[Opinions] Canon S90 vs Panasonic LX3

[powerslave]

Quick summary: Want to buy a pocketable big sensor small camera.
Both are same price.

S90:
+ Canon sensor supposedly better in high ISO.
+ Longer reach (but no wide angle).
+ Smaller form factor.
+ CR2 RAW format which would be a natural fit in my workflow.
- Flimsy aperture ring.
- No hot shoe.
- No HD (720p) video.

LX3:
+ Hot shoe.
+ 720p.
+ Better build.
+ High fps.
+ More powerful flash FWIW.
+ Different shooting modes.
+ Wide Angle.
- Flimsy lens cap.
- Slightly larger form factor.


Your comments? To me, image quality > features. If their image quality is comparable, I'll go for the LX3 considering the obvious feature advantages.

I figure, if I need to use the hot shoe anywhere, I will be carrying a flash, and in that case, I can just carry the DSLR. But I do want HD video. Don't know. Any experiences?

[KrishnenduKes]

Discussion Approved

[anvancy-(macro analyst)]

if you want my opinion,the S90 is a sucker.period.

if you have been following compact cam developments,at first the FUJI F31FD was THE pocket able camera providing superb image quality.

that was until the LX3 came up.the LX3 holds again one of THE performing cameras.it is higher side regarding cost but every worth penny.

between the two,hands down the LX3.

if you want "range" opt for the F70EXR.wholly optional though.

you not thinking of the olympus PEN E-PL1?

Anvancy

[powerslave]

Trying not to blow my budget there. I do have this feeling the S90IS isn't as nicely built as the LX3, but it is smaller and more compact and that's what I'm looking for.

The E-P1 is awesome and all, but I'm not sure I want to buy into a system right now. Also it's almost twice as expensive, I don't think that segment has started producing good cameras/price yet. Look at the entry level DSLR segment, I'm waiting for it to reach that level of completeness/features/price.

The segment below the 1/1.7" sensors is awesome in terms of maturity and price per feature is awesome, but I don't think I can live with a 1/2.3~2.5" sensor anymore.

Coming back to the specific cams:

I noticed some samples from LX3 and S90 and I'm yet to form an opinion. Still looking around.

It's also very very tempting just to put in a little more and get the Sigma 10-20.

[synn]

Why not wait till PMA? There are quite a few big sensor, small cams to be unveiled there. Things like the Nikon EV(i)L camera.

Another option: I know it's not exactly "pocketable", but the Sony R1 had an APS-C sensor and should be very cheap on the used circuits.

[anvancy-(macro analyst)]

Why not wait till PMA? There are quite a few big sensor, small cams to be unveiled there. Things like the Nikon EV(i)L camera.

Another option: I know it's not exactly "pocketable", but the Sony R1 had an APS-C sensor and should be very cheap on the used circuits.

i saw one the other day..the user was asking 25k for the R1.but its still one hell of a cam!

pro:between the two options choose LX3.:)

Anvancy

[powerslave]

@Synn: Can't wait cos I want it before a trip I'm making next week. Which is also why pocketability is requriement #1. R1 is way overpriced for what it's worth. I have lusted over it myself, but I don't see me buying it.

I might skip this altogether and just fix the spring (?? or something) in the battery compartment door of my A570IS.

Apart from this immediate need, I have also been holding out on a nice big sensor camera pocket cam for quite some time. PMA should bring in some action in this front. I wanna see what LX4/5 bring to the table.

[powerslave]

Here's DPReview's take on the S90 with comparison to LX3 amongst others.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canons90/

I haven't bought it yet.

[anvancy-(macro analyst)]

PS:what about the option of either the F200EXR or the better F70EXR?

Anvancy

[powerslave]

Just noticed this post, and I still have been resisting to click the buy button on either of these. I have been actively looking at samples, but I guess I'm waiting for the s90 successor with HD video. I know I'm chasing the pot-o-gold at the end of the rainbow, but I can wait.

Anvancy: The F70EXR seems to have a lot of features, but the verdict is that all those don't translate in to better image quality and a lot of them have deemed it gimmicky. I still haven't looked at it properly, so I'll hold my final word on it, but the s90 is perfect in all senses except for the HD video. If I'm spending $350-400 on a pocket cam, it better have HD video.

[powerslave]

Just ordered an S90. Turns out, I WAS in a hurry.

Don't care what tomorrow brings.

[KrishnenduKes]

Just ordered an S90. Turns out, I WAS in a hurry.

Don't care what tomorrow brings.

Do share your results!

[anvancy-(macro analyst)]

Just ordered an S90. Turns out, I WAS in a hurry.

Don't care what tomorrow brings.

Enjoy your new gadget!

Anvancy

[powerslave]

I'm super excited. I also have a ten stop (1000x) B+W ND filter on it's way for the 18-55IS. I was going to go for the 10-22 lens, but I'm holding out for more Sigma 8-16mm feedback.

Fun!

[anvancy-(macro analyst)]

I'm super excited. I also have a ten stop (1000x) B+W ND filter on it's way for the 18-55IS. I was going to go for the 10-22 lens, but I'm holding out for more Sigma 8-16mm feedback.

Fun!

I have been thinking PS,a ten stop is mainly for astronomical use right?will 10x be good for my cam if my top bulb speed is only 30s?I also have an offer for the filter,but thinking 10x and my top cut off,i m confused.

Anvancy

[powerslave]

Is it a 10x or a 10 stop? A 10 stop is 1000x. That is, it will allow (1/1000)*100% (= 0.1%) of the light.
A 10x would be (1/10)*100 (= 10%).

So yeah, depending on how bright a day it is, it can still be used to get some good shots. 30 seconds max will get you some good shots, but the sweet spot will be limited - that is the opportunities between too bright scenes and too dark scenes, to get that dreamy long exposure style. You could still play with the ISO.

I'd say go for it if it isn't too expensive and play around. If you don't like it you can always sell it off. So when you're talking about a 10stop, think of it this way :

In a scene where you would use a shutter speed of 1/125, when you push it to 30s, you are going up 12 stops (quick rough calc, I could be wrong). So going further, if you find your self in situations where you shoot two stops faster than 1/125, that is 1/500, you can get the same exposure with 30s on the bright side.

Think about it this way, Starting from 30s, you go down 10 stops: So as long as a situation doesn't require more than 1/30s shutterspeed without the 10stop filter on, you can shoot it right with the 10 stop filter on and setting the shutter speed to 30s. Just count 10 stops down for any given situation.

I think you should be good.

These are meant for astronomy, but you may wanna see the results of some long exposures on this thread on POTN: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=784867.


EDIT: This post should give you an idea of stops: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?p=9886694&#post9886694.

[anvancy-(macro analyst)]

Is it a 10x or a 10 stop? A 10 stop is 1000x. That is, it will allow (1/1000)*100% (= 0.1%) of the light.
A 10x would be (1/10)*100 (= 10%).

So yeah, depending on how bright a day it is, it can still be used to get some good shots. 30 seconds max will get you some good shots, but the sweet spot will be limited - that is the opportunities between too bright scenes and too dark scenes, to get that dreamy long exposure style. You could still play with the ISO.

I'd say go for it if it isn't too expensive and play around. If you don't like it you can always sell it off. So when you're talking about a 10stop, think of it this way :

In a scene where you would use a shutter speed of 1/125, when you push it to 30s, you are going up 12 stops (quick rough calc, I could be wrong). So going further, if you find your self in situations where you shoot two stops faster than 1/125, that is 1/500, you can get the same exposure with 30s on the bright side.

Think about it this way, Starting from 30s, you go down 10 stops: So as long as a situation doesn't require more than 1/30s shutterspeed without the 10stop filter on, you can shoot it right with the 10 stop filter on and setting the shutter speed to 30s. Just count 10 stops down for any given situation.

I think you should be good.

These are meant for astronomy, but you may wanna see the results of some long exposures on this thread on POTN: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=784867.


EDIT: This post should give you an idea of stops: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?p=9886694&#post9886694.

he is offering me a 10 stop filter.so invariably 1000x one.

Anvancy

[powerslave]

Go for it!

[powerslave]

Alright. I didn't have time to update it, but I had to cancel that order because they were going to delver in way later than I was expecting it to come in even when I was paying $20 shipping.

So yeah, I'm not an owner of s90 yet.

[KrishnenduKes]

Alright. I didn't have time to update it, but I had to cancel that order because they were going to delver in way later than I was expecting it to come in even when I was paying $20 shipping.

So yeah, I'm not an owner of s90 yet.

Thats a pity!

[anvancy-(macro analyst)]

Alright. I didn't have time to update it, but I had to cancel that order because they were going to delver in way later than I was expecting it to come in even when I was paying $20 shipping.

So yeah, I'm not an owner of s90 yet.

the body of the s90 is somewhat difficult to hold,so third party options are available just to hold the camera right!this doesnt make sense.

Anvancy

[powerslave]

The reason why I bought it in the first place was for a trip. I paid two day shipping only to have it processed on the 4th day and to reach me on the 6th. They said, weekend but other vendors would have it at my doorstep on the 4th or 5th day at most.

Anyway, it's a pity I had to cancel it indeed. I was really looking forward to it.

Anvancy: That grip is supposed to jut out only as far as the closed lens does, so it still is pocketable. I don't think I would have bought it though.

[powerslave]

Just got my order in for the S95. Can't wait!

[KrishnenduKes]

Just got my order in for the S95. Can't wait!

Review is awaited!

[powerslave]

The LX5 tempted me, but it just didn't make sense.