This is a very interesting race. It's one of those classic Schumacher vs Mika Hakkinen.
These 2 camera models are very special. It's a category with not much competition. These are 2 compacts with bigger balls than the rest of the pack.
It has full manual override control and a slightly bigger image sensor. It is also the ONLY 2 compacts that comes with fast f/2.0 aperture lens at wide open that are less than RM1.6K.
So, the big question is: Schumy or Mika?
My vote as of now is the Panasonic LX3. Mainly coz, if you're buying it, it's as good as buying a Leica D-Lux 4. And that says a lot. Another reason is that amazing lens. It starts at an unbelievable wide angle range of 24mm at f/2.0 and locks up 2.5x zoom later at f/2.8!
Lens to lens, the Canon S90 can't touch the LX3's Leica technical growl. For example, at the end of S90's focal range, the aperture drops to f/4.9. Yucks! But being a newer model, it trumps on user interface, especially the yummy 2 ring controls.
And why is Canon G11 not part of this list? Tho earmarked as Canon's flagship compact, G11 is undoubtedly ugly, chunky and can't go any better than f/2.8. Boo!
If you're a Canon fan, get the S90.
If you're a Leica fan but can't afford one, get the LX-3.
Either way, you can't go wrong.
