I received the following message from Bruce McL:

Overlooked serious compacts

What is the smallest camera that has manual exposure controls and RAW?

How about a compact camera that has PASM, IS, 30 mm wide angle (to 150 mm tele) and takes AA batteries?

The first camera is the Panasonic FX150. The second is the Panasonic LZ10. Both cameras are nearing the end of their production lives and can be had for very good prices. It doesn't look like Panasonic will repeat the feature sets of either of these cameras. No other small Panasonic FX or FS camera has RAW, and no other Panasonic camera with AA batteries has manual exposure controls and semi wide angle.

I have the FX150, a neighbor has the LZ10, and I think both are worthy of the name serious compact. You might be doing your readers a favor by calling their attention to these two cameras. They can get into the world of RAW in a very small compact for under $225, and get a serious camera with AA batteries and decent wide angle for $150.

I confess that I didn't know that the FX150 offered RAW capability. It was announced alongside the Panasonic LX3 and thus received less attention than it otherwise may have gotten. Most major review sites (DPReview, Imaging Resource, and DCRP) also seem to have slept on this camera, though Steve's Digicams and PhotographyBLOG have posted reviews.

With a relatively large (by small sensor standards) 1/1.72" sensor, slimmer profile than the LX3, versatile 28-100mm (equivalent) f/2.8-5.6 lens, and RAW, the FX150 offers quite a lot for the money.

Link: Panasonic FX150 (Black) at Amazon

[Thanks Bruce]

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Since the days of the original Canon Digital Rebel (300D), DSLR manufacturers have seemed to equate "small" with "entry level" and "cheap". Doubtless there has been improvement over the years in this respect. The Olympus E-620, Nikon D5000, and Canon XSi/T1i are all very fully featured and capable yet small DSLRs. However, there is a list of features which we usually don't get in today's small SLRs:

• Weather resistance
• 100% coverage in the viewfinder
• Magnesium-steel alloy construction
• Top level autofocus (whatever that may be for a given manufacturer)
• Top level metering (whatever that may be for a given manufacturer)

Not only are these features missing in the smallest class of DSLRs (D5000, T1i, E-620, etc), they are also missing in the middle weight class (D90, 50D, E-30, etc).

With the introduction of the new K-7, Pentax has parted ways with this old, restrictive thinking.  The K-7 offers all of the above features and does so in a body which is quiet, has in-body stabilization, and remains smallest in class.

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Nikon DSLR users looking for the most compact possible kit may be interested in the new and difficult to find AF-S 35mm f/1.8 lens. I've started that lens through some testing against an older, FX (35mm full frame) lens, the Nikon AF 35mm f/2D. Some of the results have surprised me.

To follow the ongoing testing, check out this thread in the Camera Work Forums.

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Example 1: Sigma DP2 has been recently released in small quantity with high demand. Amazon and B&H are sold out at $649.99. 47th St. Photo is selling them on Amazon for an 8% markup ($699.99). Thus if you want one badly enough to pay the premium, you can get one now or simply wait for greater availability at the "normal" street price.

Example 2: Nikon AF-S 35mm f/1.8 has been out for a while now, but no one can keep them in stock for more than a few minutes at the normal price of $199.99. No one can keep them in stock for more than a few hours at a 10-20% markup price. If you're really desperate, Tristate Cameras will sell you a gray market model at 25% markup without a warranty or a US model at a full 50% premium ($299.99 plus shipping).

Example 3: Pavilion Electronics has the black Panasonic LX3 in stock (additional 2-3 day processing time) and is selling on Amazon for only $749.99. Measly 75% markup. Just $50 (plus shipping) more than a black D-LUX 4.

The term frequently applied here is "price gouging", which implies mistreatment of customers. Is this poor behavior from the retailer or just a reasonable business practice when dealing with in-demand items? From a business standpoint, it makes sense to maximize profits unless doing so is going to impact customer loyalty. From a consumer standpoint, would you rather see "Not in Stock" everywhere or have the option to buy at a premium?

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June 15, 2009. That's all I have got to say.

More information about June 15th at 1001 Noisy Cameras.

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I just noticed that a few of you have pre-ordered cameras (and one Kindle DX) through the Amazon affiliate links on this site. First, I just want to say, thank you! Ordering from those links doesn't change your price and the bit of money that comes from Amazon helps me fund gear tests and other projects like the Camera Work Forums. The main reason for this post, however, is to share a bit about pre-ordering from Amazon since I have plenty of experience in this area.

Amazon says that they fulfill pre-orders in the order they are received, and this is generally the case. When you pre-order, your order goes into a queue, and Amazon adheres to the sequence of the orders. What is important to know, however, is that any change in your order will move you to the end of the queue. For example, let's say that you pre-order a Panasonic GH1 kit (includes 14-150mm lens) today and choose the "Free Super Saver Shipping" option. Then in two weeks you change your mind and decide overnight shipping would be better. If at that point you call Amazon, the customer service representative will tell you that you can change shipping methods without going to the end of the queue. I know they say this because I've asked them. It isn't correct. Every order placed prior to your change of shipping method will be filled before yours.

With relatively low volume items like GH1, I have had best results pre-ordering early and avoiding any changes to the order. That way one has the best chance of shipping with the first batch received at Amazon.

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Sam Nazarian has started an ongoing review of the Sigma DP2. Part 1 is up, and there is some great information there already. If you're interested in the DP2, have a look.

Link: Lensist Sigma DP2 Review Part 1 - Interface and First Impressions

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The official Olympus site now states "Ninety Years in the Making. Coming Summer 2009" and offers an opportunity to sign up for the latest news related to Olympus Micro Four Thirds. The same orange striped sardine can concept model we've seen before is also featured.

For my own purposes, systems are classified by size as pocketable (eg Canon SD880IS), "small bag" (eg Canon 1000D & "kit lens"), or "large bag" (eg Nikon D700 & two-three lenses). As an Olympus fan, I had been waiting for Olympus Micro 4/3, hoping that it would be the best small bag solution for me. Today, I got tired of waiting and picked up a Nikon D5000 kit. For Olympus' sake, I hope these teasers are more effective with others than they were with me. Still, I think that Olympus ought to consider disclosing more than they have. A glance at a prototype model may have been enough to keep me waiting whereas a look at a concept model was not.

Link: Olympus Micro Four Thirds (screenshot below)

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The cameras listed alphabetically below have been inducted into our reader generated Serious Compacts Hall of Fame. Click on a name to read the entry written by that individual.

Canon A610/620 - eikona
Canon A95 - Mayank Bhatnagar
Canon G2 - Luc de Schepper (Skippy1958)
Casio EX-P600/P700 - Chris Nutt (chrispynutt)
Fujifilm E900 - JD (dicko6508)
Fujifilm Finepix F11 / F10 - JohnHHill
Panasonic LX1 - Jim (cledry)
Samsung Digimax L85 - Lili (colette_noir)
Sony DSC-V3 - sonomichele

Click here to learn how to add one of your own favorites to our Hall of Fame.

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The Amazon site is currently showing an estimated 1-3 months until shipping, but the first Sigma DP2 batch from Amazon has shipped. A lucky few have already received their cameras. Meanwhile, as is often the case, the one seller with the DP2 in stock is charging a premium for buyers who don't want to wait any longer.

Link: Sigma DP2 at Amazon

[Thanks Hal B.]

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A representative for Olympus Imaging America is dropping teasers on Twitter.



Source: @getolympus via 1001 Noisy Cameras

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