New Pocket Camera

[mauidan]

My Sony Cyber-shot (3.2 Mega Pixels) died.

I'd appreciate your replacement recommendations.

Thanks,

Dan

 

[JackD201]

Canon G12 or Lumix LX3

 

[flez007]

I replaced it with a Nikon D3000, not a pocket camera but worths the time and effort to carry it all over the place.

 

[Steve Williams]

The Canon G12 is a terrific camera but so also is the Canon S90. Very small and compact but full of features and worth the money. I bought one for my daugher to take to Australia last summer and her pix were wonderful

 

[Gregadd]

Panasonic

 

[rblnr]

The LX3 has been replaced by the LX5, the S90 by the S95. It's really a size issue and whether or not it's your main camera. If I don't want to carry around my DSLR, then I want something high quality that can fit in my pocket -- the S90 does and that's what I bought (after much debate vs. the LX3). The LX5 is just a bit too large for that -- needs, say a cargo pocket and is heavier too. Though I love the adjustable aspect ratio on the LX5 and some other features vs. the S90, bottom line was that for when I'm going out with a pocket camera, I want a truly pocketable one.

So as a DSLR owner, the G12, significantly larger and heavier than all the aforementioned, doesn't make sense for me. It's tweener in utility -- not truly pocketable so I'm likely using a case, and lacking the image quality and flexibility of a DSLR. Major advantage over the LX3/5, S90/95 is greater zoom range. It's an excellent camera, but I'd rather just grab my DSLR at that point.

Here's a great comparison of the cameras:

http://bythom.com/compactHQ1.htm

You'll notice in a sidebar he says that the S90/95 has essentially the same image quality as the G12.

 

[Kal Rubinson]

I went through the same logic and ended up with the Canon S95 and I am very happy with it. I like the options, the image quality and the size. During my deliberations, I made a point of put each of the mentioned cameras in my jacket pocket and, frankly, the S95 is the only one that fit comfortably.

 

[rblnr]

You might find this 'handy' for your S95:

http://www.kleptography.com/rf/

doesn't extend past the lens on my S90 so doesn't appreciably affect pocketability.

 

[Kal Rubinson]

Thanks. I know about it but I am not sure it suits my needs.

 

[Jay_S]

I agree with the smaller is better view. If I am going to carry a G12, I may as well substitute a DSLR. On the DSLR side, I prefer a small and light DX body over a heavy full-frame. If I don't bring the camera, the picture won't get taken. (Whether it should get taken is a different issue!)

 

[amirm]

I do find a good use for my G10. It fits my travel bag and adds almost no weight or take up much space. A DSLR with one lens is quite a bit bigger and heavier and barely fits in my backpack.

That said, I am not sure if I would buy it again. Once you are spoiled by the superb noise performance of DSLR, it is hard to go back. At the end of the day, the camera is really a point and shoot device and so maybe having it with more bells and whistles is not all that useful.

One advice I do have is to get the one with the widest angle lens. I find that they usually aren't wide enough. I rarely use point and shoot cameras to shoot wildlife and such . Its main use is social and here, you want to take shots of many people or in smaller spaces. Image stabilization is another super useful feature.

 

[Kal Rubinson]

What precipitated the purchase of the S95 was my experience at shows like CEDIA/CES where schlepping a large camera meant neck fatigue or the burden of a large shoulder bag for the camera and whatever stuff I picked up. The latter meant rooting around for the camera when I needed it and, once, I actually left it at a CES demo room. I had to track back until, fortunately, I found it. Having a decent camera that was actually pocketable will make all that so much easier.

 

[amirm]

Oh yes. That is a good point Kal. I always take my G10 to shows.

 

[amirm]

I should say that someone should build the perfect show camera. There, you don't want to use flash. The reflections screw things up, including be able to read the signs and such. One needs a very sensitive sensor. Resolution is not important so the sensor could be down sized for better low light fidelity.

Absence that, I override flash and rely on steady hand and image stabilization to get good pictures. Another trick I use is to fire off multiple shots as one of them is likely to be sharp even if the rest are not.

 

[Steve Williams]

what are the differences between the G10 and G15 as well as differences between the S90 and S95

 

[amirm]

I have not looked carefully but I don't recall my G10 having articulated LCD but the new one has it. In the review that was posted though, it mentioned the new one has worse noise performance! Perhaps looking on ebay for a used G10 is a better route to go!

 

[Steve Williams]

very interesting

 

[naturephoto1]

I have both the Canon G9 and G10. They do not have an articulated LCD screen. But, my Panasonic G1 4/3 Micro does.

Rich

 

[Kal Rubinson]

what are the differences between the G10 and G15 as well as differences between the S90 and S95

http://www.techdc.com/canon-s95-versus-s90
http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/PS95/PS95A.HTM

 

[rblnr]

What precipitated the purchase of the S95 was my experience at shows like CEDIA/CES where schlepping a large camera meant neck fatigue or the burden of a large shoulder bag for the camera and whatever stuff I picked up. The latter meant rooting around for the camera when I needed it and, once, I actually left it at a CES demo room. I had to track back until, fortunately, I found it. Having a decent camera that was actually pocketable will make all that so much easier.

Yep, I'll be with my S90 at CES. Handy too for on set pictures while I'm working. I'm also in the habit of carrying around a camera day-to-day in the city if I happen upon something -- the best IQ in the smallest package is what I want for this.