Thank you very much, Moose, for replaying the logic of the issue. I had seen
the DPR comparative review, but hadn't clearly understood the S90-S95
relationship.
I couldn't agree more that the P-7000 is a no hoper (perhaps that explains
why it was so cheap), but your encapsulation of the pros/cons of the G10 is
a point well taken. Not for me.
Perhaps the most useful phrase to take away is to identify "where my real,
as opposed to intellectual, priorities lie". As with your G11, I have a
Finepix F70EXR with me almost always, BUT I find it extremely difficult to
focus at arm's length and to see clearly what is on the screen. Thus,
although the picture quality is quite remarkable (in 6MP pixel-binning mode,
not full resolution - further proof that the G10 is the wrong way to go), it
usually stays in my pocket, and a viewfinder is strongly indicated.
I spoke to a friend who has used an LX-3, but now has an X10. And a used X10
popped up at an attractive price. 28-112mm, f/2-2.8, 2/3" sensor, optical
zoom VF, with the EXR imaging engine I am familiar with. A worthy successor
to the F10?
Thanks again, Moose, and Chris too, for helpful insights.
Piers
-----Original Message-----
From: Moose [mailto:olymoose@xxxxxxxxx]
Sent: 19 March 2013 23:58
To: Olympus Camera Discussion
Subject: Re: [OM] S90, LX-5, P-7000 or G10?
On 3/19/2013 3:48 AM, Piers Hemy wrote:
> Any views on the troika of compact digitals? They seem to be
> available for similar prices on the used market (OK, the LX-5 is a bit
> more, but it isn't used), I would be interested in users' views.
Dpreview tried to answer 3/4 of this very question in this comparative
review.
<http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/q42010highendcompactgroup/>
(Ignore the fact that they used an S95. Other than video, it's the same as
the S90)
We have different priorities. For example, these cameras are very different
in size/weight, which matters a great deal to me. And, if I could have done
so, I'd have bought my G11 without the added size, weight and cost of the
optical viewfinder. I've had this type of viewfinder on several cameras over
the years, and they've all been crap (Which was a REAL shame on a film
camera!). They are wildly inaccurate, including the parallax correction,
when included.
> P-7000 looks good with an optical VF, except it's said to be
> inaccurate, and the camera seems to be so slow in operation as to be
almost unusable.
This is crazy talk! Why buy a camera you know in advance will either drive
you crazy in use or not get used? Also, it's just too big for what it does.
The Canon G's offer all the control, without the pain.
> G10 is bigger than LX-5, not pocketable.
This is the oldest design of the four, and it shows in an important area. It
was the tail end of the "megapixels are all" era. In fact, the decrease in
MPs from G10 to G11 was the first shot by a major maker across the bows of
the MP war Juggernaut.
Just too many MPs for the sensor size and sensor tech of the time. If all
you want is web size images, and don't shoot high DR subjects, that's not a
problem. The G11 is a better IQ camera and features the return of the G
articulated screen. I'm about ready to let my G11 go*, but I suppose
shipping and customs may make a sale to the UK impractical?
> S90 doesn't have a hotshoe, so no VF possible.
Look at the pics in the review. The S90 is a different class of camera than
the others. It's about size, weight, shirt pockets - with the minimum of IQ
compromise to meet that goal. If that's important, one does without optical
VF, hot shoe, etc. The ring around the lens is a genius way to put a second
control ring on a body size/shape that otherwise
couldn't accommodate one. (You can tell genius by the number of copiers. ;-)
)
Again, an older design. The S100, which I have, has an entirely new sensor
system, Canon made CMOS sensor, derived from their DSLR sensors, and Digic5
processor, sourced from their DSLR line. Better IQ and faster processing.
I held off on the S90/95 for their limited focal length range. Compared to
the G11, I was attracted by the size/weight, but wanted a wider lens, and
wasn't ready to compromise that far on the long end. The new, 24-120 eq.
lens is excellent.
> Is the LX-5 the one?
I sure can't answer that one. :-) I've flirted with several LXs, but, for
various reasons, some of which may have
involved excessive pixel peeping of sample images of earlier ones, I've not
bought one.
For me, at the moment, it's neither fish nor fowl. It's bigger in all
dimensions, but particularly thickness, and heavier, than the S100 I already
have and like. It also has significantly less long range on the zoom.
The only advantage I can see is that the zoom is slightly faster at the long
end - probably directly related to size and weight. At its 90 mm eq. long
end, it's ~ 1 1/3 stops faster than the S100.
Eeny Meeny Miny Moose
* I've really liked the G11 as a second camera to DSLRs, and made many
images I like with it. It's an excellent camera, with a really full range of
controls, wonderful, articulated LCD, even built-in ND filter. I'd recommend
it to anyone who wants all that.
But actual use since I got the S100 has made clear to me where my real, as
opposed to intellectual, priorities lie. They have sat, ready to go out,
next to each other, on a shelf on the way to the front door for over a year
- and the S100 ends up going. S100 IQ is at least as good as the G11,
perhaps a little better, at least pixel peeping or for large print or crop.
And now, the poor G11 is being squeezed by the larger sensor E-PM1 from
above.
--
What if the Hokey Pokey *IS* what it's all about?
--
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