Digital compacts recommendations? LX-3 vs. S90 vs. G10 vs ?

[domagojs]

Hi all,

lately my DSLR has been only used for family snapshots and now I'm thinking to replace it with a digital compact since I don't feel like carrying around a DSLR in a big camera bag just to take "Say Cheese!" pics. Of course, I would like to do this switch without big loss in IQ and overall usability, so I guess I'm looking for a "enthusiast" compact. Furthermore, I have my film cameras for my pleasure and this little camera is just meant for sporadic picture taking, I'm thinking about buying used.

So, what would you recommend me as a carry-everywhere, high-quality compact from last year or the year before? I've been looking at Panny LX-3 (so far I like it the best), Canon S90/S95 (handled it and it felt smallish and hard to grip), maybe Ricoh GRD I, II or III (fixed 28mm lens?). Anything else you would recommend?

I know that this comparisons are all over the net, but I'm hoping I might get here the insights of RF shooters, who are more selective about their cameras.

TIA!

 

[al1966]

Have you thought of the Ricoh GX series ? The GX100 is slow as in Raw at around 3-4 seconds between shots but the GX200 can just chug along. I think they are more designed for photographers than many of the others as I can change parameters easily. Also I do not know if it is important to you or not they have a flash shoe. Or there is the GXR with its changeable sensor units or is it too big? The Pentax Q did not look much bigger than the G10 if at all and you can change lenses on that one.

 

[shadowfox]

Olympus XZ-1

 

[Maiku]

I like S90 because you can use the front ring around the lens to set the lens focal length to 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, 85mm or 105mm the zoom dial around the shutter button. It just makes using a compact camera more enjoyable.

 

[rover]

I ultimately settled on the S95 and am very happy I did. I think all the cameras you are looking at will produce very nice images. The ultimate decision for me was the size. The Canon G and Panisonic LX series are just a little too big. At the time it was the best alternative, and still is excellent, I won't be looking to replace it soon, and didn't compromise anything I was looking for in a camera.

 

[Peter S]

S90 is what I have. Very good sensor for the size and I like how you can program the front ring. I use it to set aperture and with the dial on the back I set shutter speed. Very easy to use and very pocketable.

 

[gavinlg]

How about an olympus pen? It's sensor is far bigger than any of the compacts. and the body is still very small with one of the little m4/3 prime lenses like the 17mm f2.8 or the panasonic 20mm f1.7...

E-p1's are super cheap now and still a much better camera than lx5/s90s etc, while being about the same size as the canon G series...

 

[rbelyell]

i have the s90 and its good for what it is, and i like the controllable lens ring a lot. however, if i had to buy it agsin today i would buy the fuji x10 instead, just for the evf vs lcd. i really like looking through a real vf and not holding a camera at arms length like a child with a dirty diaper.

performance wise i think theyd all be pretty similar. but again, in terms of nailing skin tones, no one does it better than fuji. honestly, the skin tones with my x100 are not to be beleved, theyre almost too good.

 

[GBR66]

Another vote for the S90/95. I had the 90 which was stolen and replaced it with the 95. It was the only fairly serious P&S that is really "take everywhere" small. Jeans pocket, suit jacket, etc. I've been very happy with the images and the build quality.

 

[Rangeman133]

I've only owned and used the LX3, so not sure about the others. All I can say is, that the jpegs I get from the dynamic black/white mode blow me away every time I use it on that setting. The later firmware also allows the camera to remember manual focus settings an zoom settings, eveyrtime you turn off the camera. Before, that would be a problem for street shooting, because every time you turn off the camera, it would reset everything, so that's been addressed.

in the right hands, the camera is capable of amazing results, but then again, so is any camera. one thing i might not be sure of, is the IQ of the camera. not sure how old the lx3 is now, and not sure how much sensors in the enthusiast compact have advanced since then.

good luck on your search!

also, fwiw, my lx3 has been used and abused like crazy. and i'm surprised that it still works tbh. i mean, i've dropped it a bunch of times, the thing just doesn't break. its one camera that i just can't part with, and pretty much because of the dynamic black/white dynamic jpegs i get from it.


a quick question though: anybody know if the 'dynamic b/w' setting available on every panasonic camera? and if so, does it render the exact way it does on the lx3? for example, the gh1...because i plan to get that camera for the video capabilities too.

 

[jody36]

LX5 I have a three price is same and 5 has faster lens throughout tele. fits in my pocket as well.

 

[kuvvy]

I recently sold my canon G11. When it came to replacing it I chose the Fuji X10. A super camera with excellent image quality and with an RF feel like cameras used to have. Having had the Fuji for a month now I find I'm not really enjoying it. I think it's the size that is putting me off. Years ago I used film compacts such as Oly 35RD/RC, Konica S3 etc but when smaller cams such as the XA, GR1 I switched for their pocketability. The X10 is almost the size of my X100 which to me is a disadvantage so I'm considering selling.
I've owned the LX3 in the past and shot many images. Sharp lens and loved the wide angle view but always thought the colours were a bit off for skin tones.

 

[David Hughes]

In your shoes I'd look for one with an optical view-finder. Those screen only ones can be a PITA in sunlight or at an odd angle. There's ways round it but you have to stop and go into the menu to sort it out. Plus I don't like waving cameras around in the air at arm's length and squinting at them. It makes picture taking very obvious.

Regards, David

 

[Bike Tourist]

I would (almost) never use a camera by framing on the back panel. I have the LX5 with the add-on EVF viewfinder. It's not as satisfying to use as an optical VF, but it gets the job done and the results . . . very satisfying!