List of big sensor compacts w/image quality that rival SLRs?

[swbsam]

I have a pentax dslr that I adore but also have a nikon p&s compact that was pretty dreadful. Luckily I dropped it in a sink full of water by mistake so I get a chance to buy a new camera - yay!

I don't want to spend a lot but really want the balance between portability and image quality - there are some big chip compacts out there that i've read about (panasonic lx3, fuji 200exr, etc) but know there must be more out there, especially by canon.

What are some options? I'm totally fine with low -megapixel cameras and older tech, since I don't want to pay the new toy premium.

Thanks!

 

[randomlinh]

err... nothing on that list will rival any SLR IMO, especially when you get into even just the edge of so-so lighting. The only one is the Olympus E-P1, and it's compact relative to an SLR, and just as expensive.

The LX3, Canon G10, and 200EXR are the seemingly go to top end P&S's, with the old fuji F31fd IMO being one of the best compact P&S for low light. I still prefer the look of canon's jpegs, and the SD880IS is probably one of the best canon has put out. The new SD960 has a good interface, but dunno on IQ.

 

[finbarqs]

well the panasonic LX3 is still not a big sensor, in fact, it's still quite small... it's a 1/1.63" sensor... which is far from APS-C or even a 4/3's. The only one I know of so far is the Sigma DP1/DP2 which uses something bigger than a 4/3's but not quite as big as the APS-C sized.. It is fixed focal though... (prime)

 

[Munky]

Even the best compacts like the LX3 are nowhere close to rivaling a DSLR for low light photos.

 

[finbarqs]

for low light.. nothing can touch the D700 or D3 (maybe 5D Mark 2). But as far as IQ goes... Sigma DP1/Sigma DP2 has an APS sized sensor with the foveon X3 Sensor... You may SERIOUSLY look into that...

here are some samples taken with the DP1 from Flickr:

 

[randomlinh]

Originally posted by: finbarqs
for low light.. nothing can touch the D700 or D3 (maybe 5D Mark 2). But as far as IQ goes... Sigma DP1/Sigma DP2 has an APS sized sensor with the foveon X3 Sensor... You may SERIOUSLY look into that...

here are some samples taken with the DP1 from Flickr:

the huge problem w/ the sigma is controls are terrible, and it's slow as balls (overall use, focus). if you're ok with that, then it's a great camera. For the price though, I'd put my money on an E-P1

 

[swbsam]

Originally posted by: finbarqs
for low light.. nothing can touch the D700 or D3 (maybe 5D Mark 2). But as far as IQ goes... Sigma DP1/Sigma DP2 has an APS sized sensor with the foveon X3 Sensor... You may SERIOUSLY look into that...

here are some samples taken with the DP1 from Flickr:

I'm sure that's a lovely camera but I should probably step back a little and rephrase:

"What's a compact camera that rivals the LX3 in image quality but is cheaper, since I don't really want to spend that much for an on-the-go, take on vacations/to the bar camera but really don't like the image quality of most point and shoots."

I don't need a gazillion mega pixels and i don't need features, just a solid camera that I can keep in my back pocket for days I don't want to break out my dslr.

 

[Munky]

For alternatives to the LX3 I'd look at a used Fuji F31 if you can find one, or a Fuji F200 EXR. Check out the review here - http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/FujifilmF200EXR/

 

[magomago]

Yeah what everyone else says. People jizz in their pants when the LX3 is brought up, but its still a tiny sensor. It really depends relative to what you are comparing it to: LX3, within the frame work of compact P&S, has nice quality. But when you view it with respect to APS DSLRs, it isn't even debatable. Now, on the flip side noise in DSLRs can be an issue to argue about (and there are plenty of discussions about noise) when we consider only DSLRs, but once you realize that its still a much smaller segment of the market, then all DSLRs look damned nice

 

[finbarqs]

I have a Leica D-Lux 4 (essentially a LX-3 but with a better processing engine - which is pretty much negligible - and a better body) and I'm seriously thinking about trading it with a Sigma DP-1/2. Though it's a prime lens, It uses something BIGGER than the 4/3's sensor, and on top of that, it's a Foveon X3 sensor. meaning it's like shooting with film again, having 3 dedicated LAYERS to the R, G, B gamut, you wont have to worry about loosing information in either red, green, or the blue gamut. VS. tradition Bayer patterns (everything else) where as each pixel is either a Red, Blue, or green sensitive pixel (the ratio is 2 greens per every blue and red) and have the processor calculate the rest of the "missing color information". It's pocket sized, and you'll get results like a DSLR, WITHOUT having to switch lenses, or having something bulky in your pocket. it's easy, and fun to get great results, and have your images react like slide film! (since film uses CYM layers instead of RGB).