Are $500 Dollar Point & Shoots Still Relevant?

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Are $500 Dollar Point & Shoots Still Relevant?

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Started 2 years ago by NikoDoby
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1. DSLRs Versus Point & Shoots

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NikoDoby

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The new Panasonic LX5 was announced today and it's basically the same camera with a better lens and "same" 10mp sensor as the LX3. It's a nice little camera that is meant to go head to head with the canon G11 series and the Nikon P6000 series.

Nikon has already officially said they have a canon G11 "killer" in the works (P7000?) but are these type of high priced point & shoots still relevant in the wake of EVIL cameras like the NEX and PEN? Many had hoped that the LX5 would "move up" to a m4/3rd sensor but it didn't.

So if Nikon's G11 "killer" is "just" another P6000 would you pay over $500 for it? Although the base NEX and PEN cameras are still more expensive they aren't THAT much more expensive and for the price difference you get a lot better image quality and versatility. Especially with the NEX and it's "huge" APS-C sensor.

Posted 2 years ago #
kanuck

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Out of personal experience the G11 is a fantastic little camera. The Nikon equivalent if realeased would have some tough shoes to fill. Many point and shoot cameras are fantastic especially for the weight factor as many have great macro and tele abilities to the equivalent of 300mm. A good point and shoot would be perfect for a Leica shooter for example. I definately think $500 point and shoots are still relevant. The thing is the D40, D3000, D5000 and soon the D90 will be so cheap many will just purchase a DSLR.

Posted 2 years ago #
PB PM

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For people who don't want to move up to bigger cameras than the LX and G series, $500 point and shoots with the level of controls they have are still reliant. I'd be willing to bet that the LX3/5, G11 outsell all the EVIL cameras combined.

Posted 2 years ago #
NSXType-R

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The Canon S90 was $400 too, you can have it for $300 though. I don't think will be selling at $500 a year from now.

But I'd have it just for the form factor. And that it looks cool in white. :D

Posted 2 years ago #
miatadan

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For me the limit is $500 for a compact camera, if spending more than that - better performance is always with dslr's. Hard to spend $600+ for a compact that does not perform as well as entry level slrs such as Nikon D3000.

Posted 2 years ago #
NikoDoby

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But Dan you said in another thread that you're buying the LX5. It's MSRP is $499. If you get that optical viewfinder you want to add then you'll be near the price of a D5000 or D90! The LX3 sold very well but it was the camera to have since EVIL cameras weren't out yet. Now, however, the LX line is starting to look waaay over priced. You can find the Olympus E-PL1 with a much larger sensor for $499 (body only) and the E-PL1 kit for $549!

Posted 2 years ago #
kanuck

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How about all the poor suckers out there who buy the Japanese made Leicas like the C-Lux and D-lux? Imagine paying over a grand for a point and shoot? I get a kick out of the selling rate of the Leica X1 as well. Do people really honestly believe they are shooting a real Leica?

I got burned on the now old Sony T7 back in 2005 because it looked great. Never again, my only companies of choice now are Nikon or maybe Canon. The Leica M system still is attractive to me as well. I remember NikoDoby saying he got burned with the M8 though...

Posted 2 years ago #
NSXType-R

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kanuck said:
How about all the poor suckers out there who buy the Japanese made Leicas like the C-Lux and D-lux? Imagine paying over a grand for a point and shoot? I get a kick out of the selling rate of the Leica X1 as well. Do people really honestly believe they are shooting a real Leica?

I got burned on the now old Sony T7 back in 2005 because it looked great. Never again, my only companies of choice now are Nikon or maybe Canon. The Leica M system still is attractive to me as well. I remember NikoDoby saying he got burned with the M8 though...

The Leica X1 would be really cool if it were about $2500 cheaper. But $2700 on Amazon? I could get so much equipment for that money!

I'd look at the LX5 if it were about $200 cheaper. I really don't want to be swapping lenses. Maybe in another 2 or 3 years.

Posted 2 years ago #
gelu88

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The new sony's look slim but as soon as you put a zoom lens on it its obvious that they are not. I like how almost all the marketing material shows the pancake lens.

The LX5, et al have equivalent control and quality(almost) but in a more truly "compact" package.

I most often hear it recommended by Pro DSLR shooters who get them as their "casual" pocket camera

Posted 2 years ago #
Anonymous

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I do think that a $500 point-n-shoot is still relevant, within a narrow scope of photographers. For pros, the Canon G series (9, 10 & 11) is their #1 choice for a camera to keep with them at all times. For consumers, with entry-level DSLR's getting less expensive, smaller & lighter, spending $500 on a point-n-shoot is probably not very attractive.

I was disappointed by the Nikon P6000, and I for one am eagerly looking forward to its replacement, the supposedly G11 "killer" mentioned earlier.

Posted 2 years ago #
miatadan

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Niko, I did look at the Olympus E-PL1 and Sony Nex cameras for once you add lens on it , no longer slim and compact to carry as Canon G11 or Pansonic LX3 or LX5.

I can purchase Pansonic LX5 for less than $500

Note: received Canon SD1300 today at work, will take some pics and learn what best settings are ( learn to work with limitations of the small sensor size )

Posted 2 years ago #
shivaswrath

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I'm torn about the LX5 - I just sold a ton of random crap around my house (on ebay, lol) and have $400 to spend on it. . .it's about $410 right now on Amazon, and I REALLY need a small compact to take with me on trips (business, evening, etc.) since it's just GOOFY to bring my D3 along. . .

What say you dudes?

S95 vs. LX5??

Worth the $400? Or get a D3100??

Posted 2 years ago #
broxibear

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I'd go for the LX5 shivaswrath.
I considered an Olympus E-P1 and EP-L1, Panasonic LX3, LX5 and GF1, but after I'd added the lens I wanted and a viewfinder the price was over £600, and for the GF1 (which is a stunning little camera) over £660.
I wasn't prepared to pay that amount for a point and shoot to carry around with me.
A few days ago I came across a clearance deal for a new Ricoh GX200, it was under £250, included the VF-1 electronic viewfinder and included the folding lens cap (normally £18).
After reading the reviews and understanding a few of the high iso limits I bought it.
Yes it's not in the same quality bracket as the GF1, but considering what it can do for the price it's amazing. http://www.photographyblog.com/reviews_ricoh_gx200.php

Here's a comparison between the S95 and LX5 http://www.wirefresh.com/canon-powershot-s95-vs-lumix-lx5-which-is-the-compact-top-dog/

******FOR SOME REASON THE FORUM ISN'T ALLOWING ME TO ADD ANY POSTS TO THIS THREAD BUT I CAN EDIT THIS ONE?, HELP LOL*****

Posted 2 years ago #
spraynpray

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I offered my D5000 to my wife to take to Hong Kong because she is waiting for a new p&s but she said no because a/ it takes up too much room, b/ is too heavy and c/ she feels it shouts 'mug me' when she pulls it out.

For those reasons there will always be a market for p&s's and $500 p&s's amongst those with deep pockets.

BTW she is between cameras because I hit her old O*****s with a hammer (it used a set of batteries every few minutes). Now, where is that d**n GPS for the car..... ;^)

Posted 2 years ago #
jonnyapple

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spraynpray said:
I offered my D5000 to my wife to take to Hong Kong because she is waiting for a new p&s but she said no because a/ it takes up too much room, b/ is too heavy and c/ she feels it shouts 'mug me' when she pulls it out.

For those reasons there will always be a market for p&s's and $500 p&s's amongst those with deep pockets.

BTW she is between cameras because I hit her old O*****s with a hammer (it used a set of batteries every few minutes). Now, where is that d**n GPS for the car..... ;^)

I think we might have had the same model of olympus camera attached to an optical microscope in the lab I used to work in, spraynpray. It was a C-5050z, I think. We would charge 4 Ni-MH AAs completely and they would last for about 35 shots. I wish I were exaggerating. We went through three sets of alkalines in one day, each session lasting about 10 minutes and 10 shots. The hammer was a good idea.

Posted 2 years ago #
shivaswrath

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Im so torn!

I have literally $400 to spend.

Found canon s95 on special at buy:com for $365, which is the cheapest I found.

Saw the lx5 drop to$407 at its best (which i'm sure I could reach)...

I like the poscketability of the s95, but like the color rendition from the lx5...

Posted 2 years ago #
NSXType-R

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Did you try any of them first?

Posted 2 years ago #
shivaswrath

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NSXType-R said:
Did you try any of them first?

Nope because no one stocks the, locally...i'd have to go down to adorama or bh, so I figured id work off of everyones experience and e-reviews...

Posted 2 years ago #
NSXType-R

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shivaswrath said:
Nope because no one stocks the, locally...i'd have to go down to adorama or bh, so I figured id work off of everyones experience and e-reviews...

Is there a Best Buy in your neighborhood?

If you're around NY, there should be plenty.

Posted 2 years ago #
shivaswrath

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oh best buy has them? Nice, maybe I'll go play around. . .yeah I have one Norwalk, CT, thanks NSX!

Posted 2 years ago #
DaveyJ

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@shivaswrath: I tested the LX5 and Canon G12 on a big screen against a Nikon D3100. The results I got say the bigger DSLR won pretty convincingly. I had a very high end Leica P&S. B&H let me return it after my results said it was NOT worth the fortune it cost. Fact is you are paying dearly for the smaller size. $500 gone for what? I agree with one of the posters who wrote we'd all look very foolish when a little camera would match the bigger rigs. I just think that day is not here. I looked very close at the Nikon p7000 also and the sales guy convinced me to try Canon's G12. I do see the value of a smaller camera! But I would rather just observe than get fleeced for $500. I guess right now if I had to BUY a P&S I'd take one of the first two I mentioned here. I did like them both a lot.
But $500 lost to me is a way to lose the farm.

Posted 2 years ago #
NSXType-R

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shivaswrath said:
oh best buy has them? Nice, maybe I'll go play around. . .yeah I have one Norwalk, CT, thanks NSX!

Just checked, Best Buy should have the S95. Before plunking down money, I really think you should try them both out first. You'll be using it for a long time from now right?

Posted 2 years ago #
shivaswrath

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NSXType-R said:
Just checked, Best Buy should have the S95. Before plunking down money, I really think you should try them both out first. You'll be using it for a long time from now right?

yeah that's true, I'm going this weekend to try it out for sure. . .the s95 anyhow, couldn't find the LX-5. . .though my mother has a LX3 and the layout is sorta the same. . .

I'm plunking down $400 MAX, for sure, $500 is nuts. .it's almost as much as the D3100, which I considered for a bit, but realized. . .i can't pocket it, or even attempt to pocket it. . .

if i'm going to take a dslr out with me, I'm taking the D3 out. . .if I'm going out to dinner, going on a hike, playing sports, or just going on business travel to some exotic place, the ____ P&S will accompany. . .

last time I took a D3 to a business dinner, my colleagues about fell out of their chair. .(was funny, but. . .)

Posted 2 years ago #
NikoDoby

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Nothing comes close to a DSLR in terms of image quality to price. However nothing beats a point & shoot for pocketability. Well of course a mobile phone but that's another thread. I've used the S95 and it's a good little camera. I really like the control ring.

I haven't gotten an LX5 yet but I really liked the LX3 and it just builds up from that. The one thing about the S95 that bothered me was that it's a bit too small. It's hard to grip with your hands at times. The built-in grip on the pany helps more than you would think. But that's just me. Between these two cameras it just boils down to what YOU prefer.

Not sure if every store has one but you "might" be able to find an LX-5 on display at OfficeDepot. They carried the LX-3.

Posted 2 years ago #
broxibear

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The other thing about the LX3/LX5 is that you can add a viewfinder ?

Posted 2 years ago #