[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!