[nai]

I've now sold enough of my DSLR kit to start seriously thinking about it's replacement (Sigma lens still available if anyone's interested - would now accept £250).  I'm looking at spending about £350 but could go a little more if necessary.  It'll be used for climbing video & stills, kiddy pics (quite a lot of indoor stuff at parties etc) and as a walkaround when we do family days out, etc. 

I'm torn between the Lumix LX5 and the Canon G12 having pretty much written off the p7000 due to Nikon's rep for compacts, anyone know if this one breaks the mould?

I'm swayed toward the LX5 despite it having the smallest zoom but it is the fastest lens and appears to have more manual controls than the Canon, ability to alter aperture, etc in video mode is quite appealing but may not work so well in practice.

The Canon looks fairly robust and I do like the flip out screen, that'd be very useful for lining up and reviewing video footage certainly.

I have considered the Sony NEX3 too, probably more future proof, but it doesn't look that small when the 18-55 lens is attached and I could be back in the same boat as I was with never taking the SLR kit anywhere.  Anyone have experience of one, is it a problem?

The Samsung EX1 might be a contender but I think I'd like 720p video mode.

Anyone have any experience of this format that could help me decide or anything else to throw in throw in the mix?  Any beta would be most welcome.

Thanks

Ian

[Johnny Brown]

The LX5 is about half the size of the other two, that's the main difference. I wouldn't class the others as compacts really but if you've ditched the SLR that might not matter.

[Adam Lincoln]

My only complaint with the lx3 was the zoom. With the lx5 this has been improved. I would go lx5 everytime. As Johnny says, the other are pretty big too.

[nai]

Cheers Guys, I used to have (probably still have somewhere) an Olympus RC35 which fulfilled this sort of role for me.  Something of that sort of size would be acceptable so something the size of the Canon would be ok I think.

If as JB says there's no other differences it really comes down to whether I prefer a 28-140 f2.8 or a 24-90 f2 and for indoor I guess the latter's probably best

Just researched shutter lag and it appears the LX5 wins hands-down on that too.   Looking like it might an easy decision after all..

[Johnny Brown]

For climbing I'd say 24mm is definitely more useful than 100mm+. I'd guess 80% of my favourite shots would be within that 24-90 range.

[Tris]

Just to throw something else into the mix. This was announced last week, available  in Jan 2011...

“We expect the LUMIX GF2 to be an attractive model for consumers who want to step up to a more powerful camera that is easy to use, and a camera that is ‘future-proof’ with its 3D capabilities.”

Lots of options - see pics at bottom!

[nai]

Now that is interesting, suspect it'll be a bit more than I was hoping to pay though as the GF1 is £460ish, price will be announced in december is all I can find, could be worth waiting to find out though.

[tlr]

What about the Canon S90 or S95? Essentially the same as a G11 or G12, but much smaller, without the hotshoe or optical viewfinder but with a faster lens (f2)?

I'm very happy with my S90 - the front ring control for zoom, aperture or shutter speed depending on mode is brilliant.

The newer S95 adds HD video instead of standard

[dave]

I wouldn't wait for the GF2, if you're that way inclined then just get a gf1 right now.

[Paul B]

the s95 feels like someone dribbled super glue on the mode dial (strange way to address the original issue). Despite that, the front control dial is great. Its is however very small, a little too small perhaps?

There's a comparison review of the LX5 and S95 on Digitalrev's youtube channel, I'm not sure if its informative but its certainly challenging (do I laugh at the presenter or would I really just like to kill him?). Whatever you do please don't get it in white.

When I was looking the Panasonic seemed like what I'd be going for.

[AndyR]

the s95 feels like someone dribbled super glue on the mode dial (strange way to address the original issue). Despite that, the front control dial is great. Its is however very small, a little too small perhaps?

There's a comparison review of the LX5 and S95 on Digitalrev's youtube channel, I'm not sure if its informative but its certainly challenging (do I laugh at the presenter or would I really just like to kill him?). Whatever you do please don't get it in white.

When I was looking the Panasonic seemed like what I'd be going for.

I have an S95 - mine doesn't have that problem. I find the size perfect for what I need - fits easily in my pocket, can clip it to my harness etc and it takes great images - I would recommend it.

[nai]

might come and have a look at your s90 tim.  Are you back in work this week?

The GF1/2 look the business with the 20mm lens on but the 14-45 looks mahoosive, reckon that's out on reflection unfortunately.

What did you go for in the end Paul - different format?

[Johnny Brown]

I wouldn't wait for the GF2, if you're that way inclined then just get a gf1 right now

GF2 is a lot smaller than the GF1, somewhere between that and the Lx3/5, probably more the size of the G11/12. For me, that would make it a lot more attractive.

[dave]

Smaller is good providing handling isn't compromised, but i recon touchscreen controls could be a bit shit.

[nai]

19% smaller & 7% lighter apparently.



I coud live with either body but the lens makes it too big I think, I'll keep it on the shortlist for now though as their are features that appeal.

[Paul B]

What did you go for in the end Paul - different format?

70-200 F/4 L 

Nat is still whinging that she wants something more point and shoot so I'm looking for a deal on the LX3 (looks like I missed the cheapest period looking at ebay completed listings), stupendous sync speed + hotshoe also appeals to me bu that'll put me in the minority.

Re: the S95, maybe it was the one in Harrisons or maybe I was having an extremely weak day but I had to use my nail to turn the dial which I didn't fancy doing somewhere above the sea.

[tlr]

I should be around all weekend if you want to borrow it for a few days.

[Yossarian]

These were all taken with the my new LX5. The restaurant ones were taken at 800 I think, the B&W at 400, the biscuit at 100.

I'm pretty happy with it, apart from wading through all the instructions. The manual operation is well designed. Only vaguely annoying thing is the lens cap.

[nai]

That's superb Cheers.

Have you used it for video at all?

[Paul B]

Isn't there a reasonable amount of noise apparent on the wine bottle shot? Are these jpeg's straight out of camera (yes I know I'm guilty of pixel peeping).

[Yossarian]

Those were all from jpegs, yep. I guess there is some noise in that shot (and the other restaurant one) but I thought that it was acceptable for a little camera at 800.  At 1600 it was more evident, and I wasn't so keen, but I don't mind the amount visible on those ones.  I don't particularly like my D200 at 800 either, but I appreciate that things have moved on.

I haven't tried the movie thing yet - I must revisit the instructions sometime, but there's quite a lot to take in.

I was torn between this and the Ricoh GRD3, but I wanted a bit of flexibility with focal length. It's a nice little camera.

[T_B]

What did you go for in the end Paul - different format?

Nat is still whinging that she wants something more point and shoot so I'm looking for a deal on the LX3 (looks like I missed the cheapest period looking at ebay completed listings), stupendous sync speed + hotshoe also appeals to me bu that'll put me in the minority.

Paul - noticed today that there's an ex-display one in Sheffield John Lewis for £225.

[nai]

The LX5 price has just dropped as well, officially down to £399 from £440ish but available on Amazon for £320ish.  Might there be a knock on effect for LX3 prices?

Having now played with both the LX5 and G12 I'm now favouring the Canon, the LX5 just felt too small and I found it hard to find a comfortable handling position, also the manual control being on the back is nowhere near as usable as the one on the front of the Canon (I may have been tainted by the rather abrupt and impersonal service from the guy "serving" who took every opportunity to slag off Canon and answered most questions with 'don't know I'd have to find the manual').  Add in apparently superior image quality, the flip screen which I did find handy and I reckon I'm 90% certain.  Just waiting to see if Canon follow Panasonic's lead and drop their prices.

[Paul B]

Paul - noticed today that there's an ex-display one in Sheffield John Lewis for £225.

Ta - there's one in harrisons for the same, they seem to go for sub £200 on ebay but I'm feeling like I've spent enough for now, at least until the van sells. Thanks.

[cofe]

LX5 vs S95 vs P7000 review now up on dpreview.