A Great Excuse for New Digital - now which one?

[pastor_chuck]

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I am heading to Beijing on a business trip next week. We'll be there for six or seven days but I'm not certain how much free time we'll really have. However, a person should not go to Beijing for the first time without a new digital camera (my D1 is obviously too old to take with me). So here we go ...

 

C Lux

D Lux 3

 

The only reason(s) the L1 isn't a choice is that I have a Nikon d300 and am not taking it because I don't want to risk having it stolen. Reason 2 - I object to having to spend 50% more for the camera today from Amazon than in January. Reason 3 - my wife has bought into needing and carrying a small digital, the L1 hardly qualifies.

 

So, what say ye?

 

pastor_chuck

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[stunsworth]

Personally I'd pick the D Lux 3, for the fact it can shoot RAW if required.

 

Maybe also consider the Panasonic LX2 - it's the same camera, without the red dot, and quite a bit cheaper.

 

If very small size is important then I'd go for the Clux - or Panasonic equivalent.

[earleygallery]

Second what Steve says. I bought the Panasonic C Lux recently and have been very please with the results so far (and a friend has just bought two of them after seeing mine).

 

I chose the C Lux because I wanted the smallest decent camera I could find as a carry everywhere snapshot camera. If you don't need such a small camera the D Lux offers more features and of course RAW.

 

There's been a few other new Panasonics recently, similar in size to the C lux but with more MP's and a 25mm wideangle, might also be worth considering.

[pastor_chuck]

I appreciate the advice. I am really wrestling between d-lux 3 and c-lux. Is the sensor size (physical size nor mp) that same on both cameras? If so, does the lower mp result in a little less noise? In low light the D1 does have a problem, even at ASA100 (I'm showing my age talking about ASA).

 

A few years ago I tried to locate a panasonic lx2 locally before a trip and was unsuccessful. I could only order it and it would not arrive on time. Our local store, a great photo store, has both the D-lux 3 and the C-lux on hand. They sometimes have the panny versions but often they are sold out.

 

pastor_chuck

[Guest kelvinw]

I've tried both. I found the C really too small for man size hands and the fact you have to access menus to change any settings inconvenient. I sent it back and bought the D instead. The D lux 3 is a better size but still very compact, plus the advantage that it can take RAW images at 10M. The diffence in price is well worth it.

[storybrown]

Get them both. Looking around the forum will quickly show what the C-Lux will do, plus it's tops for digiscoping. I take mine (C-Lux 1) everywhere. The D-Lux is on my list down the line.

[pastor_chuck]

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I'm off to Chicago tomorrow morning to apply in person for a visa. If I can get same day service then on Wednesday morning, while my wife packs for me I will pick up the D-Lux 3.

 

Then, if the creeks don't rise and the Lord is willing , I will be on the plane Thursday a.m. for Beijing.

 

I will even try to post some pictures if I get there.

 

Thanks for the good advice.

 

pastor_chuck

[vondauster]

You won't regret the D Lux 3, if my experience is any guide. I actually find the raw-processed noise levels to be less than the V Lux, the lens is excellent, and the panoramic format ideal for many more situations than I would have thought before getting the camera.

[kdemas]

The D-Lux 3 really is a nice little travel camera. As mentioned above the RAW shooting combined with the "widescreen" format makes it really a nice unit for being a traveler on the go.

 

Enjoy your trip.

 

Kent