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New LX5 or Used GF1

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I have both. They are two different animals. The GF1 is much larger and heavier and if you put on a zoom lens for close to a comparable zoom range, the GF1 s then huge compared to the LX5. The 20mm 1.7 is a nice compact lenses capable of producing great photos, but at 40mm equivalent, it is good for photos of groups but not portraits. With the 24-90mm equivlent on the LX5 it is much more usable, but you limited to a small sensor compared to the GF1. Both suffer from LCD glare on a sunny day.

Life is full of compromises, I recommend that you consider the following criteria:

(1) on what your subjects you shoot especially if you do not plan on purchasing any other lens but the 20 1.7

(2) what priority you give to IQ. The LX5 is capable of very good IQ, the GF1 is capable of better IQ.

(3) Cost, size, weight and bulk: For a comparable zoom range, the LX5 is smaller and lighter and all in one package without the need for a second or third lens. With the GF1 you will be limited to 28mm (if you use the standard zoom), not 24mm in the LX5, unless you buy a wide angle lenses (if you buy the Panasonic 7-14mm (14-28 equivalent), it costs $850+ depending upon where and when you buy it.) With additional lenses the GF1 is very flexible, but you pay for the flexibility in additional cost for other lenses and bulk and weight.

Good luck with your decision. I do like both cameras. However if you are considering the GF1 and multiple lenses, I recommend you consider the G1. The G1 does every thing the GF1, but has an articulating LCD, an EVF, and a grip -- all for about the same price as the GF1.
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Howard
http://www.photo.net/photos/howardfuhrman
 
Thanks for the replies alot to reflect on. I want a camera that is capable of taking real good pictures with a reasonable amount of training about it from the owner manual or another book writen about it one that is dependable and i am not a picture critic i would never be able to pick out the flaws and short comings of the different cameras but i do know if a picture looks really good to me or not .From what i read the IQ on both is pretty good. So back to doing more research Thanks again.
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Dan Sapp
 
Based on that, I'd go with the LX5. The GF1 is capable of slightly better image quality, but its really only obvious in real low light and other very challenging situations. At normal print sizes in decent light, the LX5 will generally create images that are just as good if you're not the type to pull out the magnifier to look for flaws.

The LX5 is a more versatile camera UNLESS you plan on really getting into buying lenses, in which case the GF1 is more versatile, but the LX5 will be every bit as good as the GF1 with the kit lens and almost as good as the GF1 with the 20mm except in low light, where the GF1 with the 20 is a good deal better. But the LX5 isn't BAD there at all, just not AS good.

I'd go for the LX5 and learn it really well and develop your photographic skills and see what you think is missing in a year or two. Then you'll be in a better position to decide what you want in a camera upgrade, or if you even want to upgrade.... The LX5 is an awesome little camera.

I have both btw, so no owner's bias here...

-Ray
 
Dan Sapp said:
Thanks for the replies alot to reflect on. I want a camera that is capable of taking real good pictures with a reasonable amount of training about it from the owner manual or another book writen about it one that is dependable and i am not a picture critic i would never be able to pick out the flaws and short comings of the different cameras but i do know if a picture looks really good to me or not .From what i read the IQ on both is pretty good. So back to doing more research Thanks again.
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You want the LX5.

The GF1 is a lot more work and it's a bit harder to take with you. Don't buy a camera system if all you want is a camera.

If you get the LX5 and it doesn't cost enough money and waste enough of your time playing with things that don't matter, then get a GF1 ;-)
 
I don't even think it's a question of portability, as the LX5 is no super-compact, itself.

Just get the much more flexible camera with the much bigger sensor. You'll have a ball with everything you can do with it.
 
I hope this is not to dumb of a question i read that the build quility of both of these cameras is very good and probably giving the top honors to the GF1 but it costs more so here is my question are these cameras that a person could use for say 10 years or so maybe having to have a repair or two made along the way some where or are those days long gone in this modern age ? and we are looking at say 5 years and replace ?
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Dan Sapp
 
You're really pushing it aren't you? With the advances in technology, you would probably be drooling over a new camera within the next couple of years. But if you're happy with the camera and it lasts 7 or 8 years, there should be no reason why you should need to replace it.
 
I vote the GF1/20mm. For an extra $100, you get a real camera system, and you get to

learn real photography with diff. lenses.
Huge sensor.
You'll get more DOF blur and f/1.7 vs f/2.
Better dim light shots
Also, depreciation on a used GF1/20mm is less than a new LX5.

If size is an issue, then LX5.
Else, it's a no brainer, if you ask me,.
turbodieselvw said:
The 20mm 1.7 is a nice compact lenses capable of producing great photos, but at 40mm equivalent, it is good for photos of groups but not portraits.
Click to expand...
Why? You can just move closer.
 
I would get a Sigma DP2...

Enrique
 
5 years? Why not? I found a Nikon Coolpix 4100 at a garage sale today for ten bucks. It's in nice shape, works great. That's a 5yo model and although it's a bit low on MP at 4.0, it still takes very nice pictures.

My friend uses an Olympus E-10 - it turns out some amazing quality results, as did my D100 from a couple of years ago. Those are decade old cameras.
 
Guess I'm a little late to the party, but after getting my GF-1, used BTW, I've only used my LX-3 a couple of times. I'm not going to get rid of it, because I do like to backpack, and I always keep it in my purse, but I bet I use my GF-1, more than all my other cameras combined.

SF Photo Gal
Canon 1DsIII & 5DII/Panasonic GH1-GF1-LX3
 
pix_crash_course said:
pix_crash_course said:
The 20mm 1.7 is a nice compact lenses capable of producing great photos, but at 40mm equivalent, it is good for photos of groups but not portraits.
Click to expand...
Why? You can just move closer.
Click to expand...
Exactly. I'm no pro portrait photographer or anything, but what's the big deal with this, as long as you're not dealing with a fixed tripod position in a studio or some such limitation? Take two steps (if that) closer to your subject(s).
 
I've considered the DPx siblings from time to time, but in the end the barebones feature set, so-so LCD, lack of low light fixed lens and operating speed have put me off of them. If I ever find one for dirt-cheap I'll grab it, since they do have some degree of 'magical photo quality' that people go on about over cameras like the X1, but it would be highly impractical as my only system.

There's also a new gen of Sigma cameras on the way, so it might be worth it to wait and see.
 
Read more about why 90mm+ is ideal for portrait photography.

I go to extremes and find 200mm is even better.

40mm shots close up are very unflattering.
sensibill said:
pix_crash_course said:
billzilla2000 said:
The 20mm 1.7 is a nice compact lenses capable of producing great photos, but at 40mm equivalent, it is good for photos of groups but not portraits.
Click to expand...
Why? You can just move closer.
Click to expand...
Exactly. I'm no pro portrait photographer or anything, but what's the big deal with this, as long as you're not dealing with a fixed tripod position in a studio or some such limitation? Take two steps (if that) closer to your subject(s).
Click to expand...
 
OK GF! it is with a 20mm f1.7 then down the road a seond lens. Now to start figureing out that second lens !
--
Dan Sapp
 
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