G11 vs Lumix/Leica

[Jannie]

Is this new, a friend called and wanted me to check out the new Leica: http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/VLUX20/VLUX20A.HTM so the first thing I did was look for the Panasonic Lumix variant which I think is this: http://www.adorama.com/IPCDMCZS7SL.html.

My first reaction is point and shoot cameras with superzooms probably aren't much good. Secondly the Leica is around $440 more and I've always wondered if there was anything really different but no one has ever come up with proof that I know one way or the other.

Now the Panasonic point and shoot's are really quite good, I've had one in the past but moved over to the G series cameras. But my friend who has I think it's the LX-3 Panny and a G9 raves over the Panny and is really excited about the new Leica version - the http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/VLUX20/VLUX20A.HTM.

Has anyone tried either of these cameras to compare with the G11?

[denncald]

My guess is it will perform about the same as the ZS7;

http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Panasonic_Lumix_DMC_TZ10_ZS7/index.shtml

I'm basing that on the performance comparisons of the LX3 vs DLux 4;

http://ianho.blogspot.com/2008/11/panasonic-lx3-vs-leica-d-lux-4.html

Dennis

[2mnycars]

The LX3 is almost a cult camera; owners really enjoy them. I'm an old Leica user. I'm tempted by the Leica.
Michael at Luminous Landscape said buy the Pany...then buy another if it breaks.
That would be about the same as the Leica in cost. He's a Leicaphile by the way. There is a difference in warranty, and probably (I'm guessing) the Leica will hold its value better than the Pany. Skintones are supposed to be more natural with the Leica. I don't own one so I don't know.
I had 2 Leicas. M3/M4P. fwiw (shows a prejudice?) I never regretted buying either.

I have a ZS3 and my second G11. I prefer Canon colours; prefer the screen on the G11 (doesn't wash out in bright sunlight, like skiing.) The Pany is lots of fun. Incredible lens in a small package. 25-300. I believe that the ZS7 is the ZS3 mutated. It has a similar lens. Ability for full manual control? More pixels? Pany forum at dpreview says perhaps image quality is better on the ZS3? (that's posters, not dp.)

I bought the ZS3 when my first G11 failed. It took a while, but thanks to Nigel I have a replacement.

I carry the ZS3 with me always because its smaller. Every once in a while I think I should carry both.

The LX3 is much closer to the G11 in specification and performance. It's a little older; I suspect IQ would be similar or a little bit less than the G11. But since I don't own an LX3, that's what I get from reviews and participating in forums.

Dez at dpr in the Pany and Nikon D300 groups gets incredible photos with his LX3. I'll go get a link....
http://photos.dezmix.com/lx3

At least I like his work; he's a good guy with answers on posts. He's a surveyor IIRC and gets all around New York City.

Hope this helps.

DaveL

[RayHff]

Worth a read:

http://laurencekimblog.com/index.php?category=16&start=5

Great images:

See his notes on the LX3 lower on the page

[ZCphoto]

Is this new, a friend called and wanted me to check out the new Leica: http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/VLUX20/VLUX20A.HTM so the first thing I did was look for the Panasonic Lumix variant which I think is this: http://www.adorama.com/IPCDMCZS7SL.html.

My first reaction is point and shoot cameras with superzooms probably aren't much good. Secondly the Leica is around $440 more and I've always wondered if there was anything really different but no one has ever come up with proof that I know one way or the other.

Now the Panasonic point and shoot's are really quite good, I've had one in the past but moved over to the G series cameras. But my friend who has I think it's the LX-3 Panny and a G9 raves over the Panny and is really excited about the new Leica version - the http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/VLUX20/VLUX20A.HTM.

Has anyone tried either of these cameras to compare with the G11?

I've owned the D Lux 4 (LX3) and G10 (now S90). I found the Leica to produce better images at higher ISO (RAW) than the D10. However, the S90 is definitely better at higher ISO than the Leica. The LX3 has an annoying cap as well. On the plus side, I prefer the Leica in some situations where the Canons blow out highlights. It also has decens 720P video.

[Tadaaa]

The jpeg engine is usually a little better on the Leicas... I think that's about it.

[Tadaaa]

You could take it old school: http://www.dpreview.com/news/0202/02022405leicadigilux1.asp