Kudos to Panasonic....

[Diane B]

I'm a very long time Canon shooter, film and now digital since 2000 or so. I love my 5D--and even the little used 400D I bought this summer for my current 'small' body. But---spending time on the Canon 1D-5DII forum is mostly complaints about the newest cameras (whether disserved or not) and here I see praise for the G1 and LX3 and few complaints--perhaps some changes that some would like, but still happiness with the cameras. I commend Panasonic for developing 2 cameras that are of interest to a wide and diverse group of shooters from very advanced to relative newbies.

I can only hope the G1 esp. (since that's where MY interest lies) is a success and encourages Panasonic to develop more lenses for the system.

Diane
--
Diane B
http://www.pbase.com/picnic/galleries

 

[Bill D]

--I agree with your enthusiasm for Panasonic's recent camera introductions. I am also a long time Canon user with a 5D & 40D, and I can't wait to get my new LX-3, which should be arriving tomorrow. Believe it or not, I actually cancelled my 5D II order, and ordered this camera instead because it looks so exciting. Too much negative discussion regarding Canon products of late.

 

[joehewes]

Agreed. I have an LX-3 coming for Christmas to partner with my Canon 20D as a more "carry-able" pocket camera.

As far as the G1, while there is some disagreement on the usefulness of this model among some on the forum, I see it as an effort on Panasonic's part to at least try to break the paradigm. They might not hit a home run this time around (while many will disagree and say they already have) I think that in the future we could possibly see some real groundbreaking models.

I have refused to beat up too badly on Canon for the 1DIII issue, and now the 5DII issue, but if one steps back and looks at the last year or two for Canon, it could be that Canon has in fact lost their touch just a little. They are certainly getting beat up by Nikon and the LX-3 is winning kudos in its class, to the (perceived) detriment of the G10.

--
Joe

 

[panacealater]

I am not a Canon user nor am I in the market for the G1. I have owned the FZ5 and currently shoot the FZ18. What excites me about the G1 and LX3 is the direction they are taking the technology. While some perceive the expense as formidable, I rather think the cost of innovation should be born by those who benefit from it. If the purchase history inspires Panasonic to proceed, who will not not benefit from their efforts?

 

[Dave Lewis]

I think Canon suffers from their own accomplishments. They have produced fine cameras for a long time and each new model is expected to be earth shattering. Panasonic, on the other hand is a comer. It is easy to be a new guy with new and exciting stuff that isn't continuously compared to your old stuff and everybody else's.

dave

Agreed. I have an LX-3 coming for Christmas to partner with my Canon
20D as a more "carry-able" pocket camera.

As far as the G1, while there is some disagreement on the usefulness
of this model among some on the forum, I see it as an effort on
Panasonic's part to at least try to break the paradigm. They might
not hit a home run this time around (while many will disagree and say
they already have) I think that in the future we could possibly see
some real groundbreaking models.

I have refused to beat up too badly on Canon for the 1DIII issue, and
now the 5DII issue, but if one steps back and looks at the last year
or two for Canon, it could be that Canon has in fact lost their
touch just a little. They are certainly getting beat up by Nikon and
the LX-3 is winning kudos in its class, to the (perceived) detriment
of the G10.

--
Joe

--
Dave Lewis

 

[Diane B]

I agree--that's why I said 'deserved or not'. Still--the 1D forum is not much fun these days--maybe for a long time. Even the vaunted 5D was maligned in the beginning for various things (and still is--slow AF, etc.) but I do love mine and feel that from the D30 (and old G1) to my 3 yr. old 5D, I've been pretty happy with each upgrade.

And--yes, no jaw dropping changes. Panasonic has thought out of the box and caught some of our eyes. But things like this make the whole industry pay attention and consider their own products and are good for all of us. In the meantime, those that take the plunge with new products have a bit of fun and everyone is pretty happy. The other thing is this forum is relatively free of snipinig. I've been around dpreview a long time---and the only other forum that was more like this was the old Oly SLR forum in the E10 days.

Diane
--
Diane B
http://www.pbase.com/picnic/galleries

 

[Jorginho]

Yes, you could be right. I used a Canon 1000D for little over a week. I did not like the ergonomics of the cam at all, but at the price and the picture quality I thought of it as a very good camera. I still do.

I have no experience with Canons cams, so may it is something people get used to.

 

[AndyBorrows]

Although a long-time user of dpreview, I've only been a lurker on the forums - but decided to register just so I can say thanks to all you guys and gals here - without you, I probably wouldn't now be the very happy owner of a G1.

I'd been waiting all summer for Nikon to bring out the D90 to replace my ageing Olympus 8080, then Panasonic/Oly went and upset my plans by announcing M43. The concept seemed good, but I was quite surprised to find how hard it to go against my own prejudice - after all, who are Panasonic to compete with the acknowledged giants of the camera world? And the G1 looked like a toy... surely a 'real' DSLR is big and chunky and carries a satisfyingly heavy lump of glass on the front?

What eventually clinched it for the G1 though was the obvious enthusiasm for the camera of so many on this forum. So thanks y'all - I've had the G1 a couple of weeks now, but frustratingly had very little time as yet to get to play with it. Maybe after Christmas...

andy

 

[Say Hey]

I agree about this forum, it is quite often informative and entertaining, and most often civil.

I've owned Panasonic cameras for quite some time. I'm not a particularly good photographer, alas (but our children - now adults - are). I've had fun with my cameras, which currently include a Pentax K200D, and I've had a very fulfilling time encouraging our children. Amazing, but all three have the eye I lack.

The Panasonic cameras I've owned have all been better than I've expected. I have tried to be practical - don't expect the sun and the moon in any camera - and I've not been disappointed with any of the Panasonics.

Besides the Pentax, I now have the TZ5 (best darn travel camera I've ever seen); the FZ18 (a fun and well-thought-out camera); and, just this month, the G1, with which, again, I'm having fun and which I kind of believe will be the future wave, at least for a few years.

I feel pretty comfortable when in this forum. There is a little kidding going on, some personal interaction, and people seem relaxed and not always on the verge of chopping everybody's heads off.

So good for Panasonic, good for DPReview, and good for Panasonic Talk forumites.

And while I'm at it - the Best holidays to all.

--
I appreciate this forum.
Say Hey

 

[jimmyfergus]

Agreed. It impressed me that there has been little crowing here about dpreview declaring it the winner in the enthusiasts camera roundup.

What's impressed me about the LX-3 is the focus on photographer's needs, and the quality of the automatic systems.

I like to understand what's going on and take control because usually automatic typically doesn't do exactly what I would hope. With the LX-3, I've been turning more and more automatic features back on for most of the time. I finally relented and turned on iISO, when I realized that it was usually doing exactly what I wanted - turning up the ISO only if I needed to freeze movement. I'm as yet unsure whether under responsive or over sensitive, but it's definitely doing pretty well.

That said, the auto white-balance has been a disappointment. I also have numerous ideas about tweaks and features that would make it an even better camera.

What I really want, is a bigger sensor, similar form-factor (tall order I suppose), old-school aperture ring, shutter and ISO dial, and a touch-screen interface where you build-your-own scene modes derived from base modes they supply to handle all the other settings.

 

[kenw]

Also a Canon shooter that got sucked in by the LX3 (and now a FZ28 that I use as a "teleconverter" for my LX3). Once it appeared they handled noise just about on par with the other manufacturers for given imager sizes I finally tried out their cameras and user interface. I've always been happy with my Canon SLRs, but I've got to say the UI on the Panasonic compacts is very, very nice. Panasonic also offers features important to me on more cameras (e.g. the FZ28 can shoot RAW, whereas Canon's offering doesn't).

So yeah, Panasonic has definitely done something right and I really like my two cameras from them.

That said, I'd be careful reading too much into the reception of the Panasonic and Canon cameras on their various forums. The Panasonic forums are very positive, supportive, and helpful. People here seem to like their cameras but not have quite the ardent, almost violent, brand loyalty as on other forums. Lots of people here who shoot other models besides Panasonic and like each of their cameras for what they are.

Strangely the fanatical brand fan-boys on some of the other forums are the first to cry bloody murder the second "their" manufacturer slips up on something. There is posturing and chest beating and they rend their clothes in their unbridled grief. It makes for quite a show.

So, at the moment, I think perhaps the difference in feelings on the two forums has more to do with the character of the forums than it does with the camera offerings themselves.
--
Ken W

Rebel XT, XTi, Pany LX-3, FZ-28, Fuji F30, and a lot of 35mm and 4x5 sitting in the closet...

 

[Robert A]

--
----------------
Robert A
Canon 20D

 

[Diane B]

Some of that is probably true--in fact, a great deal. I wouldn't have hesitated to buy the 5DII even with the 'black dot' issue. I love my 5D and have liked all my others for years and years. The forums here devoted to the big 2 are especially extreme--and I know this after years on these forums and the naysayers are always ver vocal. Still---these 2 Panasonic cameras seem to have burst out with something a bit more than evolutionary--or so it seems. For now---most are hapy here and its a more fun forum to visit.

Diane
--
Diane B
http://www.pbase.com/picnic/galleries

 

[Beth]

I'll take your presence here as an indication that my plan to purchase the LX3 right after the holidays, is a good one! It's a good omen! I am still shooting w/ the original 5D and have no plans to upgrade right now. I'm waiting for Canon to do something revolutionary with their sensor ....a la Foveon???? When they do that, I'll think of upgrading, but in the meantime, I'm looking for a replacement for my LX1 which has been a great little camera, but needs an update badly!

I often carry it in lieu of a heavy wide angle lens for the 5D...find that it does almost as well in good light. I have been blown away by the black and white behavior of the new LX3 in the higher contrast setting. It might become my dedicated BW camera!!??

Beth

--
Galleries: http://www.pbase.com/cokids/

 

[Beth]

Yes, Diane, I think we met in the old E10 days. I still have that camera and dont' think I'll ever get rid of it. It is in a class of it's own! I have owned an LX1 for about 3 years and have enjoyed it. It is wonderful at low ISO settings and in good light. I am looking forward to the low light capabiilities of the LX3.

Beth
--
Galleries: http://www.pbase.com/cokids/

 

[kenw]

Still---these 2 Panasonic cameras seem to have burst out with
something a bit more than evolutionary--or so it seems.

Definitely the LX3 is something I've dreamed about for years and never thought I'd see come to light - 24mm equiv., F/2.0, IS lens, fast RAW buffer and an incredibly good UI even in manual everything mode all in a pocketable camera that can actually do an acceptable job in low light and compete with budget SLRs in good light. I've been further amazed by the WA adapter that pushes the wide end out to 18mm and broke another paradigm for me (i.e. the "why would anyone buy a lens adapter for a compact camera" paradigm). I hear a few people say the LX3 hasn't added all that much compared to previous cameras, but all the little changes have added up to what for me is, as you say, beyond evolutionary.

--
Ken W

Rebel XT, XTi, Pany LX-3, FZ-28, Fuji F30, and a lot of 35mm and 4x5 sitting in the closet...

 

[Dave Lewis]

I'm a very long time Canon shooter, film and now digital since 2000
or so. I love my 5D--and even the little used 400D I bought this
summer for my current 'small' body. But---spending time on the Canon
1D-5DII forum is mostly complaints about the newest cameras (whether
disserved or not) and here I see praise for the G1 and LX3 and few
complaints--perhaps some changes that some would like, but still
happiness with the cameras. I commend Panasonic for developing 2
cameras that are of interest to a wide and diverse group of shooters
from very advanced to relative newbies.

I can only hope the G1 esp. (since that's where MY interest lies) is
a success and encourages Panasonic to develop more lenses for the
system.

Diane
--
Diane B
http://www.pbase.com/picnic/galleries

From everything I read the G1 and the LX3 are already huge successes. I think they are firmly established and the micro 4/3's format is well on the way. I'm looking for direct adapters for other lenses, which will let them be a little more compact. The G1 is the first camera I've been interested in using with adapted lenses. The magnifying focus assist makes focus so much more positive.
--
Dave Lewis

 

[henkster]

Diane,

It seems that Panasonic is getting it right now most of the time. I have the FZ1, the FZ30 and the L1 with the PL b1-150, the latter one being my 99% camera, but I was looking for something more discreet and portable. Chances had it, that yesterday I went shopping for batteries for an Xmas present (a remote controlled T-Rex which needs 13 AA and AAA 'pilas'). The Xmas Radio Shack flyer offered the LZ8 for 1,999 pesos. To my surprise, the RS shop in the Galeria Rosa offered it for 1,499 pesos (or 80 Euros). It caught my attention, as it was just a foot to the left of the battery carrousel tower. Needless to say, I did not leave with only the batteries. What the Dpreview review of the budget cameras did not state clearly, this one has a front and thumb grip. Took some photos and a video today, and they turned out better than expected.

My take is, as Panasonic is a rather new 'kid on the block' regarding photography, they will probe the waters and come up with some fresh ideas. Some may be only conceptual (as the L1), to make a point, while the G1 is a major breakpoint and new concept aimed at the consumer market. Panasonic is trying to break the mold of traditional camera companies and consumer electronic ones.

Merry Xmas

--
Henk

Donde una puerta se cierra, otra se abre

 

[Diane B]

Hi Beth,

I just now saw your post. I saw a reply from you in another thread and checked your posts and realized you had replied to this thread LOL.

I'm still shooting with the 5D also and don't plan to upgrade. I added a used 400D this summer for my 'small' hiking camera

( http://www.pbase.com/picnic/image/103572356 and http://www.pbase.com/picnic/image/103569778 ) because I didn't like shooting with the G9. I looked at the DP1 and then the LX3 but when I started looking at the G1 here, processed and printed some G1 RAWs and then finally got to handle it last Saturday, I knew I had found my 'small' camera smile . I plan to add it sometime after the first of the year and retire the 400D and G9 (that one to my husband to replace his F30). BTW--I usually carry one of the small cams for the tele end rather than my 70-200. I usually have the 12-24/28-75 for the 5D. Sort of opposite to your plan.

Glad to see you here--hadn't seen you on any forums for awhile---AND looking forward to see your LX3 shots. Need to visit your gallery soon--haven't been there for a bit.

Hope your Winter in Maine is terrific. We may try to get back there sooner rather than later altho' we're hoping for a western trip this late Spring.

Funny how we've followed similar gear paths LOL.

Diane

I'll take your presence here as an indication that my plan to
purchase the LX3 right after the holidays, is a good one! It's a good
omen! I am still shooting w/ the original 5D and have no plans to
upgrade right now. I'm waiting for Canon to do something
revolutionary with their sensor ....a la Foveon???? When they do
that, I'll think of upgrading, but in the meantime, I'm looking for a
replacement for my LX1 which has been a great little camera, but
needs an update badly!

I often carry it in lieu of a heavy wide angle lens for the 5D...find
that it does almost as well in good light. I have been blown away by
the black and white behavior of the new LX3 in the higher contrast
setting. It might become my dedicated BW camera!!??

Beth

--
Diane B
http://www.pbase.com/picnic/galleries

 

[CYRN]

I think Canon suffers from their own accomplishments. They have
produced fine cameras for a long time and each new model is expected
to be earth shattering. Panasonic, on the other hand is a comer. It
is easy to be a new guy with new and exciting stuff that isn't
continuously compared to your old stuff and everybody else's.

dave

--
Dave Lewis

I disagree, Canon might be successful in the past, but they are (or have) lost much of their competitive edge... at least when referring to photo-centric cams.

No one expects earth shattering models every time... but at the very least be more photo-centric in their developments... what's stopping them from giving G10 a lower MP count and a superb lens like the LX-3... why must such wonderful device come from a market new comer rather than one who's established.

--
http://gallery.photoevangel.com

Spreading the Good photography.