New camera recommendations?

[ethandt]

Good advice from GAD, I second the recommendation for the Panasonic LX5. It's a great small camera.

[smiert spionam]

I understand the frustration with mirrorless cameras because they're not as capable as a DSLR, but bulkier than a compact -- but I think some of you are underestimating their utility, both as a DSLR supplement, and as a step up from a compact.

The LX-5, like the Canon S90/95/100, is a great compact, but in image quality it's dramatically inferior to m4/3 or NEX in anything but bright sunlight. A superzoom like the FZ150 is even farther behind.

As someone with decades of experience with a wide range of cameras, I love the NEX, and take it places I'd never lug my full frame Nikon D700. Yes, the kit lens makes it bulkier than an LX-5, but it's no bigger than a superzoom compact, and a lot less bulky than even a very small DSLR like the Nikon D5100. And while I think anyone considering these cameras should at least put their hands on a DSLR before making a purchase, NEX and m4/3 are welcome alternatives for some people.

[shane88]

a ilc is what u need - this is new from nikon http://www.nikonusa.com/Nikon-Produc...ras/index.page

[Blueswede]

One other nice option for the NEX 5 is that you can by a lens adapter that allows you to use any other Sony lens.......

[GAD]

Originally Posted by Blueswede

One other nice option for the NEX 5 is that you can by a lens adapter that allows you to use any other Sony lens.......

Many of the 4/3 cameras have lens adapters available. Here's my Canon 135mm f/2L mounted on my GF1:



The downside is that the camera won't control aperture, but its so unwieldy that it rarely gets used anyway.

[jaclo]

I found some helpful reviews here, http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/

Note the the Nex5n, I'm liking this one, has a clicking problem when doing video, and I found out that the Fujifilm x100 has a problem with aperature blades sticking. Seems like allot of stuff is rushed to market these days.

A general comment would be that the Nikon j1 and v1 have very fast focusing ability, smaller sensor, the
Pens, newest models, very fast autofocus, m3/4 sensors, and the Sony and x100 have the best image quality, largest sensors, focusing performance less that the Nikon and Olympus.

If I were to buy today, other than the d7000, I would probably get the ep3. There seems to be more lenses for the m3/4 than the nex at this time.

Also, the new small Nikon system boasts something like 60 fps. Don't know how it really is though. The sensor in these is bigger than say the Lx5, xz-1, S95, but smaller than m4/3.

[S.W.Erdnase]

Originally Posted by French Fry

The Olympus E-PL1 PEN seems like what I'm looking for at first glance, but I haven't looked at it's competitors yet.


Any recommendations?

Check out the latest version of that camera. Apparently improved auto focus...

Also, this is a great bog that reviews a bunch of cameras, including the Olympus pen range...

http://visualsciencelab.blogspot.com/

[S.W.Erdnase]

Originally Posted by French Fry

When people criticize a camera like this for being slow on focusing, is it the sort of thing that only a serious user would notice?

Maybe, but if you take hundreds of shots in a day (like me) you'll notice it unless you always shoot on gumbie mode at family get togethers. If you want to take interior shots it can be noticeable. I take a LOT of photos in Market alleyways and castles in the middle east, and it can occasionally be annoying. I still love the camera, but it is noticeable if you're used to a great SLR like my old OM-2 spot program...

But it has a lot of functionality and features and I've really enjoyed using it.

[S.W.Erdnase]

Here's what Kirk Tuck wrote about the E-PL3, including comments on the speed of the AF. For me, this drives home the need to buy some good glass and use MF...

I'm sure you're dying to know how fast that new AF is. *And I'd love to tell you but the old AF on the EP2 was never an issue for me (especially since 90% of the time I'm shooting MF) so you'll have to take what I write with your own grain of salt. *I put the new kit lens on and tried it under a number of conditions over the last few days and it's just fine. *The camera is not a sports camera and I don't think you'll be happy with continuous AF if you are pressing it into service as an indoor gymnastics camera and you are trying to track your child running across the mats and throwing themselves over some horse device. *I've shot gymnastics indoors before for several clients (Motorola was a sponsor for the national team for a while) and I would advise you to run out and get a Nikon D3s or a Canon 1dmk4 with some fast and expensive glass if that's what you have in mind. *If it's any consolation to m4/3 owners and users neither Leica M9's nor any of the $25,000 and up medium format digital cameras is any better than any of the Pen in low light focusing speed. *In fact, having used both I would say that the Pens run circles around the Leaf AF7i and fast Schneider glass and that's about $40,000 worth of technology.

With the exception of the Canon 5Dmk2 no camera out there really tries to be all things to all people. *The raison d'etre of the Pens and their ilk is to be small, light, convenient, inexpensive and competent and they do all that very, very well. *Once again, for reading impaired: *Pens: NOT A SPORTS CAMERA.

But for walking around shooting art in the streets I find them delectable.

[FFTT]

I wish there was a separate rating system for new camera audio & video sections.

My very basic Canon Power Shot takes very good stills, but the movie mode has
problematic focus issues and the audio section does not have an effective
audio level indicator.

[Dr. Tweedbucket]

Originally Posted by smiert spionam

The Nikon D7000 is a fantastic all-around camera -- they've squeezed a lot of high-end features into it. The D5100 shares its sensor (best in class), and it's cheaper, though the D7000 has a better viewfinder, faster AF, and wider lens compatibility. If you go with Nikon, one of them should serve you well.

I now use a Sony NEX-5n as my second camera (behind a Nikon D700), and it's amazing. It shares essentially the same sensor as the D5100/D7000, but in a tiny mirrorless body. It's great, but it will not be nearly as effective at tracking fast-moving kids. For that, an SLR is the way to go.

I actually have the D7000 and it's great, but what really blows my mind is I picked up a closeout D5000 pretty cheap and that camera is pretty freaking amazing (and actually a little more beginner friendly). I think I paid around $600 with the kit 18-55 lens ... which leaves room for buying a better lens. Sometimes you can just buy the body cheap and then buy a really good lens. My fav is the 16-85mm.

DSLR all the way. If you need that picture the second you press the button, it's the only way to go.

Shop around!!

[mcp]

I recently got an Olympus Pen PL2 and I really like it although I am not a pro or even an experienced ametuer. I do not like the limited capabilities with point and shoots especially in low light and this camera solves that problem.

As has been mentioned here, with the lens the Pen is bigger than a point and shoot and it may not be as fast or have as many options as a full size DLSR, but it is a good camera that is less bulky than a full size DLSR and takes much nicer photos than a point and shoot.

[Pietro]

The micro 4/3 stuff is awesome.

The new Nikon 1 is a real winner if you are going to shoot a mix of video and stills. It has a slo-mo mode that is really awesome.

If it's going to be mainly pics. I'd go micro 4/3. The Panasonic stuff is especially tasty.

http://www.bythom.com/compactmirrorless.htm

Check out the link above, Thom Hogan really knows his stuff. btw, he recommends the NEX5.

[S.W.Erdnase]

I'm just a hack, but here are some pics I shot with the Pen 2:




































That should give you a fair idea how the camera delivers for a total amateur...

[French Fry]

Great pictures! Thanks!