I need to step up from an old P&S. I want to get off Auto and learn and take some in camera control. I have am iMac, iPhoto, and very seldom use, Imovie. I'm just learning to use PSE8. I think I have narrowed my search to a choice between the LX5 & S95. I'm unable to determine which camera might be better and why. (I'm going to post this also on Canon Talk)
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LX5 vs. S95
- Thread starter ROFLOL
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Svein Eriksen
Senior Member
Nobody have reviewed either camera yet so it's impossible to say anything about image quality. There are som obvius differences though.
- Zoom range, do you need 24mm or 105mm?
- Largest aperture are similar at wide angle. LX5 is faster at the tele end, but doesn't have as much tele as S95.
- Pansonic has multiformat sensor (16:9 and 3:2 with same angle of view as 4:3)
- LX5 support EVF
- LX5 has support for external flash
- S95 is maller and lighter.
Barretlight
Forum Enthusiast
None of these cameras is actually tested.
Lx5 just came out and s90 i think will take 2-3 weeks.
But based on the quality of the previous models they are both very good.
Now check the specs and decide which one fits you better.
For me LX5 is a better camera (wider and brighter lens at zoom length, zoom and focus during video, double the battery of s90 ect.) but its bigger than s90 and less pocketable.
Probably fits nicely into a jacket pocket but not in a tight jeans pocket.
So if size is not a problem get the panasonic (better overall camera).
Lx5 just came out and s90 i think will take 2-3 weeks.
But based on the quality of the previous models they are both very good.
Now check the specs and decide which one fits you better.
For me LX5 is a better camera (wider and brighter lens at zoom length, zoom and focus during video, double the battery of s90 ect.) but its bigger than s90 and less pocketable.
Probably fits nicely into a jacket pocket but not in a tight jeans pocket.
So if size is not a problem get the panasonic (better overall camera).
B
Barry Fitzgerald
Guest
The multi format sensor is IMO a disadvantage as you have higher density sensors v rivals. Also most are looking at the horizontal field of view not diagonal so you only really get the horizontal widest angle using the wide-screen format.
Back on topic I think both are surprisingly modest updates with minor changes on the Pannie a bit more tele end being the most obvious..sadly Canon seem to have ignored ergonomic complaints and done not very much on that..though they say the back control dial is better.
Back on topic I think both are surprisingly modest updates with minor changes on the Pannie a bit more tele end being the most obvious..sadly Canon seem to have ignored ergonomic complaints and done not very much on that..though they say the back control dial is better.
trevmar
Senior Member
For a videographer there is no comparison. Panny have done some neat stuff with the LX5 video (aperture-preferred range f2-f11, for example). The s95 is still fully automagic - you takes what you gets 
I had an S95 on order, but canceled it when I saw a copy of the users manual
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I had an S95 on order, but canceled it when I saw a copy of the users manual
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Ok, Thanks. I've decided on The LX5 the specs are better. I won't be able to fit it in my shirt pocket as my carry around all the time camera. I'll use my iPhone 4 for that. The iPhone, 5mp/led flash, HD vid at 720/30fps and a 5x digital zoom. The iPhone is alway in my pocket. When I'm on a trip, I'll lug the LX5. ;-)
trevmar
Senior Member
Exactly the way I feel. If I am carrying a real camera I want it to be the best, already got an adequate, although second-rate, camera in my pocket
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snapshot09
Senior Member
This thread should provide you some information:
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1033&message=36080878
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1033&message=36080878
Stubb
Leading Member
Canon also makes a reasonably priced underwater case for the S95. I haven't seen one for the LX5 or LX3.
—Andreas
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—Andreas
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snapshot09
Senior Member
Based on the OP, don't think that is of interest/concern.
John Tracy
Senior Member
Minor changes to the Panny? Please take another look Barry ! The one deal breaker that some had for the LX3 was in fact the limited 60 mm zoom. Panasonic addresssed that with an increase of 50% and you choose to call it minor? I'm sure you understand what differentiates the zoom end of the LX5 from the s90/95 and the ramifactions of an even longer zoom on the Panny?
Folks like you need to pause and take a reality check . We all wish for things but at some point we have to be rational.
I have the LX5 and I still have an S90. I haven't tried the S95, but I really like the S90 and could never choose between it and the LX3 I also had.
You'll see lots of comments on both Panasonic and Canon (with a good deal of slightly misty eyed brand loyalty).
My new LX5 has finally fixed an issue I have always had with compact digital cameras though - and for that reason everything else I have is being sold.
When I press the shutter button, it focusses instantly and when I press it again it takes the picture instantly. There is no delay - so I now have a camera that can genuinely do action shots alongside landscapes and portraits.
Forget the details of marginal improvements, one over the other - this is a big step forward for any compact camera and for me, is a keeper!
You'll see lots of comments on both Panasonic and Canon (with a good deal of slightly misty eyed brand loyalty).
My new LX5 has finally fixed an issue I have always had with compact digital cameras though - and for that reason everything else I have is being sold.
When I press the shutter button, it focusses instantly and when I press it again it takes the picture instantly. There is no delay - so I now have a camera that can genuinely do action shots alongside landscapes and portraits.
Forget the details of marginal improvements, one over the other - this is a big step forward for any compact camera and for me, is a keeper!
Detail Man
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I would be interested to know how reliable (in addition to being fast) the single-area normal-speed auto-focus on the DMC-LX5 is [where it comes to more detailed (high spatial-frequency) subject-matter to be auto-focused on].
I eventually gave up on my DMC-TZ4 (Venus IV) auto-focus (which was so limited in terms of spatial-frequency detail that I literally had to use spot-focus at all times and in all shooting situations). The required light-level for reliable auto-focusing was also rather high, as well. The DMC-TZ4 worked out well for flower macros, but fell very short in it's other respects (due to the very flaky auto-focus functionality).
I sold my TZ4 in late 2009 in order to purchase my DMC-LX3 (Venus IV). The LX3 performs better where it comes to all of the above-described TZ4 "annoyances" - but the LX3 auto-focus performance (where it comes to image-detail, as well as the light-level at which auto-focus can reliably function) still leaves something to be desired ...
I (personally) am less concerned with auto-focus speed as I am (most) concerned with auto-focus accuracy - and the ability to find correct focus where it comes to highly-detailed subject-matter (without having to resort to spot-focus mode to "get it right").
How is the DMC-LX5 auto-focus in these particular respects?
How low a light-level (perhaps an estimated Exposure Value referenced to ISO=100) can the DMC-LX5 reliably auto-focus at, in general?
Exposure Value = LOG [to the base 2] of ( (100) / (ISO) x (F^2) x (S) )
where ISO is the ISO Sensitivity; and
F is the F-Number; and
S is the Shutter-Speed
or, just let me know the ISO, F-Number, and Shutter-Speed of a shot that you know to be near the low-light cut-off for reliable auto-focusing, and I can calculate the EV myself. Thanks! ...
Detail Man
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I am most interested in the auto-focus accuracy when focusing on subject-matter which includes a lot of fine-details. (Roughly) getting a feel for when the auto-focus "drops-out" in terms of lower light-levels would just be a nice additional indication.
(Perhaps I am permanently spoiled by the manual focus-ring on my FZ50), but - I find that manually focusing with the LX3 is very frustrating ( very few individual step-levels, and a "joke" estimated focus-plane distance meter on the LCD display-screen). I find myself unable to use it (and probably would react the same in the LX5 case). All I can think about is how much I miss my FZ50 manual focus-ring when I try to use the LX3 manual mode ...
A lot of my applications are freely hand-held (including fairly close macro work). With the occasional use of my mono-pod, manual focusing becomes practical and feasible. However, in the case of hand-held work, I find that shifts in the image-sensor to focal-plane distance are very heard to avoid when wrestling with the LX3 controls when trying to manually focus (from a camera that is itself moving a bit, due, ironically, to my own wrestling away with the related camera-controls).
As a result of my annoyances with the LX3/LX5 manual-focus mode physical mechanics, I often rely on single-area auto-focus (auto-focusing on targets that exist in a specifically selected image-frame area). I am quite interested in the accuracy (more than speed) of LX5 auto-focusing performance.
Terri French
Senior Member
Now that sounds like a pretty compelling reason to get the LX5. I have an s90 that I love, but instant focus and shutter release would be a pretty compelling reason to buy the LX5. I photograph 6 little grandkids, usually with my DSLR because of the quick response of the camera.
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Terri F.
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Jeff Charles
Veteran Member
That's good news. Marginal differences in IQ are not important if the subject has moved out of the frame by the time the camera takes the picture
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Jeff
'Yeah, well, you know, that's just, like, your opinion, man.' The Dude
Actually - it was the difference in the results from the LX5 when taking picture of people - stationery and kicking a ball - that made me realise just how much better it was! I know this isn't a DSLR, but in terms of portability, IQ, quietness and speed, I am really impressed.
Now they need to work on the speed to go to full zoom. I could have made a coffee while I was waiting!
Now they need to work on the speed to go to full zoom. I could have made a coffee while I was waiting!
I decided to return an S90 within about 10mins of receiving it. I just disliked the handling so much that I knew I wouldn't want to own one for this reason alone. I have small hands but it still seemed so lacking in a tactile kind of way which was a complete deal breaker for me. I doubt if the s95 will be much better, the panasonic controls and handling just seem so much more reassuring - I can't imagine how the s90 could be used with gloves in cold conditions.
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