Lx5 vs s95


ahboy168

Senior Member
Mar 30, 2009
998
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Anyone helpful enough to list down the key factor which will make you decide on one.
 

for me, it's size.
 

feel free to goggle this phrase 'LX5 vs S95' there is certainly a number of comparison from different website.

asia.cnet.com
cnet.com
hardwarezone
dpreview.com
digitalrev.com
 

Most significant difference is the size of the two camera without going into details.
 

you might want to do a side-by-side image comparison

http://www.imaging-resource.com/IMCOMP/COMPS01.HTM

i dont own any, as im still deciding between the two. but from comparing the images using the tool above, i noticed while they are both on par at ISO80-200, things are quite different at higher ISOs. The color and DR for the S95 is pretty much consistent throughout the range, while the LX5 tend to lose it's colors and appear to be unsaturated at high ISOs. do see for yourself and decide.
 

I don't really like the size of the S95, always had a feeling I will drop it when I hold it.

Aside from that, the camera works well. Actually both cameras are pretty much on par in terms of specs and IQ, imo.
 

Battery life
S95 got a lousier batt life vs LX5

Wider angle
LX5 has a 24mm vs S95's 28mm

Buttons
I don't really like S95's buttons as they are flushed to the surface making it slightly hard to press

Grip
S95 doesn't feel very ergonomic on my hands

Weight
LX5 is slightly heavier which makes it easier to balance for a steady night shot

Macro
LX5 can do insane macro at 1cm distance which beats the hell out of S95
 

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Battery life
S95 got a lousier batt life vs LX5

Wider angle
LX5 has a 24mm vs S95's 28mm

Buttons
I don't really like S95's buttons as they are flushed to the surface making it slightly hard to press

Grip
S95 doesn't feel very ergonomic on my hands

Weight
LX5 is slightly heavier which makes it easier to balance for a steady night shot

Macro
LX5 can do insane macro at 1cm distance which beats the hell out of S95

Very much sums up the winning points of LX5!
 

I think the Panny LX doesn't have as much appeal with the advent of superior interchangeable lens cameras with APS-C or M4/3 like the Sony NEX, Olympus EPL series, Samsung NX100. In a sense, the LX was the king of the hil for awhile, but is now stuck in the middle. Most people who want a camera of its size will go for one of the new mirrorless cameras, while those who want portability will buy the S95.
 

I think the Panny LX doesn't have as much appeal with the advent of superior interchangeable lens cameras with APS-C or M4/3 like the Sony NEX, Olympus EPL series, Samsung NX100. In a sense, the LX was the king of the hil for awhile, but is now stuck in the middle. Most people who want a camera of its size will go for one of the new mirrorless cameras, while those who want portability will buy the S95.

Disagree. The LX5 is not THAT big, it's still a compact camera in essence with much better ergonomics than S95 undeniably.

The fair comparison for mirrorless category from Panny wld be GF1 size.
 

purely personal preference...

im a canon user, but LX5's features was enough for me to drop S95 on my list...
 

I think the Panny LX doesn't have as much appeal with the advent of superior interchangeable lens cameras with APS-C or M4/3 like the Sony NEX, Olympus EPL series, Samsung NX100. In a sense, the LX was the king of the hil for awhile, but is now stuck in the middle. Most people who want a camera of its size will go for one of the new mirrorless cameras, while those who want portability will buy the S95.

I beg to differ

I considered long and hard between LX5 and S95 too
GF1 definitely out because it is not as portable as LX5

Sony NEX is interesting but their on-screen menu suits PNS users more as all their manual controls are at least 1-2 levels deep within the sub-menu

Comes down to the same old LX5 vs S95
In the end I choose LX5 because I need 24mm to suit my photography style. This is my main deciding factor but there are lots of pros getting the LX5 over S95 as I listed in my previous post.
 

I beg to differ

I considered long and hard between LX5 and S95 too
GF1 definitely out because it is not as portable as LX5

Sony NEX is interesting but their on-screen menu suits PNS users more as all their manual controls are at least 1-2 levels deep within the sub-menu

Comes down to the same old LX5 vs S95
In the end I choose LX5 because I need 24mm to suit my photography style. This is my main deciding factor but there are lots of pros getting the LX5 over S95 as I listed in my previous post.

Agree.. I'm selling my gf1 precisely for the reason of portability.. Also because I lazy to change lens -.-

But either way there's a world of difference in both price and size.. Totally different markets
 

if you don't want to use a bag for your camera, and want to carry it in your jeans/small pocket, S95.

ergonomics don't really matter much for small cameras. even the LX5's curved grip doesn't really get embraced by the hand. it's merely there for aesthetics or only if you want a 5 year-old kid to have a comfortable grip on your 700 SGD camera.

the LX5's lens which is sticking out from the body will require you to have a big pocket for it (cargo pants) or a bag. the lens cap is also one more thing.

in terms of image quality, i'd go for the LX5 though.
 

for me is the wide angle.

and weirdly, the idea of s95 coming out only 1 year after s90 kinda drop the s95 off the list.
dont like the idea of a replacement model coming out so fast.
 

i have an E-P1 so a non-pocketable secondary camera is already out of the picture. if i'll bring a camera with a strap and case, i might as well bring the E-P1.

the LX5 is a mighty camera, but it really depends on one's needs. if one needs an all-rounder, this is the one to get. but if compactness is the main concern, S95 is the better choice. feature-wise the S95 lacks a few compared to the LX5, but it also depends if you really need those rather than just checkbox specs. IQ-wise, i think it's a close call.

i'm planning to buy the S95 soon, but honestly i wont pay more than $500 for it, knowing how canon prices drops so fast. either i wait a price drop or buy 2nd hand.
 

For a grab an go everywhere camera, the S95 is already slightly too big for me! At least compared to the Ixus 120 I use now, its like 70% heavier and much bulkier. The only problem with the Ixus 120 is that its grainy at high ISO so that's why I'm looking around.

During my Pentax film SLR days, a lot of us had a Yashica T5 with a superb Carl Ziess lens as a "small" backup camera. I suppose I'm now looking for the same thing.
 

Battery life
S95 got a lousier batt life vs LX5

Wider angle
LX5 has a 24mm vs S95's 28mm

Buttons
I don't really like S95's buttons as they are flushed to the surface making it slightly hard to press

Grip
S95 doesn't feel very ergonomic on my hands

Weight
LX5 is slightly heavier which makes it easier to balance for a steady night shot

Macro
LX5 can do insane macro at 1cm distance which beats the hell out of S95

I Agree with all the above. Especially Macro :D

The movie recording is also great HD with Zoom in/out allowed + AF ;)

I just got a white LX5 last night and love it already!
 

Buttons
I don't really like S95's buttons as they are flushed to the surface making it slightly hard to press

this is actually a plus if you want a pocketable camera. it was designed that way to prevent accidental pressing of those buttons
 

I would choose a Panasonic anytime, love the leica lens and the colours rendered. Canon simply floods the market with new models every single year. S90 was like last yr only. Anyway, what u pay is what u get, cameras of this price range is like this as in u will have this amount of similar features, could be a little more or less. U pay $3k for a camera, u will have this set of features etc.
 

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