Canon S95 v. Panasonic Lumix LX5 I know that this question has been asked about a thousand different times, but I need help choosing between the two based on my specific needs. I am a beginner (with a husband who is clueless) but hope to learn and make photography a bit of a hobby. With that said, my clueless husband will also be using this camera so it will definitely be in auto mode as well. We are about to have a new baby and I am looking for a good, small compact camera that I can learn on as well as take good pictures in auto mode. Good low light performance is a must as well (but, from what I read, it seems that both take good pictures in low light settings). Any suggestion on which one to buy? Canon S95 v. Panasonic Lumix LX5 I know that this question has been asked about a thousand different times, but I need help choosing between the two based on my specific needs. I am a beginner... » Read More Canon S95 v. Panasonic Lumix LX5 I know that this question has been asked about a thousand different times, but I need help choosing between the two based on my specific needs. I am a beginner (with a husband who is clueless) but hope to learn and make photography a bit of a hobby. With that said, my clueless husband will also be using this camera so it will definitely be in auto mode as well. We are about to have a new baby and I am looking for a good, small compact camera that I can learn on as well as take good pictures in auto mode. Good low light performance is a must as well (but, from what I read, it seems that both take good pictures in low light settings). Any suggestion on which one to buy? « Show Less
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You would not get a good answer, here of all places with so many opinionated people.Only recommendation I can give is try both cameras in store and see which once you find comfortable to use. Both are great cameras. And really similar in performance. Can't go wrong either way.I've heard/read that Lumix is slightly better. But I have the S90 and I can't imagine how any P&S; can be better than it (aside from S95/S100) in the same category. I love the controls on it especially the customizable ring.
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Thank you for the advice. I played with the ISO, MP and color settings a little bit today and got some pictures that came out a little better. Sadly, I am comparing the pictures to my 8 year old Canon S50 and the S50 takes better pictures. Indoor flash pictures are particularly disappointing. It is hard for me to accept this. The reason I want to upgrade the S50 is for the smaller size, wider angle, zoom and HD video. I expect the pictures to be at least as good if not better after so many years.The S95 is a great suggestion. I may look into a Panasonic too. Now back to the search for the S50 successor. Thank you for the advice. I played with the ISO, MP and color settings a little bit today and got some pictures that came out a little better. Sadly, I am comparing the pictures to my 8 year old Canon S50 and the S50 takes better pictures. Indoor flash pictures are particularly disappointing. It is hard for me to accept this. The reason I want to upgrade the S50 is for the smaller size, wider angle, zoom and HD video. I expect the pictures to be at least as good if not better after so many years.The S95 is a great suggestion. I may look into a Panasonic too. Now back to the... » Read More Thank you for the advice. I played with the ISO, MP and color settings a little bit today and got some pictures that came out a little better. Sadly, I am comparing the pictures to my 8 year old Canon S50 and the S50 takes better pictures. Indoor flash pictures are particularly disappointing. It is hard for me to accept this. The reason I want to upgrade the S50 is for the smaller size, wider angle, zoom and HD video. I expect the pictures to be at least as good if not better after so many years.The S95 is a great suggestion. I may look into a Panasonic too. Now back to the search for the S50 successor. « Show Less
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Hello Amy. I see that you've not gotten a reply yet for a few days. I own the Canon SX130is camera that is nearly identical to that of the next version, the SX150is. I even owned the previous model of mine now, SX120is. THe only reason for the upgrade was to get HD video and stereo sound. Other than that, I loved that camera too. I've not studied the others you are deciding on but just looked them over. THere's not a "night & day" major difference between them. Differences of 2x zoom power is not major IMHO. Frames per second in burst mode shooting is. Size may be a factor too. But I can tell you why I like my camera. A manual flip up flash allows unmistakeable control over the flash and keeps the camera from waisting power charging for a flash that you didn't need for that shot. The option of complete manual settings is a must. And the advantage of using AA batteries gives you limitless flexibility of power. Don't let the negative reviews tell you that you cannot take lots of photos with this camera. If you get some high capacity rechargable batteries and enough for an extra set, you'll be good. Several here have recommended Sanyo Eneloop brand cells. That they come precharged and hold that charge for extended periods of storage time. A friend of mine used them and swears by them. I use Ansmann 2850 mAh batteries (which are higher capacity) and they give me nearly 200 more shots in my Canon SX20is than what is rated in the camera manual.
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Is the S95 fast enough? I have a CanonSD1200 and apart from wanting a point and shoot with manual control I also find it is slightly slow to focus and shoot when time is of the essence. I read some reviews that indicated the S95 may also be slow. I would like to have RAW but it's not a deal breaker so perhaps the P300 would be better if it is super fast and responsive. Thanks for any input.
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I am also looking at these two cameras. My needs are a good low light performance as well as action sport shots. I had purchased the Panasonic FZ8 but have returned it because the inside low light pictures were very noisy and grainy. It took great outside pictures and was responsibly fast. I'm currently wanting to try the Sony but don't like the idea of having to buy a memory stick for it, I have a few sd cards that the Canon takes.
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I'm running the same research and here's the comparison, WX1: in addition to the HD video, its 24mm wide angle is precious in daily shootings (indoors, group pics, ...). It also has 5x zoom. And the CMOS sensor is supposed to be a notch better than CCD. The build quality is good and it's smaller than S90 except the thickness. It's also $100+ cheaper than S90. Battery life is rated at 350 shots v. S90's 220. S90: Manual everything; RAW; F2@28mm; SDHC card; external flash. The DSLR advantages have been the interchangeability for lens and flash. S90 takes another bite on those claims while providing the convenience and accessibility. If you're going up from Point&Shoot, WX1 is the winner; If you're going down from DSLR after the form factor, you'll miss less features with S90. Either is a great camera that will take wonderful pictures in the right hands.
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My boyfriend has the Canon & I just got the Lumix. I prefer the Lumix, it's easier to switch to different light situations because of the dial on the top. But he prefers the Canon because it's slightly smaller & fits in his pocket. I have to admit, his camera is much slimmer, but I still prefer my own.
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See my review "Assembling a Compact System". For low-light photography you need a camera with 1) a lens with a wide aperture, and 2) good image stabilization, and 3) good quality photos even at higher ISO settings. The 20mm f1.7 lens which comes as a kit with this camera is an excellent low-light lens, the Summilux 25mm f1.4 is even better. Compared to a zoom with a maximum aperture of F4, the 25mm f1.4 lets in 3 times as much light. But, you'll almost certainly also need a semi-telephoto, and the only appropriate semi-telephoto available for the Lumix is a Nocticron 45.2mm f1.2 (a superb low-light lens), which costs $1600 by itself. Do NOT buy a zoom lens if you want low-light capabilities. Lumix cameras have both in-body stabilization and in-lens stabilization---and will choose which is best for the situation, which is very much a plus. The Lumix has very good ISO performance, which is a plus. One solution to low-light is high-power flash. You can buy such flash units for this camera, but they are expensive and bigger than the camera. My suggestion is a Nikon DSLR (some models are cheaper than the Lumix). There is a wide range of appropriate low-light Nikon lenses available, and a wide range of flash systems available---and the sensors are larger, implying possible better ISO performance (but that probably depends on the particular model). Whatever camera you buy, I also strongly suggest considering a monopod, which can greatly extend your low-light capabilities. The Lumix is a great compact camera with impressive low-light capabilities (when matched with appropriate lenses). But if you do not specifically need a very compact camera, the Lumix is not the best choice for the kind of photography you describe.
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I don't hate my Panasonic LX3, but if this new Canon SX200 had a faster lens, I would ditch the LX3 in a heartbeat and get the SX200. I guess I'll just wait until the reviews and photo samples come out.
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Both are good cameras but S95 has a better image quality and it shoots raw but if u are not into image editing then u dont need raw format jpeg will be good enough. The real con for p300 is that it dosent have a good video quality in HD mode be it 720 or 1080P. Its video is choppy but if u record in non HD u will be good. Right now p300 is $230 with free shipping. I will get it rather than get s95. Both qualities will never match up to DSLR. $230 offer ends 1 OCT 2011. get it now people. rather than spend almost $400 as in $360+ on s95. FYI s100 is out.
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I think both are great for video and stills. I chose the Lumix because I work with a Panasonic GH3. Prime lenses are better for definition and color
989001
I would get the Canon S95. It has a bigger sensor to collect light and a larger maximum aperture, the hole that allows the light to go in. This is the old fashioned way of getting better pictures. My next pocket camera will be something like the S95. Sony does good stuff and I have a Sony HX5V (and its great), and I go nuts taking pictures of my baby niece and my little nephew, but after learning more about cameras, I'd spend at little extra cash and get a camera that has a larger sensor and bigger maximum aperture. Shooting pictures indoor means less light that the camera can collect, so it best to have a camera equipped with the means to gather the most light it can get....if that makes any sense.
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s95 is a great option if you only take up close pictures . When it comes to have the best package for all different activities , the sx230 is the one to go with . I personally prefer the sx230
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Like the S90, it's decent at wide angle. At 24mm, it supports a maximum aperture of f/1.8 (so a little better). Plus, the newer processor will help reduce noise at higher ISO settings (again, a little better).For low light photography, you might look at a camera with a larger sensor like the Sony RX100 or RX100 II. I'd also look at the Panasonic LX7 if you need decent low light performance throughout the zoom range.
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I second the TL500. I've owned the S90, LX3, and LX5. The LX3 & LX5 have color & WB issues (they don't even have a florescent WB setting). The S90 was great except for the previously mentioned blown highlights & 28mm. All these cameras look great on their own, but if you can compare them to a good DSLR and you'll see all their strengths and weaknesses. Good luck.
154001
Thank you. I bought the 2sx230 on 11/11/11 and I noticed outside in the bright sun light it captures movement well well and pretty sharp. Inside not so well. I want very much to learn how to use the ISO and how to make great photos using the manual functions. I bought the canon for its size, I will be traveling which is why I wanted a small camera. The shutter speed seemed to be the fastest. Thanks again these comments are very helpful, I'm really looking forward to getting to know my new camera.
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I'm between the same two models, and was also considering the Canon SX30IS. I recommend you read the in-depth reviews on www.imaging-resource.com. Unfortunately, despite all the great features of the Panasonic FZ100 and the Leica lens, it's image quality doesn't compare to the Nikon. Compare the noise and detail of the sample images in both of these reviews. It's too bad, I was about to get the FZ100 until I saw how poor the image detail was up close. But that website ended up giving the Nikon P500 a high recomendation, while they could not in good conscience give the FZ100 any sort of recomendation at all. I'm between the same two models, and was also considering the Canon SX30IS. I recommend you read the in-depth reviews on www.imaging-resource.com. Unfortunately, despite all the great features of the Panasonic FZ100 and the Leica lens, it's image quality doesn't compare to the Nikon. Compare the noise and detail of the sample images in both of these reviews. It's too bad, I was about to get the FZ100 until I saw how poor the image detail was up close. But that website ended up giving the Nikon P500 a high recomendation, while they could not in good conscience give the FZ100 any sort of... » Read More I'm between the same two models, and was also considering the Canon SX30IS. I recommend you read the in-depth reviews on www.imaging-resource.com. Unfortunately, despite all the great features of the Panasonic FZ100 and the Leica lens, it's image quality doesn't compare to the Nikon. Compare the noise and detail of the sample images in both of these reviews. It's too bad, I was about to get the FZ100 until I saw how poor the image detail was up close. But that website ended up giving the Nikon P500 a high recomendation, while they could not in good conscience give the FZ100 any sort of recomendation at all. « Show Less