Can't decide between PnS

[renesis]

I thought I'd ask here as it makes more sense to post it here:

Hey guys help me decide here. Currently I'm torn between 3 cameras:

- Canon IXUS 850IS + 4GB SD card
Pros- wide angled lens, compact, easy to use
Cons- not much corner softness and possible sharpness issues
- Canon G7 +2GB SD card
Pros- looks nice and solid, manual features although I'll have to dedicate some time to learn it
Cons- no wide angle, less portable than IXUS
- Panasonic LX2 + 2GB SD card
Pros- wide angle + wide lens, reasonably compact
Cons-Noise and noise, don't know how to PP pictures. Also not sure if printing a wide photo would be annoying or not.

What I really value in a camera:
- Very good auto mode that I can use quickly and gives above average to excellent results.
- There will be some shooting indoors, so good flash and ISO control.
- Responsiveness, which is why I left out the Fuji F30.
- I would like wide-angle so I can take pictures indoors of family, but then again not sure if I will use all the time.
- And I'm a beginner in photography.

All three combos are roughly the same price with the Ixus being the cheapest and the LX2 and G7 being the same price.

Here's the problem I'll have to buy them by Thursday since I'm going to the Sydney Motor Show on Friday, so I have to make my decision soon.

Sorry for making such a long post, but I'm excited and at the same time because I'm afraid I may make the wrong decision, mainly go wide-angle or not. If it helps I was leaning towards the Ixus at first, but not so sure now, and ultimately will be my decision.

Renesis

 

[azul123]

For me the answer on which Wide PnS? the one that one can take in RAW. There could be only ONE!

Not sure if the phrase is correct, taken from Highlander movie.

../azul123

 

[renesis]

Don't remember watching that movie, but thanks, yea wide is definitely interesting to have and it seems useful. Just not sure whether after I will I've had it will it wear off. RAW isn't important to me, quick and simple is better

 

[ExplorerZ]

lx2 for me... kinda rare to see a 16:9 ccd camera... :thumbsup:

 

[azul123]

Don't remember watching that movie, but thanks, yea wide is definitely interesting to have and it seems useful. Just not sure whether after I will I've had it will it wear off. RAW isn't important to me, quick and simple is better

PnS that can take RAW can also take quick and simple, but if you need it... the feature is already there, just turn it on.

../azul123

 

[renesis]

lx2 for me... kinda rare to see a 16:9 ccd camera... :thumbsup:

I was leaning towards the LX2 in the early days in my search for a new digicam but I was slightly put off by the 'watercolour' effect. Is it kind of annoying if you can't print out a proper wide screen photo without having white bars on the top and bottom? Decision so hard to make

LX2 is cheaper too in Singapore I believe but I will have to wait till November to get it, but G7 and 850IS are roughly the same in Australia so I can get it before the motor show.

Any more comments would be helpful

 

[renesis]

But then again getting a new camera before motor show isn't a must...... if its worth waiting for big price drops if I buy in Singapore in the cameras I'm interested in

 

[azul123]

Is it kind of annoying if you can't print out a proper wide screen photo without having white bars on the top and bottom? Decision so hard to make

Didn't you know that it could take 4:3 and 3:2 format as well? so no bars top or bottom.

../azul123

 

[nattyERR]

If I need a simple PnS at this moment, I would invest in the Canon S80. Please read the conclusion of the review http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canons80/page14.asp
The Panosonic LX2 would be a close 2nd choice for me.

The Canon S80, IXUS 850IS and Lumix LX2 have 28mm wide angle while the G7 starts with 35mm. I prefer a wider angle than a longer zoom.

Although the Canon S80 is 4:3 format, after some shooting you would be able to adjust to the cropping required for an S8R (8in x 12in).

It's only my choice , many photographers have difference preferences. Make your own choice (according to your preferences) and enjoy shooting at the Motor Show.

 

[ExplorerZ]

I was leaning towards the LX2 in the early days in my search for a new digicam but I was slightly put off by the 'watercolour' effect. Is it kind of annoying if you can't print out a proper wide screen photo without having white bars on the top and bottom? Decision so hard to make

LX2 is cheaper too in Singapore I believe but I will have to wait till November to get it, but G7 and 850IS are roughly the same in Australia so I can get it before the motor show.

Any more comments would be helpful

theres alway a RAW option in LX2... tho some might be too lazy to do processing. :bsmilie:

 

[renesis]

Yep I'm too lazy to do post processing (besides I've heard you can get addicted to it). S80 looks interesting and it's a bit cheaper than the G7 in Australia, but it is quite an old model relatively speaking right? And supposedly some guy on DPreview has had problems with warranty and they've only been swapping them for S2IS. How is the autofocus and responsiveness of the camera as that was one of the things that put me off my current A75.

 

[renesis]

I think I've resigned myself to buy the camera when I visit Singapore next month because I just can't decide. But one thing stopping me is that I live in Australia. Are there any shops that sell cameras with international warranties?