Widest P&S?

March 12, 2011 7:41 AM

Which modern point-and-shoot digital camera has the widest lens?

I want a new point-and-shoot camera with a really wide lens. I always use at least a 24mm on my old K1000 and I'd like something equivalent to that or even wider. Yes, I know how to use dpreview and how to browse B&H but firsthand experiences would be nice to hear. Thanks!

posted by richrad to Technology (7 answers total)

The Samsung EX1 begins at 24 mm wide too, and has a lense that's a bit faster than the Panasonic LX5 [f 1.8 vs f 2.0].
posted by ijsbrand at 8:06 AM on March 12, 2011

I'm happy with my Leica D-LUX 4, whose widest lens is 5.1 mm (24mm equivalent) f/2.

If you want to go wider, you might need to consider a Micro Four Thirds camera. Panasonic makes a 7-14 mm f/4 zoom for that standard (equivalent to 14-28 mm on a 35mm camera).
posted by brianogilvie at 8:37 AM on March 12, 2011

BTW the Leica lenses are also used in the Panasonic Lumix LX3 and LX5.
posted by brianogilvie at 8:37 AM on March 12, 2011

Second on the Lumix LX3- much cheaper than the equivalent Leica, great interface, large screen, and good field of view with minimal distortion. Best camera I've ever owned.
posted by fifthrider at 8:49 AM on March 12, 2011

Thirding the LX3. Panny offers an even wider-angle lens (and adapter), but they soak you for $200. This also pretty much kills whatever pocketability the camera had.
posted by Strizh at 4:26 PM on March 12, 2011

LX-5 @ 24mm.

I've found this camera so fun and easy to use, I've not picked up my Nikon D200 in 4 months.
posted by jrchaplin at 5:30 PM on March 13, 2011

I love my LX3. I've owned SLRs, Medium Format Cameras, small point and shoot cameras, and I've taken the most pictures with this one.
posted by schmattakid at 3:23 AM on March 15, 2011