Micro 4/3 Choosing my CC

deckitout

Regular
Having recently downgraded from full frame (D700) to M 4/3 I feel I am still missing that carry anywhere just about shirt pocketable CC.

My choices are down to RX100, XZ10/2 and LX7

I own both M 4/3 VF2 viewfinders for the Oly and Panny which kind of relegates the Sony as I really enjoy
what the Viewfinders add to the shooting experience.

The quality of the sony files is however tempting

The LX7 is probably favourite at present with one slight concern.
I currently own an LX3 and did not really Gel with it. The main problem was the pogo stick control
and LCD virtually unusable in bright sunlight, the handling seems to have improved on the LX7 over
the 3 and the VF2 would sort out the LCD issue.

I would appreciate any feedback from users to help me make a decision

Thanks Phil
 
The LX7 and RX100 seem to be this group's favourites : the first for value and IQ and the second for IQ close to m4/3.
Not sure how usable either camera LCD would be bright in sunlight although I've got the Sony and it's LCD is supposed to work in bright light. ( just not had it in the sun yet )

I suppose you should add the new Lumix LF1 into the mix with its viewfinder.
 
Thanks for the feedback

The Sony's sensors size lures me, however from a practicle point, the VF2, 1.4 lens and 24mm wide end makes the LX7 appealing as well
 
Thanks for the feedback

The Sony's sensors size lures me, however from a practicle point, the VF2, 1.4 lens and 24mm wide end makes the LX7 appealing as well

The LX7 is extraordinary in so many ways -- but pocketable size really isn't one of them. I carry one everywhere, but then I'm a total geek, lol.

I have a review of it on my blog if you're interested -- but it's a good lightweight fixed-lens camera that doesn't break the bank and has some banging ergonomics. I love it.
 
The LX5 had totally revamped the whole "joystick" control from the LX3 and turned it into a primary "click-wheel" that you click like a button to switch between which function it controls and then turn to make adjustments. The LX7 improves significantly on the LX5 (IMHO) by keeping the click wheel and adding an aperture ring on the lens and a manual focus controller on the back and also can be clicked to turn on the ND filter. So the click wheel is still there, but the number of functions it controls is greatly reduced, with dedicated controls for often used adjustments like aperture and manual focus. With the LX5, when I was zone focussing, I had to constantly click the click wheel to switch between aperture, manual focus, and exposure comp. Now aperture and manual focus have separate controls so I just leave the wheel set for exposure compensation about 95% of the time. But the joystick from the LX3 is long gone...

The LX7's sensor doesn't compare to the RX100. But in every other way, including the lens sharpness, aperture speed throughout the zoom range, and CONTROLS CONTROLS CONTROLS I find it a vastly more enjoyable camera. And except at the wide end where the apertures aren't that far apart and the RX100's sensor really overwhelms the LX7, the LX7 is actually pretty competitive in low light just due to the faster apertures throughout the range. I also love the true multi-aspect sensor and the ease of changing the aspect ratio right on the lens. I obviously have a pretty strong preference for the LX7, but I also like the XZ2 (mostly for the flip up screen) and the X20 (a pretty good compromise between the RX100's sensor and the LX7's lens and handling). The only one of these cameras I didn't really like was the RX100 despite its incredible sensor...

-Ray
 
Thanks for the blog link, that was a good read

The LX7 is extraordinary in so many ways -- but pocketable size really isn't one of them. I carry one everywhere, but then I'm a total geek, lol.

I have a review of it on my blog if you're interested -- but it's a good lightweight fixed-lens camera that doesn't break the bank and has some banging ergonomics. I love it.
 
Thanks Ray good feedback, the LX7 is looking favourite at the moment

The LX5 had totally revamped the whole "joystick" control from the LX3 and turned it into a primary "click-wheel" that you click like a button to switch between which function it controls and then turn to make adjustments. The LX7 improves significantly on the LX5 (IMHO) by keeping the click wheel and adding an aperture ring on the lens and a manual focus controller on the back and also can be clicked to turn on the ND filter. So the click wheel is still there, but the number of functions it controls is greatly reduced, with dedicated controls for often used adjustments like aperture and manual focus. With the LX5, when I was zone focussing, I had to constantly click the click wheel to switch between aperture, manual focus, and exposure comp. Now aperture and manual focus have separate controls so I just leave the wheel set for exposure compensation about 95% of the time. But the joystick from the LX3 is long gone...

The LX7's sensor doesn't compare to the RX100. But in every other way, including the lens sharpness, aperture speed throughout the zoom range, and CONTROLS CONTROLS CONTROLS I find it a vastly more enjoyable camera. And except at the wide end where the apertures aren't that far apart and the RX100's sensor really overwhelms the LX7, the LX7 is actually pretty competitive in low light just due to the faster apertures throughout the range. I also love the true multi-aspect sensor and the ease of changing the aspect ratio right on the lens. I obviously have a pretty strong preference for the LX7, but I also like the XZ2 (mostly for the flip up screen) and the X20 (a pretty good compromise between the RX100's sensor and the LX7's lens and handling). The only one of these cameras I didn't really like was the RX100 despite its incredible sensor...

-Ray
 
What about the E-PM2 with the panasonic 14-42mm PZ pancake lens?

I mention it because I have that combination on the way as a small, take anywhere combo, even if not shirt pocketable. I won't know if it really does the job until it arrives, but I thought I'd mention it anyway. Image quality, with the same senor that is in the e-M5, should be quite good.
 
Thanks Lawrence

I did consider that kit, I already have 2 smallish M/43 bodies in the EPL1 and GX1 although not as small as the EPM, I really wanted a top shirt pocket fit, which my Lx3 just about is and the Rx100 certainly would be.
It is worth considering as an option

Phil


What about the E-PM2 with the panasonic 14-42mm PZ pancake lens?

I mention it because I have that combination on the way as a small, take anywhere combo, even if not shirt pocketable. I won't know if it really does the job until it arrives, but I thought I'd mention it anyway. Image quality, with the same senor that is in the e-M5, should be quite good.
 
hi phil

i totally get that shirt pocketability is a prime factor. but outside of the sony i think you might be out of luck with the others you mentioned. another panny owner said previously its not shirt pocketable, the fujis arent, and neither is the xz-2 which i just received yesterday. if thats the main criteria, i strongly recommend you physically handle any you decide on besides the sony.

pocketability aside, the lx7 has gotten amazing reviews. i chose the xz-2 instead because 1) it has a flip screen on which you can touch/focus/fire shutter--an incredible boon to street shooters like me; 2) its tele range is 112mm vs pannys 70 or 80; 3) its dead silent; 4) it has a customizable unique lens ring for zoom, aperture and/or focus that is both detente-stepped or seamless depending on the use, which one changes by flipping down a switch near the lens. truly amazing, and the manual focus works just great.

though i havent put it through its paces, i am so far very pleased with the IQ, color and WB, as well as the snappy operation. pictures seem to pop and colors are very natural. its a tad lighter and less wide than the fuji x10/20, and though it appears 'chunkier', is actually less deep than the fujis because the lens does not protrude nearly as far in the off position.
tony

i can also tell you the screen is great in sunlight. certainly the fact that its tiltable helps, but i had no problem shooting yesterday in very beight sun.
 
Yeah I was also going to remark on the XZ series. I don't know how small the 10 is, but I have the 1 and its most definitely not shirt pocketable. It does go into a small case and lives (along with the GRDIII) in my "always with me" shoulder bag.
 
Thanks Tony
The XZ2 is around £100 or more than the LX7 here so that does influence my decision, the LX3 which I have does just about squeeze into my shirt pocket although is a little bulgy. i own the VF2 as well which could be used


hi phil

i totally get that shirt pocketability is a prime factor. but outside of the sony i think you might be out of luck with the others you mentioned. another panny owner said previously its not shirt pocketable, the fujis arent, and neither is the xz-2 which i just received yesterday. if thats the main criteria, i strongly recommend you physically handle any you decide on besides the sony.

pocketability aside, the lx7 has gotten amazing reviews. i chose the xz-2 instead because 1) it has a flip screen on which you can touch/focus/fire shutter--an incredible boon to street shooters like me; 2) its tele range is 112mm vs pannys 70 or 80; 3) its dead silent; 4) it has a customizable unique lens ring for zoom, aperture and/or focus that is both detente-stepped or seamless depending on the use, which one changes by flipping down a switch near the lens. truly amazing, and the manual focus works just great.

though i havent put it through its paces, i am so far very pleased with the IQ, color and WB, as well as the snappy operation. pictures seem to pop and colors are very natural. its a tad lighter and less wide than the fuji x10/20, and though it appears 'chunkier', is actually less deep than the fujis because the lens does not protrude nearly as far in the off position.
tony

i can also tell you the screen is great in sunlight. certainly the fact that its tiltable helps, but i had no problem shooting yesterday in very beight sun.
 
Thanks Sue, I dont own a shoulder bag LoL, hence my wanting shirt pocket fit, maybe I am asking to much
Yeah I was also going to remark on the XZ series. I don't know how small the 10 is, but I have the 1 and its most definitely not shirt pocketable. It does go into a small case and lives (along with the GRDIII) in my "always with me" shoulder bag.
 
Pocketability doesn't have to mean pockets - I can put my camera in a shirt pocket but it sags something terrible. I have a pair of elasticated waist trousers & although not heavy the camera in the pocket proved near embarassing. I've said before My preference will be for a belt pouch which frees up camera size a bit.
 
ive carried the x10/20 in cargo pants pocket, no problem, so same is probably true for lx7 and xz-2. tbh, truly shirt pocketable to me really means something like the canon s90/95/100 series, not whats being discussed. none of these are really shirt pocketable, though you might squeeze one in, its gonna look kinda weird. especially so if you add an evf. my preferred way of carrying the x10/20 or xz-2 size is via wrist strap. many times i even forget its there danglin' at the end o' my hand...
 
I am going to try for size this weekend I'll report back on my choice, it looks like the Lx7 may win the day unless I am wowed by the sony
 
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