Camera Labs

As we all know, many well-respected brands, such as Leica, are coming into this high end luxury camera market. With cameras like the X1, Fuji's X100 and the Sigma DP2s, the compact is being redefined as we know it.

Many of these new cameras feature APS-C sized sensors, letting you get that attractive shallow DOF, and better low light performance. But, all this comes at a compromise.

With a very high price tag, these luxury compacts hover around the $1000 mark or higher, with the Leica X1 reaching $2000! Perhaps it's because of it's free copy of Adobe Lightroom, or it's amazing IQ, or even that famous red dot on the front.

So I ask you, which of the cameras in this class if your favorite, and is it worth all that money?

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-Evan

Gear: 7 Nikon Nikkor AI-S and AF-S lenses, SB-700 flash, Nikon D7000, Nikon FM, variety of accessories

"There are no rules for good photographs, there are only good photographs."
- Ansel Adams

Hi Evan,

Interesting question! Of the fixed focal length cameras you mentioned there's only one that I want to buy and that's the Fujifilm FinePix X100 as it would appear to be in a different league in terms of its price/performance ratio and, sad though it may be to admit it, it looks pretty cool. Of course the major trouble with it at the moment is that it doesn't exist, let alone have any reviews. Maybe my view will change when we finally get to see how well the sensor performs compared to the Leica X1.

Bob.

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OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.

No doubts: Fuji x100.

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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

Leica! No question.

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[url="http://www.haringphotography.com"]Haring Photography[/url]

@ Haring, youre Dutch?

Logical answer, Leica, but the price is way too high for me

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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

For fixed lens, large sensor compact, Fuji X100 seems will be the best, but i find interchangeable system camera is much more interesting. Camera such as Panasonic GF1, GF2 or Ricoh GXR enable you to changelenses without being too large.

For compact with small sensor, I recommend Ricoh GRD3 the 28mm f/1.9, body quality and interface just awesome.

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I'd love that X1, I'm sure that the IQ is superb. Although, may I say that the X100's hybrid viewfinder looks interesting. I really do like those two cameras, especially their "Classic Film" build.

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-Evan

Gear: 7 Nikon Nikkor AI-S and AF-S lenses, SB-700 flash, Nikon D7000, Nikon FM, variety of accessories

"There are no rules for good photographs, there are only good photographs."
- Ansel Adams