Big Sensors, Shrinking Cameras
Thursday, November 12th, 2009
Big Sensors, Shrinking Cameras
David Pogue reviews the Canon Powershot S90 and the Panasonic Lumix GF1. Pogue is always a great reviewer because he knows which technical details to include and which to leave out for most consumers.
I’ve been shooting my hikes with the Canon SD1200 IS which is an amazingly good small camera that costs a little over $150. But, this camera can’t handle scenes where the sky and ground are too far apart in tone without either over exposing the sky or under exposing the ground. This is typical of cheaper cameras and better cameras can handle this kind of dynamic range problem more easily.
I’ve been reading about the Canon G11, S90, Panasonic LX3, GF1, Ricoh models and others for a while now. As I understand things, the Canon G11 and S90 are about the same camera in different clothing and I find the G11′s larger controls easier to use than the S90s which are bordering on too small for me to easily see without glasses.
The Panasonic GF1 is the obvious winner with the biggest sensor, and best image quality by a longshot. But, that comes at a price of higher cost, larger size and a bit more complexity.
For me, this hiking camera has to be able to fit in a small pouch that I attach to the shoulder strap of my pack and be readily accessible from there for quick snapshots on hikes. My bottom line is to document hikes without getting in the way of the other hikers so I don’t want to futz with controls or setups that would usually take me some time with my DSLR.
Here’s some more discussion of these cameras by reviewers with more a more technical viewpoint:
Luminous Landscape: Canon PowerShot G11
Luminous Landscape: Canon PowerShot S90
Luminous Landscape: Panasonic Lumix GF1
DP Review: Panasonic Lumix GF1
[via Gary Sharp]
I would pick S90 from that list for the purpose you mentioned. But I am very much into large sensor, small camera thing also. I have Olympus E-P1 and it is very wonderful camera excluding its slow AF. GF1 would correct that thing. So difficult decision!
Jonne: I think they’re all great cameras and it’s a matter of ergonomics as much as technical details. The S90, which I’ve had my hands on for hours at the NY photo show and at B&H is just a bit too small for me so my choice is G11 for it’s better ergonomic fit for my hands and eyes.
I hope you’ll continue to weigh in about your Olympus E-P1, I’m always interested in how people who’s photography and photographic skills I respect are using these tools.