Help me choose a compact to complement my DSLR kit?

peckerhead

Howdy all, looking for a bit of advice (or maybe just confirmation of my own instincts!)

I’ve been shooting for a couple of years with an Olympus E510 and assorted Zuiko digital lenses (the two ‘kit’ zoom lenses 14-42mm + 40-150mm, plus their 70-300mm, plus an old OM 50mm f1.8 on an adaptor). Happy enough with the results I get, but it’s a hefty old kitbag to tote around and I sometimes feel I miss out by not having the camera with me, so I’ve been looking around for something more portable to complement my set-up. On a cheapskate budget, I hasten to add — at the moment I have a maxed-out eBay watch list and am eyeing up the various options as they creep towards close of auction… (incidentally this is how I bought the E510, complete with the two kit lenses and other spares, for just under €300...)

I was initially drawn to the Panasonic Lumix TZ range, simply for the superzoom (starting at a proper 24mm wide angle) and other fantastic features you get for your money, but I suspect I might be a bit disappointed with image quality given the sensor limitations of these travel zoom compacts compared to my DSLR. That said, it is pretty amazing what you can get nowadays for under €100 in newsed condition (a well-kept TZ20 goes for around that mark on eBay, you can pick up a pristine TZ10 for as little as €50 or €60) — even though I have no real use for things like GPS/touchscreens/wifi capability. I do like the idea of HD video, though, since my E510 has no video function at all…

So I started looking instead at their LX range, which are a distinct step up in terms of having a larger 1/1.63-inch sensor, better image processing, and the higher quality Leica lens (f2.0 at the wide end, yum!). You can pick up a good LX3 with the basic accessories for around the £100/€140 mark.

And then, I started thinking would I not be a bit mad not to go instead for one of their G-series micro 4/3 models, so that I’d have the option of using my existing lenses on it (with an adapter like this to preserve AF and exposure functions)? A GF1 body (or indeed a GF2, or an Olympus Pen E-P1) only costs about €100, plus €40 for the adapter …or I might even get lucky and bag one complete with a 20mm f1.7 pancake (or Sigma 19mm).

Any thoughts? Anyone been down this road already? Just one caveat — not to be ungrateful, but please don’t tell me “Panasonic are crap” or “get a Canon G10/Coolpix whatever/Ricoh thingummybob instead…” I know that these are all excellent rivals and I certainly have no particular allegiance to Panasonic, but I’m trying to narrow things down at this stage! And I can't really afford to spend much above €100/€150 (secondhand), so no point in showing me this year's models...

TIA for any comments or wisdom ye can offer.

peckerhead

Bump, and update for the curious (if there are any! ). I decided in the end not to go for the G-series m4/3 system, tempted though I am by the idea of sharing the lenses. The whole idea is to have something independent of my DSLR kit, and small enough to carry on me all the time. No point in having a small compact camera with a lens twice or three times the bulk. Am now queuing up eBay auctions for the LX-7, which I hope to bag from Germany for around the €150/€200 mark. An f1.4 24-90mm sounds like what I need...

So — anyone got any comments on the LX-7 specifically, for better or for worse?

dinneenp

Do you want it to be pocketable or jacketable? The Panasonic FZ 200 doesn't have a large sensor but constant f2.8 throughout its focal length. Might cost closer to €200.
I have the LX7,like it a lot but am going to replace it with the Canon G7X probably. It's more pocketable, 1 inch sensor but about €350-€400.

peckerhead

Looks like a nice piece of kit, but yeah, I guess I'm looking for something more pocketable. I still have my old Fuji S9600 bridge, which is showing its age specs-wise — only 10.7x optical zoom? :eek: — but which I've got some great shots with over the years and can't bring myself to sell for the pittance it would fetch. It's a camera for the beach, or one I can lend to my (teenage) kids without worrying if something happens to it.

Keep me in mind if you're selling the LX-7!

The Canon G7X looks like a beaut of a camera, but way out of my reach atm.

CJmasgrande

peckerhead wrote: »

Looks like a nice piece of kit, but yeah, I guess I'm looking for something more pocketable. I still have my old Fuji S9600 bridge, which is showing its age specs-wise — only 10.7x optical zoom? :eek: — but which I've got some great shots with over the years and can't bring myself to sell for the pittance it would fetch. It's a camera for the beach, or one I can lend to my (teenage) kids without worrying if something happens to it.

Keep me in mind if you're selling the LX-7!

The Canon G7X looks like a beaut of a camera, but way out of my reach atm.

I'm also thinking of getting a Canon G7X also.

How can you counteract lens flare with these pocketable cameras?

dinneenp

CJmasgrande wrote: »

I'm also thinking of getting a Canon G7X also.

How can you counteract lens flare with these pocketable cameras?

€390 on eglobal centralral, I'll be buying from there. No idea about lens flare.
https://www.eglobalcentral.eu/canon-powershot-g7-x-digital-camera-black.html#/product/14268