Lumix DMC-LX3

Our first digital camera was the Canon G1 (a real digital dinosaur now as they just launched the G10!) and back then I thought it was such a great compact digicam as it has some manual settings and a LCD screen that can be flipped and rotated. We have not bought another point and shoot since then (if you don't count the HP one which Erwin got at staff price while he was still working for them) and I am now contemplating the latest offering by Panasonic, the Lumix DMC-LX3 which boasts slightly better features over the G10 (which I would have considered instead had I not come across the LX3).

In short, the LX3 has:
- A Leica 24-60 F2.0-2.8! yes, f2! For all the zoom geeks, this is not for you as it stops at 60mm on the long end.

- Full HD video recording! Whoo hoo! :D Time to say bye bye to my N73 (what I have been using to capture videos of my kids as my iPhone has NO video recording capability)

- Full MANUAL settings!

- A 3inch LCD

- 3:2 or 16:9 format, NICE! (my G1 and most other compact digicams has the 4:3 format)

- RAW shooting!

- High ISO up to 3200 but I wouldn't shoot that high on a compact, max 800.

I first heard about this camera from one of my favourite blogs and then I google for a review and this is the best one by a photographer.

You may ask why I need to get this as I already own a couple of DSLRs. Well, other photographers may find joy in lugging their DSLR everywhere they go but I don't. If it's a shoot yes I'll bring out all the gear necessary but for ordinary days out with the family or with friends, who needs that heavy bag to add to what I have to lug around on a daily basis already? Namely, 1 x 8kg baby, 1 x 3yr old toddler, 2 x diaper bags, 1 x personal bag, 2 x baby carriers, 1 x stroller and 1 x husband.

So that's why I need a compact camera - for all the other moments in my life when I do not have my DSLR with me. And so far the LX3 seems the best choice for me :)