Looking for a compact

[Aedus]

Hi all,

I made a thread recently about getting my gf a DSLR which she really liked, and now i'm looking for something for myself now which I can use on a daily basis just out and about.

I decided a DSLR is a bit too bulky for me, so i'd be more inclined to get a more compact camera, and since you guys gave me such great suggestions I'd like to see the recommendations for a decent compact. I'd still like it to have a nice selection of features and good quality images, I obviously don't expect it to be up to par with a DSLR, but it would be nice to get something decent.

Say budget of £500, spending less if possible, but will go to £500 if a particular camera is worth it.

Thanks in advanced.

 

[Aedus]

I prefer the ones like the RX100, Panasonic LX7 & Olympus XZ-2 where I wouldn't need to interchange the lens.

Is there a short list of the best of the bunch from these? I do really like the look of the RX100, but understand the price for it's performance may not match what else is available.

From the posts i can see:

LX7
RX100
X10
XZ2
X20
X100
g15

Edit: Just wanted to note, an important aspect of the camera is that it's easily able to fit in a jacket pocket, something that can be carried around easily as I only ever take my phone, wallet and keys with me.

 

[Aedus]

The x100 is really nice but it's a fixed lens at 35mm equivalent (which is an ace length imo). If this is your only camera then you'll need to be comfortable with this as it limits it's use. If it's a 2nd camera then yeah it'd be very nice.

This would be my only camera for the time being. So it's better to go for one with a lens that's not fixed?

I'd personally say X100 as it's the closest to giving you DSLR quality (pretty damn fantastic quality at that) as well as being the nicest to use imho. The smaller compacts like the Sony and Panny are admittedly smaller but the X100 is a camera I'd happily keep and use for the better part of a decade whereas I feel like while the current performance compacts do well for their role, they will also be made obsolete very quickly and so their performance will no longer be that much of an advantage, just becoming another compact. The X100 matches all of their quality easily in terms of sensor, with more detailed images and imo a nicer shooting experience. It's just not /that/ much smaller than a DSLR (though the little 23mm f/2 lens is a little wonder of design if you ask me)

Sounds good though, will definitely keep this in mind.


I'm looking at both the RX100 and the X100 now, if anyone else can offer any insight into any of the above on the list I made would be appreciated.

 

[Aedus]

Thanks for all the input, I'm still deciding.

I'm looking at the RX100, LX7, X100 and XZ-2 more than the others at the moment. I get the whole interchangeable lens thing being good, but personally, for my use, I'd rather have something I can pull out, take a quick snap and put away again, rather than fiddle with different lens', especially if it means more to carry around on my person.

I would probably take the plunge with the RX100, but it concerns me that people are saying it's over-rated and over-priced. Is £420 too much for it? Would I be better going for the LX7 for £255 or the XZ-2 for £349?

 

[Aedus]

I see your point, I guess it's going to be tough to decide just from reading about them, I think I need to go into a shop and play with them before deciding which to get. I think I'll look at the rx100, lx7, x100, x20, m34 and nikon 1 and see what I like better, I just wanted a rough idea of what to look for, and it seems any of these cameras would be a solid choice, I just didn't want to get something crappy and regret it afterwards.