DPReview's Ultra Compact Camera Group Test

[Flipped Gazelle]

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/Q408slimgroup/

 

[jpeyton]

I'd be interested to see where Canon's Digic 4 Elphs rank compared to the SD790.

 

[996GT2]

Wow, what a zoom range on that FX37...if Panasonic/Leica can somehow develop an f/2.0-4.0 version of that 25-125mm lens for the LX4, then it would be an even more versatile camera than it is now.

To get that same kind of range on a DSLR with IS requires shelling out over $550 for something like a Nikon 16-85mm VR...

 

[Flipped Gazelle]

Originally posted by: 996GT2
Wow, what a zoom range on that FX37...if Panasonic/Leica can somehow develop an f/2.0-4.0 version of that 25-125mm lens for the LX4, then it would be an even more versatile camera than it is now.

And then I'd considering getting one.

Originally posted by: 996GT2
To get that same kind of range on a DSLR with IS requires shelling out over $550 for something like a Nikon 16-85mm VR...

Not if you shoot Pentax!

 

[996GT2]

Originally posted by: Flipped Gazelle

Originally posted by: 996GT2
Wow, what a zoom range on that FX37...if Panasonic/Leica can somehow develop an f/2.0-4.0 version of that 25-125mm lens for the LX4, then it would be an even more versatile camera than it is now.

And then I'd considering getting one.

Originally posted by: 996GT2
To get that same kind of range on a DSLR with IS requires shelling out over $550 for something like a Nikon 16-85mm VR...

Not if you shoot Pentax!

Pentax makes a 16-85 mm lens? I thought they only made a 16-45 and a 16-50?

 

[Flipped Gazelle]

Get the Pentax 18-250 for around $390. "VR" is "free"!

 

[996GT2]

Originally posted by: Flipped Gazelle
Get the Pentax 18-250 for around $390. "VR" is "free"!

That's not the point though. My original point was that you could not get the equivalent range of that Panasonic lens unless you shelled out big bucks from ANY manufacturer.

While 18-250mm (28-375mm) is no doubt a greater range than 25-125mm, those 3 extra mm at the wide end are what distinguish the Panasonic lens from most DSLR lenses. So far, I know of only 2 lenses that closely approximate the range of the FX37.

One of those lenses is the Nikon 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6 VR (24.5-130 equiv). The other is the Olympus 12-60mm f/2.8-4 SWD (24-120 equiv). I don't think any of the other manufacturers make 5x zooms that start at 16mm...

Also, a random side note...I've noticed that many of Pentax's newer lenses aren't designed or built in-house, but are rather simply licensed designs from Tamron or Tokina.

This applies both to general consumer-grade lenses (such as the 18-250) and even their higher end lenses (such as the 10-27mm fisheye, 12-24mm f/4, 16-50mm f/2.8, 50-135mm f/2.8). So in reality, many "Pentax" lenses differ little from the third party lenses that you could get for any other brand.

 

[ElFenix]

DA 17-70 f/4 is pretty close. not quite as long but if you can tell the difference between 105 and 125 without having the picture next to each other i'll give you a dollar

sonys are tamrons, pentaxes are tokinas. well, the superzooms are. the f/2.8 zooms from tokina are pentax designs that tokina makes. the tokinas don't have the sonic motors.

 

[Flipped Gazelle]

Originally posted by: 996GT2

Originally posted by: Flipped Gazelle
Get the Pentax 18-250 for around $390. "VR" is "free"!

That's not the point though. My original point was that you could not get the equivalent range of that Panasonic lens unless you shelled out big bucks from ANY manufacturer.

While 18-250mm (28-375mm) is no doubt a greater range than 25-125mm, those 3 extra mm at the wide end are what distinguish the Panasonic lens from most DSLR lenses. So far, I know of only 2 lenses that closely approximate the range of the FX37.

One of those lenses is the Nikon 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6 VR (24.5-130 equiv). The other is the Olympus 12-60mm f/2.8-4 SWD (24-120 equiv). I don't think any of the other manufacturers make 5x zooms that start at 16mm...

Also, a random side note...I've noticed that many of Pentax's newer lenses aren't designed or built in-house, but are rather simply licensed designs from Tamron or Tokina.

This applies both to general consumer-grade lenses (such as the 18-250) and even their higher end lenses (such as the 10-27mm fisheye, 12-24mm f/4, 16-50mm f/2.8, 50-135mm f/2.8). So in reality, many "Pentax" lenses differ little from the third party lenses that you could get for any other brand.

I totally agree with you about the lens range - I just wanted to needle you a little bit...

As far as "outsourced" lenses... so what? As long as they work well. In the past (I don't know about right now) Pentax applied their own coatings.

I thought about mentioning the DA 17-70, but figured you'd get me on the 105mm vs 125mm.

 

[Heidfirst]

Originally posted by: 996GT2So far, I know of only 2 lenses that closely approximate the range of the FX37.

One of those lenses is the Nikon 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6 VR (24.5-130 equiv). The other is the Olympus 12-60mm f/2.8-4 SWD (24-120 equiv). I don't think any of the other manufacturers make 5x zooms that start at 16mm...

Sony 16-80mm Zeiss, Sony 16-105mm.
Both with IS courtesy of in-body SSS.

 

[996GT2]

Originally posted by: Heidfirst

Originally posted by: 996GT2So far, I know of only 2 lenses that closely approximate the range of the FX37.

One of those lenses is the Nikon 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6 VR (24.5-130 equiv). The other is the Olympus 12-60mm f/2.8-4 SWD (24-120 equiv). I don't think any of the other manufacturers make 5x zooms that start at 16mm...

Sony 16-80mm Zeiss, Sony 16-105mm.
Both with IS courtesy of in-body SSS.

That makes 4 in total.

All 4 lenses are still very expensive in comparison to the FX37 though. I was just pointing out that the 25-125mm range costs a LOT to get on a DSLR.