Help: Canon S95 or Panasonic LX-5??? I know they're both new cameras with similar specs. Which one should I buy. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.
1407506
If you need the camera to go in your pocket, get the S95. The LX5 probably won't fit a man's pants. If you are a woman with a purse, more choices. If that is not an issue, there are a LOT of good cameras to pick from. Although keep in mind the saying: the best camera is the one you have with you. If it's not convenient to bring with you, then the odds are you won't bring it.
1407507
Sorry Blake, but the S95 can't re-focus and is limited to only digital zoom in regular movie mode. And even digital zoom is not available in the other 3 movie modes. Check pages 30 and 118 of the S95 manual available on the Canon website.
1407508
Canon S95:3.93 x 2.30 x 1.16"170gPanasonic LX5:4.32 x 2.58 x 1.69"233gSo the LX5 is about 3/8" wider, 1/4" taller, and 1/2" thicker it would appear. It also weighs 63 more grams. If picture quality is your #1 concern, I don't think you can go wrong with either one. The compact size was very important to me though, so I got the S95.
1407509
I have three kids and I too choose my camera based on if I can capture my kids's spontaneous smiles. All the P&S; cameras have delays. To capture the flying moments, you'll need to anticipate the moments and pre-focus. If you do it, I don't think S95 and LX5 has much difference in taking the first shoot. The difference is in taking the subsequent shoots. LX5 has a burst rate of 2.5 shoots/sec and S95 0.9/sec. It's a huge difference! If size is not a matter for you, LX5 will allow you to capture more precious moments than S95 would.
1407510
" I own serious DSLR equipment when I want to do serious shooting, but I needed a camera I can have on me all the time for those moments where an unexpected photo opportunity comes up and I don't happen to have my 20 lbs of DSLR gear with me."If your best camera is the camera you actually have with you, wouldn't one be better served by, say, an iPhone 4, which has a 5 MP backlit sensor and can also take 720p video?
119783
M. Dean, can you elaborate a bit? I'm having the identical dilemma. Never owned a digital camera, and the SX110 looks neat, but am thrown by lack of viewfinder and bulkiness.
646654
I'm also trying to decide between the Nikon Coolpix P90 and Olympus sp590uz. I mostly take pictures of wildlife, but need an occasional picture of family or knitting projects in doors. Can someone point me in the right direction? Thanks,
687249
I am wondering the same thing.I chose the SD4500 over the S95 because it has HD 1920x 1080 Full HD movie and because it has a 10x zoom lens..If anyone can point out why I should have went with the S95 instead please let me know.
662466
I am looking to buy my first camera in 7 years. I too am looking for something a little more portable than a DSLR. But I want a camera that effortlessly takes great pics. I am torn between the new Panasonic ZS20 and the Panasonic DMC LX5. If anyone could give a good compare contrast I would be glad to listen. Thanks
2204728
Ok so this is what I'm going off of. The Cannon SX10IS is the same price as the P90 but the P90 has 24x zoom and 12.1 MP... The price differential came from somewhere. I'm putting my bets on the image processor. I personally own the SX10IS and I could not be happier. My friend who owns the Cannon Rebel XSi tries to say how his buy is much more justified. So far the only things I have found better is his white balance, optional remote trigger, and the capability to shoot in RAW. Otherwise our cameras are very similar.
687250
I was in the same dilemma when these two products were announced. In the end I bought both and tried out... and finally returned the 4500 and kept the S95. I really liked the better PQ, wider lens, more powerful flash, and better low light performance of S95 over 4500.
260134
Is the S95 fast enough? I have a CanonSD1200 and apart from wanting a point and shoot with manual control I also find it is slightly slow to focus and shoot when time is of the essence. I read some reviews that indicated the S95 may also be slow. I would like to have RAW but it's not a deal breaker so perhaps the P300 would be better if it is super fast and responsive. Thanks for any input.
2279768
I have been doing tons of research online regarding both. The SX20 has excellent reviews about its photo quality compared to the Sony HX1. The benefit to the Sony is that it has 1080p compared to 720p on the Canon. If you want 1080p on a Canon, it will cost an extra $200 for the Canon SX1 is. I personally prefer the Lumix (Panasonic) cameras over both. They use Leica lens which is considered the Rolls Royce of camera lenses. I have used Lumix cameras over the years. I suggest you check out the DMC-FZ35. This camera is highly rated by experts and owners. Each of these cameras has pros and cons against each other however it will all depend on what features you are looking for. If you are looking for camera with loads of manual features, great photo quality and good build, go Canon. If you want easier to use with excellent photo quality, go with the Lumix. The one thing that Canon could improve on is their menu. Many owners had made comments that the menu interface on Canon's is not user friendly. Lumix and Sony have easier to navigate menu's.
989001
I would get the Canon S95. It has a bigger sensor to collect light and a larger maximum aperture, the hole that allows the light to go in. This is the old fashioned way of getting better pictures. My next pocket camera will be something like the S95. Sony does good stuff and I have a Sony HX5V (and its great), and I go nuts taking pictures of my baby niece and my little nephew, but after learning more about cameras, I'd spend at little extra cash and get a camera that has a larger sensor and bigger maximum aperture. Shooting pictures indoor means less light that the camera can collect, so it best to have a camera equipped with the means to gather the most light it can get....if that makes any sense.
1426268
I have both. The S95 is more of a photography toy to me, in a good way. I like tinkering with all the settings to try (keyword try) to take photos that are above and beyond amateur. Six months ago when the S95 was still $399, I would've recommended the S8100 because it'd have been cheaper and would've taken very decent pictures. Plus, the S8100 has better zoom and is faster (CMOS sensor). But, given the S95 and S8100 are about the same price now, I'd go with the S95. If you're taking sports photos outside, the faster CMOS of the S8100 sensor doesn't have much on the S95, especially since you can adjust the S95's shutter speed to make it faster. But, keep in mind the S95 does not have continuous shooting speeds the S8100 does. The S8100 has a continuous mode that can capture several photos in one second. The S95 simply cannot do this. As for low-light indoor shots, both are good. The S95 has a bright f/2 lens so it definitely helps with low light shots. And the S8100 was designed to do well in low-light situations. I have a HD camcorder so the 1080p video on the S8100 wasn't a selling point. However, if you don't like carrying around a camcorder and a camera, the S8100 doubles as a great camcorder. As for the quality of the video, neither the S95's 720p nor the S8100's 1080p has anything on the true 1080p quality videos of a real HD camcorder. I guess in the end, the tie breaker would be how much fun you could have with the S95, especially if you like manipulating camera settings to get the perfect shot. The S8100 is more of a pick up and shoot camera. I have both and I definitely use the S95 more. My significant other holds on to the S8100 because I gave it to him (if that's any further indication of which one I'd pick).
617514
Thanks Technology Guy...I have one more question since you guys know what you are talking about. I was just reading a lot of great reviews about the Canon PowerShot S90, it sells for the same price of the new Sony so price wouldn't be an issue. I'm just wondering from the Sony HX5V or the Canon PowerShot which one will be a better buy.
1340372
I purchased this week and was dissapointed by a Panasonic ZS10 and was also searching for a replacement. You might like this website as a comparison of features. For the more common photos (birthday, parade, sports) it looks like the Elph 500 is the winner. Choose the SX230 if you travel on a regular basis and take mostly outdoor and daytime photos. The GPS feature and high zoom capability will help with those far away pics taken in nature (mountains, pyramids, etc). http://snapsort.com/compare/Canon-ELPH-500HS-vs-Canon-SX230-HS
1312578
S95 is for serious and budding photographers--people who spend time tweaking images in a good photo program. It has has better lens with wider aperture (for great low-light shots) and is a "faster" camera. The SX230 was Canon's first serious shot at all the smartphone photographers (who don't have an optical telephoto lens).
31019
Image qualitly for sd4000 is good. The video is wonderful - very good in low light with a f/2.0 lens. The SD4500 had higher definition video at 1080 as opposed to 720 on the sd4000. The S95 has more manual controls. I like this camera except - no F/2.0 lens, no zooming when shooting video. My fav is the SD4000.
15750
Mark, you really can't lose with any of your choices. I guess it all boils down to the features which are most important to you. I can't speak for the S95, as I have only seen other's shots with this camera, but I own the 300hs and my girl and 2 friends have The SX230hs. I am very impressed with them both, but I do like the SX230hs slightly better, because the zoom gets you a lot more flexabillity. I purchased the 300hs over The SX230hs because I had only seen pictures of it before I got my 300hs; from the photos of it, it looked rather large, but after my friend got his, I realized it was pretty small as well. Mark, you really can't lose with any of your choices. I guess it all boils down to the features which are most important to you. I can't speak for the S95, as I have only seen other's shots with this camera, but I own the 300hs and my girl and 2 friends have The SX230hs. I am very impressed with them both, but I do like the SX230hs slightly better, because the zoom gets you a lot more flexabillity. I purchased the 300hs over The SX230hs because I had only seen pictures of it before I got my 300hs; from the photos of it, it looked rather large, but after my friend got his, I realized it was... » Read More Mark, you really can't lose with any of your choices. I guess it all boils down to the features which are most important to you. I can't speak for the S95, as I have only seen other's shots with this camera, but I own the 300hs and my girl and 2 friends have The SX230hs. I am very impressed with them both, but I do like the SX230hs slightly better, because the zoom gets you a lot more flexabillity. I purchased the 300hs over The SX230hs because I had only seen pictures of it before I got my 300hs; from the photos of it, it looked rather large, but after my friend got his, I realized it was pretty small as well. « Show Less
1031820
i am also looking for a good indoor shooting digital...not slr, smallhow about the canon s95, the newest one?