canon s90 vs panasonic LX3

[theguy]

I have been going back and forth like a madman lately trying to figure out which camera would be the smart buy.
I'm relatively new to the camera scene, here are the main differences I have found on these 2 cameras.
The s90 positives
-More compact
-Better zoom(not much better)
-Easier Controls


The LX3 positives
-From the samples I have been looking through, the LX3 has better image quality
-HD video recording(not a deal breaker for me)
-Wider lense

I can pick up the LX3 for $30 more then the s90 so the price difference is nothing.
I will be using the camera outdoors 75% of the time and you can figure out the rest.



Any input on what I should pick it greatly appreciated.

 

[wetnose]

How do they feel in your hands? Personally I thought the Canon seemed cheaply made.

 

[yfyf]

I've been using the S90 a lot recently, I find it very capable. Don't have extensive experience with the LX3 but just the controls alone win it for me on the S90.

 

[Trompe le Monde]

I am a long time Canon Elph/Ixus/Powershot user... having owned something like 8 of them through 6 model generations. Generally love the speediness of operation and intuitiveness of menus and controls.

Im using a Panasonic Lumix FX37 right now and its also very great. My friend has LX3, its generally good, but the obvious fault to me--as a casual snap-shooter and less an "enthusiast"--is that its simply far too bulky.

I cant carry it in my pockets. Which means ill use it way, way less often.

I pick up the S90 tomorrow when I fly back home, but having owned a bunch of them I trust it'll meet my satisfaction

 

[Becks23]

For the S90, the compact factor is pretty big... I find the ergonomics much better on the S90... the joystick sucks on the LX-3.

But a lot of things lead to more options with the LX-3 with the hotshoe.

Image Quality = about the same
Size = S90
Features = LX-3

 

[yfyf]

Originally Posted by Becks23

For the S90, the compact factor is pretty big... I find the ergonomics much better on the S90... the joystick sucks on the LX-3.

But a lot of things lead to more options with the LX-3 with the hotshoe.

Image Quality = about the same
Size = S90
Features = LX-3

What features do you need?

I kind of like the no-bullshit-ness of the S90. It has manual. Manual has two control rings for aperture and shutter. There is a shortcut button to manual focus and change ISO. The Ricoh GRD III takes it one step further by making all the icons really really small. I'm quite surprised by how big they decided to make the icons on the S90.

 

[theguy]

done
I picked up the s90 with a 4 yr black tie warranty from best buy.
It came out to about $530
Will post pics once I get used to the camera
Thanks for the help guys

 

[theguy]

took some quick shots in manual mode. This is my first manual camera so don't expect me to be a pro after 5 minutes. http://www.flickr.com/photos/13960219@N08/

 

[Trompe le Monde]

picked mine up... 20% bing cashback = nice turned it on and snapped this first shot... f/2.0 1/25th iso800 http://imgur.com/4O4J8.jpg new dopp wallet - LOOK HOW THIN IT IS!!!!!!! edit: camera not as *compact* as i had hoped but not too bulky where it cant stuff it in jeans pocket

 

[Chiaroscuro]

thats some nice DOF

 

[Becks23]

Originally Posted by yfyf

What features do you need?

I kind of like the no-bullshit-ness of the S90. It has manual. Manual has two control rings for aperture and shutter. There is a shortcut button to manual focus and change ISO. The Ricoh GRD III takes it one step further by making all the icons really really small. I'm quite surprised by how big they decided to make the icons on the S90.
Yeh, the S90 is relatively barebones, it doesn't have any fancy in-camera processing modes like pinhole... and no aspect ratio like LX-3... But that stuff isn't of great use to me.