Which higher end compact for me ?

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Martin P

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Martin.
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Morning all.

As you may have seen from my introduction post i am just coming back into photography after a very long gap. I cant quite believe how the whole hobby has changed in terms of the technology available especially within the compact range of cameras.

One of my other hobbies is Scale Model Making. I write a lot of reviews for sites and i also publish photos of the kits i am reviewing. At the moment i use a second hand and very very old compact. It does not give good results !!

I have been studying the web pages to find what i think might suit my needs.

Now i am down to the following choices:

1) Sony RX100
2) Panasonic Lumix LX7
3) Fuji x10

My other choice if i go full DSLR is the Nikon D5100

Now if i tell you my needs i wonder if you guys and gals could point me to which of the above would suit me best please.

I need something that is VERY good for macro.
I need something that gives good IQ good poor light conditions.
I need something i can grow into as i learn more.
I will use any video capability on the camera for reviews so need best picture and sound quality.

That is the main criteria. I realise that if i go for the Nikon DSLR i will need to get a dedicated macro lens on top of the basic set up but im worried this will be out of my price range.

I visit lots of model shows that do not always have the best lighting. These places are often crowded with little room for photography so this is my reason for thinking high end compact.

If you have any further recommends for a compact that would suit me well please add and let me know.

Looking forward to hearing your replies.

Kindest Regards,

Martin.
 
If pocketability is an attraction, I would add a Fuji XF-1 to your shortlist. Basically the same guts as an X-10 but with a collapsible lens.

Not sure where you are in Devon but if not too far from Exeter, maybe we could arrange to meet and you could have a play with both the Fuji options.
 
Pre-owned X-100? Or refurb from Fuji's online store - black ltd ed £569, iirc.
 
Models eh? well I'd be leaning towards compact too then, for the simple reason you can shoot wide open and still have the necessary DOF to show them off properly. You'd be needing a tripod to get the same shots on DSLR. I do a spot of railway modelling and use an LX5 for photographing it, generally good though the close focus is only at the wide end of the zoom so it's not always compositionally ideal. I don't know about the cameras you mentioned I'm afraid, but I would look for something that has close focus throughout the zoom range if possible. :thumbs:
 
Here's some shots at different apertures to show what the LX7 can be expected to produce.

Dropbox link (190mb .zip file)

I've had the x10 and currently own the LX7.

For me, I loved the x10's ergonomics but the LX7 outclasses in pretty much every way. The only thing I miss really is the manual zoom on the x10.

The slow aperture and lack of hot shoe meant the RX100 was never going to be on my list. I don't see the point in having a larger sensor if you combine it with a slow lens...didn't seem like the answer to low light.

I like the fact that when RX100 users are shooting telephoto at ISO3200, I'm shooting the same scene at ISO1000.

Video is great - manual exposure, 100fps HD...I couldn't ask for more.

If I can give any more info / images on the X10 / LX7 just ask!
 
Hi Phil, thanks for the reply regarding the LX7. Unfortunately i cant open the folder you sent for the images which really is a shame as i would love to see those.

Is there any other way you could send me these please or anywhere else i can view them.

Thanks in advance,

Martin.
 
My missus wanted a nice, good quality compact too. I bought an X10 on here, and though it produced some nice contrasty images, she didn't like the feel of it, ergonomically. I agreed, it was a little big and bulky to be truly a "compact" - she wanted something she could stick in her handbag, but had the best quality possible at the same time, without going over the top on the cash side.

I found an RX100 for sale over here for a great price, sold on the X10 easily enough and bought the Sony. She's much happier with that. It produces a much nicer image quality too, it certainly handles higher ISO much better [above 800] - I wouldn't hesitate to use it for casual gigs, up to 3200. A lot easier smuggle that in to concerts than a D800! :)

Here's a shot I took using it just after it arrived. Taken in a dimly lit bathroom at ISO 1600, f/1.8:


DSC00115 by Cagey75, on Flickr
 
Martin P said:
Hi Phil, thanks for the reply regarding the LX7. Unfortunately i cant open the folder you sent for the images which really is a shame as i would love to see those.

Is there any other way you could send me these please or anywhere else i can view them.

Thanks in advance,

Martin.
Click to expand...

Just download winrar - you'll be able to unzip it once installed. Very handy to have.
 
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