Digital camera choice

[Eddy30]

Hi all, I'm currently in the Market for a 'compact' camera. To be honest I'm a bit of a novice and after some research I think I have narrowed it down to two.
 
Sony Dsc hx9v
Lumix tz20

These two are due out in the next month or so, I have had a play with there predecessors in the shops as they will have the same shells. Just woundered really if there are any I may have over looked???
Just to explain I am going to be teaching in travelling in Thailand later this year,for a year. So will be taking a wide variety of pics so wide angle lens and high optical zoom are a must.
Thanks in advance !

[Carrera2RS]

Have a good read with this site, it is superb.

http://www.dpreview.com/

Seems neither have been reviewed as yet http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1033&message=37615962&q=hx9v&qf=m

I would really look up a littel to a micro 4/3 or near full frame sensor camera if possible. They move close to full SLR performance, but nearer the £500 mark, the panny GF1, GF2 or Sony Nex 5

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/SonyNex5Nex3/
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/PanasonicGF1/http://www.dpreview.com/previews/panasonicdmcgf2/

I have a GF1 with 20mm lense (circa £500 now) and it is truly awesome in comparison to every other point and shoot small sensor camera  a different league.....  and it is small enough to be portable and used

[Eddy30]

Lovely mate thanks for the links I'll have a good read of those

[stealthwolf]

The first thing I did when I read your post was head over to dpreview.com. Unfortunately neither camera has been released and it'd be foolish to make a purchase based on a predecessor and assuming the newest model will be better.

Wait for the reviews to come out if you can. Otherwise go for a current  model.

[rich83]

I got a Canon G12 not so long ago and its brilliant, in fact ive been using it more than my 5DII!

[RedRobin]

.
dpreview.com has gotta be the very best site on the subject out there 

I still have the Leica X1 on my list but so are a few other expensive toys.

[Carrera2RS]

M9   

[rich83]

M9   

Its a lot of money for what it is... i think id rather buy a Canon 1D Mark 4 over the m9.

[RedRobin]

M9  

Its a lot of money for what it is... i think id rather buy a Canon 1D Mark 4 over the m9.

....And the M9 is just a bit too big to carry in a pocket all the time. The X1 is just small enough, though reassuringly heavy.

A fundamental factor in choosing which digital camera has surely got to be its size: Normal or compact?

Whereas a compact will compromise image quality (in comparison), you'll always be able to grab that shot instead of "sh*t! I left my camera at home" because you didn't want to lug it around or you were only popping down the road.

OP:

Hi all, I'm currently in the Market for a 'compact' camera.

[z3t4]

Agree dpreview is excellent. Don't forget the camera and lens-specific flickr groups when you're researching. There are often useful things to find in the associated discussion groups. Haven't looked at compacts for a while now but ISTR Ricoh stuff is well-liked
http://www.whatdigitalcamera.com/news/514124/ricoh-launch-the-cx5-compact.html

Good Luck!

John

[cmdrfire]

M9   

I <3 my M9. Although it's a bit big for the pocket as Rob says, compared to a 5Dii or equivalent full-frame, it's a fraction of the size and much easier to carry along. Take it with me almost everywhere.

I got a Canon G12 not so long ago and its brilliant, in fact ive been using it more than my 5DII!

Heard many good things about the G12, if you come to the March Surrey meet (not scheduled yet but I'm sure there will be one!) would you mind bringing it along?

@OP, I'd go for the Lumix just 'cos of the Leica optics (Vario-Elmar) on it. It's effectively the same camera as the Leica V-Lux 20 with a slightly better sensor. The Sony would've been a good competitor if they'd put a Zeiss Vario-Sonnar on there but from what I can see it's "just" a Sony OEM lens. Plus there's probably nonsense to do with memory stick on there while the Panny will almost certainly use an SD-card.

Wait for the DP-review, er, reviews to come out, but if you need to get something first go for the Lumix.

[rich83]

Sure thing.. if i can make it!

[GTIjames]

have a look at this one 
 
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Panasonic-Lumix-10-1MP-Digital-Camera/dp/B003WOKUVK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1297693370&sr=8-1

ive got the older verson myself - lx3 and been impressed with the results - leica lense etc and reviews all seem positive

not small enough to put in the pocket but a nice middle ground option for those who don't want the full on 'embarassing dad' slr job 

 

[RedRobin]

Heard many good things about the G12, if you come to the March Surrey meet (not scheduled yet but I'm sure there will be one!) would you mind bringing it along?

....When you say "Surrey", do you mean the Jekyll&Hyde meet? I thought that was in Hampshire?

[cmdrfire]

Heard many good things about the G12, if you come to the March Surrey meet (not scheduled yet but I'm sure there will be one!) would you mind bringing it along?

....When you say "Surrey", do you mean the Jekyll&Hyde meet? I thought that was in Hampshire?

J&H meet. Surrey/Hampshire/whatever