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.
Kudos to Pentax for putting their very best into a light-middleweight camera. It's one solid step closer to what I really want to see, which is all of the above features plus a 35mm full frame sensor in the lightweight (D60/E-620) 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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