LX5 vs G9X...is it (im)possible to compare?

[Ugo51]

Hello everybody,

I am here looking for a good compact camera. I am not a pro, I don't need long zooms and don't have the necessity to play around too much with (shallow) DOF.
I do require however a compact camera with some access to manual controls.

I am aware that in recent years there has been a rapid growth in the size of sensors and the G9X boasts a "huge" 1'' sensor, but the LX5 has an almost legendary status and it was regarded as a very good compact camera. Have things evolved so much so that the small Canon is definitely a better choice than the old LX5? The sensor is much bigger, how the lenses compare between the two cameras? Does it still make sense to buy a LX5 (saving 120€ or so, and getting a wider lens and a longer tele)

Thanks

 

[rjbell]

Can you live with a fixed focal length? You can pick up 1" sensor Samsung nx mini for about £130. They also come with a zoom but not so compact.

 

[Ugo51]

I don't think I can.
Already the G9X feels a bit short to me. Not much, I just sold my super-zoom SP100 because I had no real use for it, but I would enjoy at least a 24-100

 

[woof woof]

I had an LX5 and I was always disappointed with it and I actually preferred my older LX3 as the LX5 files always looked like a mushy mess to me and much less sharp than the lower mp count LX3 files, pixel peeping with these cameras is something to avoid. Other than that I could never really warm to back screen shooting, I much prefer an EVF.

I now own a Panasonic LF1 which I've read has the same sensor as the later top end LXx cameras but has the advantage of having an EVF. If you can find one in budget it might be worth considering but as it shares the same sensor it produces the same mushy files which really IMO don't stand up to any degree of pixel peeping.

The handling of the LXx cameras and the LF1 can be fiddly but everything can be done including full manual control and once they're set up you can shoot old time style zone focus or hyperfocal and take pictures as fast as you can compose and press the shutter and they shoot raw too. I sometimes put mine in my pocket when going out as I don't like taking pictures with my phone.