Micro 4/3 Which Panasonic ?

mick / Lumix

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UK
My main camera is a Panasonic G1 with 14-45 zoom and I will be keeping it. I am going to sell or p/ex my G3 with 20mm lens, but what do I replace it with ?

I need a small carry anywhere camera. In another thread I have said that I will go for the new LF1 when it arrives but I am thinking of other options.

In the past I had an LX3 for a while and enjoyed it. A used one would be cheaper than a new LF1, or should I consider the LX5 or LX7 ? Having said that the LX series are not too slim with the lens sticking out and I am thinking of using a belt bag to carry it.

I have used a couple of TZ compacts in the past which will not give any problem when it comes to carrying it. I have no interest in GPS, WiFi or NFC, just want a camera only so no need for top of the range model. I will never use RAW again so no need to consider that.

Any views would be most welcome. Thanks.
 
As you probably know the 14-45 lens is one of the best kit lenses made and is still very desirable - as is the 20mm pancake lens.
The G3 with the 20mm ( I have them both ) is going to be hard to match for IQ but the Sony RX100 is one to look at for belt carrying.

I bought an RX100 recently and while its not in the G1's league when it come to handling , the results are quite amazing and you'll be hard pressed to see IQ differences from m4/3.
Following it's purchase I gave my old LX5 away.

Isn't the G1 a quality camera?
I still have mine and when you pick it up it feels a thing of substance and a pleasure to use.
 
mick / Lumix, apart from the references to the G3 and the LX5 (neither of which have I ever used) I would agree with everything nippa said here - the G1 and the lenses mentioned make great kit. My G1 still sees frequent use.

However, if you're looking for the best quality in the most compact form, I can think of nothing to beat the RX100. You mention that you don't want to use Raw... well, the Jpeg output from the Sony is very good too.
 
is small and carry anywhere more important than IQ? By a large margin? If so, the LX7 at it's current price is hard to beat. Or double your budget and get the RX100. My preference is to carry a SLIGHTLY larger camera like the latest and most compact m/43 cameras with the 17mm pancake or the 20mm that you already have (still one of the greatest lenses for the system and fairly compact). I've tried all the compact cameras and I'm never satisfied with the IQ, but many have no issues with the quality. To me the size difference is not worth the trade-off. It's not like we're comparing a compact to a full frame DSLR.
 
The LX7 is a tremendously good camera, but as you said it would require (often) a "belt bag" to carry it, unlike the LF1.

Quickly checking Amazon UK, the Sony RX100 is ~ 50% more expensive than the LX7.

Comparing the RX100 and LX7, in terms of IQ, consider this: because the LX7 has a faster (and sharper) lens, if you do a significant amount of indoor/low-light shooting, the lens of the LX7 will somewhat neutralize the benefits of the larger sensor in the RX100, although you will still be giving up 10MP. If you plan on doing more outside shooting - or with flash - the RX100 will deliver better IQ.

In another thread you were adamant about having an EVF, IIRC. Are you sure you'll be OK with giving it up?

One of our fellow forumers, Entropic Remnants, has a good user review of the LX7 on his blog, as well as some really boss photos. BLOG.ENTROPICREMNANTS.COM: Virtue in Downsizing: A Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7 Compact Camera Review
 
The LX7 is definitely better value and in ER's hands is magnificent but the RX100 allows you to crop heavily and still produce a fine A4 print
 
First, thanks for the props there, Chris and Dennis.

Wow, I'd keep the G3 for the resolution and image quality and all but the G1 is a great camera unless you're printing big from JPG. My daughter traded up to the G3 from the G1. That old Venus engine did some weird stuff sometimes like putting grey borders on high contrast boundaries. I have my daughter's "old" G1 in my camera collection now -- one of only 3 digitals in it. The other two are an Olympus E-P1 and an original Sony Mavica with the floppy disk, lol. I think the first two micro four thirds cameras released are important enough to me to want in my collection.

Wish Panasonic still put all the controls on the G's that they did on the G1 and G2 though. I love those controls for drive and what not.

I love the LX7 but I'd probably love the RX100 more for image quality, lol. But for my carry everywhere I want something fairly affordable *just in case* something happens to it. The LX7's manual controls make me very happy though.

If you go the LX route, definitely get the LX7 for the f/1.4 lens. That extra stop or so can make the difference in ISO or getting that extra bit of background blur. Although it can be prone to flare, it's a great lens and darn near worth the discount price of the camera just for the lens IMO.

As far as carry convenience: I think the RX100 is a lot more pocketable if you can stand Sony's interface. Not a fan generally but they can be used none-the-less.
 
A-freaking-men. I used to a lot of HDR when I could just turn the drive mode dial. Menu diving is for chumps.

And we are all made chumps, who were not born to be so.

Dang you Panasonic! In fairness though, I have my HDR bracketing assigned to the C1 position on the dial, lol. So it's all good as far as that goes.

Although... I might be a chump anyway, lol, menu systems not considered.
 
In fairness though, I have my HDR bracketing assigned to the C1 position on the dial, lol.

In all fairness?! In all fairness, they took away a great feature. You're too kind John. We should string up whoever made the decision to get rid of the drive mode dial.....period. Unless you would prefer we stone him. :D

We could play good cop, bad cop. You can be the good cop and explain that it's OK..... they gave us a C1 position, and then I'll throw him/her to the ground and get a few good kicks in.
 
Another vote for the RX100 being THE best pocket-sized compact. But, LX7s I thought were going for real cheap, and I am pretty sure you could get a belt-pouch for one, and it's a nice camera.
 
In all fairness?! In all fairness, they took away a great feature. You're too kind John. We should string up whoever made the decision to get rid of the drive mode dial.....period. Unless you would prefer we stone him. :D

We could play good cop, bad cop. You can be the good cop and explain that it's OK..... they gave us a C1 position, and then I'll throw him/her to the ground and get a few good kicks in.

"Listen, I have to apologize for my friend, Luke. You know, he just takes his photography seriously and he's passionate about his job. Me? Listen I understand the drivers for costs and what not that make a camera maker do things that maybe they shouldn't do, you know what I mean? But Luke... listen I don't know if I can hold him back or not, man. It would really be a good thing if you were to just give him what he wants, yeah? I mean, I'd like to help but I'm... well, I hate to admit it but I'm a little afraid of Luke and what he might do if I tried to stop him... better you just put the switches back. Seriously. Here he comes, better make this good. I'm trying to help you here!"

Your turn, Luke...
 
*grabs camera designer and bean counter (two separate guys) by the hair and knocks their heads together*

"OK, did that get your attention? Now look, I started out in m43 cameras with a G1. I loved it.....so much that I bought another Panasonic. That awesome little gf1 taught me pretty much everything I know about photography. Now if you ever want me to consider another one of your cameras, I want you to put back that drive mode toggle that you took away from us enthusiasts."

*stomps on their feet causing them to double over, then elbows them both on the back of their skulls (Geez....does it have to be so violent?)*

"Do I make myself clear?"
 
Thanks for all the ideas so far. I will wait for the LF1 to arrive and have a look at it, small size and EVF are the attraction, and a lot cheaper than the Sony. After years of Panasonic use I feel nervous of even trying anything else. Last year I did buy a µ4/3 from the company famous for their creative accountancy, I got rid of it within a month. I thought that I had listed my not wanted bits, RAW, NFC, WiFi, GPS, now entropic remnants mentions the dark satanic art of HDR that must be added to the list ! If anyone thinks I am better suited to Tri-X and D76 then you are not far off the mark !
 
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