Canon G10 v Panasonic LX3 ?

[Codebreaker]

If you have to choose between the G10 and LX3, which would you go for and why?

This is just to have as a pocket camera when the dSLR gets a rest.

Thxs
Colin

[Chuck S.]

Colin, I have both....:o

I've been a fan of the Canon G series since the G2, my very first digital camera. I also have the G6, G7, and G9, and I really had settled in on the G9 as my business travel camera (good image quality, size, and ability to shoot RAW).

When the G10 came along, I reflexively bought it. My pseudo-justification: it had a bit more wide angle (28 mm equivalent vs. 35 mm equivalent for the G9). Other positives included; knobs for adjusting ISO and exposure compensation; and a very high res LCD. There were tradeoffs: a shorter telephoto end (140 mm vs. 210 mm) and too many pixels (nearly 15 million) squeezed onto a small sensor. It's also physically larger than the G9 or almost any other modern point & shoot; that can be good or bad depending on your needs, but it certainly isn't a pocket camera.

Shortly after getting the G10, I started reading about the Panny LX3 on the DPReview forum. Lots of great experiences and impressive photos posted there! Again rather whimsically, I added the LX3 to the arsenal. Advantages: even wider wide angle end (24 mm); lower pixel count ("only" 10 MP); smaller form factor; and lots of neat little extras like a slider switch to change aspect ratio (4:3, 3:2, or 16:9) and a variety of film styles including a very effective Dynamic B&W). Disadvantages: no viewfinder; much shorter tele end (only 60 mm); more use of menus rather than dedicated knobs and switches for key adjustments.

In the only side-by-side comparison I did of the two, the LX3 perfectly exposed the scene while the G10 blew out some highlights - typical of Canons. Maybe I'll get back to testing someday, but I'm not a pixel-peeper...

I'm also experimenting with black & white, and the LX3 will give you a grayscale image on the viewfinder while in RAW + JPEG mode, something inexpicably dropped by Canon for the G10.

Bottom line so far: the LX3 has taken its place in my business travel bag, and the G10 is on the shelf. I'm still getting used to the menus on the LX3 (I've been Canon all my life, and the LX3 controls are very different).

Sorry for the long-winded response...:o

[Bayla]

Colin,

I actually had to decide between the Canon and the Panasonic and in the end I went for the G9 (the G10 had just come out but I found you could therefore get some good really deals on the G9) - the decision maker as far as I was concerned that I particularly wanted one with a viewfinder as well.

Bayla

[winclk]

i have the LX3 and i carry it around with me everywhere. i am still getting used to using it and so far the only thing i do miss is the viewfinder. i still put it to my eye every once in a while.:D.

so far i have had no problems with the camera. i don't mind the short end. i enjoy taking landscapes.

i wish u well with choosing.

[Ric Cisson]

Colin, the G10 is in my brief case. Great camera, cannot complain about quality. I have been using it as a go to camera when scouting locations for shoots. Image quality is the best that I have seen in a high end point and shoot, light weight, yet feels quite durable for a point and shoot, just has a very surprising comfortable handling feel. I do not miss RAW feature in this particular camera, at least for the intended use that I am using it. If it were being used for a more serious nature, then I would have something to maybe complain about. I would rate it 9 out of 10, only because of the lack of RAW capture.

[Chuck S.]

Ric, which RAW feature do you miss? G10 has RAW capability, just not when you're trying to use B&W and other scene modes in the Basic Zone.

[Codebreaker]

Thanks for the feedback.

Chuck, I wa hoping you would respond because I know you have the G10. I'm a big fan of Canon but to be honest this time I'm leaning towards the LX3. I figure the things that it misses out on which the G10 has I would probably use my dSLR for anyway.

This is to just be an occasional carry around on the odd days out - more often or not with the Grandchildren in tow and I think the LX3 would suit nicely. Its also cheaper than the G10

Still I have a couple of weeks before I commit. Maybe the LX4 will be around by then or a G11 - who knows.

Thanks folks

Colin

[Ric Cisson]

Chuck, unless I am missing something in the manual, or overlooking something on the G10 itself, when selecting RAW the "my colors" option is unavailable. I played with it in the jpg mode and found with the jpg it is really a nice feature and helps with my "scout location" workflow. It appears that when selecting RAW+Jpg that option is not available for the jpg that is recorded at that time. But when switching back over to Jpg, you can shoot with "my colors". I don't know, maybe it is me, but with my workflow in the field, anything that ensures more efficiency within the time I have allocated to "do my thing", it is a bit of a disappointment. However, that is only a minor disappointment, as the image quality is extremely good. Clipped highlights can be brought back through ACR with satisfactory to very good results, dependent of course on your exposure. I happen to like the G10 overall, compared to the Fuji E-900 that I used to carry around in my brief case, it is a giant leap in overall quality. I would recommend the G10 with a very strong endorsement. (Oh, and I like the fact that the view finder is in play on the G10 as I hate the LCD in the field.)

[Chuck S.]

Chuck, unless I am missing something in the manual, or overlooking something on the G10 itself, when selecting RAW the "my colors" option is unavailable. I played with it in the jpg mode and found with the jpg it is really a nice feature and helps with my "scout location" workflow. It appears that when selecting RAW+Jpg that option is not available for the jpg that is recorded at that time. But when switching back over to Jpg, you can shoot with "my colors". I don't know, maybe it is me, but with my workflow in the field, anything that ensures more efficiency within the time I have allocated to "do my thing", it is a bit of a disappointment. endorsement.

Ric, I believe you're right about that; the My Colors options on the G10 apparently only apply where you're in pure JPEG mode. The LX3 gives a little more leeway in that regard; it's possible to have a black-and-white JPEG accompanied by a color RAW image. If you don't like what the camera did in the JPEG, you can try to do it one better with the RAW converter and Elements.

The LX3 viewfinder issue is serious enough for many folks that they've bought viewfinders that fit onto the camera hot shoe. I haven't done that - yet....

[Codebreaker]

There were a couple of features on the G10 that I did think hard about. The viewfinder and the extended zoom range compared to the LX3. However, the faster lens of the LX3 was attractive and the lack of viewfinder I can live with.

I'd read the G10 viewfinder was only 80% coverage and like looking down a tunnel anyway. How much zoom is enough anyway?

Colin

[Chuck S.]

Colin, I hardly ever used the viewfinder on my G10 (or G9 or G7); the inaccuracy and dimness of the viewfinders view drove me to using the LCDs.

Re zoom: good question. Certainly don't need it for landscapes and close-in group shots of people. Would be nice to have a little more reach when trying to take a candid shot of someone without the camera influencing their expressions.

Maybe the LX4 will be 24 - 140! :)

[Bayla]

Colin,

I found I needed the viewfinder for shooting in very sunny conditions. Even with one of those stick on Delkin flip up thingies attached to the back of the camera I still couldn't see what I was photographing in the South African sun! I'm so used to putting my eye up to the viewfinder that I preferred it.

Bayla

[Codebreaker]

Bayla....

I've always been an advocate of using the Viewfinder for a number of reasons. Trouble is the ones I've seen on compacts have usually been dissapointing to use. My biggest problem is that I'm left eyed and most cameras with viewfinders are designed for right-eyed people. It means my nose gets in the way and my face blocks many of the controls on the back - ok you can now laugh.:)

Yes, the sunny conditions are a problem - particularly when the old advice was always to shoot with the sun behind you - but I'll never get my ideal camera. Well to be truthful there are some but I can't afford them.

Colin

[Chuck S.]

Bayla, I understand what you're up against. It hasn't been a big problem for me here in Texas because I usually stay indoors when the sun is overhead. Just too danged hot for a human being! :)

The noticeably brighter and larger LCDs on both the G10 and the LX3 help, though. When I compare the 3 inch LCD to the one on my G2, the difference is striking; I did use the viewfinder on the G2 for all but macro shooting.

[Ric Cisson]

Well Chuck, I don't know about your neck of the woods in Texas, but here in the high desert of Northern Arizona, not even the larger so-called brighter LCD does well in my neighborhood. I can deal with inherent viewfinder issues, it is a necessary consideration for me. The only time I use the LCD is to access the menu to adjust applicable settings.

[Chuck S.]

Ric, truth be told, I've only had the LX3 for a few (winter) months, so I haven't really tested it in extreme sun and heat conditions. I'll probably be switching to the G10 or G9 in situations that call for a viewfinder....

Or....I'll just go inside and forget about it...:D

[Codebreaker]

Here, in the wilds of South East England we're not sure how we would recognise if the sun was shining or not. Although I seem to recall there was something in the sky last July 23rd -just for a little while though.

:)

Colin

[Codebreaker]

Well, I got the LX3 and its a delightful little camera for occassional use. Of course as some predicted and as I thought would happen the LCD only screen can be tricky to use.

I find the LCD great for close ups since I don't need to lay on the floor anymore but for general use in bright conditions its pretty much Point and Hope in my case.

That said the picture quality is great with the RAW setting. I tried RAW+JPEG at first and I'm not too keen on the LX3s processing of the JPEG in terms of colour/saturation - but then its a subjective issue anyway.

Still playing and looking around for an inexpensive viewfinder to stick on top.

Serious stuff still makes me get my Canon 400D out.

Colin

[Chuck S.]

Colin, hello. I'm still vacillating between my G10 and LX3. After a frustrating session trying to see the LCD on the waterfront in Santa Barbara, I switched back to the G10 for outdoor shots. The LX3 has been relegated to indoor duty and also travels with me when space is extremely limited. Good luck with your new camera!

[Codebreaker]

There is an external viewfinder for the LX3 but its very expensive. I've come across some references to cheaper third party versions. If I get any more info I'll let you know.

Colin