12 November 2008
Wish List: Creative Compacts, Canon G10 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3
Posted by Rob_Nunn under: wish list .
Er, wait a minute, isn’t our preferred camera format the dSLR? Why am I taking a look at some cameras that are smaller than my S5700? Well, these two are special – high-end compacts, that can shoot RAW, video, have great image quality and will fit into your pocket. Superb.
Canon PowerShot G10
(Full review at cameralabs.com)
So let’s take a real sensible think about this. The G10 comes with 14.7 Megapixels, can shoot RAW, takes video, 5x zoom, optical image stabilisation, full manual control, has a hot shoe, and takes great photographs. So for everyday casual shooting, what else could you want?
A problem with larger cameras is that you don’t have them on you all the time. It’s just too much hassle. But with a G10 in your pocket, you’d never miss a shot again. OK, so it’s not a dSLR replacement, but you’d end up taking more photographs, and probably enjoying yourself more too.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3
(Full review at cameralabs.com)
The Panasonic Lumix LX3 puts a slightly different spin on the high-end compact camera. Panasonic have thought about what the people who will be using this cameras probably want – and that’s a camera that can shoot nice photographs in most lighting conditions. So the Lumix has a maximum aperture of F2.0 – a first for any compact.
This means that the LX3 lens is letting in twice as much light as its competitors, meaning you can use lower ISO’s and higher shutter speeds. We’ve still got video, optical image stabilisation, 10.1 Megapixels and full manual mode.
The Lumix also has a wider lens, 24mm, but at the expense of having only a 2.5x optical zoom.
So we’ve got a real good choice here, the wider, faster Panasonic, or the more zoom-capable Canon, both brilliant compacts that would be instantly available, sitting in your pocket ready for the next great shot.
Cheers, Rob.
Tags: wish list
4 Comments so far...
Travis Good Says:
13 November 2008 at 2:35 am.
I chose the LX3 and have been thrilled by the images it takes. The lack of viewfinder, the shallow zoom, and the lens cap are small negatives when you can take a 16×9 shot at 24mm in low light and get excellent results. If you don’t need telephoto or, as in my case, you can compliment your telephoto with an excellent wide angle point-and-shoot then the LX3 is worth considering. After a month, I’m VERY pleased with it.
Rob_Nunn Says:
13 November 2008 at 9:07 am.
Hi Travis,
Thats brilliant, the Panasonic looks very tempting indeed.
Cheers, Rob.
Victor Says:
14 November 2008 at 3:26 pm.
Now this is how I would like a camera to look like and what I expected from a digital camera.
Makes me ponder back to the range-finder cameras such as the Leicas.
I used to have an old Agfa Isolette III folding medium format with rangefinder, (albeit uncoupled), that I loved having in my pocket. (Should never have sold it!!)
Nothing better than a decent quality camera that slips in the pocket just ready for some impromptu shooting.
Just like the Lecias though, these have a pretty big price tag. When you look at the average consumer camera, (seen the new Olympus crystal? disgusting fashion accessory type thing!), I can’t see the price of these dropping too much unfortunately.
If money was no object I think I’d prefer the Canon, but at that price I could buy a Sony dSLR with two lenses – but it wouldn’t fit in my pocket!
You and your wish lists Mr. Nunn…..Makes me get back into the ‘camera porn’ side of things dribbling over cameras like this!
All the best, Victor
Rob_Nunn Says:
14 November 2008 at 11:23 pm.
Hi Victor,
If M.Bresson was still with us, and returned to Photography, maybe he’d be shooting with one of these – perfect for candids…
Cheers, Rob.
