I have been looking at Lumix-DMC-LX3 and Canon S90 for F2 . However, both camera have raw function which I don't need. Is there a equivalent camera to these without raw function? Images would not be processed out from my computer ( not to be printed). My focus for new camera is taking one in shallow depth of feild by pocket size.
Yes, I am an amture and would love to learn. I would be very appreciated if somebody could give me an advise.

I don't think you will gain anything (in price) by looking for a f/2 compact without raw. It would probably be the same price. A f/2 camera is targeted to the higher end of users that most often want raw-capabilities. Just turn of the raw-function :-)

But to answer your question, I do not know of any f/2 compact without raw...

don't those camera's have regular jpeg modes? I would have thought that they did, also you may be glad of the raw function later as your photography develops. Also, don't forget that with small lenses like these you will not get f2 throughout the focal range, the further you extend the lens the camera will automatically compensate down to about f6 or even more. mal

Hi Eda.

In addition to Mal´s post, I would recommend, to take some testshots in a shop, as in general it is not so easy to get a shallow depth of field with small-sensor cameras.

Frank

I have the LX-3 and love it, but sometimes the lens is a bit limiting as only 3x zoom.

Take a look at the ZS3, I sometimes wish I had bought this one instead...

http://www.panasonic.net/avc/lumix/compact/zs3_tz7/index.html

Thank you everyone! Yes, Thomas, I can turn off Raw. As Mal and Frank mentioned, I learned so far, from my experience that the camera would automatically down to f/5, 6 as I zoomed in. And if this is because of small sensor, It wouldn't happen to SLR ? Are these two camera the closest function can get to, in this price range ? --- I found the Leica and Olympus Pen have similar functions but in much higher price range--
Anyway, It sounds like What I am trying to do is hard to get by compact camera... I should go to a store and try them.

Hi Clyde, Thank you for your more input. Do you think I am wasting money in case of getting LX3 range for what I want?

When you say "for F2" what do you mean?
What type of subjects and compositions are you looking to shoot.

The LX-3 has a super sharp and fast (f2 - f2.8) Leica lens that is the 35mm equivalent of 24mm - 60mm, i.e. not much zoom range, but great at wide angle.
The ZS-3 has a very nice Lecia lens that is the equiv. of 25mm - 300mm but not as fast (f3.3 - f4.9)

I bought mine for the lens and for the capability to shoot in raw in a super small, lightweight camera.

You will definitely not "waste" your money on the LX-3 unless you can't get the shots you want because of the limited focal length.

I am using S90.
I can only recommend it.
F2.0, it goes to 4.9 at max zoom.
I use jpeg mostly. And you can play with options (would recommend incresing contrast, saturation and sharpness) to get very nice pictures right out of camera.
You also have a very nice option of shooting raw+jpeg at the same time.

You could never get DOF like DSLR though. Has nothing to do with model.

Clyde, I am looking at any type of objects specially in a range of distance, micro to 5m. I would like to take sharp image on one point and the rest is blurr in a format. So, I thought that f/2 would help giving me a shallow depth, and looked for one that has f/2 in small +lightweight. I am confused by your description: (f2-2.8) as FAST and (f3.3-f4.9) as NOT FAST. Sorry I am just a beginner and making you confused.
Comparing LX-3 and ZS-3, It seems like ZS-3 covers LX-3 if there isn't a big difference between f2 and f3.3.
If I am only paying extra for RAW function of LX-3, I would like to go with ZS-3. Please give me your thought again.

Thank you FgB! I appreciate your input. I think I need to compromise many subjects by chosing compactness. So, my issue is what and how , Or how close I can get with my budget and camera size.

"Fast" lens means bigger aperture openings, i.e. lower f#. Yes f2 is much "faster" than f3.3. The range of f#'s refers to how the maximum aperture changes as you zoom the lens. The lower f# - f2 for the LX-3 is the maximum aperture when the lens is zoomed out all the way to the widest field of view. The higher f# - f2.8 for the LX-3 is the maximum aperture when the lens is zoomed in all the way, more telephoto. So on the LX-3 the zoom range is 24-60mm equiv. with a corresponding maximum aperture of f2 - f2.8. The ZS-3 has a focal length range of 25-300mm equiv. with a corresponding maximum aperture of f3.3 - f4.9.

Remember, the lower the f#, the bigger the aperture opening. And remember that bigger aperture openings give a shallower depth of field, which is what you say you are looking for. It's never simple is it??

If you are happy with wide angle to normal zoom range and want the VERY BEST quality and fastest lens in a compact point and shoot, buy the LX-3. If you want the more practical zoom range of wide angle to long telephoto and a more modest aperture range, buy the ZS-3. Also the ZS-3 is noticeable less money.

eda, check out this DOF calculator to determine if the camera you intend to buy is suitable to produce the shots you would like rearding the DOF at different focal ranges, apertures and focus points.

http://www.dofmaster.com/dofjs.html

John

Clyde and John, Thank you soooo much! Wow, the site /DOF seems to be very useful. let me expose myself to the depth of this feild...This is my very first to be in the forum and wonderful!!! Thank you all!