High end compact camera
My canon IXY Digital 900IS compact camera that I got 2 years ago has served me well but the picture quality seems to be deteriorating over time. I think there is extra light seeping through the gap that appeared when I dropped it ^^;
Cant carry the Kiss 2 around with me everywhere due to the size so think I want to go for what they call a "High end compact camera."
Here are some that I'm looking at. Most of these come with the ability to attach wide lenses which is a must. Anybody have any advice as to what I should go for?
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Delivery Driver | Semi-student
http://www.soulfringe.com/
Everyone I have ever talked to about digital camera says "get a canon"
So ugh, get a canon ?
Web Designer
The G10 is nice... kinda a bit big as a "compact", but wieldy enough for travel.
I'd rather pick the Nikon - just for kicks - to partner along with my D60.
IT/System Admin
yes, except get the wide angle canon :)
get another IXY 900IS as it is the wide angle version
Student/Music Producer/Web Designer
http://www.myspace.com/lionbiscuits
There are some pretty nice cameras out there that are really compact, and that give a fantastic picture if you have the right lens, etc.
I personally don't have one, but my friend does.(The quality is amazing!) I'll find out the model number for you and shoot you a message on Facebook. (Or just post another comment.) :D
daydreamer, filmmaker, getaway driver
http://www.myspace.com/delalunafilms
I got a Canon G9 a month ago and I am very pleased so far! Check that out too, especially on Amazon where I got it on an aswesome price.
I am pretty sure that it takes wide lens + adaptor for filters + it's just the Pro-sumer compact thing I was looking for too. RAW capability too.
I could never carry around a full SLR.
In the end though it's something like anime, music or cars. If you don't like something for a reason, no matter what everyone tells you, you won't get it.
Make sure to google and youtube a lot '[camera model] review' to check what technical guys and everyday users say about the model you like.
former Emperor of Britannia
http://reflectiarx.wordpress.com/
Not really sure when it comes to Panasonic models....
For me it's either Canon, Nikon or Sony.
NEET part-time - Technical Support Officer - Network security engineer
http://burugureibi.blogspot.com/
Powershot G10 - one of my friends has one
TON of features. Works very simillarly to the Canon's entry level DLSRs. And loads of dials to keep you busy.
Quality wise, comparing images against my 400D was barely noticeable, but the major gripe i have is that the grip......well, there isn't one.
- The wide angle lens sorta bayonets on with and threads, which holds pretty tight
- Feels very 'meaty' for such a small camera
definitely GET
NEET part-time - Technical Support Officer - Network security engineer
http://burugureibi.blogspot.com/
here's a little something to read
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0809/08091702canon_g10.asp
Dirty Gentleman
http://cantstanzya.wordpress.com/
Canons are nice and are packed with a vast array for features if you like to play with your settings. Nikons pack less, but have awesome picture quality.
Graphic Design student | Receptionist | Otaku
http://sukidesho.blogspot.com/
Personally, I find that Canon has better focusing than Nikon...
So, I've come to prefer Canon over Nikon..
I can't say much on the other brands though.
Student/Teacher
http://japanman.wordpress.com
I'd be interested to hear what people have to say on this. My ancient Pentax is slowly dying and now I'm blogging a bit more I like to have the odd high quality image.
Is this sort of stuff cheaper in Japan? I might think about it for Christmas if so.
Engineer by weekdays, Hikki by weekends
http://ejump.wordpress.com/
pentax is good. but the shutter lag... (╬ ಠ益ಠ) RAGE
LX3 is a good candidate to. read the reviews and seems ok.
Software Quality Engineer
http://brotherwormgear.blogspot.com/
I bought several cameras in Akihabara over the years-- the duty free benefit that foreigners get from showing their passport is a great benefit. I bought my Canon IXY Digital 700 there a few years ago and the equivalent Digital Elph was not even available back here in the states until months later and it was $140 more than I paid. A couple of wees ago, however, I noticed that there was not such a great savings to be had-- mostly because of the strong Yen and the horribly weak dollar. I guess it depends which currency is "local" for you...
HS student
Bought the GR Digital II a few months ago. Love it.
Personally, I found it a little complicated to use at the beginning, but once I got used to it and learned all the features, I never looked back^^"
I'll probably get a wide Lens in the future when i'll have the money.
Network Technician
http://www.myyaruki.com
I recently had the same idea to buy a new digital compact camera I went with the FujiFilm F60fd http://www.fujifilm.co.uk/consumer/digital/digital-cameras/advanced-compact/finepix-f60fd/View its great takes very nice looking pictures and the facial recognition 3.0 is excellent and actually works not just a gimmick like with some camera's, the fujifilm F40/50/60fd series of cameras have always been known for there great quality pictures for the size of them so i'd take a look if you get chance. :D
CG artist
http://www.kapoueblog.com
Definitly the Ricoh GR DII or GX 200 if you neeed a zoom. Ricoh make possible very close macro but they both make a too much noise after 400 iso
exemple :
Rei chan : http://flickr.com/photos/kapoue/274847534/sizes/l/
macbookpro keyboard : http://flickr.com/photos/kapoue/274847100/in/photostream/
http://www.marvinryan.com
I'd recommend the Panasonic Lumix DMC LX3. I got one myself quite recently. if it's a wide lens you be looking for, you'd definitely be happy with this camera. also if you like taking pictures without the flash, since its aperture goes up to f2.0 at wide and f2.8 at full zoom, the lens would be fast enough to minimize those blurry shots and make sure most of your pictures turns out sharp. it also has all those functions you'd often find only on dslr cameras. finally a very big plus is that it records HD vidoes.
the only con I found so far is that the lens cap cover needs a bit of getting used to, compact cameras usually have an auto close door, this camera however makes use of a lens cap.
normally I'd probably recommend getting a canon ixy/ixus 870is point and shoot compact camera, however if you do get a chance, might I suggest you try out a LX3 at Yodobashi before finally decide what to get.
http://www.marvinryan.com
oh forgot to give you some review sites.
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/cameras/lx3.shtml
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0807/08072102panasoniclx3.asp
also forgot to mention ISO goes up to 3200 on manual and 6400 on auto something that even my EOS450D can't beat. ^^;
the controls need a bit of getting used to, but I guess that's normal when changing between camera brands.
color saturation might be a bit heavier than what you're used to (compared with the Ixy/Ixus)
Macro on this camera is great you could move in a few centimeters to an object and still get a focus lock
http://www.marvinryan.com
some sample macro shots I took a few minutes ago. resized no cropping, camera set on auto focus.
http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/522/p1020191ea7.jpg
http://img518.imageshack.us/img518/2430/p1020192wd6.jpg
http://www.marvinryan.com
forgot to mention both images taken with no flash!
sorry for the spam.
orz
CEO MIrai Inc
http://www.dannychoo.com/profile/eng/
Thanks. Looks like Im going for the Lx3 after seeing many reviews.
http://www.marvinryan.com
hope the comment was helpful. ^^
Builder of Future
LX3 is a good choice Danny! I've been following its news & reviews since it was announced. (I'm sure u know about dpreview.com) It is highly rated and the black version is still SOLD OUT in the US!
Reading the comments on this site is a good indication of the general public. It's all Canon Canon... most people doesn't really READ and do research!! But this is the reality, and one has be smart enough to create products that caters to the general public to make massive loads of money! (& U're doing a very good job at that Danny!)
BTW, I'm down to completing the immigration paperworks now, so I'm almost certain that I'll be moving to Tokyo in January or so... Hope I'll meet you there!
Student
http://crashacat.wordpress.com
Second that. The LX3 Leica lens is really good and lets more light in than the G10.
Also, you have to love the retro design.
university film student | ecchikid | the Archivist
http://www.vimeo.com/longhim
This is the camera I have as well.
You might want to take a look at TrustedReviews... they generally have good ideas about cameras. http://www.trustedreviews.com/digital-cameras/
宅男军人/otaku soldier
http://otakurean.com
Survey photo samples at flickr on those cameras you're thinking to get. works well for me :D
Full-time student へへ
http://www.kenleewrites.com
r10 or lx3 i would say
王オタク ｘ 天才様
http://www.zakarius.com/
When I was in Japan a couple months ago I looked at the Casio Exilm. I heard good things considering the price tag. It's also very compact! You might want to look into it, if not just for the fun of it :P
Although I don't think you can change the lens.
http://www.sankakucomplex.com/
Ah, the Exilim, my first ever digital camrea - I bought one of the first generation ones back around 2003 to take photos of stuff in Japan with. Basic point and shoot, but very easy to use, absolutely tiny and just looked so cool. It finally died last year :(
王オタク ｘ 天才様
http://www.zakarius.com/
Yeah the next gen ones are pretty good too! I had never thought of Casio as a camera company, so I guess it's easily overlooked by a lot. Casio tends to make good quality products though.
Blogger
http://quicoto.com
There, in Japan, you have the best camera tecnology. Just buy a new one ;)
art director
I had the Ricoh GRD and Panasonic LX2, they r good!!!
I think you can go for these 2 brands too.
Student, Uncle & hopfully a good husband..
Go for what you need...something good and compact....rather than a heavy SLR to carry around...
just another something else
http://the7sinner.wordpress.com/
im an avid canon (usually lighter) user, but my dad whose a photographer always uses nikon and ricoh (more sturdy), imo get leica it looks nicest.
.NET/Web Developer
http://scrumptious.animeblogger.net
what about the Panasonic Lumix with the micro four thirds. forgot the model number. but you can attach lenses to those.
Webdesigner/Webpublisher/Salary Man
http://niiconn.net
You probably mean the Panasonic Lumix G1. I am waiting for this cam to be released here in europe. Definitely want to try out this one.
Builder of Future
I've tried it in person in Hong Kong! Very nice! It's a lot smaller in reality compared to the pictures I saw, especially when you include the lens. I am waiting a bit to see how the micro 4/3s develop though... (plus I'm broke :P )
browsing the nets
http://otakuposts.blogspot.com/
i'd rather get an inexpensive small dslr like a secondhand nikon d40 instead of a compact digicam. the pic quality the compacts give is mostly bad if put on auto mode or prog mode if we shoot in anything other than bright daylight. this is just my opinion, i'm sure many will disagree.
Student
http://crashacat.wordpress.com
Most ppl already own a dslr and a good compact compliments that.
student
http://www.gunpla-inochi.com
The G10 is a great camera. The best part of it is that it feels so rugged and built like a tank. Very solid so it can probably handle a fall or two ^^;. I love how it felt in my hand. Picture quality I've seen are pretty amazing as well.
3D Character Artist
http://blog.whiteblaizer.com
Hey Danny, check this website: http://cameralabs.com/
They will help you to decide ^^
Associate Network Administrator
Considering your DSLR and the compact you're looking to replace are both Canon, it might be best just to stick with a system you're familiar with.
Geek
http://thistokyolife.com
danny, i checked out the panasonic and found it rather bulky. the lens sticks out quite a bit more than you might think from photos -- definitely not pocket friendly. a good friend has the DP1 and it seems quite slow and fiddly. size-wise, i think the ricohs might be your best bet. -john fu
CEO MIrai Inc
http://www.dannychoo.com/profile/eng/
Hey John,
You back in Tokyo for YouTube Live?
Geek
http://thistokyolife.com
naw, couldn't make it back, though I wanted to see boa! saw the video of you being groped, though!
CEO MIrai Inc
http://www.dannychoo.com/profile/eng/
The LX3 looks quite nice - samples.
http://dc.watch.impress.co.jp/cda/longterm/2008/10/02/9359.html
http://ascii.jp/elem/000/000/161/161910/
Network Technician
http://www.myyaruki.com
From this review it does sound pretty darn good http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonicdmclx3/
Student
http://andreijournal.blogspot.com
Powershot G10. I think it suits the like of Danny-sama. :D
living la vida loca ^^
http://noisen.com/photomavincz
Danny I'm on the Digital camera business and if you want a top 3 there is my list :
Third : the Ricoh R10. Great lens F2.8 by Pentax and an high sensibility, with an optical stabilisator not like the exilim who just ajust his sensibility to have more speed to "stab" you with some ugly noise. A great camera from a firm that used to have some ads only on specilized magazines and the screen is better than the Nikkon and the Lumix.
Second : The G10 from canon. It's simple it's a reflex in a pocket ! A very smart buddy who can shoot in RAW and perform his pictures with the same hyper quality from the L lens from Canon with the stabilisation. The lens debut to 28mm at f/2.8. I don't speak about the Cmos with the digic V processor who eliminate the noise on higher sensibility (50D inside ^^)
A great choice if you want a great result as you have with your Kiss 2. Of course the screen is a giant one ^^
First : Leica. A Legend cannot be forgoten. Think about the famous M6 or now the M8, the summicron or the immortal Noctilus (the lens cost 10000 € !)! Inside it's from Panasonic but the rest his from the german mythical brand. Be sur to discover another world whith the pictures that you coul took with this camera. It's not immortal it's supernatural !
The lens is at F2.8 to but the quality is more than better the Canon because it's a Leica ! The sensibility is realy good (1600 iso if I remember weel or 3200... I'm not sure)and for sure the screen is a beauty too ! Furthermore he is realy simple to use !
If you need something else don't hesitate to ask !
Student
http://andreijournal.blogspot.com
Looks like the Leica owns all.
http://www.marvinryan.com
the Panasonic Lumix LX3 uses a Leica lens, also read somewhere that the internal lens is identical to the lumix d-lux4 only that the lumix is cheaper.
http://elmimmo.wordpress.com
Leica D-Lux 4 = Panasonic LX3. Same camera, completely different price. Both built by Panasonic. The only difference is in JPEG processing (i.e. raw's come out the same). If you doubt between both get the Panasonic (unless you like to impress with a red dot –to those that do not know that you payed more for nothing).
http://elmimmo.wordpress.com
Oh, and call me a snob, but I woud recommend neither if only because of the lack of automatic blades to cover the lens, using a cap you have to put on/off by hand instead. I have an LX2 and HATE the cap.
Mad scientist
I have a Powershot G7. It's the best camera that I have ever encountered. It gets the colours right and can take good pictures in more or less all lighting conditions. It can even aim at a window where the sun is entering quite strong (which normally makes everything indoor really dark) and still focus on people indoor and ajust lighting to fit for the people. Autofocus nearly never fails. One of the really good things about this camera is that you can set it to auto everything and it will give you good pictures that you can take in an instant. If you want something special you can mess with more or less everything to get a picture just like you want it to be.
The only problem is that it takes quite long from you press the button to the picture is taken. It sets up focus right away and then the thing you take a picture off can move out of focus if it's moving (I only seriously encountered this with moving vehicles).
I read that Powershot G10 is basically a G7 with better stats and that they fixed the delay between pressing the button to the picture is taken. Can anybody confirm that this isn't an issue anymore?
Mad scientist
After getting interested and reading reviews I learned that the shutter lag is reduced from 0,5 sec to 0,03 in bright conditions. Looks like they managed to get rid of this problem :)
Now I start to wonder about getting a new camera... you always risk getting expensive ideas when you visit DC.
http://gakuranman.com
I recommend the Ricoh GX 100 (or the new GX 200) if you want plenty of manual control. Great macro capabilities and wonderful functions. I wrote a review with a sample slideshow of pictures that I took with my GX 100.
http://michaeldowney.net/ricoh-gx100/
No good for ISO400 and up though and not so great in low light, but has great features otherwise. I would see no problems photographing models, and it has a 'snap' photography mode perfect for quick street shots! Your subject won't even know what caught them! ^^;
Proper review here:
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/cameras/ricoh-gx100.shtml
http://gakuranman.com
Also forgot to mention, it's 24mm wide with RAW shooting support which has been greatly improved on the GX 200. Also has a wide lens adapter that takes it down to 18mm if I remember correctly!
http://elmimmo.wordpress.com
The Sigma DP1 has a huge sensor and great lens but, are you willing to go with a fixed 28mm (in 35mm equiv)? (i.e. no zoom whatsoever). Rocks for wide shots (landscapes?), which you do not seem to shoot that many (or at least we do not see them). If you are going for this, wait until the already announced DP2 comes out to get it cheaper.
CEO MIrai Inc
http://www.dannychoo.com/profile/eng/
taken with lx3
http://www.flickr.com/photos/26221004@N06/3019359458/sizes/l/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/26221004@N06/3019359458/sizes/l/
http://www.marvinryan.com
holee cow! impressive! makes me want to go take photography lessons for being incompetent in using the lx3. why can't I take photos like this with mine. ^^;
Student artist
http://www.requestview.wordpress.com
I guess go with the one with the highest quality resolution?
Mad scientist
Resolution isn't everything. When searching for a camera I once ended up with a 10 Mpixel camera (this was the highest you could get back then). However it lacked the ability to do proper manual focus and autofocus didn't work so you would end up with out of focus pictures.
This camera was a gift and I did some research on it before opening the box (luckily). I went to the shop and exchanged it to a Canon Powershot G7 (which was new at the time). Since the box was unopened I got full repayment so I only had to pay the extra costs :)
I think it's very important to read reviews before buying expensive stuff. You see the failure to focus wasn't a feature that was written on the box, but it was the main topic in all the reviews I found ^^
University's Slave
I've heard tons of praises for Canon and Nikon products in general. Panasonic I think is decent. I don't know much about Sigma, and I've never even heard of Leica or Ricoh. When in doubt, check CNet for reviews. They're awesome like that.
Hikikomori in the making
http://supermariabros.deviantart.com/
For a person with a very tight budget, I recommned getting the cheapest one^^;...
Student
http://anime.tedfox.com/
i agree! geez i was thinking of getting one during Sitex in singapore next week hurhur
Apprentice Baking & Pastry Chef
http://Ima-Monogatari.com/
the LX3 is a superb high end. it may not be able to compete with other high ends in terms of low ISO shots but rocks them with high ISO. its really preference with your quality and the shots your taking. lack of optical viewfinder sets me back for getting this, dont like looking at LCDs that often.
???Confused???
I was going to get a Pentax with a wide lens but they ran out and got a Panasonic Lumix instead, it also had a wide lens so it was fine...
IT support
http://kusakabemisao.com/
I am using cheap Canon Powershot A580 but the macro photo result was quite interesting. So I guess Powershot G10 should serve better. I think beginner can rely on these high end compact and if they plan to upgrade later we still need it as backup also something we can bring around in sling/handbag.
Game Developer
http://512x512.com
Ricoh GRD is the best of the lot.
Lecia is a Pany clone and both share the same bad sensor.
Sigma...nice concept but too expensive and not value for money.
Canon is good in the IXUS series.
Nikon...dont care.
Illustrator & Designer
http://www.knight-edge.com/
I've been eyeing the Ricoh GRII for quite a while and I also like the look of the R10.
However, after reading some of the reviews on http://www.dpreview.com and also the comments here, I think the Pansonic Lumix LX3 looks and sounds the best high end compact digicam.
Just got a G10 a short time back to replace my older G3. An excellent camera with a wonderful wide 28mm lens. Takes amazingly good pictures in decent lighting.
architecture student
hahaha because of this article i bought too the lx3..... you are mean guys... u are ripping my wallet hahahahhahhahah!! THIS IS GOOD especially the iA!!!! point and shoot!!!