No DSLRs

Greetings NoDSLRs readers.  Hope you all had a great and safe holiday season.  Hopefully your stockings were filled with some well deserved photo equipment.  

It's been a couple of weeks since I posted here.   Lots going on in my world and in the camera world.    I'll be spending the weekend updating the G11 reviews as well as a few others.  I also need to add the Olympus EP-2 to the Olympus pages.

But....I am not writing today to talk about that.  I'm writing today to recap some of the very cool small but serious camera producst of 2009.  Here is my list of favorite products that I used, reviewed and or purchased in 2009. 

1)  Panasonic LX3 - This is simply the benchmark for me when it comes to overall performance of a point and shoot.   As I look back over my pictures taken in 2009, many of my favorite images were taken with the LX3.   It is so versatile and when you add a Lensmate adaptor, it becomes even more versatile.    Some may argue it came out in 2008 but I didn't buy one until March 2009.

2)  Panasonic GF1 and Olympus EP-1 - Micro 4/3rds is here to stay.   I can't wait to see this category develop.    I've shot the GF1 for several months.   

3)  Canon S90IS - I commend Canon for investing in a compact camera with new technology, the programable lens ring.   This is a really fine little camera and the lens ring is a surprisingly functional and useful addition.    It has also given Panasonic a wake up call as many LX3 buyers have purchased the Canon because of the short supply of LX3's.  

4)  Canon G10/G11 - This is the camera that I think sets the mark for contruction, look and feel.  It's external control are unmatched (in my opinion).  The G10 is the highest resolving compact I've ever used.  It is very, very good at ISO 80.  

So...What about products I haven't used but still want to mention here?

1)  Ricoh - I've got to hand it to Ricoh for a couple of reasons.  Their viral marketing of sending cameras from blogger to blogger is remarkable.   In addition, they also appear to listen to photographers in that the feature set, control and function of the cameras is realy unmatched by other camera makers.  They also took a bunch of risk with the GXR.   Not sure in the interchangable camera pod will catch on or not.  Time will tell.   Regardless, they should be commended.  The GRD III is a gem too.  I wish I had one.......

2)  Leica - Wow, two killer compacts with the X-1 and the M9.   Neither of which you will ever see in my mitts, but they are showing both Canon and Nikon that higher end compacts are a niche that shdould be considered.  

3)  Sigma - I love Sigma despite the slowness and 2-3 year behind the rest of the market feel.  I shot a DP1 for a bit.   Loved it but found it too slow for me to use effectively.  I still applaud Sigma for being the first compan to offer a large sensor compact.   Because of this, I think I'll always have a soft spot for Sigma.  

Thanks for a great 2009 and thank for reading No DSLRs.  It's already come a long way since I started the site in October.     I've got some cool stuff planned for 2010.  Keep coming back.

So....What will happen in 2010?   Stay tuned.   I'm going to go out on a limb with some predictions.  

Happy New Year!