OmegaPOFL Posted October 18, 2009 Report Share Posted October 18, 2009 Hello fellow members.. I've been on the hunt for a nice compact-ish camera for a while now. I haven't read up on it much, but from what i've read.. i have come to 3 camera's that i think are pretty solid choices.. Canon S90 (which should be out now) Panasonic DMC ZS3S (or any of the other 5 different models that look and have basically the same tech) or LX3 Ricoh CX2 i would like video shooting, also like macro mode (so i can win some of the photography contests here ) If you have any other choices, please let me know and why! my price range is $300-450 please help!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vlydog Posted October 18, 2009 Report Share Posted October 18, 2009 I have a Panasonic Lumix DMC TZ3. This camera takes great pictures and it is simple to use. Although my knowledge of photography is nominal, I would say that this point and shoot provides excellent quality at a reasonable price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmb Posted October 18, 2009 Report Share Posted October 18, 2009 I have a Pentax K2000 digital SLR which has a street price in your neighborhood. It is physically smallish for an SLR, is very fast from power on to first shot, and uses AA batteries which makes it convenient when not around your charger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cougaree Posted October 18, 2009 Report Share Posted October 18, 2009 (edited) I like Canon G series. I think you can get a Canon G10. Edited October 18, 2009 by cougaree Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redwatch Posted October 18, 2009 Report Share Posted October 18, 2009 The new S90 is supposed to be outstanding! Check out some reviews here Also, for a D-SLR you cannot beat the Nikon D40. Again, check out a good review here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddy333 Posted October 18, 2009 Report Share Posted October 18, 2009 I still contend that it is not the camera (any competent 4MP p&s will do), but the photographer that makes the picture. Most of my pics are taken with a 6-7 year old Canon A80 (4MP) p&s & I think they look pretty good. I do use my Canon DSLR in low light & for those shots that require more (natural) depth. But, most of the time, the A80 is sufficient. I also like the Panasonic LX3 (I had 1 on order when my A80 died, but Canon repaired it (free) & Dell kept delaying shipment of the Panasonic, so, in the end, I just canceled the order & stuck with my A80). On the other hand, I almost bought a Nikon D60 & would have been happy with that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pugwash Posted October 18, 2009 Report Share Posted October 18, 2009 If you don't need a huge zoom, the LX3 is the best in that price range. http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonicdmclx3/ However,like Freddy333 implies, anything by Canon, Nikon, Panasonic, etc., will give you excellent results. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OmegaPOFL Posted October 18, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 18, 2009 Thanks for all the comments guys, really appreciate it!! redwatch! my dad goes to that site so much, especially after he bought his D300. I would be all over the new canon S90, if it had HD video shooting capability... even if it was 720p. After much thought, i don't think i care about the video shooting, because the main reason for my camera is to take excellent photographs... and i believe either the Canon S90 or Lumix LX3 will do the job... now it's just a matter of which... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmb Posted October 18, 2009 Report Share Posted October 18, 2009 I read numerous reviews on-line, as well as buying guides, before buying mine and the research really helped. Google and you shall receive knowledge... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coolfire Posted October 18, 2009 Report Share Posted October 18, 2009 Considering a S90 too, having used the S80 for the longest time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OmegaPOFL Posted October 18, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 18, 2009 I read numerous reviews on-line, as well as buying guides, before buying mine and the research really helped. Google and you shall receive knowledge... i'm not really looking for a DSLR jmb... because my dad has an awesome D300 Nikon.. i want something pocketable, that i can take anywhere and cheap enough that my dad wouldn't be really mad if something happened to it anyone know if Panasonic is coming out with a LX4? because the LX3 is more than a year old isn't it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddy333 Posted October 18, 2009 Report Share Posted October 18, 2009 i want something pocketable, that i can take anywhere and cheap enough that my dad wouldn't be really mad if something happened to it anyone know if Panasonic is coming out with a LX4? because the LX3 is more than a year old isn't it? The 2 limiting factors with the LX3 are its relatively measly zoom (only 2.5x) & its relatively large size (for a p&s). The lens on the LX3 does not fully collapse into the body like many p&s cameras & this makes it difficult to slide the camera into a pocket. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pugwash Posted October 18, 2009 Report Share Posted October 18, 2009 The 2 limiting factors with the LX3 are its relatively measly zoom (only 2.5x) & its relatively large size (for a p&s). The lens on the LX3 does not fully collapse into the body like many p&s cameras & this makes it difficult to slide the camera into a pocket. On the plus side, the optics are class-leading and the picture quality is, from the samples I've seen, top-notch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest avitt Posted October 18, 2009 Report Share Posted October 18, 2009 anyone know if Panasonic is coming out with a LX4? because the LX3 is more than a year old isn't it? The rumors have the LX4 coming out in the middle of 2010. I'm going to try to hold out for that release... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OmegaPOFL Posted October 18, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 18, 2009 AWW man.. that makes sense... i don't know if i can hold out.. i love the aesthetic view of the LX3.. it's a semi-pro's camera.. whereas the canon's control ring tech. is pretty damn sweet.. and offers more zoom and is overall friendlier i think.. some pics: Canon on the left and LX3 on right Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
upland Posted October 18, 2009 Report Share Posted October 18, 2009 once and for all http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/kidding.shtml Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmb Posted October 18, 2009 Report Share Posted October 18, 2009 Sorry, in the beginning you just mentioned you wanted a "nice compact-ish camera" in the $300-$450 range and the K2000 is compact-ish for an SLR... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dudemeister Posted October 18, 2009 Report Share Posted October 18, 2009 I used to be into photography in the old days, I still have a Nikon F3 set with motor drives and lenses, but haven't used it since the dawn of the digital age. After messing about with a variety of Canons, Olympus and Sony cameras, I got a Kodak Z712is a couple of years back and haven't looked back. I has a host of awesome features, video shooting, 12X optical zoom, and this fantastic panoramic shooting that does in camera stitching that rivals Photoshop's stitching abilities. The only complaint I have about it is the relatively restrictive macro shooting, but at 7.1 mpixels, it was a relatively easy job to just crop the image to get in closer. The a couple of weeks ago my wife wanted a camera that was not as "bulky", something she could put in her purse, so I bought her a Kodak M341. This is a 12.2 mpixels, has a 3x optical zoom and is flat as a pancake. The reason I got it is because it has most of the features I loved about the other Kodak (video, panoramic shots, and a host of predefined shooting modes. The real good news about it is the macro capability. This camera has a superior macro to the Z712is. And then there's the price $150. I think you could do worse for a lot more money, but I doubt you can do better than this camera at this price. Here are a couple of macro shots. The photos were shrunk down to 1024x768, but were not retouched. The original image size was 4000 x 3000 pixels. The photos were taken using the Macro preset with auto-focus, which allows you to get in about 3 inches away from the subject. Any closer than that the camera can't auto-focus. You'll probably need a real SLR with a macro lens to get in closer than this. Click each image for the higher res. BTW, anyone interested in a Nikon F3 with a bunch of accessories and lenses? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest avitt Posted October 18, 2009 Report Share Posted October 18, 2009 Will the S90 accept filters? (I don't think I could get by without my circular polarizer...) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OmegaPOFL Posted October 18, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 18, 2009 it doesn't say anywhere about an ND filter only the G10/G11 has these i think.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddy333 Posted October 18, 2009 Report Share Posted October 18, 2009 On the plus side, the optics are class-leading and the picture quality is, from the samples I've seen, top-notch. Ditto. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OmegaPOFL Posted October 19, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 19, 2009 i don't think i can hold off like avitt soo, i'll be picking up the Canon S90 in a little while.. thanks for all the help fellas.. really good stuff! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eunomians Posted October 19, 2009 Report Share Posted October 19, 2009 S90 S90 S90 S90 I own the D-Lux 3, D-Lux 4, C-Lux 2, C-Lux 3 and the S90 blows them all out the water. It's the best compact point & shoot out right now. Now if only Sigma would not half-way revamp their quasi-full frame compact... Or better yet, if Leica would really design a full-frame compact point & shoot... Btw, it is very important to note that the protruding lens and the ridiculous lens cap on the Lumix/D-Lux are total deal breakers. The camera is NOT pocketable. It's hard to hold, the very silly pop-up flash needs to be constantly manually popped up (it's not auto up). It is a cool looking camera but it is an ergonomic nightmare. Truly the worst handling camera ever. Take this into consideration. I have 2 custom made leather shoulder cases that a longtime Leica case maker made for me. These cases help a bit with the transport of the Lumix/D-Lux but it is still a pain in the buttocks. I actually find that my Leica Minilux is much quicker to pull out of it's custom shoulder case and snap a 35mm film pic. The optics on theses digital models are fairly poor as well. The folks that rave about them I think are not regular full-frame shooters. Get the S90! It's the best compromise for small sized sensor cameras. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OmegaPOFL Posted October 19, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 19, 2009 Thanks Eunomians! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redwatch Posted October 19, 2009 Report Share Posted October 19, 2009 Please post some results when you get your new S90! I would love to see them. I have a G9 for my point and shoot, and my D40 for more serious stuff. The G9 is awesome, but like the Panasonic, it is not something you can just shove into your pocket. I may look to sell off the G9 and replace it with the S90 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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