Camera Labs

Dear all,

I'm interested in changing my current camera (a Casio EX-Z1080). However I'm not decided which is my best option. I've got four "pretenders" Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5, Canon PowerShot G12, Canon PowerShot S95 and Sony Alpha NEX-5 .

My expectation is a camera that does its best in auto mode. Because, most of times, when I take a photograph the only thing I do is focus and press the button then I expect the camera does the rest. In fact, I take photographs without using predefined camera scenarios, because it's too tedious for me and it makes me slower. However, sometimes, I do few adjustments before taking the photograph like regulating the flash intensity or the EV meanwhile I have a look on the histogram, but no more.

So between those cameras, or if anyone knows any other that could be better, which of that four options do you think that I would get the best image quality in auto mode, because I've read the reviews posted on this website and I cannot really decide which one of those would perfectly match my expectations and wishes.

Thanks a lot,

Why do you need another camera? These cameras are aimed at amatures and small cameras for dSLR owners.
Do you want better IQ?

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Ruben

Panasonic DMC-FZ18, Panasonic DMC-FZ28, Canon G5, Canon 350D, Canon 50D + BG-E2N
Tamron 17-50 2.8, Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM,
Canon 18-55 II plus lots of Minolta MD/M42 lenses and bodies

Well they all can do 'auto' equally well - so if just comparing them straight up on capabilities of the sensors and cameras themselves, leaving out the user, lens, or adjusting settings, the NEX has by far better capabilities and higher IQ across a broader range of photography. It's the only one using a large APS-C sensor like DSLRs, which will demolish the small sensor P&S camera you mentioned when it comes to low light/high ISO work...and overall more resolution with larger photosites and lots of flexibility. Do remember though, you have to get lenses for the NEX...so the versatility depends on which lenses you decide to get for it. And it will clearly be larger with all but the 16mm pancake lens attached. The G12 will also be bulkier and larger than the other two.

The S95 and LX5 have good IQ and higher ISO ability than most P&S models, due to their 1/1.7 sensors vs most compact cameras' 1/2.5 sensors...but the NEX's APS-C sensor is positively huge by comparison - and it's in an entirely different category and capability.

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Justin Miller
Sony DSLR-A580 / Sony 18-250mm / Minolta 50mm F1.7 / Sigma 30mm F1.4 / Tamron 10-24mm / Tamron 200-500mm / Tamron 90mm F2.8 macro / Minolta 300mm F4 APO
Sony NEX5N / 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 / 55-210mm F4-6.3 / Pentax K adapter / Konica K/AR adapter / bunches o' Konica & Pentax lenses!

Galleries:
http://www.pbase.com/zackiedawg

Canon sx30is, Sony A33, Panasonic Lumix FZ45, Leica M series.

I have always been partial to the Canon G-series cameras. Even that pesky lens in the viewfinder at wide angles is something I learned to easily live with. They are pretty solidly built, are reasonably portable, and provide as good IQ as anything else out there. If you want more zoom, then consider the SX30IS. If you want more portability, look at the SX95.

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Olympus e-620 / 14-42mm / 40-150mm
Metz 48 AF-1
Kata 3-N-1 20, LowePro Orion Mini, LowePro Nova 2
My Flickr