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Panasonic Digital Cameras that Support RAW and TIFF

I have came a long way since starting my search for an compact digital camera that can shoot photos and store them as RAW or TIFF format. If you have been following my threads (see TrackBacks below), you'll see that I already have my heart sat on the Leica D-Lux 2. But I didn't want to short-change myself so I looked at the rest of the digital camera manufacturers. It's a good thing to, because I found that Panasonic has the exact same camera under a different model for a few hundred less (I have recently reviewed this camera on my web site). As it happens, Panasonic is also the last camera manufacturer to check on my list.

Traditionally, Panasonic had made few film cameras and aren't geared toward providing for professional needs. However, their Lumix digital camera line-up is extremely well balanced for the typical consumer and the professional photographers. So I had my fingers crossed. The following is how Panasonic Lumix digital camera fair in my search.

RAW and TIFF
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ30
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX1

RAW
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LC1

TIFF
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ20
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ5
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ7

JPEG Only
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX01
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX8
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS2
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ2
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ3
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ5
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ1

Panasonic has quite a few offerings that support RAW and TIFF. That's exactly what I like to see from a manufacturer that is willing to give its customers what they want. Although six Pansonic Lumix digital camera models would full-fill my need for loss-less image, only one is what I'm looking for--the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX1.

The rest of the digital camera that support RAW and TIFF are all too big. They are equivalent to SLR cameras. And here I am looking for an ultra-compact point-and-shoot camera for my outings at Disneyland.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX1 fits my need perfectly. It's the exact same camera as the Leica D-Lux 2. It even has several bonus that I wasn't looking for on a P&S camera: optical image stabilization, full manual control, and a large/quality Leica lens! See my "Leica Digital Cameras that Support RAW and TIFF for an in-depth write-up on why this is the perfect compact digital camera.

Chieh Cheng
Thu, 4 May 2006 17:37:52 -0700

It all worked for me except one nagging issue: an optical viewfinder vs. LCD. Without an optical viewfinder I'm just lost and have to fight glare and my own inability to focus very very closely--in order to just use the LCD as the only viewfinder.

Plus, when you push the camera away from your body it is less stable than when holding it close to your eye.

Thank you Chieh Cheng for your research time and for sharing your results with all of us.

Rick Rappaport
Tue, 04 Jul 2006 11:31:39 -0700

Chieh,
What did you end up choosing? I'm interested to know how workable the Panasonic DMC-LX1 / Leica D-Lux 2 are in low light situations with RAW or TIFF. My understanding is that the in-camera JPEG compression causes the noise. Can I get a 2GB SD card, and shoot all night at a party, and have clear images? Can it do so without flash?
Thanks,
--Monte
rootlet.blogspot.com

Monte
Fri, 14 Jul 2006 22:33:33 -0700

Thanks for posting all this info. Since I am engaged in the same search as you I am curious to know the answer to Monte's question.

Monte did you wind up buying the LX1?

Dennis
Sun, 27 Aug 2006 07:59:25 -0700

I ended up getting the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX1. I've posted a its review here:
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX1 / Leica D-Lux 2

> Can I get a 2GB SD card, and shoot all night at a party,

Yes. I believe you can.

> and have clear images? Can it do so without flash?

That would be hard to do without flash. Max ISO is 400. Image stabilization might keep the lens and camera steady, but your subject are going to be moving around.

Chieh Cheng
Mon, 28 Aug 2006 00:23:35 -0700

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Title: Nikon Digital Cameras that Support RAW and TIFF
Weblog: Camera Hacker
Excerpt: Once again, I'm in the market for a P&S digital camera. This time it needs to be as small as possible and support RAW, TIFF, or both. JPEG is no longer sufficient on P&S digital cameras that I own. Why? See my "Shoot in RAW, Always!" article.
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Title: Casio Digital Cameras that Support RAW and TIFF
Weblog: Camera Hacker
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Title: Leica Digital Cameras that Support RAW and TIFF
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