Compare compact camera sensors at DxOMark: Sensor data for Nikon P7000 just out

In continuing my discussion of the latest and greatest compact cameras, DxOMark has lab tests for all but the LX5. If you click here, you’ll see sensor data for the Nikon P7000, the Canon S95 and the Panasonic LX3 (LX5 data still isn’t out).

Nikon has always amazed me in how much they lag behind Canon in their compact Coolpix cameras, but they are catching up. I was kind of thrilled about this model because the lens reaches out so far, 200mm; though, wide-angle is more important to me than telephoto, so I went with the LX5.

On the starting page, the data for the Nikon looks like a let down. I had hoped for better, but when you look at all of the charts (clicking on the boxes above), that stats are not that much different than the Canon, and far above the LX3 (LX5 scores aren’t out yet and should do much better), so these are still very respectable results. But if you’re looking to get the most stunning color possible, Nikon is still not the way to go.

This Nikon is especially worth considering for those who really want to reach out and touch someone with their 28-200mm lens, 60 millimeters longer than the Canon G12. If you’d like to go wider, it also has a wide-angle adapter, but that’s another thing to carry around, and fiddle with if there isn’t much time to get a shot off — and it’s something like $200. The Nikon’s shot recovery time is slower, if that’s a factor for you.

If we punch in the Canon G12 instead of the LX3, its stats are really close to the S95, because I’m almost certain they use the same sensor. The main difference in image quality between the two Canons come from the different lenses. The G12’s much larger 28-140mm is probably the main reason some of the G12 shots look slightly better than the S95’s in the DPReview test I mentioned earlier.

it will be interesting to see how the LX5 compares once the data is out.