X20 vs X10 vs XZ-2 vs MX-1

Started 3 months ago | Discussion thread
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JohnnyMnemonic
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X20 vs X10 vs XZ-2 vs MX-1
3 months ago

Decisions...ugh...

I'm a long time SLR shooter who's never been able to find a compact that's 'good enough'. Currently when an SLR isnt desirable, I carry a Samsung NX100 with a 30mm pancake lens. However...when I have a compact it sure would be nice to have a fast zoom lens for a little more versatility....once I stick a zoom on the NX-100 it no longer qualifies as 'compact' and I may as well drag my K30 around.

To be honest I haven't followed the compact scene in awhile...but now I started looking and seems we now have a crop of compacts that should give me the image quality I desire and have a fast zoom lens. Now the problem is, I just can't make up my damn mind

As the title suggests...these are the 4 cameras I'm taking a look at, and my thoughts about them below. I don't frequent these forums much anymore and I realize that the 'what camera should I buy' posts can get tiring...but I've been doing my research and maybe just need some owners thoughts to push me one way or another. I'm posting here because 2 of my choices are Fuji and to be honest...I'm slightly leaning towards one of these two for the simple fact that I'm an old school SLR shooter and I love me a viewfinder when I'm shooting... I never really could get used to taking photographs using an LCD screen.

First...the X10 and X20...

I love the look of the X10 and X20 (as well as the MX-1 for that matter)...the 'Retro' Rangefinder type styling really does it for me and an actual viewfinder is a big plus. What I can't decide on is,  Is the X20 worth waiting a couple of weeks and paying an almost $200 premium for? I realize a newer iteration will probably give a little bit better image quality, a little better speed and handling, etc. But what I'm trying to decide...is are they just going to turn out to be slight incremental improvements...or will they be really significant improvements. I like the image quality in the samples I've seen from the X10 so I'm just wondering how much better it could get.

The MX-1...

To be honest if this camera had a viewfinder, or at least the option for one...it would probably be my choice. I love the look, and the early reviews are very positive when it comes to IQ, the fantastic lens, and speed and handling. I just don't know if I can get past the no-viewfinder thing. My SLR system is Pentax and although I am somewhat partial to Pentax...I think out of the 4 this one is at the bottom of the list right now.

The XZ-2...

This one definitely looks like an Olympus digital camera, they definitely weren't going for the retro look but as much as like the looks of the others, I'm most concerned with function over form. Again...I do like the IQ I see from it, and it has an option for an (expensive) add on viewfinder so that's an edge over the MX-1. I've read sporadic gripes about AF but discussing the validity of them is probably more appropriately done in the Olympus forum so I don't really want to get into that here. What I would like to hear is if anyone has had both the XZ-2 and the X10 and which one they ultimately thought was better and why.

So...thoughts? I could buy an X10 today for about ~$400-ish, wait 2 weeks or more, spend $200 more and get an X20 which I'm trying to decide if it's worth the wait and that much more $$$ than the X10...or get buy the Oly or the Pentax right now for $550 and $500 respectively. Or is there another camera I should be considering here?

Thanks for reading...

Edited 3 months ago by JohnnyMnemonic
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