I've been thinking about getting a DSLR for a while now. I already own a film based Canon AE1 SLR with two FD Mount lenses which arent supported for the newer DSLR's.

After much thought and reading of reviews I decided I just wanted a better point and shoot, but I hadn't realised that they had gotten so advanced. I narrowed it down to the Panasonic LX3 and the Canon G10. Although I was told the G10 would be the better camera, with its higher resolution CCD sensor, the optical view finder etc... overall on paper it should be better. But after reading some reviews, they all pointed to the fact that at higher ISO settings (800 and above) the LX3 is just as good as the G10. I probably won't use 800 and higher anyway. Since I'm looking for something close to my old 24mm lens from my old SLR, the LX3 was a better match for me than the G10.

So I bought it! Locally in Dublin at http://www.pixels.ie, the discounted price was 500e, the regular retail price in Dublin for the LX3 was 569e. I guess they were just trying to ship the last unit. It's a pricey camera for the average consumer, its really aimed amateur photographers or even professional ones that want a point and shoot camera. But the nice thing was, the salesman there was pretty helpful and offered another 50e discount for the camera. I was pleasantly surprised. I was undecided at the time since I could have gotten the G10 for 550e. I bought the LX3 on the spot, the price differential from buying it online was ~10-20euro it wasn't the usual 100e price difference that I saw from around other shops.

Photos to come as I play with this camera... but for now look at http://www.lx3-photography.com/ which really made the camera appealing to me.