Which compact camera (already have a D90)

[Maxf]

I'd like a compact camera to compliment my D90 - for those occasions where I might see something interesting but don't want to carry a house brick around on the off-chance.

I always thought a Panasonic Lumix would be a good choice, so I bought an FX700 last week. I'm afraid to say I'm pretty disapointed with it - the image quality is noisy and very average. I'll end up selling it on and trying something else - but thought I'd get some recommendations first this time!

I ideally need:
Decent image quality (colour, resolution, noise)
Reasonable flash/low light performance
Manual settings (or at least priority modes)
HD video
Able to fit into a coat pocket, or even jeans pockets.

Any tips or suggestions?

[Gad-Westy]

I don't know what your budget is but have you considered a panasonic gf1 or gf2? Seems to tick all the boxes but not cheap. If you want slr performance there is the Sony nex5 but it doesn't have a flash and will be quite big with a lens attached.

[XG332]

powershot sx210/220?

[Simpo Two]

Leica C-Lux 2 here; very pleased with it. I think the current version is 3.

(or save some money and get the equivalent Panasonic it's based on)

[jimmy156]

Simpo Two said:

Leica C-Lux 2 here; very pleased with it. I think the current version is 3.

(or save some money and get the equivalent Panasonic it's based on)

... which i think is the panasonic lx-5 and the very compact i was going to reccomend. Gets great reviews and is a lovely looking thing. Cant help any more then that though i'm afraid.

[Simpo Two]

jimmy156 said:

... which i think is the panasonic lx-5

You're thinking of the D-Lux range, which is much bigger.

C-Luxes are based on Panasonic FX models; very 'shirt-pocket' and a great antithesis of a DSLR:

[bradders]

Canon S95?? Seems to fit your requirements.

[Maxf]

Thanks for the replies.

The Lumix is out as I really don't like the FX700 I have. I'm told some of the other Lumix are better though.

Does anybody have any opinion of the Nikon compacts and the new generation of Sony cybershots?

[Mr Pointy]

Lumix LX5 (new) or LX3 (second hand). Great image quality although a slightly restricted zoom range.

DPReview has an advanced compact group test & loads of very detailed reviews:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/q42010highendcompa...

[Torquemada]

I bought a Canon S90 to complement my Nikon D80 last year. Image quality is okay and very flexible controls (inc raw), but I still find myself
holding the non-existent view finder up to my eye to take a shot!

[Maxf]

It looks like I can get a LX5 for around £270 in the US - so may well do that when I'm there in April. It looks like a pretty decent mid-point between p&s and SLR - just what I was after.

[Mr Pointy]

Maxf said:

It looks like I can get a LX5 for around £270 in the US - so may well do that when I'm there in April. It looks like a pretty decent mid-point between p&s and SLR - just what I was after.

I love my LX3 as although it doesn't have the most megapixels the f2.0 lens & low noise give me the type of pictures I like. As I said the zoom range is a bit limited but the LX5 is a bit better in this respect.

If you don't like it they seem to go for around £260 on eBay so you wouldn't lose too much.

[Whoozit]

I had the same thought as you not so long ago (same SLR as well, spooky!). The current interwebby recommendations for a pocketable, manual control camera are mainly the Panny LX5 and the Canon S95. I went with the LX5 primarily due to the wider/faster lens. I've not had it long (nor printed up pics) but on screen the results are pretty darned good.