Best Compact Alternative for a Canon EOS 1DS Body.

<p>1st choice, my iPhone 4<br />2nd choice, my Lumix LX5</p>

<p>I actually carry a Nikon S8000 in my shirt pocket. It has 10x optical zoom, stereo HD if you care, and the same color space as the higher end Nikons -- the determining feature for me when I was shopping for small unobtrusive cameras for grab shots. <br>

If you want matchbook or credit card size, the Canon SD780 I tried for a few weeks was unbeatable. The biggest danger with that one was that a bird would mistake it for a cracker bit and fly off with it.</p>

<p>I have two "carry around all the time cameras". One is a micro 4/3 Panasonic G1, the other a Canon G11. While the G1 does have a bigger sensor and more DSLR like controls and takes fine images, I usually opt for the G11. For me it's all about the print - and up to about 8 x 10, at low ISOs, the prints from the two are pretty much indistinguishable, and I love the dials/controls on the G11. I may at some point look into the GF1 or the Oly EPL1, but right now I'm pretty happy with what I have.</p>

<p>I carry a G11 and for most part very happy with it, but will wait (maybe) to see what Canon announces but I have read and tried the Sony Nex5 and find it to be the perfect small camera that I have been waiting for. I may start a war but but according to one site the Nex5 outperformed almost all Canon crop cameras when it came to IQ and was almost as good as the Canon 7D in IQ.</p>

<p>I don't have any experience with G11, when I did research between G11, LX3, S90, <br>

to me, LX3's f2.0 and 24mm wide made more sense than any other.</p>

<p>You can consider LX5 (although no reviews yet), it has 90mm on tele end which makes it<br>

better on paper.</p>

<p>I recently purchased the Leica V-Lux 20 (used it while on a horse) and it is fantastic. The Canon D10 is great for rugged stuff and around (in) water. All that said, I lug my Mark IV basically everywhere - it is worth the hassle.</p>

<p>I also use the g10 and find it perfectly adequate for my purposes. The main problem is seeing the picture, not taking it.<br>

The lens on the G10 is of good quality - plus it can do macro with ease.<br>

I hand hold just about everything and get good results.<br>

I also have a slr but its too clunky - I don't use it.</p>

<p>I agree with the people who have recommended an EOS rebel with a 35/50 mm prime. My T1i with the 50mm 1.8 is so light that sometimes I have to double check my camera bag because I feel there's nothing in it :)</p>

<p>Panasonic GF1 or Olympus Pen EP-1/EPL-1/EP-2 are the obvious choice in my opinion, either with their kit zooms or the 17/20mm fixed primes. They will leave the G11 in the dust.</p>

<p>This newer thread here http://www.photo.net/canon-eos-digital-camera-forum/00X3r3 shows an allegedly new Canon EOS 60D which may (or may not) be another option for you after this month.</p>

<p>You should consider Olympus E-520 with a Pancake 25mm. A small camera with stabilizer. </p>

<p>><br>

> I like my G11 for casual use. My only complaint is that the flash control has been unnecessarily dumbed down.<br>

><br>

Craig can you explain what you mean about flash control? Are you referring to built in flash control or external flash control?</p>

<p>I'm just curious because I really like using my G10 with external ETTL flashes.<br>

Thanks,</p>

<p>Don Bryant</p>

<p>Leica D-Lux 4 </p>