G16 replaced my G15: some thoughts

Henry Richardson wrote:

I just remembered the Panasonic LX100. It is easy for me to sometimes forget about some of the Panasonic and Sony models because here in Japan they are never in the running if I want a camera. Unlike all the other companies (Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Pentax, Fuji, Ricoh, Sigma, Casio, etc.) Panasonic and Sony cameras sold in Japan have crippled firmware that does not allow you to change the menu language. Very annoying. Of course, Panasonic and Sony cameras sold outside Japan allow you to change the language.

Actually, I would probably have already bought an LX100 if not for this issue. It sells for about US$500 here (at the current exchange rate).

In the last few months I have handled the LX100 several times, but in the last few days I have spent more time investigating it. Having the good LX100 EVF is nice and better than the not so good G16 OVF. And, of course, it has a bigger, better sensor along with a fast lens. Unfortunately, I now see that the LX100 probably wouldn't be a good substitute for the G16 for the following reasons:

1 - Although the size/weight is very similar to the G16 the LX100 is much thicker because even when retracted the lens protrudes quite a lot from the front. Sometimes I put my G16 in my cargo pocket of my shorts and since it is fairly flat and not so thick that works fine.

2 - The LX100 has very poor auto ISO. You can't set anything and rather than try to keep the shutter speed above 1/FF equivalent focal length it will use very slow shutter speeds while trying to maintain the lowest ISO. You can then just hope that the IS works well enough, your hands are steady enough, and there is absolutely no subject movement. Most cameras which allow no control over the auto ISO will do the more reasonable thing and try to keep the shutter speed above 1/FF equivalent focal length. The G16 auto ISO is pretty good. It allows you to set the low and high ISO and provides 3 auto ISO rate of change settings. The slow setting is more like the LX100, I think. The standard setting seems to try to keep the shutter speed above 1/FF equivalent focal length, and the fast setting tries to choose fast shutter speeds even if it means bumping up the ISO a lot.

3 - LX100 has no built-in flash. For the way I use this kind of camera I want something that is all self-contained with no other bits necessary to carry around.

4 - LX100 has no automatic lens cover. Same problem as the flash issue.

5 - LX100 has no memory settings. I use the C1 and C2 memory settings and since they are on the top dial I can very quickly switch them before I even turn on the camera. Also, I sort of have 3 memory settings because if I switch to A, P, or S then I get yet another set of settings.

6 - LX100 zoom range is 24-75mm and the G16 is 28-140mm. While having 24mm vs 28mm is nice having the longer 140mm vs. 75mm is more useful, I think.

So, a G17 is still preferable.