Looking for a great all-round compact camera.

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PhotographyBuff

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Hi. I found an offer for a used Lumix FZ20. I was confused what camera to buy. I was thinking about the Canon G7 x or the Lumix LF1. But I couldn't find the latter where I live and the G7 X is too expensive and doesn't have as much zoom as I would like. The Lumix FZ20, despite being 5MP, has 12x zoom at F2.8. Researching the camera more, I I found that it uses USB 1.0. Would that be a problem? In what way? What other potentially unwanted surprises might I get if I choose to buy the old FZ20? Does the FZ20 have any deal breakers I should be aware of? The offer I found was pretty cheap. However, I was told it lacks the USB cord it comes with.

Update: https://www.talkphotography.co.uk/t...all-round-compact-camera.612005/#post-7206870
 
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No idea about the camera but I never use the camera to transfer images. I always put the card straight in the computer so USB 1 won't be an issue if you do that.
 
I have an FZ20 sitting idle in my cupboard somewhere! Great camera in its day, but by modern standards the screen is small and low-res, and the high-iso performance wasn't very good. If you use it at the bottom couple of iso settings the results aren't bad at all for a 5Mp camera. I've got the USB lead but probably never used it - much easier to take the card out to transfer photos to a computer.
 
PhotographyBuff said:
Hi. I found an offer for a used Lumix FZ20. I was confused what camera to buy. I was thinking about the Canon G7 x or the Lumix LF1. But I couldn't find the latter where I live and the G7 X is too expensive and doesn't have as much zoom as I would like. The Lumix FZ20, despite being 5MP, has 12x zoom at F2.8. Researching the camera more, I I found that it uses USB 1.0. Would that be a problem? In what way? What other potentially unwanted surprises might I get if I choose to buy the old FZ20? Does the FZ20 have any deal breakers I should be aware of? The offer I found was pretty cheap. However, I was told it lacks the USB cord it comes with.
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Couldnt you just order the LF1 online if thats the camera you want?
 
twist said:
Couldnt you just order the LF1 online if thats the camera you want?
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I was warned about online ordering of cameras. I am afraid it might arrive to me damaged. What would happen then? And I would have to pay customs. So the price would go up. If the FZ20 compares well with the LF1 then I think I would give it a shot at a cheap price. Researching more about it online I found it doesn't accept SD cards larger than 2GB. So that would be a limitation. Also, as mentioned above, the screen is small and low resolution. However, image quality is what concerns me most. And the longer zoom. I will probably go and take test photos with it. In the meantime, I would be happy to hear further opinions as well as comparisons with the other cameras I mentioned.
 
PhotographyBuff said:
I was warned about online ordering of cameras. I am afraid it might arrive to me damaged. What would happen then? And I would have to pay customs. So the price would go up. If the FZ20 compares well with the LF1 then I think I would give it a shot at a cheap price. Researching more about it online I found it doesn't accept SD cards larger than 2GB. So that would be a limitation. Also, as mentioned above, the screen is small and low resolution. However, image quality is what concerns me most. And the longer zoom. I will probably go and take test photos with it. In the meantime, I would be happy to hear further opinions as well as comparisons with the other cameras I mentioned.
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As a consumer you have rights, and for UK/EU purchases there is no customs.... for example...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=1161002

Probably a good idea to state your budget.
 
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PhotographyBuff said:
Thanks for the link. I am willing to put a budget of around $500 for an all-round good compact camera. However, at less than 1/5th that price, I am thinking it might be good to first try the Lumix FZ20.
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Could do. 2gb with such few mega pixels will give you tons of images so don't be put off by that. The sensor is very old though. In photography you tend to get what you pay for.
 
USB 1 will just determine the transfer rate, but as others have said most people just use a card reader. Compact cameras have moved on so far recently I'd not contemplate buying a 10 year old model even though it is so cheap.
 
ados said:
USB 1 will just determine the transfer rate, but as others have said most people just use a card reader. Compact cameras have moved on so far recently I'd not contemplate buying a 10 year old model even though it is so cheap.
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Yes, you are right. I tested the camera and didn't find the photo quality good by today's standards. I took photos of the sunset with zoom and they were simply not clear enough. So I didn't buy it. Somehow, internet sample photos were misleadingly good. Like this one here at full zoom: https://www.flickr.com/photos/urs_witschi/2144454609/sizes/l/

Therefore, I am still in the market for a good compact camera. I am torn between the Canon G7 X and the Panasonic Lumix LF1 as good cameras providing features that are important to me. The LF1 has the better zoom. But the G7 X, even though expensive has a larger sensor and better image quality. If anyone can provide their opinion about these cameras and comparable or better competitors, I would be grateful. Small size, great image quality, full manual controls (shutter speed, aperture, ISO, and focus) and zoom to at least 100mm (35mm equivalent) are the most important features for me. A fast shutter speed that goes above the usual 1/2000 is also preferable. Good video capabilities is also a secondary priority (i.e. stereo sound, manual focus, manual exposure, and good quality).
 
I "borrowed" a LF1 and a Canon S120 recently from a couple of big retailers. Both great cameras. I was looking for,something with a very small pocket print and they both fit the bill perfectly in that respect. However, for me, they both had a couple of annoying qualities which got them sent back. Of note, I loved the build quality and feel of the Canon but I liked the form factor of the LF1 (esp with that viewfinder). The G7X is a much bigger (relatively) camera but clearly will have better IQ. But depends what you want it for. I compared these two to my Sony RX100 (bigger) and unless you pixel peep there's not a huge difference in IQ.
In the end I decided that I'd hang on to my Sony and use my phone for "grab shots".
But that LF1 is a great camera, will fit easily in your pocket and, if your phone camera is rubbish, then a huge recommend.
 
Oh, and I just checked "camerapricebuster"; at that price (JL £149) it's a steal! Buy!
 
davek said:
I "borrowed" a LF1 and a Canon S120 recently from a couple of big retailers. Both great cameras. I was looking for,something with a very small pocket print and they both fit the bill perfectly in that respect. However, for me, they both had a couple of annoying qualities which got them sent back. Of note, I loved the build quality and feel of the Canon but I liked the form factor of the LF1 (esp with that viewfinder). The G7X is a much bigger (relatively) camera but clearly will have better IQ. But depends what you want it for. I compared these two to my Sony RX100 (bigger) and unless you pixel peep there's not a huge difference in IQ.
In the end I decided that I'd hang on to my Sony and use my phone for "grab shots".
But that LF1 is a great camera, will fit easily in your pocket and, if your phone camera is rubbish, then a huge recommend.
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Thanks davek for the recommendations. I would, however, be interested to know what the annoying qualities that you refer to are. They might be of concern to me too!

Any opinions on the Fujifilm XQ1 (or XQ2)? It's also a pocketable compact camera with good capabilities. It also has the advantage of 1/4000 shutter speed. It's also one of the cameras I am considering. Where I come from, retailers do not usually let you test cameras. So I would have to rely on reviews and opinions and then take a leap.
 
Hi,

I know nothing about those Fujis.
As for the LF1, it was really little things like:
I couldn't find a display shooting mode that I liked - there was either too much info, blotting out the screen, or not enough useful info. Not a problem with the S120/RX100.
The display colours bore little resemblance to the actual resultant photo (common Panasonic fault I find). Ditto.
The mode dial that protrudes on top felt very flimsy, certainly prone to inadvertent movement or eventually knocked off! On the S120/RX100 it is recessed.
Like I say, all pretty trifling but important when you're looking for that (nearly) perfect camera (-:.
I must say though, at that price, I might well revisit the prospect!
Good luck with your search!!

PS worth noting that JL have a very generous and helpful returns policy......(-;
 
PhotographyBuff said:
Thanks for the link. I am willing to put a budget of around $500 for an all-round good compact camera. However, at less than 1/5th that price, I am thinking it might be good to first try the Lumix FZ20.
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Go for a Sony RX100 mk1, 2 or 3. Not much can touch it for IQ in this sector. Much, much better camera and within your budget.
 
I think I might go for the Sony RX100 II. I found it for $499. I researched and it seems to be one of the best compact cameras for image quality. Yes, the zoom is lower than the Lumix LF1. But I think image quality is more important. However, the lowest native ISO at 160 is a bit high. Is that something I should be concerned about?
 
PhotographyBuff said:
I think I might go for the Sony RX100 II. I found it for $499. I researched and it seems to be one of the best compact cameras for image quality. Yes, the zoom is lower than the Lumix LF1. But I think image quality is more important. However, the lowest native ISO at 160 is a bit high. Is that something I should be concerned about?
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It's not, it's 100? Though on the mk2 you might have to activate the extended ISO function to use it at 100?
 
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