Compact with Raw

[Dagwood]

Thinking of upgrading from my TZ3 Lumix to something like the TZ10 but would like to have a compact that can do RAW. Any suggestions or is this a beast yet to be invented?
Dagwood

[chris-p]

Hmm, the TZ10 is a lovely camera (best all round compact on the market at the moment IMO) but they've announced the TZ20 so it could be worth hanging on for that. It won't shoot RAW though.

There are lots of compacts which do RAW capture. According to DPReview the complete list is:

Sigma DP2x
Olympus XZ-1
Fuji HS20 EXR
Fuji F550 EXR
Leica V-Lux 2
Leica D-Lux 5
Fuji X100
Canon G12
Nikon P7000
Canon S95
Panasonic FZ40
Panasonic FZ100
Panasonic LX5
Samsung HZ50W
Samsung TL350
Sigma DP2s
Samsung TL500
Sigma DP1x
Fuji HS10
Casio FH100
Kodak Z981
Casio FH25
Sigma DP1s
Leica X1... and many more - this is about half the list.

Kind of depends what you're after really. Bridge or real compact? If it's a proper compact you're after I'd be looking at the Olympus XZ-1, Canon Powershot S95 and the Panasonic LX5. The Fuji X100 would be tempting as well but it's REALLY expensive.

It's probably worth checking out DPReviews High End Compact review where they back to back the Panasonic LX5, Nikon P7000 and Canon S95.

[Dagwood]

Chris, many thanks for your extensive reply. I guess the price hike to the Lumix TZ20 will deter me and it doesn't look any cheaper going with Raw on any of the compacts you list. Probably will be the TZ10 but now I'm wondering if the price difference will result in it increasing in price ort being an older version will reduce further. You pays your money and takes your choice..
Thanks again
Dagwood

[chris-p]

It's a tough one. The TZ-10 is a cracking little camera, I really can't recommend it enough as an all-rounder. I don't know the specs of the TZ-20, I've not actually been and looked but I imagine it'll be "more evolution than revolution" as reviewers like to say.

The Fuji X100 is gorgeous but it's very very very very very expensive for what it is - like an iPhone for camera nerds I suppose, which is probably why I want one!

The others that I like are the high end models. The Panasonic LX3 and LX5 really appeal but they're not as all round flexible as something like the TZ's and other similar models.

I think they key is to know the limitations of what you're buying and as an enthusiast you know what those limitations are. In effect, you're not buying blindly like you're average punter on the high street. Make an educated decision and you pretty much can't go wrong.

[Markulous]

As a Canon G11 owner I can't help but be biased but I've had some great shots out of it (I shoot RAW only on all my cameras) - it's my "Out with Dog" camera as I can shoot it with one hand very easily. An example of what it can do Example of aimlessness . It was between that and the LX-3 as they both had easily selectable all-essential controls (and I got the G11 at a good s/h price!) - now the choice would probably be between the G12 and the LX-5!

[aisha_209]

I will suggest you canon s95 a nice camera with good low light features and also supports raw. The Canon has two advantages over the Panasonic LX-3 & LX-5. First, you can easily put it in your pocket or in a belt case. Second, the interface is a brilliant re-thinking of how a very small camera with a full set of controls should work. A pocket camera with full manual control and nice picture quality.