Panasonic LX3 v. Canon S90 for the outdoors?

[DrVos]

I'm a pretty avid backpacker/hiker/traveler and have been in the market for a quality P&S camera for my travels. My key requirements are portability, wide angle lens, quality sensor, and manual controls. I'm having a tough time choosing between:

The Panasonic LX3:
http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-DMC-...2651302&sr=8-1

and the

Canon S90:
http://www.amazon.com/Canon-PowerSho...2652001&sr=8-1

Both have pretty fast lenses, but the LX3 can hit 24mm which is awesome for the outdoors. It only has a reach of 60mm but that isn't really a factor to me.

The S90 can't go as wide, but is lighter and has a smaller form factor, which means a) It'd be better suited for travelling b) I'd be more likely to have it handy when a photographic "moment" presented itself.

Any thoughts?



*UPDATE*

I ended up going with the LX3. I really wanted the extra 4mm. I also found out that you can buy an adapter that can make it 18mm...enough to put me over the edge. It arrived today.

Initial thoughts:
- It's a nice size, the body is about as big as one my older canon compact P&S's but the lens does stick out a bit, making it bulkier.
- There is a definitely a heft to the camera. I like it though.
- There are many nice features: exposure bracketing, selective focus, RAW shooting, full manual, shutter and aperture priority, etc.
- Shooting movies in HD mode (1280x720) seems a bit jerky since the video defaults to 24fps. Shooting in WVGA (848x480) yields a very nice 30fps.
-I'm really liking the focusing lock system

I'll need time to fiddle with the camera to really get a feel for how good the UI is as well as image quality. Initial photos seem to point to a significantly sharper image that the Canon P&S we had here in the office. I've included a 35mm v 24mm comparison for those who are curious.


Canon SD1000 at 35mm

LX3 at 24mm

I've got a snowshoeing trip in Yosemite in 2 weeks and I can't wait to take this bad boy out with me.

 

[idiotekniQues]

if you go with the lx3

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2038197&highlight=idiotekniques

i find it quite adept at anything that is not low light, but i have figured out if i am shooting i am a dslr snob at heart.

 

[shortylickens]

The Panasonic LX3 is still considered the best compact camera ever. Whereas Canon P&S's are generally considered mediocre. Even the ones that standout from the rest are not as good as most Panasonics.

Dig around for reviews of the LX3 if you dont believe me. DPreview.com probably has the best article.
I would say the extra bulk is probably worth it, even while traveling.

 

[ChuaChua]

LX3 is too big and expensive for me, that's why I got the S90.
The LX3 may be faster and have (slightly) better images, but portability-wise, the S90 is much better.

Seriously, the S90 is more discreet than the LX3 and people (your subjects) react differently to different cameras. Many people feel weird when you take their pictures and they will feel more awkward if you point the LX3 at them.

Also, LX3 requires the lens cap and the S90. The lens cap is a hassle and could snag on something.

I've been carrying the S90 for a week in my pocket and it feels fine.

Also, the ring control is superb.
So you have:
-shortcut button
-ring control in the back
-ring control in the front

Essentially, LX3 is for better looking pictures (and HD video) while S90 is for travelling, spontaneous moments, cheaper, and intuitive controls.

 

[ChuaChua]

Just to reiterate, the LX3 needs a lens cap and the lens compartment bulges out of the "box". Lens cap is tethered by a string...meaning if it gets snagged on something or breaks, then you are screwed.

 

[ElFenix]

Just to reiterate, the LX3 needs a lens cap and the lens compartment bulges out of the "box". Lens cap is tethered by a string...meaning if it gets snagged on something or breaks, then you are screwed.

you don't have to put it on a string.

in 20+ years of shooting SLRs i've never once lost a lens cap. no strings.

 

[DrVos]

I guess its a toss up between competing features. The LX3 can go wider has better image quality, while the S90 is lighter and more compact.

How significant would the extra 4mm be on the wide range?

 

[Mant]

I just wanted to say -Great topic. I am trying to make the same decision right now, so I will be following this closely.

A question for idiotekniQues...I am very interested in low-light and no-flash photographs. I thought the f2.0 on the LX3 would be great for that?

...WOAH! What happened to my post history?!

 

[randomlinh]

Whereas Canon P&S's are generally considered mediocre.

I disagree here, they may lack in features, but I've always favored canon's jpg processing (usually) over nearly everything else in the P&S (with some exceptions to Fuji and some Sony's). It hasn't been until recently that Panasonic was acceptable (aside from the LX3 when it was first introduced).

But as a whole package, yeah, canon had one thing for them, exceptional size. That's been dwindled away.

But anyway, yeah, I was contemplating the same thing, but throw the G11 into the mix. I like the LX3 the most, but the S90 is so compact for what it is. The front ring is awesome for setting aperture. Very much a true take anyway high quality P&S.

The rear ring I have huge issues with tho, feels like something that belongs on the A series. It's a bit insulting to pay $400 and have that on there. Far too free moving and cheap feeling.

With that said, I said screw it cause I wouldn't be happy anyway, better off getting a cheap SD series for "take anywhere." ended up saving some more and just getting a GF1 =)


If you feel you'd leave behind the LX3 more, then get the S90. They are both good cameras, but the one you have with you is the one that's important.

 

[Tiamat]

4mm difference on the wide angle is very welcome if you do landscape type pictures with mountains, or even large buildings. You don't have to step back to capture the whole scene. 60mm is gonna be good enough for portraits and indoor zooming, but won't cut it for any real telescopic (like sports or birds/animals-in-nature).

 

[DrVos]

I decided to go with the LX3! I updated the OP with initial experiences.

 

[abaez]

Good choice. I still have my original Ricoh GRD, which I absolutely adore, but looking to get an LX3.

 

[ElFenix]

Good choice. I still have my original Ricoh GRD, which I absolutely adore, but looking to get an LX3.

rumor has it that the LX4's release is imminent, though i'm of the opinion one won't come out until july. panasonic already showed their PMA offerings. tz10 with automagic geotagging and avchd looks like the best little travel camera ever.

 

[idiotekniQues]

LX3 IQ always seemed pretty tip top to me. and reviews backed that up.

 

[DrVos]

rumor has it that the LX4's release is imminent, though i'm of the opinion one won't come out until july. panasonic already showed their PMA offerings. tz10 with automagic geotagging and avchd looks like the best little travel camera ever.

Yeah thats part of what made pulling the trigger difficult. I'd normally wait and see what the update brought to the table, but the great outdoors were a waitin' and I had to settle for the best camera I could get right now

 

[hackmole]

DrVos,

I am wondering why you didn't consider the ZS3. Several people I know have chosen the ZS3 hands down over the LX3. That's because of the greater zoom of the ZS3 (60mm for the LX3 is completely unacceptable to me) and no difference in quality in daylight shots between the two cameras, better quality video of the ZS3 and smaller in size and weight for better portablity.

It doesn't do quite as well in the dark but do most people really shoot a lot of photos in the dark. And so what if the photos are a little darker in doors. Just tell them to move closer to the lights.

Think it over. There is still time to exchange the camera.

 

[davestar]

DrVos,

I am wondering why you didn't consider the ZS3. Several people I know have chosen the ZS3 hands down over the LX3. That's because of the greater zoom of the ZS3 (60mm for the LX3 is completely unacceptable to me) and no difference in quality in daylight shots between the two cameras, better quality video of the ZS3 and smaller in size and weight for better portablity.

It doesn't do quite as well in the dark but do most people really shoot a lot of photos in the dark. And so what if the photos are a little darker in doors. Just tell them to move closer to the lights.

Think it over. There is still time to exchange the camera.

Things the ZS3 has over the LX3:
60mm - 300mm

Things the LX3 has over the LX3:
24mm
f2.0 - f3.3
RAW
manual controls
pixel density of 24 MP/cm² vs 45 MP/cm²

I think the OP knew what he was getting into.

 

[DrVos]

Things the ZS3 has over the LX3:
60mm - 300mm

Things the LX3 has over the LX3:
24mm
f2.0 - f3.3
RAW
manual controls
pixel density of 24 MP/cm² vs 45 MP/cm²

I think the OP knew what he was getting into.

That is pretty much exactly the reason why I ended up with the LX3. I really wanted a P&S that I could take with me backpacking for primarily landscape shots. In those situations, zooming in is rarely an issue...while getting wide enough often is.

I remember waking up one night after backpacking to a lake in the Desolation Wilderness. A Fall snow storm had blown in overnight and everything was covered in a blanket of the first real snow of the season. A full moon was out, the sky clear. I tried to capture what I saw with my little Canon P&S and got underexposed noise. I'm hoping my LX3 will serve me better when I'm in that situation again.

 

[randomlinh]

That is pretty much exactly the reason why I ended up with the LX3. I really wanted a P&S that I could take with me backpacking for primarily landscape shots. In those situations, zooming in is rarely an issue...while getting wide enough often is.

I remember waking up one night after backpacking to a lake in the Desolation Wilderness. A Fall snow storm had blown in overnight and everything was covered in a blanket of the first real snow of the season. A full moon was out, the sky clear. I tried to capture what I saw with my little Canon P&S and got underexposed noise. I'm hoping my LX3 will serve me better when I'm in that situation again.

to be honest, if it helps, it will be because you have manual controls and a tripod. the latter being the biggest help in that shot. Even a full moon on white snow is pretty damn dark.