Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 10.1 MP Digital Camera with 3.8x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 3.0-Inch LCD (White)
- 10.1-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality poster-size prints
- 3.8x F2.0 ultra-wide-angle 24mm Leica DC Vario-Summicron lens
- 3.0-inch Intelligent LCD; Record HD videos in AVCHD Lite; Creative Movie mode
- Venus Engine FHD image processor; hot shoe for easy accessorization
- Capture images to SD/SDHC memory cards (not included)
A return to the essence of photography – the Lumix DMC-LX5 from Panasonic. Look to a LEICA DC VARIO-SUMMICRON lens with 24mm wide-angle capability and f/2.0 aperture to bring you optical performance with exceptional precision and clarity. Then, rely on a 1/1.63″ CCD image sensor for 10.1-megapixel still photos that exceed higher-resolution images in purity and detail. Next, adding multimedia to your outing, the DMC-LX5 lets you shoot HD 720p video with expanded manual controls. Further, while Power optical image stabilization ensures blur-free shots, a Lithium-ion battery lets you shoot up to 400 photos on a single charge. Finally, Panasonic’s Intelligent Auto mode steps in and handles camera functions flawlessly when you want to focus on the fun and not on settings.
List Price: $ 499.95
Price: $ 499.95
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The ultimate serious photographer’s point & shoot,
Wow, I am so impressed by this camera! I am a professional photographer and have been searching for a quality point & shoot for casual use when I don’t want to lug around my DSLR (Nikon D700 at the moment) but have never been happy with the compromises of a P&S. Some of the features that were most important to me for a P&S were:
– RAW files – LX5 can shoot RAW files to allow changing WB and giving maximum flexibility in editing images in my preferred RAW converter, Lightroom 3.
– Fast glass – f/2 lens!! Even at 90mm, it is still f/3.3!
– Wide-angle – 24mm (35mm equivalent) is awesome, the Canon S90 only goes to 28mm and most P&S no wider than 35mm.
– Decent zoom range – I wasn’t interested in a 10x superzoom but wanted something at least to 70 or 80 mm. The zoom range of 24mm to 90mm is just perfect without compromising the quality and speed of the lens.
– Reasonable compactness – it is fairly compact without feeling like I’m handling a bar of soap. It handles well for a P&S and feels like a real quality piece of equipment. The controls are logically placed with controls for the most commonly used adjustments within easy and quick access. Not as pocketable as most compact P&S cameras, but has the best handling of a P&S I’ve ever used.
– Low light sensitivity – I almost never shoot with the on-camera flash, so low light sensitivity is really important to me. I’ve shot images up to ISO 1000 that clean up quite well in LR3. I even feel that ISO 1600 is usable in a pinch if you aren’t going to blow it up too large.
– Manual controls – I love that I can set everything manually: aperture, shutter speed, ISO and the controls make it quick and easy to do so without digging into the menus.
– Sharp, high quality images – I have been blown away by the quality of the lens on the LX5. I’ve taken shots wide open at f/2 and was very surprised at the quality, and sharpness of the images. They seriously rival images from my DSLR with some of my pro f/2.8 lenses.
Some other things to note:
– Has effective image stabilization. I’ve taken sharp photos at 1/10 sec.
– Shoots 720p video in AVCHD
– Has hotshoe to attach an electronic viewfinder, flash, or radio trigger (like a Pocket Wizard)
– Has a small pop-up flash
– Has a removable lens cap that many complained about on the LX3. I actually don’t mind since I am used to having to remove it with my DSLRs.
– Can shoot in a number of different aspect ratios: square, 4:3, 3:2, and 16:9
– Can quickly go from play (review) mode to shooting mode with a quick tap of the shutter release button
– Can add filters and lens converters with an adapter
– All metal body – it feels really nice in the hand
One thing I really wish it had was some way to remotely trigger the camera. There is no infrared shutter release or a manual shutter release available for it. It does have the usual timer mode.
I considered a micro 4/3 camera such as a Panasonic GF1 or Olympus EP2 but the size with the lens approaches that of the smaller DSLRs. I bought a Canon S90 but returned it because the handling was just terrible. It was too small, had no hand grip and had a finnicky dial. Also, the image quality and sharpness were not nearly as good as the LX5. I’ve only briefly borrowed a friend’s LX3 but I didn’t use it enough to provide a comparison besides looking at the specs and reading the reviews.
Overall, I highly recommend the LX5 if you are in the market for a serious photographer’s P&S camera. No, it won’t replace a DSLR if you need the ultimate image quality and speed, but within the context of a P&S, it fits the bill nearly perfectly for me.
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|Nice upgrade from the LX3,
This camera is really fantastic and a nice upgrade from the LX3. That’s not to say that everyone should upgrade, but I think there are some significant advantages.
For me, I really needed the additional zoom and was very excited to hear that this is exactly what the LX5 had, without sacrificing the f2.0 lens. My brother needed a new camera anyway and was happy to get my 2 year old LX3. (By the way that camera is in nearly perfect condition. Panasonic really build a quality product with the LX line and I think the LX5 is even better.)
Here are the major comparisons to the LX3. Decide if these are worth it to you:
– Better image stabilization. I am getting crisp photos at speeds as low as 1/10sec.
– Better sensor than the LX3. The colors are slightly more accurate and the auto white balance works better (I need to make less adjustments).
– Better low-light shooting. Perfectly usable up to 1600 out of the camera. Shots in ISO 3200-6400 can be used with some photoshopping. ISO 12800 won’t be very good, but nice to have if you don’t care about quality and just need a quick shot in the dark. With the LX3 I was getting usable shots at ISO 800.
– Faster autofocusing.
– Face detection.
– Autofocus tracking!
– Better processor. Faster startup and shot-to-shot time.
– Better battery life… this camera lasts almost twice as long!! And I always thought the battery life on the LX3 was already outstanding. I’m going on a weekend trip soon and feel confident that this will last the entire weekend without needing a charge.
– As mentioned, the added zoom is terrific. It’s interesting to note that the overall size of the camera has remained roughly the same as the LX3 despite the upgrade.
– Easier to get into the film mode with the dedicated movie button. I’ve tested this a few times and it’s very useful for quick recording.
– Better quality video. Uses the newer avchd codec, but you can always record in motion jpeg.
– More comfortable to hold and better build quality.
– Hot shoe, but I don’t see this as a benefit to myself. The option to add an EVF or flash is nice, but defeats the purpose of keeping this camera compact. At that point you may as well get an SLR.
– Better control with the GF1 style click wheel on the back. Seriously, this is the best PaS camera in terms of usability. You literally forget about the controls. Really well thought out. The menus are similar to the LX3 and “just work”. Really a nice interface and plenty of options to tweak.
– Improved screen. Looks better in the bright Singapore sun than my LX3 ever did. Wish it had more pixel density, but still looks great.
– Added 1:1 square format is really neat. Not a major addition, but nice to have. I really like that the LX-series has a dedicated image ratio button. Very useful and unique. (note: the LX3 has 1:1 ratio as well, with the latest firmware, but the LX5 has a dedicated hardware button for it).
Complaints:
– The lens cover needs to be built in. I really don’t mind the one it comes with much, but there were lots of complaints about the lens cover on the LX3. Not sure why Panasonic chose to ignore these. I would definitely prefer not to worry about losing the lens cover.
– Should be a better panorama mode. I think sony’s “Sweeping panorama” feature is fantastic. Panasonic should adopt something similar if they can. The current mode works fine, but could be improved.
Wish list for the “LX6”:
– Larger sensor, like m4/3.
– Brighter lens, F1.7 or lower would be nice :)
– Built in EVF!
– Articulating screen.
– Built in lens cover.
– Weather sealed to make it even more durable against splashes and dust.
– Manual focus/zoom wheel that can be programmed like the canon S90/95.
I think adding these would make for a nearly perfect PaS.
Other cameras to consider:
Canon S95: I tried this camera out the other day and it’s not as good as the LX5 in many ways, but does have a few advantages. Image quality on the S90 was not as good as the LX3/LX5. The LX cams are also wider at 24mm (I think the canons are 28mm). The jog dial on the back of the S95 is cool but since the camera is so small I found myself hitting it accidentally a few times and changing the settings. Can be kind of annoying, especially if you want to take a quick shot. The LX5 is also much nicer to hold and easier to dive into the menus as a result of the control placement. But to be fair, the Canon does start at a lower price point and is smaller. Assuming size and price are more important to you, I would say it makes for a fine choice. It’s still better than most other cameras out there and also has an f2.0 lens. The addition of 720p on the S95 is nice as well (but doesn’t allow for an AVCHD format,…
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