A tough decision for an amateur looking to advance - LX5 or wait for G12?

roperc3 said:

Hi Erik,

Thanks for your response. I think I haven't made myself clear on what I want from a camera, so here goes:

bright lens v high image quality

high portability (for me this excludes any 4/3 cameras cos zoom makes them non-pocketable) zoom at least 3.0x
excellent low capability HD video

In short, as I remarked in earlier posts, I'm looking for the camera that has it all! In looking at the LX5 I think I may have the closest match to my requirements above.

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Hi,

I'd say that you have stated your needs/wants just fine from the start, but the bold bullet-points above don't exactly square with your firet ststement in your Original Post:

roperc3 said:

roperc3 said:

I have considered the GF1, I really have, but I really need zoom.

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3x isn't much zoom

roperc3 said:

roperc3 said:

I have looked at the TZ7 etc and their low-light capability is sub-par.

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Are you sure of this? Either you are the rank amateur you say you are, or you already know a whole lot about "low light", sufficient zoom, and other aspects of the question.

roperc3 said:

One thing I've noticed over the hours of research and advice sought over the past year is that my ideal camera just isn't available. That I have to think about what I'm going to use the camera for and sacrifice certain aspects.

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Truer words were never spoken: "my ideal camera just isn't available" . One hopes you do come as close as possible, for you .

roperc3 said:

I believe that I've sacrificed as little as possible by picking the LX5. For someone who is on the brink of crossing over to 'thoughtful' photography (for wont of a better word) I think a suitable bridge would be the LX5. I seem to have talked myself out of the G12 throughout this thread, which I'm glad of.

One last thing I'd like to say, and this is directed at EVERYBODY on this forum:

Your opinions, views and critiques are the most valuable asset to the photography community. Please continue to help and advise, continue to give your opinions on subjective subjects because photography (in my humble opinion) - like any art - needs this continual evolution. I'm sure a lot of you on here have discovered new, better ways of operating from snippets of advice on this forum. This is a GOOD thing! I've seen a few posts on here where people belittle an OP because of the naivety of a question - sometimes belittling them simply because they've asked a question!

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Again, very true. I also see many posts such as yours where the answers just reflect the desires of the replier, without any apparent reference to the original question.

Please be assured that any opinion I give is just that - opinion - based on a very long history with film & now digital, but based to be sure on my needs & wants, just as you base yours. I won't be insulted if you get another camera than I do, and will be looking for your by-line to see how things work out.

My suggestion for a camera (TZx/ZSx) is based on covering as many "bases" as possible while including great image quality. Most of us wind up with several cameras, and the wider range of characteristics would allow a better basis for evaluating future needs/wants. I currently use a ZS3, although it's only a minor improvement over my previous TZ5 - mostly a bit smaller - size is an important consideration for me, as I prefer to never fail to have a camera at hand, in my pocket.

I was considering an FX-150 at one time. Too little zoom for me as it turned out. EricN2 was kind enough to supply specific test pictures for me on the forum - he is a great resource, and seems to be in your country.

This whole discussion is where the term "YMMV" (Your mileage may vary") applies.

roperc3 said:

Keep asking questions everyone... and we'll all learn in the process ;-)

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Yes, an excellent thread - thanks for starting it.

Cheers, -Erik

--
DP Review Supporter.



'He who hesitates is not only lost - he's miles from the next Exit.'
http://www.flickr.com/ohlsonmh/

leighton w said:

Don't let "lens lust" get the best of you!

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That's the ONE thing I can guarantee will NOT happen !

I considered very carefully if I really could 'live' with a fixed 20mm.. and said a big big YES.

I've done a check with that prog that shows your total usage of such as f numbers, apertures etc for any camera and not unexpectedly for my usage... the longer FL were rarely used.. and remember this one is equal to a 40mm in 'old' terms.. that's very nice really to work with most general shots.. my sort of usage anyway.
And it is SO compact as a whole thing, it's literally just fine.

--
eric-UK

ericN2 said:

leighton w said:

Don't let "lens lust" get the best of you!

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That's the ONE thing I can guarantee will NOT happen !

I considered very carefully if I really could 'live' with a fixed 20mm.. and said a big big YES.

I've done a check with that prog that shows your total usage of such as f numbers, apertures etc for any camera and not unexpectedly for my usage... the longer FL were rarely used.. and remember this one is equal to a 40mm in 'old' terms.. that's very nice really to work with most general shots.. my sort of usage anyway.
And it is SO compact as a whole thing, it's literally just fine.

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That's great, but I think I personally would struggle. When I sold my FZ20 and bought the Nikon D70, I wasn't satisfied with just the kit lens. Next thing you know, my bag was full of lenses that I really didn't need. I said this is crazy, so I sold the D70 and bought the FZ50, I've never looked back.

I have to be honest though, that GF1 with the pancake sure is tempting!

Maybe I'm just so old that I've got to the stage (age !!) that I've seen it , done it ...

But ask yourself seriously and genuinely ... if you think you need a long(er) zoom...WHY do you ???

Is it maybe just a fear or lack of desire to just walk a bit or position yourself better so that a mid-zoom will do just as well. ??

Of course IF you are seriously into landscapes and that stuff I can well understand ..indeed any photog who does a lot of that is simply crazy to buy ANY camera that has a short zoom...

But for general use.. it IS so easy to get the right position and get many a good shot at very little zoom range.. Try it ...

Put just ONE single standard type lens on your dSLR and go out and try it...it just may surprise you what you can do ..
Then think...you can do THAT with a near pocket-type camera !! you really can.

--
eric-UK

CONGRATS!!!

Still waiting for it to be released in the US to get mine...been on order for over a month now.

Sounds like the LX5 is going to be in as high demand or maybe even more than the LX3 was now that many are choosing to ditch their DSLR and opt for a premium P&S compact.

roperc3 said:

Thank you for your comments - I have pre-ordered the LX5 but damn the thing has sold out! Will bide my time but looking forward to playing with it.

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I own all three cameras mentioned here (FX500, LX3 and LX5) and fortunately bought the FX500 after the LX3 instead of before it. I wanted a smaller second camera that had a longer zoom range and that fit in my pocket easier than the LX3 and being so impressed with the LX3 I bought another Panasonic. It was a mistake as the FX500 takes terrible pictures and I never use it. Perhaps if I experimented more with saturation, sharpness, exposure control.....

The LX3 is a great camera though and when the LX5 came out I bought it right away. It's not any smaller than the LX3 (almost identical actually), but the extra zoom range is just what I was after and it promises to take the same great pictures.

This LX3 photo is what I wanted the FX500 for. A situation where space was at a premium, extra zoom was important and an accident that caused the loss of the camera (like falling overboard or tipping the kayak or whatever) would be less expensive. Even as a snapshot camera the LX500 failed though.

When and where did you manage to already get the LX5?

mainland said:

I own all three cameras mentioned here (FX500, LX3 and LX5) and fortunately bought the FX500 after the LX3 instead of before it. I wanted a smaller second camera that had a longer zoom range and that fit in my pocket easier than the LX3 and being so impressed with the LX3 I bought another Panasonic. It was a mistake as the FX500 takes terrible pictures and I never use it. Perhaps if I experimented more with saturation, sharpness, exposure control.....

The LX3 is a great camera though and when the LX5 came out I bought it right away. It's not any smaller than the LX3 (almost identical actually), but the extra zoom range is just what I was after and it promises to take the same great pictures.

This LX3 photo is what I wanted the FX500 for. A situation where space was at a premium, extra zoom was important and an accident that caused the loss of the camera (like falling overboard or tipping the kayak or whatever) would be less expensive. Even as a snapshot camera the LX500 failed though.

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Bought it almost a week ago now. They are available here in Canada.

Ok; was looking at your profile and it says United States so it wasn't making sense

mainland said:

Bought it almost a week ago now. They are available here in Canada.

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My mistake when I set up my profile. I just corrected it. Thanks for pointing it out.