[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.

[nai]

Cheers cofe, I'm really undecided still so that could be very useful.  Much prefer the G12 handling and nearly bought one on Sunday after playing with one and an LX5 (would have done if Jacobs had price matched, all they had to do was come down another £10)  Then on Monday I waivered back to the LX5 features & performance but am unsure whether I'd get used to the handling or would it'd become an annoyance.

So faster focus times & faster lens but fiddly in hand or maybe miss the odd shot due to AF times and have to hold it steadier but be happier handling it?

[cofe]

I'd go LX5. After researching them at the start of the year I was going to get an LX3 then bottled it. You'll get used to the handling; it will certainly feel alien to begin with after an SLR.

[Johnny Brown]

The only question I'd ask is this: do you want a compact? A G12 is not compact. If its your only camera that may be fine, but as an alternative to an SLR I don't think its small enough.

[nai]

I may have misled with the thread title, I've now sold all my SLR kit and want something more compact but it doesn't have to be tiny, that way I'll actually take it out and use it, it's largely been an ornament for the last 12-18 months. 

The G12's size would be fine but having looked at 4/3rds etc they're too big.  The LX5 feels too small but I've used the wife's compact before no problem so may get used to it, it just feels a real faff having to swap grip evry time you want to change a setting, the layout if the G12 is much more user friendly.

[Johnny Brown]

In that case I'd go for the G12. If its your only camera it needs to be one you enjoy using.

[nai]

just tossed a coin, came up tails three times so G12 it is.

maybe .

I guess one advantage would be that I already have all the software for it instald but I wasn't encouraged by a review in my dads photography monthly in which three experienced canon dslr users apparently failed to work out how to switch from jpg to RAW mode and had to revert to the manual.

[Paul B]

really? aren't the menu systems the same as their DSLR range?

[Johnny Brown]

Surely there'd be a button+dial setup for that on a DSLR? There has been on all three I've had. But then I've never had one with a direct print button...

[nai]

Thanks to everyone who contributed to this thread/decision, I really fancied the LX5 on spec alone but handled it three times in shops and couldn't get on with it, so plumped for the G12 in the end. 

First impressions are good, loving the flip screen for setting up remote shots and the AF works fast enough that I don't miss cute kiddy shots, flash is taking some getting used to though.

I had some decent light for the first time today and got some pleasing climbing piccies with it for the first time (another good feature, a self timer that can take multiple shots):

[tomtom]

Nice good day out at Froggatt again? What was that you were on? T

[nai]

That's Rambeau.  Didn't get it though.

There was quite a lot of snow on holds so I had to clean this and Pig Heart Boy but never got round to it.

Looked at Oedipus again but an inspection from above revealed a load of ice on the ledge, probably a good job I backed off on Monday as I suspect it would have been there then too.

[tomtom]

Yeah I was thinking that when driving home - reaching the break on Oedipus is one thing.. then that traverse/scrittle with freezing hands (and ice as you said)  good choice to come down I recon...
Lost a chunk of nail on Stus wall at the cliff..    http://yfrog.com/gyjjpjzj still, no chance to get out again until 28th, so plenty of time for it to grow back!