FX01 user looking to upgrade to newer Panasonic P&S. Any advice?

I've had a Lumix FX01 since 2006 and have been generally happy with the camera. I have a DSLR and m4/3 when the IQ is critical, but I'd like to improve on the FX01. My main complaint is the same as everyone else's: noise. The FX01 is often used in social situations at night (with flash) when the noise can become prominent. I know these small sensor cameras can’t work miracles, but I’ve having difficulty determining whether there has been any real improvement over the FX01. Any measurable improvement in an 8x10 print would be very welcome.

After doing some research, I’m considering the following cameras:

FX37/48
FX150
FX500/580
Fuji F100fd
Canon S90

The above Panasonic cameras have even more pixel density than the FX01, but I’m hoping there have been other improvements to reduce noise without harming IQ.

The S90 is a little more than I would like to spend. Before I spend that kind of money, I’d like to read a comprehensive review/test (at least).

I’m not considering the LX3, even though it gets good press (need more zoom range, no lens cap and smaller dimensions).

Thanks in advance for the help and feel free to recommend another small camera.

Thanks in advance.

Have you considered the sony wx1 or tx1? They have exceptional low-light capabilities. You can go to the sony forum and search for lowlight wx1 to see some recently posted pics. I had FX50 and have FZ-18 and don't think there are any panasonics good for low light other than LX3. Good luck in your quest, Paul.
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Paul N12
DSC-H20, T70, W-150, F505, Canon G1, C-8080, Fuji F-30, EX-V7, FZ-18

None of the small sensor cameras have excellent low light capabilities.
However with the right adjustments with experimenting you can get
good results.

I recently upgraded my FX01 to a FX500. I am very happy with it.
The "Intelligent Auto" setting is outstanding and it also has Aperture and
Shutter priority settings. Therefore you can fix the aperture at f2.8 at
wide angle and get the the best exposure for flash.

It is a fantastic camera with a lot of features and it is for sale right now
for a bargain price of $162. Last year the street price was $350.

go to http://www.6thave.com for the sale. Enter Panasonic FX500 in the
search box.

--
Murry

I had,and enjoyed the FX-01 !

The Canon S90,will do way better,at high ISO settings,than the FX-01....and most camera's out there,for it's size.

S90 seems to excel indoors,and in low light conditions

Even at higher ISO settings,it retains color better,than most.

Seems less great,at low ISO,outdoor shots,for some reason.

It has way more controls,than your FX-01 ,too.

Out of the choices your looking at,the S90 should be high on your list,me thinks.

Ever consider TZ6/7 ?

I upgraded from FX-01,to TZ3,at the time.

ANAYV

Have you consider the Fuji F200EXR?

I think now it's very affordable, it's compact and its low light capability is gorgeous!

oxwald said:

Have you consider the Fuji F200EXR?

I think now it's very affordable, it's compact and its low light capability is gorgeous!

Click to expand...

I have considered it, but the DPR test did not seem so great. I recall the test mentioning strange artifacts in the images. The lack of a histogram is concerning as well. I find histograms useful. Do you have any experience with the F200EXR?

murry said:

None of the small sensor cameras have excellent low light capabilities.
However with the right adjustments with experimenting you can get
good results.

I recently upgraded my FX01 to a FX500. I am very happy with it.
The "Intelligent Auto" setting is outstanding and it also has Aperture and
Shutter priority settings. Therefore you can fix the aperture at f2.8 at
wide angle and get the the best exposure for flash.

It is a fantastic camera with a lot of features and it is for sale right now
for a bargain price of $162. Last year the street price was $350.

go to http://www.6thave.com for the sale. Enter Panasonic FX500 in the
search box.

--
Murry

Click to expand...

I looked at the FX500 on flickr... pretty impressive images. 2.8 WIDE lens, manual control and all for $162? Might consider it, even with it being "old technology".

Mia2 said:

murry said:

None of the small sensor cameras have excellent low light capabilities.
However with the right adjustments with experimenting you can get
good results.

I recently upgraded my FX01 to a FX500. I am very happy with it.
The "Intelligent Auto" setting is outstanding and it also has Aperture and
Shutter priority settings. Therefore you can fix the aperture at f2.8 at
wide angle and get the the best exposure for flash.

It is a fantastic camera with a lot of features and it is for sale right now
for a bargain price of $162. Last year the street price was $350.

go to http://www.6thave.com for the sale. Enter Panasonic FX500 in the
search box.

--
Murry

Click to expand...

I looked at the FX500 on flickr... pretty impressive images. 2.8 WIDE lens, manual control and all for $162? Might consider it, even with it being "old technology".

Click to expand...

Seems like a decent camera. The price is definitely right.

Mia2 said:

I looked at the FX500 on flickr... pretty impressive images. 2.8 WIDE lens, manual control and all for $162? Might consider it, even with it being "old technology".

Click to expand...

I would dispute your claim of "old technology" The Lumix FX-500 is right up
to date with "State of the art" technology. The touch screen is fantastic.

Canon just introduced a touch screen in August with the SD980IS.

According to the reviews there are some problems with using the touch screen. On the Panasonic the touch screen is flawless, a pleasure to use.

The Panasonic has Manual controls which the Canon doesn't have.

Looking over the whole list of point and shoot cameras from any manufacturer. I don't see any pocket size camera with a minimum f2.8 lens that equals the value
of the FX500 for $162.

--
Murry

I bought it for a present and tested for several days. The camera is awesome for its price.

The review from here doesn't sound fair to me. Too much automatic presets, not showing real capabilities of the camera. The histogram of course is useful but not so critical for me.

The best thing is the dropping price, cheaper than the S90.

But if the bucks are not the problem, I would probably go for the S90.
Just giving you options

Canon S90 is currently the best in low light / High ISO department. Its even shade better than LX3 in this aspect.
--
Nitin

murry said:

Mia2 said:

I looked at the FX500 on flickr... pretty impressive images. 2.8 WIDE lens, manual control and all for $162? Might consider it, even with it being "old technology".

Click to expand...

I would dispute your claim of "old technology" The Lumix FX-500 is right up
to date with "State of the art" technology. The touch screen is fantastic.

Canon just introduced a touch screen in August with the SD980IS.

According to the reviews there are some problems with using the touch screen. On the Panasonic the touch screen is flawless, a pleasure to use.

The Panasonic has Manual controls which the Canon doesn't have.

Looking over the whole list of point and shoot cameras from any manufacturer. I don't see any pocket size camera with a minimum f2.8 lens that equals the value
of the FX500 for $162.

--
Murry

Click to expand...

I've put the FX-500 on my short list thanks to your recommendation.
Here's my wish list:

• 2.0 - 2.8 aperture on the wide end
• starting at least at 25 - 28mm
• manual controls
• decent LCD screen
• small/compact pocket cam
• low noise levels
• good dynamic range
• long telephoto not necessary but would be a bonus

My options seem to be either a S90, F70/F200exr (although not 2.0-2.8 aperture), LX3 (although not as compact) and now maybe the FX-500. What's the difference between the FX500 and FX580?
What are the noise levels compared to the other models mentioned above?

Mia2 said:

I've put the FX-500 on my short list thanks to your recommendation.
Here's my wish list:

• 2.0 - 2.8 aperture on the wide end
• starting at least at 25 - 28mm
• manual controls
• decent LCD screen
• small/compact pocket cam
• low noise levels
• good dynamic range
• long telephoto not necessary but would be a bonus

My options seem to be either a S90, F70/F200exr (although not 2.0-2.8 aperture), LX3 (although not as compact) and now maybe the FX-500. What's the difference between the FX500 and FX580?
What are the noise levels compared to the other models mentioned above?

Click to expand...

The FX580 is a newer model with 12m pixels instead of 10m pixels in the
FX500 with the same size sensor for $100 more. In my opinion it is not of any
advantage.

The FX500 has everything you mentioned above starting with f2.8. It also
has an excellent touch screen.

I have no problem with the noise level, there are enough adjustments to keep
the ISO level low enough to minimize the noise in most situations.

The Fuji F200EXR has such poor reviews on Amazon.com that I would not
even consider it, besides a f3.3 lens.

The LX3 has a bigger sensor for a lot more money. also is not pocket size. I
considered buying the LX3, but then figured with my experience with
digital cameras I could do just as well with the FX500. I have not been
disappointed. I am continuously getting stunning pictures with any and
all lighting conditions.

--
Murry

Thanks, Murry.... do you have some pics uploaded from the FX500??

Mia2 said:

Thanks, Murry.... do you have some pics uploaded from the FX500??

Click to expand...

I don't have any pictures uploaded, however, if you go to search in this
forum you can check out pics from another user.

Enter FX500 in the search box then go down about 4 entries to
"Lechero Color+b&w pictures
--
Murry

I often use this webpage to compare images from two cameras side by side

http://www.imaging-resource.com/IMCOMP/COMPS01.HTM

Since we are dealing with P&S here comparing images beyond ISO800 will be futile. So go ahead and pick cameras you like and compare their images upto ISO800. Pick whichever you like.

Per my eyes, S90 is the best in High ISO closely followed by LX3. My suggestions is first compare images from these cameras side by side, then make the one that you like better as the benchmark and finally compare other cameras with that benchmark. Hope this helps!!

P.S. You have to click each image twice to reach the full size/resolution image. Images smaller than those will look same.

--
Nitin