Camera best for travel with creative control?

[merima.helic]

Hi, I'm looking for an upgrade to the standard point and shoot camera. I NEED more creative control (so something with manual focus is a must), but I also need a camera that I know I will carry with me everywhere...hence, I'm not shooting for the stars with a dSLR.

I've been looking at Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2 a lot as well as the Canon G9 and have recently been exploring the Canon A640. I'm leaning towards the LX2 (I love that 16:9) but I'm apprehensive since it seems to perform VERY poorly in the image quality department (aggressive noise correction). The G9 is slightly larger and the A640 larger still (though I do really enjoy the rotating LCD and fun color options, which redeem it's size)...

Does anyone have any further insights into my dilemma, or suggestions for other cameras I have overlooked? Any help is greatly appreciated!! Thanks!




Budget

* What budget have you allocated for buying this camera? Please be as specific as possible.
up to $500

Size

* What size camera are you looking for? Or does size not matter at all to you?
I want a camera that I can use casually but explore my creative side, so something compact enough that I can throw it in my purse without adding horrible bulk.

Features

How many megapixels will suffice for you?
pixels are not that important, I prefer good image quality

* What optical zoom will you need? (None, Standard = 3x-4x, Ultrazoom = 10x-12x, Other - Specify)Standard

* How important is “image quality” to you? (Rate using a scale of 1-10)
Important (but also within reason, it's not like I'm buying a dSLR...), so an 8 I guess.

Do you care for manual controls?
Yes, this is a must

General Usage

* What will you generally use the camera for?
Travel, indoors.

* Will you be making big prints of your photos or not?
Probably never larger than 8x11

Will you be shooting a lot of indoor photos or low light photos?
yes

Will you be shooting sports and/or action photos?
occasionally

Miscellaneous

Are there particular brands you like or hate?
Not really...but I do prefer Lithium batteries.

Are there particular models you already have in mind?
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2 (the new LX3 is maybe slightly past my budget)
Canon PowerShot G9
Canon PowerShot A640

(If applicable) Do you need any of the following special features? (Wide Angle, Image Stabilization, Weatherproof, Hotshoe, Rotating LCD)

[Turn]

I find the G9 to be overrated by a mile

I use the A640 for video recording/happy snaps and its a fantastic camera that has pretty good noise levels for a compact and good performance

it has manual controls (to change aperture in M mode, press the delete/exposure button...took me awhile to figure that out)

it uses AA batteries but it lasts 500 shots so that's definitely a plus if you're traveling

really..I think the A640 is what you need, its not going to blow you away with low light shooting (but then again it isn't a dSLR)

[raven15]

I would go the opposite direction for the G9 because of the better build and more exterior controls, but, it isn't a better camera otherwise. The LX2 may be good also, I don't know...

You should consider an Olympus E-420 (DSLR) with pancake lens. It is pushing your budget and size (but much smaller than other DSLR's with lenses), but it would give you all the camera you need plus real manual focus. Of course, no zoom, but that would enhnace your creativity, maybe. You should look into it, if you haven't.

[AndyfromVA]

The Panasonic FX500 is an ultracompact camera that has full manual controls.

[KCook]

I value creative control a great deal myself. Had a Canon with manual focus, did not find it nearly as useful as on my old film SLRs. The focus lock feature works better than manual focus on a point-and-shoot camera.

For old fashioned manual control I think Canon is tops. But I'm not a fan of the A650 - too bulky to be a pocket camera and too limited to compete with the SLR types. Some Panasonic models have manual control, but do this mostly with menus, not buttons (ditto Sony). Advantage Canon IMHO.

If "creative control" really boils down to "fun with camera options", then full manual control is not the only path to bliss. Fuji and Sony cameras lay on enough options to their auto modes to keep restless urges busy. Also Nikon to some degree, though they suffer from odd menu designs. Dunno where Ricoh fits into that spectrum, I've never had a chance to play with a Ricoh.

Here is a link to another thread along these same lines -
Looking for Small Camera w/Manual Controls (http://www.dcresource.com/forums/showthread.php?t=38571)

Kelly Cook

[merima.helic]

Thanks for the quick responses! After thinking about it some more I've eliminated the Canon G9 (I looked at it in a store and wasn't in love) and the Canon A640 (just too big). As far as the LX2 goes, I found a review on the LX3 and it seems they've improved on the poor IQ of the LX2. So, the LX3 would be the best option I think. Here's the monkey wrench...the Panasonic FX500 (thanks for the suggestion AndyfromVA, I don't know how I missed it!).

Anyone have any thought on the LX3 versus the FX500?

[KCook]

Given the big price difference, that is going to be a tough call. For more on the LX3 run a Google search on "LX3 First Thoughts" .

I really enjoy my compact P&S as an everyday camera. But the LX3 size price is beyond my comfort zone for a compact. At that price level I would be looking at SLRs, as already suggested here by raven15. That's serious creative control.

Kelly

[merima.helic]

Kelly, when you say 'size price' what do you mean? Are you talking about the price tag or the camera's size?

[merima.helic]

Kelly, when you say 'size price' do you mean the LX3's large price tag or large size?

[KCook]

"LX3's large price tag"

[speaklightly]

Although the Canon S-5 is physically larger, there is no doubt at all about its image quality. Like wise the Panasonic TZ-5, although it lacks manual controls, it is smaller and is a contender.

Sarah Joyce