Compact Camera RAW - Do You Use It?

[groovyone]

For those with Compacts that can shoot RAW, do you actually use it, or do you primarily shoot JPG still?

I have decided to finally replace my aging Sony V1 with a new compact. I have narrowed it down to 3 with RAW and one without. I was told the GF1 and E-P1/2 are too large (by the wife), and they will not slip into a shirt pocket.

The non-RAW compact I like is the new Sony WX1. It is extremely compact and pretty impressive in low light for a compact thanks to the new Exmor-R sensor....but no RAW.

The RAW compacts are the Ricoh GX200, the Panasonic LX3 and the Canon S90.

So, do you shoot RAW with your compact?


*WX1 does 720 video and the fun pano mode. The LX3 now does in camera HDR with the 2.1 update!

[studiocygnet]

Originally Posted by groovyone

So, do you shoot RAW with your compact?

Yes. With a Ricoh GRD-II. I just leave it set at raw+jpeg, and then toss whichever I figure I won't use when I look at them in Bridge. Mainly because every now and again there is one that looks good enough to merit the full raw treatment, and I can just toss the rest and keep the jpegs as snaps.

[jeffkohn]

I just got an S90, I wanted something truly pocketable with manual controls and raw capability. I plan to always shoot raw, I don't want to have to mess with things like WB while shooting, nor have to worry about the loss of dynamic range that comes with in-camera JPG conversions.

[groovyone]

Originally Posted by jeffkohn

I just got an S90, I wanted something truly pocketable with manual controls and raw capability. I plan to always shoot raw, I don't want to have to mess with things like WB while shooting, nor have to worry about the loss of dynamic range that comes with in-camera JPG conversions.

I liked the control dials on the S90. Very handy. I am still torn by the LX3 and its lens, and the GX200 with the EVF.

[d2creative]

Originally Posted by jeffkohn

I just got an S90, I wanted something truly pocketable with manual controls and raw capability. I plan to always shoot raw, I don't want to have to mess with things like WB while shooting, nor have to worry about the loss of dynamic range that comes with in-camera JPG conversions.

Completely different kind of camera.
This ricoh and the mft cameras are in a whole different league from P&S cameras.

Personally though, I would have gotten the gx-200 instead of the s90.
Once you use a Ricoh it's hard to use anything else. Even giving up high iso capability.

This one should be interesting. The lens plus sensor combo is a little bigger than just a lens, but the whole thing is smaller than the EP1 or GF1. And a larger sensor(s) to boot! Is kinda weird having DIFFERENT sensors per lens though. Not sure why they can't all use the same or similar lenses.

[AndrewCCM]

Yes, I use is on my LX3...

[groovyone]

Originally Posted by AndrewCCM

Yes, I use is on my LX3...

What are your thoughts on the new 2.1 firmware on the LX3? It looks like a pretty cool update.

[AndrewCCM]

Originally Posted by groovyone

What are your thoughts on the new 2.1 firmware on the LX3? It looks like a pretty cool update.

Uh.. well.. THANKS FOR POINTING IT OUT!

I actually had no idea there was a new FW. Guess I better go get it. I know I got my camera direct from Panasonic when it was first announced. I haven't upgraded the firmware at all since. Very interested to see what it changes.

Thanks!

[jeffkohn]

Originally Posted by d2creative

Completely different kind of camera.
This ricoh and the mft cameras are in a whole different league from P&S cameras.

Personally though, I would have gotten the gx-200 instead of the s90.
Once you use a Ricoh it's hard to use anything else. Even giving up high iso capability.

I'm not sure which "this ricoh" you mean, but the large-sensor compacts aren't small enough to fit what I want. The S90 beats the GX-200 on pretty much every spec I care about in a P&S, and has the same size sensor size but with slightly lower pixel density. I don't need 24mm on a P&S, I'd rather have the extra reach on the long end. The ergonomics on the S90 seem pretty good for a small camera, I really like the 'control ring'.

[d2creative]

woah, that's weird. I could have sworn i was in the other ricoh thread when i posted earlier. Mondays are a b***h.

I'd still choose the gx200 though, but that's just me.

[Coelus]

I use RAW on my G10. I just run everything through LR, I'm so used to that work flow I use it for the family snapshots and all.

[KJ Smith]

I use RAW on my G10 also.

Why use anything else????

[groovyone]

Originally Posted by AndrewCCM

Uh.. well.. THANKS FOR POINTING IT OUT!

I actually had no idea there was a new FW. Guess I better go get it. I know I got my camera direct from Panasonic when it was first announced. I haven't upgraded the firmware at all since. Very interested to see what it changes.

Thanks!

Hahaha, no problem!