I need your opinions to help me choose a quality small portable camera.
I own Canon digital gear but am truly vendor agnostic for this purchase. Friends have encouraged me to look at the Canon G10 and G11 (I still cant decide which is better of those two).
But I thought I would give you the list of reqts and see what you might advise. Here's the list
- Portable
- Provide RAW capability
- Decent noise handling
- >10MP
- Great lens quality
- If you have experience blowing images up with it please comment
- I want it to be a great travel partner for my business trips (the 5Dm2 is a tad big when carying lots of work related gear.)
Richie, I would look at the four thirds systems from Panasonic or Olympus. There putting APC sized sensors in these cameras. There small, light weight, have interchangeable lenses and great image quality.
Jeese Speer just bought one of these so maybe he'll chime in. This is what I hope to buy in the future for backpacking and leave my 5d2 at home.
Richie,
I've been researching this as well. I came across this - http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/NEX5/NEX5A.HTM
BTW, I use a G10 and as much as I love that camera (incredible build quality, small and portable, loaded with features) it's really only usable in good light at low ISO.
Let us know what you decide and then, how you like it.
If money is no object you might consider the Leica M9 Rangefinder coupled with the Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 ASPH lens. It's compact and has an 18MP full-frame sensor all for a mere $12,000.00, plus or minus.
I'm somewhat in the same boat as you: trying to decide between the Canon G10, G11, and the Panasonic Lumix DMC LX-3
I've been considering one of the micro 4:3 cameras and have my eye on the brand new Sony NEX cameras. I'll be interested in hearing from Jesse and Jack, too.
I've got an LX3 and I like it alot. Its much more compact than a G10/11 or PEN or GF1. It fits in a pants pocket where the others don't. But I don't really like to print large from it. The lens is really sharp, and printed at 8X10 the prints are really clear. But I don't feel that it enlarges as well as an APSC size sensor like that in my Rebel XT even if it does have more pixels.
To me, its a tough call between the Olympus and Panasonic micro four thirds bodies for image quality. And of course the other option is the Canon rebel bodies with prime lenses though you're limited to normal focal lengths due to the crop.
I've been shooting the Panasonic GF1 + 20mm lens all winter, for snowboarding shots, and lately just as a carry around camera during some hikes and backpacking trips for when I don't want to carry or pull out the Canon rig. So far I really like the camera and lens. It lives up to its billing as a small dSLR. The image quality is on par with the Olympus 4/3 slrs which I'm also a fan of.
I chose this camera over all other small-camera options because of the higher continuous frame rate, which is important for skiing/snowboarding. Also its reputation of faster and more accurate autofocus over the Oly PEN was a factor, as well as the great reviews of the 20mm pancake lens (compared to mediocre reviews of Oly's 17mm pancake).
The 20mm is key to the small size of the camera. The zoom option just makes it too big at that point, imo. So you're limited to the 20mm length, but I think it's actually a pretty versatile length to have, and so far I've been having a lot of fun with the camera. If I need wider angle, I'll stitch a couple shots together. Supposedly they're going to release a 14mm pancake someday hopefully soon.
As for ISO, I'm pretty comfortable going up to 800, beyond that is doable but getting pretty noisy. The f1.7 lens helps with low light performance.
So far I'm really liking this camera; my only complaints are fairly minor: 1) The lens cap should have a connector cord to the camera. 2) The battery power plug has a huge cord, making the charger as big or bigger than the whole camera itself, which seems like a lack of foresight/attention to detail, since most people who want this camera are interested in portability.
Anyhow, feel free to ask me specific questions for more info.
If you end up deciding between the G10 and G11 I would suggest the G11. I was not happy with the noise on the G10. Canon tried to stuff to many megapixels into it. Other than that it was a great camera very well built and of course you could shoot RAW. Also the video worked great.
I absolutely love my GF-1. LOVE it. In fact, I will likely use it instead of my dSLR for multi-day backpacking trips - if I can get my hands on another lens or two. Blows away any other experience I've had with smaller cameras (although, admittedly, my last one was a noisy G9).
Image quality comes surprisingly close to my D2x at times, with good apertures and good light ... fast focus and shutter lag keeps up with my kids (no small feat) ... I can squeeze it in my pants pockets - really (albeit with a nice bulge - a preemptive "shut up" Todd) ... there are plenty of great lenses to choose from ... the kit lenses are sharp ... the 20mm is far more useable than I realized, even at f/1.7 - which makes dreamy portraits ... noise is finally acceptable for me in a small camera (and what noise has a near pleasing film-like quality) ... battery life is excellent ... and the brilliant manual focus feature should be standard on all digital cameras. It's definitely a photographer's camera.
I haven't printed GF-1 images yet, but 100% on-screen evaluations were very encouraging. I think I could get good 16x24 prints from it at times - and I'm very picky. If you think you can work with a 20mm prime, it's definitely worth considering. If you want a zoom, I'd probably consider an LX3, S90 or G11. The NEX cameras are very exciting, but definitely targeted at entry level users - with a dumbed down menu system and minimal external controls.
I'll be out shooting this weekend, and I'll make a point to take a good sample to post here.
I have a friend with a G10 and she took indoor low-light images with the built-in flash, and it did NOT look like flash illumiation to me, I was beyond impressed. The G11 was lowered to 10mp from 14mp and the noise was improved, so G11 might be a consideration.
Having said all that, I was in the same boat: 5D Mark II, best camera I've ever shot with (that's not saying much regarding me though), but the 24-70/2.8 gets heavy, and the
16-35/2.8 is great but often too wide when I don't need wide. I pondered a G10/G11, but one thing kept stopping me: I want my luscious 21MP 5D2 sensor behind whatever lens I'm shooting, nothing less. So, I solved the problem: got me a 50mm 1.4, lightweight and wonderful, and superb image quality (with a slight Backfocus adjustment in the 5D2). I zoom with my feet (or crop in post), and set up at ISO 1600 @ f/1.4 if I want to shoot with one candle lighting the room. It's a great video lens too. I know, this isn't the answer you're looking for, but I'm now stuck on this lightweight combo for when I want to travel light. I stuff it in a Tamrac 515 bag, done!
Just a thought... but before you go "No way, get lost, ain't gonna happen!", have a go at Paul Gero's special website, and click on the About link and see what he's currently doing. Then peruse his images, and I guarantee you'll get hooked in some way, small or large. Whatever you choose, remember it's the swing, not the club.
I have a G11, and I find the m4/3 models interesting, but the lack of that articulating LCD screen is what stops me. I can't tell you how much that comes in handy.
Do you want a pocket sized camera or something a little bigger that needs its own case? For pocket sized look at the Panasonic LX-3, the Canon S90, or the Canon G11 (or G10 if its still around). I went with the Panny LX-3 and like it, check out the article for my longer take.
Rich, One more pitch for the G11. Love, love this baby. I've done low light, aquarium, macro, portrait, landscape and had great fun shooting out the window of a fast moving car. WOW is all I can say about this fantastic camera. I've enlarged many of my images and am amazed at the IQ. What I especially like is the confidence it gives me that I am ready to get the shot no matter what.
I had the G9 which I thought was a really sweet camera. I had one 16X20 print made from it and I have to say that it was pretty much a stretch of acceptability. Smaller sized prints looked good. The G9 suffered an unfortunate fate that I can't write about without tearing up a little, it was sort of a sad day. In considering a replacement, I've actually wondered if you are generally on a tripod or otherwise shooting low ISOs, would the G10 be better than the G11?
I've done a little eBay searching for a used replacement and it's interesting how well the G series holds it's value.
Discussion
22 repliesI own Canon digital gear but am truly vendor agnostic for this purchase. Friends have encouraged me to look at the Canon G10 and G11 (I still cant decide which is better of those two).
But I thought I would give you the list of reqts and see what you might advise. Here's the list
- Portable
- Provide RAW capability
- Decent noise handling
- >10MP
- Great lens quality
- If you have experience blowing images up with it please comment
- I want it to be a great travel partner for my business trips (the 5Dm2 is a tad big when carying lots of work related gear.)
Thanks.
RichieV
Jeese Speer just bought one of these so maybe he'll chime in. This is what I hope to buy in the future for backpacking and leave my 5d2 at home.
@Jack B and Jesse S - Please pipe in!
RichieV
I've been researching this as well. I came across this -
http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/NEX5/NEX5A.HTM
BTW, I use a G10 and as much as I love that camera (incredible build quality, small and portable, loaded with features) it's really only usable in good light at low ISO.
Let us know what you decide and then, how you like it.
I'm somewhat in the same boat as you: trying to decide between the Canon G10, G11, and the Panasonic Lumix DMC LX-3
To me, its a tough call between the Olympus and Panasonic micro four thirds bodies for image quality. And of course the other option is the Canon rebel bodies with prime lenses though you're limited to normal focal lengths due to the crop.
I chose this camera over all other small-camera options because of the higher continuous frame rate, which is important for skiing/snowboarding. Also its reputation of faster and more accurate autofocus over the Oly PEN was a factor, as well as the great reviews of the 20mm pancake lens (compared to mediocre reviews of Oly's 17mm pancake).
The 20mm is key to the small size of the camera. The zoom option just makes it too big at that point, imo. So you're limited to the 20mm length, but I think it's actually a pretty versatile length to have, and so far I've been having a lot of fun with the camera. If I need wider angle, I'll stitch a couple shots together. Supposedly they're going to release a 14mm pancake someday hopefully soon.
As for ISO, I'm pretty comfortable going up to 800, beyond that is doable but getting pretty noisy. The f1.7 lens helps with low light performance.
So far I'm really liking this camera; my only complaints are fairly minor: 1) The lens cap should have a connector cord to the camera. 2) The battery power plug has a huge cord, making the charger as big or bigger than the whole camera itself, which seems like a lack of foresight/attention to detail, since most people who want this camera are interested in portability.
Anyhow, feel free to ask me specific questions for more info.
carefully at a Canon G9. They are cheap and a fine camera.
Image quality comes surprisingly close to my D2x at times, with good apertures and good light ... fast focus and shutter lag keeps up with my kids (no small feat) ... I can squeeze it in my pants pockets - really (albeit with a nice bulge - a preemptive "shut up" Todd) ... there are plenty of great lenses to choose from ... the kit lenses are sharp ... the 20mm is far more useable than I realized, even at f/1.7 - which makes dreamy portraits ... noise is finally acceptable for me in a small camera (and what noise has a near pleasing film-like quality) ... battery life is excellent ... and the brilliant manual focus feature should be standard on all digital cameras. It's definitely a photographer's camera.
I haven't printed GF-1 images yet, but 100% on-screen evaluations were very encouraging. I think I could get good 16x24 prints from it at times - and I'm very picky. If you think you can work with a 20mm prime, it's definitely worth considering. If you want a zoom, I'd probably consider an LX3, S90 or G11. The NEX cameras are very exciting, but definitely targeted at entry level users - with a dumbed down menu system and minimal external controls.
I'll be out shooting this weekend, and I'll make a point to take a good sample to post here.
Having said all that, I was in the same boat: 5D Mark II, best camera I've ever shot with (that's not saying much regarding me though), but the 24-70/2.8 gets heavy, and the
16-35/2.8 is great but often too wide when I don't need wide. I pondered a G10/G11, but one thing kept stopping me: I want my luscious 21MP 5D2 sensor behind whatever lens I'm shooting, nothing less. So, I solved the problem: got me a 50mm 1.4, lightweight and wonderful, and superb image quality (with a slight Backfocus adjustment in the 5D2). I zoom with my feet (or crop in post), and set up at ISO 1600 @ f/1.4 if I want to shoot with one candle lighting the room. It's a great video lens too. I know, this isn't the answer you're looking for, but I'm now stuck on this lightweight combo for when I want to travel light. I stuff it in a Tamrac 515 bag, done!
Just a thought... but before you go "No way, get lost, ain't gonna happen!", have a go at Paul Gero's special website, and click on the About link and see what he's currently doing. Then peruse his images, and I guarantee you'll get hooked in some way, small or large. Whatever you choose, remember it's the swing, not the club.
http://www.naturephotographers.net/articles0510/dh0510-1.html
Hey that one was written by me........
Do you want a pocket sized camera or something a little bigger that needs its own case? For pocket sized look at the Panasonic LX-3, the Canon S90, or the Canon G11 (or G10 if its still around). I went with the Panny LX-3 and like it, check out the article for my longer take.
RichieV
I've done a little eBay searching for a used replacement and it's interesting how well the G series holds it's value.
http://www.kenrockwell.com/canon/s90.htm
http://www.kenrockwell.com/canon/compacts/g11.htm
http://www.kenrockwell.com/canon/g10.htm