What wide-angle compact digital camera?

[msrx7mh3]

Hi,

I'm looking to purchase a compact digital camera with wide-angle lens (<28mm preferred) and a zoom function (prefer 4/5x).

The ability to save in RAW format would be nice, but not essential. Would also prefer some manual control over aperture/white balance/multi-point focus, etc.
I'm not looking for a high megapixel count either- 7/8 mp is enough.

So far i've considered the Panasonic Lumix DMC FX500 (noted weakness with regards to noise at >100 iso) and the Ricoh GX200 (a nice camera but a bit chunky).

Has anyone else got a suggestion as to which other cameras to consider and their relative strengths and weaknesses? I don't even mind an older model, as long as its takes good pictures at iso 100-400.

Cheers.

[gingaman]

I've also been looking for a 'perfect' compact (wide angle with decent zoom, manual controls, reasonable ISO performance), they all have +s and -s, if you could merge all the +s together you would get a very good compact

Does it have to be < 28mm wide angle? The Fuji F100FD is 5x (28-140mm) and has very good ISO performance due to the larger than average sensor of 1/1.6" - lacks manual controls however! There is also the TZ4/5 with 10x (28-280mm) but also lacks manual controls and ISO performance isn't great.

Panasonic also announced a new FX37 this week, similar lens spec to the FX500 ie 5x (25-125mm), no reviews out yet but ISO is probably similar to FX500 and lacks manual controls so FX500 is probably better overall. They also announced the LX3, very high spec camera but only 3x (24-72mm) but has good range of manual controls and should have good ISO performance as the sensor is quite large for a compact @ 1/1.63".

Canon are rumoured to have some new models around the corner (August/September perhaps) so it would be nice to see them update the SX100 and/or G9 with a wide angle lens.

At the moment it is difficult to find one that ticks all the boxes!

[msrx7mh3]

Thanks for your comments.

Unfortunately the <28mm feature of the lens is required as i'll be trying to capture landscapes.

I think after reading more reviews than I care to remember that I'm going to go for the Ricoh GX200. Its seemingly got most of what im after.

Its a shame about the Fuji though, as I have the 31fd and its an absolutely cracking camera. Will join the classified soon methinks!