being a zoom, the S90 would take care of the latter, but given the small sensor, not the former.

In May I will be showing some of the prints I have made of shots from that trip during CONTACT, Toronto's photography month. They will be a mixture of shots made with the Epson and with the Ricoh. The prints will not be exceptionally large, at most 10 x15 (I don't usually print bigger anyway.) I suspect the only people who will be interested in which pictures were taken with which camera will be my flckrite friends and RFFers who I hope will come to the show. If this means I'm not serious about photography, so be it.

I knew this was coming. I'm not being a snob or saying you cannot get great results from a P&S. My remark's not about image quality but versatility.

Yes, you used your Ricoh, as have I, as a second camera and at times your main camera... which was my point. The GF-1 would be more versatile as the OP's only camera. Would you want a small sensor P&S as your only camera if you are seriously into Photograhy? Probably not. Could you get away with it if you had to? ... yes, most likely you could.

 

[BillBingham2]

......Would you want a small sensor P&S as your only camera if you are seriously into Photograhy? Probably not. Could you get away with it if you had to? ... yes, most likely you could.

I have sold all my Bessas, my Leicas, and will be selling my Nikons (SLRs and RFs) this week. I have two Nikkormats that I will be left with and a few lenses. They will be in storage for a year or two. I have a couple of 4x5s in storage too, along with an enlarger for them.

I find my GRD III to be quite acceptable as a serious camera, it's my main camera with an EFL (Effective Focal Length) of 28 and f1.9. I can turn it into a 21/1.9 if I want to for about $190 USD more. Outside of shooting interiors not sure I will need it. For something longer I have a GX-100 that gives me an EFL of 72mm. Not what I like but it's OK. I'd rather have Ricoh bring out a prime short tele say 75/2.5 but life goes one.

I find the GRD III to do close-ups, fill flash and existing darkness very nicely and it paid for.

Serious is like Big, a relative term. There have been and are a lot of great photographers who shoot with one focal length. I never thought a 28 would be mine, but I find that in this case it is.

I do well enough with my photography to make me happy and those I take the picture for happy. I believe I'm quite serious about photography but I would never look to judge another because of what makes them happy is not what would make me happy. I sold my Leicas because I found for my style Nikon rangefinders were much better handling and I found every bit as good glass for the Nikons as I had for my Leicas (35mm 'Cron VI).

Why use words that judge like "serious", what's the value? My car is faster, my lens is longer and faster, why does it matter. Are you happy? As long as you're not hurting anybody live long and prosper.

B2 (;->