Canon G10 VS Panasonic Lumix DCM-LX3 – Choosing A Point And Shoot Digital Camera For Photo Enthusiasts

Canon G10 VS Panasonic Lumix DCM-LX3 – Choosing A Point And Shoot Digital Camera For Photo Enthusiasts

Trying to choose a point and shoot digital camera for photo enthusiasts is a tough job. But somebody has to do it… : )

After surfing around a bit and seeing that are more cameras than one can think about I had to narrow our choices down.

Rather than mega-pixels (MP) as one of our deciding factors, we chose the ability to shoot in RAW. To further narrow we wanted a 3 inch 460,000 pixel screen (or better ) rather than the 230,000 pixel screens.

Another deciding factor is portability, we have other big cameras but we want one to have with us all the time. So truly portable matters.

Additionally Image Stabilization was a deciding factor.

One of us wanted HD video as a BONUS and the other wanted some telephoto range but they were not to be the deciding factors.

We both wanted great shots without have to fiddle with the camera and the ability to fiddle if we want to. This camera is for shooting family gatherings and other “in the moment” events where setting up a camera and fiddling with it is either distracting or you miss the shot. Thus – point and shoot is a must.

We narrowed all the contenders down to two choices and then a third if we did not want to spend the big bucks after all or just wanted to compromise.

OUR TOP CONTENDERS:
Canon Powershot G10 $408:
PROS: Middle on most things, Viewfinder, Best resolution at 14.7MP.
CONS: Highest price, Middle on most things, No HD video.

Panasonic Lumix DCM-LX3 $399:
PROS: F2-2.8, HD Video, Small and Light, best low light and wide angle.
CONS: $180 more that the TZ5, 10.1MP, No Viewfinder, 60mm telephoto.

Panasonic Lumix DCM-TZ5 $220:
PROS: Price, 28mm-280mm, HD Video, 2.3″ CCD, Small and Light, best telephoto and price.
CONS: Lowest Resolution, 9.1MP, No Viewfinder, F3.3-4.9, No RAW or manual adjustments.

THE SAME FEATURES ON ALL:
Really nice 3″ 460K screen, image stabilization.

MENTAL DELIBERATIONS:

• The TZ5 is what we were really looking for and the price is right and the zoom is great but this ones is the worst of the bunch for low light.
• The G10 is really nice in that it has more zoom than the LX3. Does RAW and is a pro version (like the LX3) and manual controls and build like a tank but bulkier and heavier with perhaps better controls.
• The LX3 is small light and the low light low noise and 24mm with F2. The 60mm is some what of a show stopper and if that 60mm was not a factor it might be the easy 1st choice. DP review liked this one best though.

THE COMMON WEAK POINT:
In general this type/category (small point and shoot) of camera are very challenged by low light and indoors shooting. so that is a factor to really consider and what we would say is the weakest point. If you read the reviews below and on sites like Amazon this subject comes up over and over again. This is something to really factor in.

THE REVIEWS:

Enthusiasts Group at DPreview: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/Q408enthusiastgroup/
Canon G10 VS Nikon at Luminous Landscape: http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/cameras/pocket-battleships.shtml
Canon Powershot G10 at DPreview: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/CanonG10/
Panasonic Lumix DCM-LX3 at DPreview: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonicdmclx3/
Panasonic Lumix DCM-LX3 a Luminous Landscape: http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/cameras/lx3.shtml
Canon G10 VS a $40,000 Hasselblad H2 at Luminous Landscape: http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/kidding.shtml
(Hasselblad H2 and 39 Megapixel back Phase One P45+ with the Hasselblad 55-110mm lens attached)

SAMPLES:
http://www.dpreview.com/gallery/panasoniclx3_samples/

http://www.dpreview.com/gallery/canong10_samples/

THE TIE BREAKER:

We could not decide. Even eating an extra piece of Green and Blacks organic DARK 85% chocolate was not enough to help us decide.  This was a tough a choice.

In order to finally decide I suggested we put everything else aside and look at the sample images on DPreview. I invited my dad to join in also who also offered a lot of valuable advice.

We all liked the photos from the LX3 best!

My mom offered $100 towards what ever camera we wanted so price would not be the deciding factor. Thanks mom, this helped also!

THE WINNER: Panasonic Lumix DCM-LX3!

Panasonic Official Site: http://www2.panasonic.com/consumer-electronics/shop/Cameras-Camcorders/Digital-Cameras/Lumix-Digital-Cameras/model.DMC-LX3K.O_11002_7000000000000005702#tabsection

Canon Official Site: http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=144&modelid=17624#ModelDetailAct

WHERE TO BUY A PANASONIC DCM-LX3:

I already knew the best prices I was finding was at Amazon. But instead of going to Amazon, the tab was already open in Firefox, I closed the tab. I went to DPreview and clicked to Amazon from their site.

They deserve what ever affiliate money they get from that click! VitalBodies thanks DPreview for their great site and help.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonicdmclx3/

I am not sure what review I liked the best but the Enthusiasts Group was perhaps my favorite. The samples broke the tie.

We would have liked to see more portraits in the samples for the G10.

If we buy accessories we will click from Luminous Landscape as that site helped a lot also. Much thanks to Luminous Landscape!

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/cameras/lx3.shtml

We hope this blog post helps you decide also, if so buy through us with the links below…

Also, if you have any questions about where NOT to buy consult http://www.resellerratings.com

We found a questionable seller while shopping. They were listed as a sellers who routinely does the classic low price bate and switch scam.

Nice to know…

Where we bought our final versions of these cameras:

Panasonic DMC-LX3

Canon Powershot G10

More Posts:

LX3: http://www.vitalbodies.com/blog/tag/lx3/

G10: http://www.vitalbodies.com/blog/tag/canon-powershot-g10/