Some Suggestions for a compact at around $400. or less

Alanroseman

Rookie
Hi Folks,

My eldest daughter asked me for a suggestion on a "serious compact" camera.

Most of you know I have converted from the DSLR world to µ43, and very happy to have done so... just an aside.

I don't keep up on the fixed lens compact side, and I'm considering making a recommendation of one of the following:

Panasonic LX3
Panasonic LX5
Canon S95

Anyone have a compelling reason to avoid any in the list above?

Thanks in advance for your suggestion.

Alan
 
Well, is your daughter going to do any post processing or will she mostly be doing jpegs and using something like iPhoto? That's important, in my opinion. I still love my LX5 but I find that the out of the camera color tones were not what I would say were immediately ideal for straight shooting, though I was always using RAW. I've gotten some of my best pictures with it, however...and all it took was a tweak or two in Lightroom. I've never tried the Canon S95 but Canon is well known for great out of the camera colors.

I know we have a bunch of threads on here...and plenty of enthusiastic owners of these cameras, Alan. The S95 has a smaller more pocketable size and profile, especially for young women who don't have large pockets - if that is of concern, I don't know.
 
I'm with BluPri 100%. Love the s95, never warmed to the LX5 (so sold it after one OS trip). The form factor of the s95 is the clincher, its good for the back-pocket (or purse). Also the look of it is like any other compact, while the results from it are a different thing altogether.

Having said all that you can only really tell your camera when it's in hand. The LX5 looked better on paper, the s95 (and GRDII before it) were far better in hand.

P.S., BluPri's right again with the Franiec grip. It transforms the s95 without adding anything to the portability
 
Well, is your daughter going to do any post processing or will she mostly be doing jpegs and using something like iPhoto? That's important, in my opinion. I still love my LX5 but I find that the out of the camera color tones were not what I would say were immediately ideal for straight shooting, though I was always using RAW. I've gotten some of my best pictures with it, however...and all it took was a tweak or two in Lightroom. I've never tried the Canon S95 but Canon is well known for great out of the camera colors.

I know we have a bunch of threads on here...and plenty of enthusiastic owners of these cameras, Alan. The S95 has a smaller more pocketable size and profile, especially for young women who don't have large pockets - if that is of concern, I don't know.

Hi BB,

You make a great point. I don't envision any serious PP work in her future, so OOC Jpegs will be prominent. I really hadn't considered that until your mention.... I shoot RAW RAW and more RAW... I may have been biased towards the LX 3/5 based on my use of the Panny µ43 cameras.

The S95 seems to have some big fans too.

Thanks BB.
 
I concur with the posters who advised you try to S90/95. Canon compacts are very tough to beat and the S95 is at the top of their list IMHO
 
May I add the Oly XZ-1 to your list? I tried one in a shop days ago and was surprised. Plus you get Oly Jpegs, so sky and skin tones are a solved problem.
In this forum are a lot of great pics made with an xz-1. Not sure about cost in the US.
 
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