Compact that takes RAW

bren-escape

bren-escape

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Hi, I may have mentioned this before, but its now getting close and I have not made a decision on a camera yet. In less than 5 weeks I will be attempting Mt Aconcagua at just under 7000m. I would prefer a camera that can take RAW, but thinking my 40D would be heavy and I would have to limit myself lens wise (prob sigma 18-50 F2.8), for Mountain, landscape and team pics.

So the options are:

Canon G12 - not that small, most expensive
Canon S95 - small, least expensive
Panasonic LX5 - middle size and price

Or do I buy a canon 350D? I dont want to take my 40D, as that with lens will be an expensive loss and heavy. Pro's to a compact would be extra zoom. After the trip the wife would use the camera to take family pics and photos on trips etc.

I would like to be able to take RAW to save taking filters etc and give me that extra adjustment to once in a life time pics.

Any experience of above cameras, other suggestions appreciated.

Thanks.
 
One other for consideration: the Samsung TL500/EX1.

I've no first hand experience with it, but I do like the two control dials (useful if you like shooting manual exposure which may go along with a preference for RAW - you can assign one to shutter speed and the other to aperture) and the f/1.8 lens.

About £300-£350 street price ATM. If I'd seen it below £250 earlier in the year I may well have bought one.
 
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There's also the Ricoh GX-200, though it's a couple of years old now and they seem to have moved their attention elsewhere. The people I know that have owned GX-100s and GX-200s have enjoyed them.
 
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I'm not really clued up on suitable compacts but I'd love to hear how you get on.

Are you joining a programmed guided expedition or have you planned your own thing ?
 
dinners said:
I'm not really clued up on suitable compacts but I'd love to hear how you get on.

Are you joining a programmed guided expedition or have you planned your own thing ?
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Just using a giuding company for mules etc, planning our own route on the mountain. Doing the Normal Route.
 
I use an older model Canon A630 that has been "CHDK'D and takes pix in raw format.
Here is a link to the website if you're interested in trying it. There are many Canon Powershot cameras that can be "modified" in this way. No problems in several years of use other than deciding what options I want to use as there are so many.

http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/CHDK
 
For that job I think I'd want the widest lens first, the easiest controls second, to use with gloves or frozen fingers, and then the smallest size/weight.
 
Islander said:
There's also the G11...
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It might even be worth picking up a used G9. Reputedly better IQ than the G10 and a long zoom range than the later three versions, going up to 210mm equiv.

Alternatively there is the top bracket Pany range, with the TZ10 being the latest.
 
I just got an LX5.

It shoots RAW and has a decent quality fast and wide lens.

F2 @ 24mm and only closes down to 3.3 @ maximum zoom (a stop better than the S95)

It shoots @ 90mm at its native 10Mp but can go up to 160mm if your prepared to drop down to 5mp

Has all modes from Intelligent Auto to Manual.

Really pleased with mine.
 
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Many thanks for the replies:thumbs: A cheaper option maybe a G9/10 and download the software, bit more thinking to do:thinking:
 
Had a play with an LX5 last week and it's great :)

I have the Leica DLux4 and the LX5 is like it's little sister. I immediately knew what to do with it. Shoots RAW and the scene modes are just great when you really don't have time to invest in setting shots up.
 
Thanks for all the replies, someone has suggested to me the fujifilm finepix HS10, anyone any experience of this camera?
 
Edbray on here has one.

I have tried it in Jessops, and loved it, it's like a faster smarter version of my s9600.
Fujishop have it for £259.99 for a refurb with a free case.
 
Oh and it takes AA batteries and the zoom goes to 700mm, so you should have enough length....
 
How about the G12 or S95.

You might also consider a small film compact as a backup, real raw ? You won't regret it.
 
Thanks for all the replies. I like the sound of all the features on the HS10, the zoom, panarmic mode etc but have heard its slow processing pics, particularly the RAW one.
 
You might check this out if your looking for a superzoom.

dp review group test

Looks like the Panasonic/Canon come out best....

Both support RAW
 
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Thanks for replies, at present I am seriously thinking the HS10, its just the size now. I think I need to go handle one.
 
I phoned the local shop to see if they had one in, they do, but they also have a second hand Canon G9. Now there not that far of the same price considering, so G9 or HS10 if it comes to it???
 
The G11 is perfect for what you want - can't speak about the others as I have never owned the others.

Its not "too big" by any stretch of the imagination, its the same size as a packet of smokes.

Takes a remarkably good photo for a pocket camera too. I don't think you will be too disapointed compared to the 40D's output either, I'd say it was pretty close.
 
I think you need to decide whether you are willing to compromise on the superzoom bit. If not, then the higher end compacts are out as they don't have the super zoom facility.
 
swag72 said:
I think you need to decide whether you are willing to compromise on the superzoom bit. If not, then the higher end compacts are out as they don't have the super zoom facility.
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You are right, for me I think IQ is more important than zoom. After my trip (mainly landscapes and group shots) it will be used for portraits of my boy on holidays etc.

Now I am thinking about the LX5:bang:
 
Thanks everyone for all your responses, I went in today to try some. I def found the HS10 too big. Two cameras I really liked were both second hand, the canon G9 and a lumix LX3. The G9 felt really good and I really liked the being able to turn the dial on top to change ISO and the back dial for F-stops. I preferred this over the LX3's way, however the lx3 has a wider faster lens. Is the LX3 worth it just for this? Both are about the same price second hand.

Any thoughts? Thanks.
 
I guess that only you can answer whether the wider faster lens will be of benefit to you. Some will say yes and others will say not. Do you think you would benefit from the wider end?

For what it's worth, I know that we're talking about different cameras, I decided that the wide end was important and so bought an LX5. I thought about why I was buying a compact - So that I had it when I didn't want to lug around the DSLR, so that I wouldn't feel so vulnerable in city situations with a huge brick. I decided that in those situations a wider lens would be beneficial as a lot of it would probably involve buildings etc.

When comparing the LX5 with my husbands G11, I was surprised how easier the LX5 was to use. I personally don't find the ISO dial that important, and the aperture and shutter speed is so easy to change on the LX5 compared to the G11. I also preferred the size of the LX5, which is slightly smaller than the G11.

I hope that gets you thinking a little. I really don't think it is an answer that anyone can help you with as it's a personal choice as to why the compact is being bought in the first place.

I know that I am harping on about the LX5 and G11, but they are only a generation away from those you are looking at and would have also been direct competitors at that time.
 
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swag72 said:
I guess that only you can answer whether the wider faster lens will be of benefit to you. Some will say yes and others will say not. Do you think you would benefit from the wider end?

For what it's worth, I know that we're talking about different cameras, I decided that the wide end was important and so bought an LX5. I thought about why I was buying a compact - So that I had it when I didn't want to lug around the DSLR, so that I wouldn't feel so vulnerable in city situations with a huge brick. I decided that in those situations a wider lens would be beneficial as a lot of it would probably involve buildings etc.

When comparing the LX5 with my husbands G11, I was surprised how easier the LX5 was to use. I personally don't find the ISO dial that important, and the aperture and shutter speed is so easy to change on the LX5 compared to the G11. I also preferred the size of the LX5, which is slightly smaller than the G11.

I hope that gets you thinking a little. I really don't think it is an answer that anyone can help you with as it's a personal choice as to why the compact is being bought in the first place.

I know that I am harping on about the LX5 and G11, but they are only a generation away from those you are looking at and would have also been direct competitors at that time.
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Many thanks for taking the time to reply, I have considered the LX5, is it better than the canon at lowlight/high iso shots in your experience?

Have you used the LX5 for many landscape shots yet?

Thanks
 
I haven't used the G11 or LX5 in low light or high ISO - Sorry!

Only taken a couple of landscape type shots so far, here and here. I've been reallly impressed with this little thing so far. I have found it really uplifting to have this small quality camera with me all of the time. If I see a shot that would really benefit the DSLR, then I'll go back another time (assuming I can of course!!) I've put some LX5 pictures through to Alamy and they sailed through the QC, no problems at all. That was a big consideration for me.
 
Some low light shots I took with the LX5, the fast lens helps a lot here....

The Gaslight Anthem live 3



The Gaslight Anthem live 4



Grinderman live



Grinderman live



Placebo live
 
grum said:
Dare I suggest looking at Micro Four Thirds cameras also? :)
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I was thinking Panasonic GF1 and 14-45mm (28-90mm effective) really good quality pics in RAW. Small, light and easy to use. Has IS built into the lens. Also if you have a favourite lens already, the adaptors cheaply available on the web, mean you could take that with you if you wanted!

Good luck in your search :thumbs:
 
Thanks everyone, i have made a decision!!!!

I have just ordered an lX5:thumbs:

Now I need some cheap memory, spare batteries and any one used the adaptor to atke a polarizer? With the adaptor does any 52mm filter fit??
 
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