Shooting paintings/screenprints: Canon G10 or Lumix LX3?

[YuriVoorhak]

For a variety of reasons, I'm just not going to get a DSLR.

But as a visual artist (and complete photo noob), I need to squeeze relatively DSLR performance out of a compact. I'd also like room to become a bit less of a photo noob.

To my tin eye, the LX3 just seems to take better photos all around, but little of the sample stuff I've seen from either is very relevant to my primary use. If I were just looking for something to shoot around the city with, the high ISO performance of the LX3 would be a no brainer. But would the G10's extra pixels make a difference when it comes to shooting art? It sure is easier to find. The thought of resorting to ebay, or worse, breaking the bank for the Leica DLUX 4 makes me a little queasy. Is the G10 simply getting a bad rap? Any input is greatly appreciated.

 

[gkarris]

For a variety of reasons, I'm just not going to get a DSLR.

But as a visual artist (and complete photo noob), I need to squeeze relatively DSLR performance out of a compact. I'd also like room to become a bit less of a photo noob.

To my tin eye, the LX3 just seems to take better photos all around, but little of the sample stuff I've seen from either is very relevant to my primary use. If I were just looking for something to shoot around the city with, the high ISO performance of the LX3 would be a no brainer. But would the G10's extra pixels make a difference when it comes to shooting art? It sure is easier to find. The thought of resorting to ebay, or worse, breaking the bank for the Leica DLUX 4 makes me a little queasy. Is the G10 simply getting a bad rap? Any input is greatly appreciated.

Only possible on an Olympus PEN, or other dSLR sensor-sized P&S.

I say spend the money on the camera with the largest sensor possible so you can shoot your art in high ISO without distracting flash.

You're better off getting a Nikon D40 kit - cheaper than a high-end P&S in some cases.

 

[davegregory]

If you're looking for high ISO performance, you won't find it in a P&S. I own an LX3, and anything above 400 is noisy. Just because it has ISO 3200, doesn't mean it should ever be used . If you're going to be shooting artwork, are you able to touch this artwork? If so, I'd invest in a lightbox as well, so you don't need to resort to high ISO's. (This depends on the size of the artwork, obviously) I'm sure the Canon G10 is a good camera, I don't have any experience with it. I was looking at it when I decided on the LX3. I just found it to be too bulky for the purpose of a P&S camera.

If it's something you want to use beyond taking photos of artwork, then make sure you get the camera that works best for you. Try out both in a store (if you can find an LX3). If you want, I'll post images from my LX3 in low light so you can see how it does above 400.

 

[YuriVoorhak]

If you want, I'll post images from my LX3 in low light so you can see how it does above 400.

That would be great actually. Thanks! =)

 

[compuwar]

If you're serious about results, then spending money on lighting is going to help more than not. Light: Science and Magic has a pretty good chapter on shooting art if I recall correctly.

 

[davegregory]

Ok, so I took some test shots of a picture on a wall in my house at ISO 800, 1600, 3200. I've cropped them down at 100% to show the noise level for each picture.

Here they are, the first two files are the picture at 800 and 1600 ISO, full size. The pictures below are of the text, cropped, at 800, 1600 and 3200 ISO respectively. As you can see, at 1600 the noise is pretty bad and at 3200 the image is unusable in colour. You could recover the noise at 800 ISO, but really, lighting is key here. You want even, flat light if you're going to shoot art.

Don't let this put you off the LX3, it's an amazing camera, the ability to use the lens at f/2.0 helps keep you from using high ISO's.

 

[gkarris]

Don't let this put you off the LX3, it's an amazing camera, the ability to use the lens at f/2.0 helps keep you from using high ISO's.

The thing costs as much as a dSLR...

Hardly worth it for a camera with such a small sensor...

 

[davegregory]

The thing costs as much as a dSLR...

Hardly worth it for a camera with such a small sensor...

I don't disagree with you at all. I own a dSLR as well. But honestly, there are days where I just do not want to carry around a big heavy camera. The LX3 is small and light, it's a fantastic camera. But it's not an SLR and it is expensive.