I need a compact, help me decide!

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Steveo_Hants

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I am getting fed up of lugging my DSLR kit around and because of this I am missing great photo opportunities. So I thought I'd get a compact, question is which one? I have narrowed it down to 4:

Leica D-Lux 4
Canon G10
Leica D-Lux 3
Canon G9

Might be hard to find a D-Lux 3 or G9 now?
 
Just from a handling perspective I prefer the G10 over the G9, but if you can find a G9 at a decent price then it's still a great wee camera. I've never used either Leica, but I'd assume there must be near identical, but cheaper Panasonic versions of both....
 
The D-Lux4 or Panny LX3 version have about the best P&S noise handling that I've seen and are smaller than the canon choices.

Smaller is not always good though and some people just don't like a little box to hold and no viewfinder. You also lose some zoom range to get that size reduction.

As always, you need to get your mits on each and see what you like.
 
Mmmm, I am in a similar position, with the same idea about what I want - I shall watch this with great interest.

I am sure that there are far more people out there with the Canon's. In fact, my hubby has a G9 and he enjoys it, and it doesn't take back pics. So there will be lots of great comments about the Canon lineup. I am sure though that those smaller numbers with a Leica D-Lux will just LOVE it!
 
I had the same dilemma (not wanting to lug the slr around). In the end I opted for the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS3 which is a great little compact, and I've had some lovely shots from it. The only thing about it that really bothers me is that there is no viewfinder - just a screen on the back of the camera :gag: Other than that, I'm really pleased with it.
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3, the best compact on the market imho!:1st:

A superbly built camera with a corker of a lens with the bonus of superb macro. :thumbs:

Still got the older brother, the LX1 and that was a 'corker' as well!
 
KavKav said:
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3, the best compact on the market imho!:1st:

A superbly built camera with a corker of a lens with the bonus of superb macro. :thumbs:

Still got the older brother, the LX1 and that was a 'corker' as well!
Click to expand...

I hadn't even looked at the LX3. Its much cheaper then the Leica's and a bit cheaper then the G10.

So you reckon it out performs everything I listed?
 
There is a review of the Canon G10, Nikon P6000, Panasonic Lumic LX3 (almost identical to the Leica IIRC), Ricoh GX200 and Sigma DP1 in this months Photo Pro Magazine.

Basically the summary was none (other than the Sigma) compares to DSLR quality at any ISO higher than 200.

The ratings were

Canon G10
Build Quality = 5
Usability = 4.5 (let down by shutter lag)
IQ upto ISO200 = 4.5
IQ at ISO400+ = 3

Nikon P6000
Build Quality = 5
Usability = 4 (pleasure to use but slow write times, especially RAW [about 5 seconds :eek:])
IQ upto ISO 200 = 4
IQ at ISO400+ = 3

Panasonic Lumix
Build Quality = 4
Usability = 4.5 (Good but Nikon and Canon beat it)
IQ upto ISO200 = 4
IQ at ISO400+ = 3.5

Ricoh GX200
Build Quality = 4
Usabiliy = 4 (a little slow and dated looks)
IQ upto ISO200 = 3.5
IQ at ISO400+ = 3

Sigma DP1
Build Quality = 3.5 (solid but very bland)
Usability = 3.5 (good but could do better - remember it is a fixed focal length)
IQ upto ISO200 = 5 (mind blowing)
IQ at ISO400+ = 5 (difficult to spot they are high ISO)

My additional thoughts on this is that the race is between the Canon, Panasonic and Nikon. The Canon G10 is quite a bit larger than the Panasonic and Nikon, the Panasonic has a smaller zoom range (24-60) compared to the Canon (28-140) and (Nikon 28-112).

One additional thought is that for a Nikon user (like the OP) the Nikon does have a Nikon dedicated hotshoe on it so (theoretically at least) you can use your SB400/600/800/900 on it and get iTTL metering.
 
I've been looking at getting a new compact as as my Ricoh R6 does not allow for RAW shooting (I like RAW)

I would love to own a Leica D-Lux 4 however knowing that the LUmix LX-3 is exactly the same camera with slightly different software puts me off. So the Lumix is top of my list.

Why? Simple. F2.0-F2.8 on the lens.
If you don't need a lond zoom (I don't) then having fast glass on a compact is a real winner for me.
 
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