Which would you choose? Between 3 digitals

[jmooney]

I know this is a bit of a weird one but I'm curious to see what others would pick and why.

You are picking a digicam for all around use. Daily photo chores/diary stuff, kids and family gatherings, young kids sports (pre-K to about 3-4th grade), fishing, dogs, cameras and coffee, etc. Making prints up to 11x14 AT THE LARGEST. More likely they'll be 8x10s.

The cost is roughly the same on all three options and two of them do have a fast prime option that you'll likely exercise and all three have the option for an external flask that you'll use as well. This isn't really a system question because all three offer about the same and assume no prior system investment. Besides the initial cam/lens combo you wouldn't really be add more to this stuff for the most part as you'll have access to a Hassy 500CM for serious work. Don't worry too much on portability, you'd be willing to carry which ever is chosen willingly giving up a little convenience for the sake of getting the images. The Hassy isn't the all around option because your partner wants this type of stuff readily shared and printed and you do for some of it as well.

Please let me know what you'd pick and your thoughts. Please restrict it to these three options as well, unless you know the absolute perfect solution then by all means share with the class 🙂

You're options are:

Nikon D50 w/18-70mm (would add 35/1.8 and SB flash)
Panasonic G1 w/14-45mm (would add 20/1.7 and Flash)
Nikon P7100 (Built in lens and would add SB flash)

No rights or wrongs but I'm really interested in other's though process and how useful they would find each option. Also interested in comments on the performance between the older D50 and the newer P&S.

Thanks to all,

Jim

 

[david.elliott]

I'd get a micro four thirds camera and skip the flash. You sure that you need one?

 

[jmooney]

I'd get a micro four thirds camera and skip the flash. You sure that you need one?

I guess it isn't a 100% that you would need it, it was more of a you have that option that you have to get it kind of thing.

Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[david.elliott]

micro four thirds cameras are my preference simply because of the flexibility afforded via adapters for mounting tons of other lenses.

 

[wblynch]

Hi, it's funny as I actually own two of the camera/lens combinations on your list.

I first got the D50 with the 18-70 and enjoyed it a lot I got disappointed with the pictures because it didn't seem to handle contrast well (crushed blacks). Also it was big and I like a smaller camera for travel.

Next was a G1 when they first came out. I have the 14-45 kit lens of course. My problem with that camera is it has the 1:2 crop factor with the tiny 4/3 sensor. It also blows highlights like no tomorrow.

I love the size and handling of the G1 And the flip screen is great. But I don't particularly like the shutter noise. Auto focus is great and there is almost no delay on pressing the shutter.

I wanted to try old manual focus lenses on the G1 but never got around to that.

In the meantime I went back to film photography and haven't used the Nikon in 4 or 5 years and the G1 only once or twice a year. (that's because the D50 is packed away in its original box).

I voted for the D50 in your poll because the crop factor of 1:1.5 is more useable and the Nikon has a better manual focus operation. I don't like the 'focus-by-wire' of the G1.

The D50 is much bigger and the review screen is not protected like the G1. The G1 is much prettier.

They both create beautiful pictures.

I can't offer any comment on the P7100.

 

[GaryLH]

I voted g1 route best compromise between weight since u say u are going to carry it around everyday and IQ, given average picture will be 8x10 and max is 11x14.

Gary

 

[N. Bruce Nelson]

I have the G1, so I have already made the choice in a sense. I believe the image quality of the G1 is much better than the P7100. The difference in image quality compared to the D50 is more of a toss-up, but the G1 has more resolution for the larger prints.

The G1 total package is much smaller, and I believe the lenses are superior to the Nikon choices.

 

[rover]

None of the above.

Sorry, I would just stick to a film RF or SLR instead of those digis.

 

[x-ray]

I was looking for a qualify compact with interchangable lenses and bought a G3 last summer . I Was not impressed at all with image quality and returned it. I know the G1 and G3 are different but I'm assuming they are close in image quality. I went the Nikon D3100 route and really love the camera. Image quality is excellent and I can use my old F lenses.

 

[redisburning]

pentamirror = no ****ing thanks

I'd skip the zoom on the G1, get the 20/1.7 and an adapter for whatever film stuff you have.

 

[Gerry M]

My choice from the list is the G1. I use 14-45, 14mm, 20mm, Panagor 55mm macro and a handful of Zuiko's.
I have a D80 and D200, but use the G1 most. Just too handy.
Here is an image from the Panagor.

Velvet Rose
Hope this image doesn't clog up the thread.

 

[jmooney]

Images are most welcome! Lovely shot!

 

[mfunnell]

I voted the SLR for the optical viewfinder. Oh, and probably other reasons but that one's enough for me.

...Mike

 

[x-ray]

I should probably elaborate on what I liked and disliked.

I liked the size of the G3 but the camera felt cheap and just too delicate from all the plastic. I purchased the adapter to use my M Leica glass but found using these lenses was quite awkward and best done from a tripod. Also discovered the results from especially the wides to be very underwhelming. The wider the lens the poorer the image quality. The EVF was marginal at best particularly compared to the Nikon D3100 VF. Everything I shot was in raw format and processed in phase one software. One very disturbing problem came about when making long exposures over 1 second. Enlarging the image revealed images that appeared to have black specks randomly scattered about the image. It looked like the sensor had. Lack pepper on it. Images shot of the same scene from a tripod exhibited different patterns. Also there were a number of dead pixels visible in longer exposures.

I returned this camera and purchased a other to find exactly the same problem. IMO the G3 was way over priced for what it is.

The D3100 is larger but still a very small APSC DSLR. Image quality is excellent at all shutter speeds. There's a broad range of very high quality glass from a number of makers as well as Nikon. The VF is superior, high ISO is very good, most Nikon glass will work but some will it AF or meter couple like the old Manual focus lenses. Lenses without an AF motor must be manually focused but they fit and make excellent images. The price is much more reasonable and considering what you get it's darn cheap. I bought a refurb and saved nearly $200 over the G3.

 

[JoeV]

I've had the G1 with 14-45 since 2009, and still love using it. Focus with this lens is very fast, but I've recently added a series 5 Vivitar 24mm macro in Minolta MD mount that gives a 48mm equivalent angle of view with great manual focusing and aperture control, the best of both worlds, IMO. The 20mm f/1.7 is also a great lens for low light work.

-Joe

 

[pkreyenhop]

Get a Nikon D40 - tiny and quite a bit better than the D50. I had a D50 and bought a D40 as a cheap and light travel camera for my wife. I was surprised to see very nice colours and film-like noise. I haven't tried the G1, but had a G2 for a couple of weeks. Didn't like the $2 shop feel, the tiny buttons spread everywhere, very low dynamic range and heavy handed noise reduction. The Nikon P7100 feels nice (the best of all the cameras you listed), but the sensor is in a different class (iPhone beats it ;-) and the viewfinder is too small.

 

[pvdhaar]

Voted for the P7100. It's always with me, and for good reason. Despite being a compact, its image quality is nothing short of astounding. Some nice examples in the flickr p7000/p7100 group: http://www.flickr.com/groups/p7000/discuss/72157625521058426/

But, what really sets the P7100 apart from the other choices for me is the level of control that's available without having to delve into the menus, its customizability, and the depth of its features. Virtual horizon, built-in ND filter, histogram while shooting, you name it, it's got it..

 

[thegman]

I picked the Nikon compact, I've had a G1, and it was fine, but no desire to own one again. The D50 is quite big, so if I'm humping a camera along I'll my film gear. The compact fills a slot which at the moment is open in my camera line up. For parties, family etc. should be fine. If it's for an only camera, I'd get the G1.

 

[Rob-F]

I voted for the G1. I have full-size DSLRs, and I have compact cameras. I get a lot of use out of the little ones. My latest is an X10. Great image quality! I think there is still a G1 in my future.

 

[petronius]

micro four thirds cameras are my preference simply because of the flexibility afforded via adapters for mounting tons of other lenses.

Exactly! (additional characters)

For pictures look here