1/1.63" High Sensitivity 10 megapixel CCD with evolved sensor technology
Realized industry top level image quality in compact digital camera
no, probably means something rude in Korean. Same reason the toyota MR2 never really worked in France.
no, probably means something rude in Korean. Same reason the toyota MR2 never really worked in France.
no, probably means something rude in Korean. Same reason the toyota MR2 never really worked in France.
4 is an unlucky number in Korea (and some other East Asian countries). For instance, a lot of Korean buildings don't have a fourth floor (or, at least, a floor numbered 4, for the pedants in the forum).
I'm looking forward to it, but will have to be a late adopter to afford it.
"Suggested retail price of $499.95." So that'll be five hundred quid (since dollars tend to get converted to pounds for this kind of goods in the UK).
no, probably means something rude in Korean. Same reason the toyota MR2 never really worked in France.
4 is an unlucky number in Korea (and some other East Asian countries). For instance, a lot of Korean buildings don't have a fourth floor (or, at least, a floor numbered 4, for the pedants in the forum).
Yes, the 60mm limit put me off the LX3. I like a bit of telephoto, and have an LX2.
72mm (equiv) is not enough for my liking :'(Canon Powershot S90 (http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canons90/) (which seems to be the G11 in a smaller package - too small for my liking) just might suit, then...
72mm (equiv) is not enough for my liking :'(Canon Powershot S90 (http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canons90/) (which seems to be the G11 in a smaller package - too small for my liking) just might suit, then...
But I value the 24mm (equivalent) wide angle of the Samsung above the 28-105mm range of the Canon! It seems to be difficult to get a zoom any wider than ~28mm in a camera more ambitious than a compact* without paying an arm and a leg. I dare say there is some technical reason for that which I don't appreciate.
It's 60mm for the LX3 according to Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 Review: 1. Introduction: Digital Photography Review (http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonicdmclx3/)
I appreciate there's scope for plenty of cropping when you have such high image quality and resolution to start with, but still 60mm wouldn't be enough for me. I crop even with the LX2 at 112mm to pick out details from landscapes and urbanscapes.
I appreciate there's scope for plenty of cropping when you have such high image quality and resolution to start with, but still 60mm wouldn't be enough for me.
....Or even have interchangeable lenses! I suppose it's all too tightly integrated for that, though, and it couldn't be so small.
....Or even have interchangeable lenses! I suppose it's all too tightly integrated for that, though, and it couldn't be so small.
I guess they have micro 4/3 for that. But as you suggested, it would be nowhere near as compact.
.. those converters weigh a ton though, I looked at one when I had an LX3 and decided not to because it was taking it too close to SLR weight
still, thats the same money i spent on my D40X with kit lens new. Paying slr money for a compact just seems daft!
LX5 is everything i want in a compact! But damn it's expensive :( So bought an S90 instead for £260. Seems rather good so far!Ken Rockwell certainly likes it (http://www.kenrockwell.com/canon/s90.htm) :)
LX5 is everything i want in a compact! But damn it's expensive :( So bought an S90 instead for £260. Seems rather good so far!Ken Rockwell certainly likes it (http://www.kenrockwell.com/canon/s90.htm) :)
Compared to the Leica D-Lux 4 (a.k.a. Panasonic Lumix)
There is no comparison.
Unless I missed something when I tried it, the Leica D-Lux 4 (Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3K) lacks the emancipating direct control rings of the S90. Sure, the Leicasonic has a control switch around the lens for cropping, but no ability to control anything useful around the lens as does a real camera or the S90.
This lack of direct control, and the suffocatingly complex menu system of the Leicasonic that replaces the direct controls of the S90, relegates the Leicasonic to the consumer electronics aisle, not the photography aisle.
I usually don't read this part of the forum but since the usb connector on my Ricoh R8 came loose I am looking at a new compact(the R8 works, but now I need a card reader to get my pictures off), and brought the choice down to the LX5, S95 or EX1. Because I like good stuff, but not weight. Before the R8 I had a Canon G3, but that's too heavy and slow to use on the bike.
Since I have no certainty about income I am procrastinating the purchase for now.
The camera would mostly be used for quick snaps while cycling (audaxes), and I think the S95 is the only one that doesn't have a lens cap that has to be removed manually. That's a two hand job and puts the S95 far above the others for me, because that's an act that has to be performed *every* time when you get it out.
Otherwise it's landscapes so wider is better, and often in the dark or with low light, so a faster lens is also better. The zoom end of the lens isn't really a concern. Weight and the amount of pictures it can take is a concern, on events like LEL, PBP and Mille Miglia.
I really like the screen of the EX1, because shots like
http://arvid.org/mm2010/ROT04088.JPG
are a total gamble otherwise (this one works, about 80% of the pics I take like this is total crap).
My conclusion isn't made up yet, I'll do that with a hands on test when I'm sure I can miss the money. But so far it's:
S95: Pro: weight, size, no lens cap. Con: 28mm, 200 pictures per battery
EX1: Pro: screen, price, fastest lens. Con: weight, 240 pictures per battery
The LX5 is in between on most things. Pro: 400 pics per battery, Con: price
Any comments on that?
Yebbut I like how the camera software transfers automatically only the new pictures and puts them in a folder with the name of the date they were made. I'm lazy. (and those camera's are all a lot better than my R8)
Re the LX3. I've just belatedly noticed that the firmware is at v2.2 (I had v1. The upgrade was simple and quick).
http://panasonic.jp/support/global/cs/dsc/download/LX3/index.html (http://panasonic.jp/support/global/cs/dsc/download/LX3/index.html)
I notice that post-upgrade it no longer closes the lens when you switch into playback mode. Good for when you just want to quickly review a few shots, I guess, but I think I preferred it as it was before. OTOH, I do prefer the way it resumes at the previously-used zoom level when switched on (although I do wish it would stop tellling me this via a text box when doing so).
I've yet to explore the rest of the changes. It seems enought to warrant a revised operating manual.
I fear the recession will mean higher prices this time. My wild guess for the LX5's initial price is £450 to £499 from proper main dealers, and £350 to £400 from more dodgy ones.
I fear the recession will mean higher prices this time. My wild guess for the LX5's initial price is £450 to £499 from proper main dealers, and £350 to £400 from more dodgy ones.
Price is still falling, £335 from one of the dodgy ones. I've been without a camera for a while so I'm tempted, how dodgy can they be?
Panasonic Cameras - Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 (Black) Digital Still Camera (http://www.simplyelectronics.net/mainproduct.php?pid=11394)
For some reason my other half has her heart set on the Leica version, nearly double the price just for the badge. It's just like bikes ;D
Compact camera design marches on, and the Olympus XZ-1 (http://www.dpreview.com/previews/olympusxz1/) has now touched down (well, almost).
Looks rather nice, particularly for those who crave DoF control combined with an OLED (i.e. really bright) display and an S90-style (except that it's not customisable) ring-around-the-lens control dial (just as well that it has that, given that its other main control seems to be one of those dreadful bezel-round-a-button things on the rear of the body).
The state-of-the-art VF-2 electronic viewfinder that the E-P2 uses also fits the XZ-1 - a big bonus for those who like/need a viewfinder (although the price don't 'arf mount up - around £620, I reckon).
It could probably do with a Franiec custom grip (http://www.kleptography.com/rf/#camera_dp1), and no doubt one will be along shortly...
Does it have the same sensor as the LX3 and LX5?
Only 1 custom mode, mind... what with that, and the bezel thingy, I remain firmly convinced that Ricoh are the kings of camera ergonomics. I don't know why all other high-end compact camera makers don't just copy their controls and menu system and have done with it.
PS This (http://www.olympus-europa.com/consumer/198_accessory_pt-050_24008.htm) will swing it for people who like getting wet :)
The new m4/3 Olympus E-PL2 looks good tooYes, aren't M4/3 getting small? I tend to change cameras every five or six years, by the time I'm looking for my next one I'm expecting them to be even smaller, maybe without interchangeable lenses. With a fixed lens there's already not much difference in size between the LX5 and the new GF2.