1992 and getting old!

[jesse1dog]

Been thinking for some time that I should upgrade my Nikon Coolpix 775 digital camera. It's all of 2Mp but in some ways that is all that is needed to post on the internet - isn't it? I've had the camera for about 8 years and its still working well and the original battery is still holding some charge - enough for 60 pics at least.
But time moves on and at 100% I can see that its picture quality has been overtaken.
So what do I get as a replacement? I guess the Panasonic Lumix LX-3 and the Canon S90 are the top contenders although there are Lumix G1 available within my general price range. The latter are Panasonic refurbished models. So do I go for something new, something second hand with no known history, or something refurbished.
I suspect most of my use will be point and shoot. I expect with somewhat limited use this 'new' camera should last me 5 years.
I've read the reports, looked at buyers' experience, heard about the limitations of each model, know that all 3 cameras have been superceded with something 'better' but can't really make up my mind. The inclination is to go with the LX-3, and risk going second-hand.
What are members' reaction?

[Brian Sweeney]

The Coolpix 775 was popular in the 2002 time-frame.

This camera is circa 1992:

http://www.ziforums.com/picture.php?albumid=196&pictureid=1869

One-Point-Six MEGAPIXELS, baby.

$12,400 for the body.

http://www.ziforums.com/picture.php?albumid=196&pictureid=1872

[Roger Hicks]

Of course, one could be really cynical and suggest that the Coolpix must have taken several dozen pictures in that time. As a friend of mine said of one he borrowed to photograph his daughters, aged 2 and 5, "The shutter lag is impossible. By the time it takes a picture, they'll be usng make-up and going out with boys."

Not a helpful comment -- sorry! -- but I thought you might find it amusing.

Cheers,

R.

[Brian Sweeney]

The lag on the DCS200 was crazy. Took a while for the SCSI disk to spin up. But once it was going, the lag was reduced and the spinning disk acted as a stabilizer. Mechanical in-camera Image Stabilization.

[Leigh Youdale]

My daughter has the LX3 (on my recommendation) and is ecstatic about it. Size and picture quality are excellent. I can't cope without a 'proper' viewfinder, so bought the GF1 + EVF. Still prefer my RF's.

[jesse1dog]

The shutter lag isn't all that bad for the type of shots I take. I do have to wait at switch on for 'something/anything' to happen but until I started reading reports I thought that was a general feature of digital cameras. In some ways I quite like what I get out of this 'simple' camera, but as Roger has said in another thread I can't expect an older camera to go on for ever and a day. Hence the look around for something that will/could last me another five years - probably to see me out!
jesse

[jesse1dog]

Hi Leigh
Thought I might pair up the LX-3 with a 'Clearview Adapter' or stick a Helios viewfinder on top, although the latter does defeat some of the virtues of the camera.

jesse

[HoodedOne]

You can also wait for the new LX-5

http://photorumors.com/2010/07/21/panasonic-lx5-and-four-other-cameras-now-official/

[jesse1dog]

Don't think the LX-5 will offer me anything really useful in comparison to the LX-3. Looked at the reported specifications and it didn't come into the 'must have it category'. AND it will be way over my budget!
Thanks for the suggestion though.

jesse