I use a Ricoh GR2. Clearly not the choice of the masses, but it is incredibly well put together. Very compact bod, magnesium body, good fixed lens. The IQ is good for what it is. But for me the sheer joy comes from the handling. It is designed for manual and semi-automatic exposure control.
I bought it 18months ago, and recently shopped the p&s market. There is still nothing out there I would replace it with.
I have an LX-3 and ZS-3 (TZ-7). ZS-3 is wonderful for daylight - outstanding IQ for a P&S across the full 25-300 range. HD video is superb. However, not great in low light. LX-3 excels at low light. Same IQ in good light as ZS-3 imo. Neither as good as my D40, but more than acceptable for snaps. I take the LX-3 on business trips - fits in the computer case (D-40 doesn't). LX-3 is ideal in low light social settings - wide and bright. More DOF at wide aperture than DSLR. LX-3 and ZS-3 are complementary - I sometimes take both when I don't want to carry the D40/18-200 + 35mm1.8.
I was considering the LX3, ZS3, G11, and the S90 and ended up with the S90 mainly due to it's smaller size (vs G11/LX3), manual control (vs ZS3) and lack of a lens cap (vs LX3). I figure since none of thse compacts are really going to compare IQ wise to my D700/24-70g, I might as well have the camera that is the smallest physical package with good IQ and RAW/manual control.
While my main cameras are a D1X and a D200, I enjoy using my LX3 because of its light weight and low light performance.
I bought into the Lumix system a while ago with an FZ-50. I was surprised at how well designed it was. While the images were not up to D1X or D200 standards, the design and feel of the FZ-50 was incredible. Under the right lighting I was able to capture nice images; one I took of a pair of twin tornados was published in the local newspaper. I now use it mostly for stop-motion clay animation.
I purchased the LX3 when it was first released because of my positive experience with the LX3. I have no regrets!
I also purchased a Lumix TS-1 (their water proof/shock proof P&S). While does not perform as great as the LX3, it is a fantastic little P&S when you don't want to worry about rain, sand, or adverse weather conditions. I haven't had a chance to take it to the beach yet, but I have taken it into a pool and through water rides.
Imo, I see no problem looking into other brands when it comes to P&S cameras.
I just bought the Panasonic ZS3, and I like it very much. I read the reviews of the zoom P & S on dpreview (dare I mention it on this page) and it comes highly recommended.
I bought it in Costco; for a good price. I had previously bought the ZS1 for my BIL, and I was very impressed with it. Hence my purchase. It also had video.
santoshiyer wrote:
I just bought the Panasonic ZS3, and I like it very much. I read the reviews of the zoom P & S on dpreview (dare I mention it on this page) and it comes highly recommended.
I bought it in Costco; for a good price. I had previously bought the ZS1 for my BIL, and I was very impressed with it. Hence my purchase. It also had video.
+1. Very happy w/ mine as well. The LX3 would have been perfect except for the short zoom and lens cap so I decided on the ZS3 and have no regrets.
I really love my ZS3, being 24mm on the wide end, and then being able to go to 300mm on the tele end is sort of like being able to bring my full bag of DSLR gear, focal length wise. The fact the lens goes totally flush and its pocketable is really a wonder of engineering. Suprisingly good video quality, sound too.
Id suggest you check out the micro 4/3rds as well. The G1 system takes fantastic photos and is super compact. Not pocketable, but you can have a 14-400mm eqiv range from 3 lenses and body and the whole thing weights about 4lbs
