DHart
New member
a camera like a ZS7, LX5, or XZ-1?
I'm well set-up with a Canon 5DMkII system (used for work) and a well-rounded m4/3 system as well (GH2, GF1 and nine lenses, or so.)
I have a ZS3 that I bought for those times when I just wanted a really small, lightweight, capable little camera for casual snapshots and movies. It has worked very, very well in that capacity and I am glad I have had it. It performs amazingly well in good light, the optical zoom range is mind boggling, movies are wonderful, but isn't well suited to low light situations and the model is getting a little "long-in-the-tooth".
I have a bit of "new camera itch" and have been thinking of upgrading my ZS3. Possibilities are:
1) the just announced ZS10 (24-384mm equiv. Leica lens, still no RAW, dang it)
2) the LX5 (24-90mm f/2-3.3, good sized sensor, RAW)
3) the Olympus XZ-1 (28-112mm, f/1.8-2.5, good size sensor, RAW)
4) the Sony S95 (28-105mm, f/2-4.9 decent IQ, RAW)
5) the rumored new f/1.8 Nikon model... whatever
Any of these models would provide a smaller, lighter, versatile alternative to my GF1, with a slight loss in IQ, and the LX5 or XZ-1 also fill a void in the m4/3 lens realm of a fast, wide-range zoom. In this regard, the XZ-1 looks especially appealing! I prefer to shoot RAW only and favor maximizing IQ, so the great little ZS10 is probably not so much in the running for me.
My preference leans toward the XZ-1 or the LX5 at this point. In RAW, it seems the XZ-1 has the edge in IQ and it has an edge in speed of the lens as well. But the LX5 has the edge in a somewhat wider wide end and the familiarity (to me) of Panasonic's way of doing things.
But I wonder if I might be almost as inclined to just put up with my larger, bulkier GF1/14-45 combo instead? The 14-45 is a fantastic general lens, just a bit slow. So I'm wondering if the XZ-1 or LX5 might be pushing up close enough to the GF1/14-45 realm to be almost redundant... perhaps not, though, as the form factor of the XZ-1 and LX5 is definitely a bit leaner and easier to carry and low light capability may get a slight nod with the faster lens. (Faster lens on LX5 vs. slightly better higher ISO performance on GF1 may be a wash?)
What are your thoughts?
I'm well set-up with a Canon 5DMkII system (used for work) and a well-rounded m4/3 system as well (GH2, GF1 and nine lenses, or so.)
I have a ZS3 that I bought for those times when I just wanted a really small, lightweight, capable little camera for casual snapshots and movies. It has worked very, very well in that capacity and I am glad I have had it. It performs amazingly well in good light, the optical zoom range is mind boggling, movies are wonderful, but isn't well suited to low light situations and the model is getting a little "long-in-the-tooth".
I have a bit of "new camera itch" and have been thinking of upgrading my ZS3. Possibilities are:
1) the just announced ZS10 (24-384mm equiv. Leica lens, still no RAW, dang it)
2) the LX5 (24-90mm f/2-3.3, good sized sensor, RAW)
3) the Olympus XZ-1 (28-112mm, f/1.8-2.5, good size sensor, RAW)
4) the Sony S95 (28-105mm, f/2-4.9 decent IQ, RAW)
5) the rumored new f/1.8 Nikon model... whatever
Any of these models would provide a smaller, lighter, versatile alternative to my GF1, with a slight loss in IQ, and the LX5 or XZ-1 also fill a void in the m4/3 lens realm of a fast, wide-range zoom. In this regard, the XZ-1 looks especially appealing! I prefer to shoot RAW only and favor maximizing IQ, so the great little ZS10 is probably not so much in the running for me.
My preference leans toward the XZ-1 or the LX5 at this point. In RAW, it seems the XZ-1 has the edge in IQ and it has an edge in speed of the lens as well. But the LX5 has the edge in a somewhat wider wide end and the familiarity (to me) of Panasonic's way of doing things.
But I wonder if I might be almost as inclined to just put up with my larger, bulkier GF1/14-45 combo instead? The 14-45 is a fantastic general lens, just a bit slow. So I'm wondering if the XZ-1 or LX5 might be pushing up close enough to the GF1/14-45 realm to be almost redundant... perhaps not, though, as the form factor of the XZ-1 and LX5 is definitely a bit leaner and easier to carry and low light capability may get a slight nod with the faster lens. (Faster lens on LX5 vs. slightly better higher ISO performance on GF1 may be a wash?)
What are your thoughts?