buying LX3 or GF1?

[arrowtown]

I own both the GF1 and the LX3, and I find that they serve different purposes for me. Having lugged around a D80 for over 2 years, I have a bit of a bias against PnS cameras. The GF1 seemed to be a good middle ground.

GF1 (with 14-45 kit): great camera, lots of fun using it as an "everyday dSLR", and I feel that I have full creative control (just as I would have on an SLR). I really miss having an optical viewfinder, though I suspect it's just a matter of time before I get used to it. When doing macro photography, the magnification functionality on the liveview screen is awesome. When doing landscapes, I'm feeling a bit constrained at 14mm (28mm equivalent). Only alternative at this point is the 7-14mm, but considering that it costs as much as the GF1 kit, I haven't pulled the trigger on it. That's where the LX3 comes in...

@ 24mm, the LX3 gives me the width I like for landscapes. Also, it's such a small and compact PnS that I favour it when heading out with friends in the evenings. My wife tends to have it in her purse all the time as her PnS, and I love having it for the full creative flexibility.

At the end of the day, I think that in most situations, both produce excellent quality shots. I use both extensively, and frankly, I wouldn't pick one over the other. Yes, the GF1 has a larger sensor and hence should be able to handle higher ISOs better. But if you're looking for high ISO performance, then you need to move up to dSLRs. For me, the most fun has been grabbing different lenses and mounting it onto the GF1 and getting creative (i.e. my Pentax 25/1.4 cine lens) with DOF and bokeh (without having to grab over 2kg of dSLR gear)!

can i know how much you paid for gf1 package?

 

[zoossh]

Thanks TheStig. I am considering GF1 with 20mm pancake (dont wish to add on lens) or a LX3. I understand from bros and sis that GF1 is 2x more expensive compared to LX3. But GF1 has better photo quality than LX3. A struggle indeed :dunno:

i saw the pics from anurag from LX3, as well as from a few sites. i'm pretty amazed at the image quality, myself being a DSLR user from nikon. i will still use DSLR for my travel, but it is kind of good to get a good compact that i'll bring around in sg. i probably will go around hunting for a leather casing that allow assesses to the control (i saw one from luigi but the price is mad, the others are nice but useless ie no assess to control) as well as an external viewfinder.

however said, pictures says more than words. and personal usage says more than pictures. i'm pretty impressed of LX3 but since many is saying here that GF1 is better than LX3, any pictures to show? or is GF1 only better than LX3 when light is bad?

 

[ivancen]

need to really see pic to compare? it's like saying heard tiger fight better than cat but need to see them in action first then cab believe. Most cams shoot pretty well in good lighting, and hard to find pple with both and willing to shoot same condition photo with both cams and even if so, the result will be pretty obvious. There's a reason y GF-1 is larger and twice the price
dun think too much bro!

 

[freezehell]

i have to agree with this dude. I thought if i get a GF1 then the chances of my shots will not be blurry as with Fujifilm F31FD. Oh boy, am i wrong. Some shots are still blurry and cant seem to take sharp pictures. I kept reading the Shooting Tips on panasonic support page but of no help. I am not born to take sharp photos! ehehe

So it is really the user skills and knowledge that are important.

 

[iNotion]

i may get a micro four third camera in the future, but definitely not now.
reason is because it's still too young in e market.
For now, i am happy w my LX-3 and my 'full frame' film cameras...

 

[arrowtown]

i bought gf1 and very happy with it. its amazing how good this cam is....i din know it unless i landed with gf1...the beauty in my eyes....:heart::heart::heart:

 

[alc217]

I paid $1180 for the GF-1 14-45 kit back when it was first released in S'pore.

As for photos of LX-3 vs GF-1, I just came back from a trip to Tasmania where I only carried the GF-1 and LX-3 (I've sold my D80!)... Once the photos are loaded, will post a link for everyone to see...

 

[coolsigg]

I paid $1180 for the GF-1 14-45 kit back when it was first released in S'pore.

As for photos of LX-3 vs GF-1, I just came back from a trip to Tasmania where I only carried the GF-1 and LX-3 (I've sold my D80!)... Once the photos are loaded, will post a link for everyone to see...

wow! looking fwd to see your pics! :thumbsup:

 

[E1g3]

get a Ricoh GRD3

 

[bandofbros]

GF1 is the best compact-like dslr camera...i just hooked to it everyday...addiction to GF1 :bsmilie:

 

[yunhen3350]

I am pondering over LX3 and GF1. Both are capable of having good quality photos. LX3 is lighter and smaller, whereas GF1 is heavier and slighter bigger. I guess prices are quite apart, since GF1 has just launched. If this is a repeated thread, pls direct me to the previous threads. thanks all.

Well, I assume that you have no idea what you are looking for.
LX3 is compact, GF1 is m4/3.
It's totally different class of cameras...

Easy for you:
If limited budget or looking for MOST portability, LX3.
If looking for DSLR type images quality, interchangeable lens, advance photography. GF1.

I would strongly suggest to get a GF1. As my own point of view, "invest more to get a greater one, instead of changing from-time-to-time, which is even more money wasted."


Best of all is to get both lol ;p

 

[vengels]

sorry to hijack this thread..

i own a LX3..
looking to let go of it and this guy comes along to offer a trade + topup from me for an Oly E-P1..

wat do u tink?

worth a go or should i skip it..

 

[club21z]

sorry to hijack this thread..

i own a LX3..
looking to let go of it and this guy comes along to offer a trade + topup from me for an Oly E-P1..

wat do u tink?

worth a go or should i skip it..

Ep1 is a great camera, i would gladly take the offer to trade my LX3 if you skip

 

[arrowtown]

Well, I assume that you have no idea what you are looking for.
LX3 is compact, GF1 is m4/3.
It's totally different class of cameras...

Easy for you:
If limited budget or looking for MOST portability, LX3.
If looking for DSLR type images quality, interchangeable lens, advance photography. GF1.

I would strongly suggest to get a GF1. As my own point of view, "invest more to get a greater one, instead of changing from-time-to-time, which is even more money wasted."


Best of all is to get both lol ;p

It normal to pose such qns online.

But i do agree to get GF1 or EP-1/2....these m4/3 cam...diff class.

 

[Randius]

sorry to hijack this thread..

i own a LX3..
looking to let go of it and this guy comes along to offer a trade + topup from me for an Oly E-P1..

wat do u tink?

worth a go or should i skip it..

It is worth a only go if you have intended to try out m4/3 cameras in the first place. If you are still thinking of which camera/system to get, just sell the LX-3 and take your time to carefully think through.

 

[vengels]

It is worth a only go if you have intended to try out m4/3 cameras in the first place. If you are still thinking of which camera/system to get, just sell the LX-3 and take your time to carefully think through.

I m tinking of switching to m43.. but leaning twd GF1 coz of the in built flash.
E-p1 has no flash n I like to take pics in doors so dunno can capture clear n crisp pics or not..
Esp in environment like now with Christmas lighting along orchard road.

 

[Randius]

I m tinking of switching to m43.. but leaning twd GF1 coz of the in built flash.
E-p1 has no flash n I like to take pics in doors so dunno can capture clear n crisp pics or not..
Esp in environment like now with Christmas lighting along orchard road.

You will need to weigh the advantage of built-in flash vs in-body IS. Both can help to a certain extent but you will only get best result from a tripod. For me, I chose GF-1 because the UI is simpler to use, AF is faster and hunts lesser than EP-1. Others may disagree about AF but I am merely stating what I experienced.

 

[vengels]

I agree that panny UI is very friendly. Been using panny cams for the last 5years.. very used to it..

 

[arrowtown]

You will need to weigh the advantage of built-in flash vs in-body IS. Both can help to a certain extent but you will only get best result from a tripod. For me, I chose GF-1 because the UI is simpler to use, AF is faster and hunts lesser than EP-1. Others may disagree about AF but I am merely stating what I experienced.

agree, i chose GF1 bcos it has such good AF, its built quality is outstanding too.

 

[bandofbros]

my view GF1 :thumbsup: