Digital Home Thoughts: Premium Compact Shootout: Nikon vs Canon vs Panasonic

"We're now almost two decades into the competent digital compact camera era, but many things remain the same. The big issue has been and remains the small size of the image sensor in these cameras. While there has been a strong increase in image quality over the years, the small sensor sized used just doesn't allow the high-end compact camera to produce DSLR-like results in dynamic range or high ISO shooting."

Thom Hogan has compared three premium compacts, the Nikon P7000, the Canon G12, and the Panasonic LX5. While I am certain they all are decent (Nikon surprises me somewhat), I still like the Panasonic's combination of size, focal length, and looks. It is a very charming camera, the LX5. On another note: The Nikon looks way too much like a Canon; Thom Hogan even notes that the operation is more Canon than Nikon-like. If so, what is the appeal of buying a P7000 when there is a G12? Nikon really should have worked harder on differentiating the product (plus a compact that works like a Nikon DSLR is worth extra points in my book).