[Johnny Brown]

Okay then, the main difference is low light performance - the LX3 is better on two counts - faster lens and better noise control. Apart from that it comes down to the zoom range, handling, and price - for which the Ricoh wins on all for me. I'd try to have a play in a shop. One thing I really like with the GX100 is the step zoom - like having a bunch of primes. But then the variable aspect ratio of the LX3 is tempting...

For me it basically came down to price. You can get a new GX100 for well under £200 now, and second hand much less.

[dave]

am I right in thinking the panachronic fits in one of these?



I'd say that was descision made.

(P.S. I hear a lighter alternative to the G11 in the canon stable is the powershot S90, similar spec but size more in line with the lx3 and gx1/200).

[chummer]

Hmmmmm. 
I just found a brand new GX200 for £273 with view finder, spare battery and 4gb card. Thats not bad eh? However the low light thing could be a bit of an issue for indoor use without flash and end of day shots outside at the crag. If money wasn't an issue Johnny, what would you get as a 'can't be arsed to take my SLR out' compact? I promise this is my last question, and yes I can't make my own decision on this one, although I'm leaning towards the Ricoh having loved my old GR1s.

[Johnny Brown]

Well if money wasn't an issue, I'll have the sensor and electronics from a Leica M9 retrofitted into an Olympus OM-3ti please, the leatherette replaced with snakeskin, and a rack of matching Zuikos: 21mm/2, 28mm/2, 40mm/2 and 100mm/2, and fiddy hunned dollar in me pocket. Does that help?

That sounds like a good deal though. The other side of the low-light thing is the IS on the Ricoh - its very good, you can get sharp shots at 1/2 sec. Dunno if the panasonic has it? This doesn't cover Ricoh but its useful.

[chummer]

Well I'm going for the GX200 deal. Thanks for all your input especially JB, it seems like there's not much in it really. Anyone want to buy a 35mm Gr1s per chance??

[Tom de Gay]

If you liked your GR1s, and don't mind spending a bit more, then the GRDIII would be the way to go. Impressive IQ, usable to ISO 800; build quality which makes the GX look flimsy; high res screen; handy features like adjustable snap mode; plus it is actually compact. I don't miss the zoom.
That does sound like a bargain on the GX200 though.

[chummer]

Thanks for the input Tom but I bought the GX200 last night! I am going to try out having a zoom and if I don't think it's worth it I will probably sell it on and get the GRDIII as a direct replacement for the joy that was the GR1s. 

[slackline]

Review of the best mid-range P&S cameras

[Johnny Brown]

Pah! This thread is not for the mid-range compact.

[dave]

I must admit this has flown under my radar till now, but looks like pentax are finally coming good with a 645D.

 

Side tripod mount too. Shick a ding etc?

[cofe]

It's not a D3 though is it?

[dave]

True. Back around.

[JamesD]

Nor a D3x

It is common knowledge that the best camera in existence is a D3x, since not only can it make you coffee, suck you off better than Carmen Electra in her prime, bring about world peace (and indeed prevent the upcoming apocolypse), increase your climbing ability by 5 grades just from holding it and give you the ability to fly.....
It can also take photo's......apparently.

[JamesD]

[SA Chris]

I must admit this has flown under my radar till now, but looks like pentax are finally coming good with a 645D.

 

Throw me a frikkin' bone. Not paid for the K7 yet!

[cofe]

Lx5 specs:

http://www2.panasonic.com/consumer-electronics/support/Cameras-Camcorders/Digital-Cameras/Lumix-Digital-Cameras/model.DMC-LX5K

Looking good to me.

[Johnny Brown]

Wow. Looks like they've hit the nail squarely on the head there. Price?

[dave]

What the main difference between that and the lx3 then, other than the longer zoom?

[Johnny Brown]

I can't tell you now, its disappeared. Probably not much - you'd assume the normal improvements like better usability above base ISO - but the LX3 was basically the best compact on the market. They've fixed the only real problem - the zoom reach - and added HD video. 1280 @ 16:9 sounds nice for a compact.

[cofe]

not much from what I could tell, which should speak volumes about how good the LX3 was as a basis for the LX5. The resolution is the same, so we should assume the IQ will be even better. There's a dial on the back too, rather than the little joystick thing, again a good move. Hopefully it's a stepped zoom too.

[cofe]

Official now: http://www.dpreview.com/news/1007/10072110panasonicdmclx5.asp#specs

[dave]

http://www.panasonic.co.uk/html/en_GB/News/Latest+news/The+New+Lumix+LX5+Digital+Camera/5421336/index.html#anker_5421338

[Johnny Brown]

The new Step Zoom option, zoom range can be set to 24mm, 28mm, 35mm, 70mm or 90mm

Released on my birthday too. It must be a sign.

[JamesD]

want, its like a ricoh gr digital......but better 

[Johnny Brown]

Panasonic itself claims that the new sensor is noiseless at ISO 800 which (if true) is a very good news considering that the sensor has a much higher pixel density than current MicroFourThirds sensor. Panasonic also said that the LX5 sensor has a better sensivity (by 31%) and saturation (38%) and greater dynamic range compared to the older Panasonic LX3

Samples etc