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Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX100 Review

November 2014 | By Richard Butler, Jeff Keller

Buy on Amazon.com From $755.00

Review based on production Panasonic LX100

Some of the most beloved premium compact cameras in the last decade are Panasonic's LX-series. They always offered larger-than-average sensors but, from the LX3 onwards, the big draw of those cameras has been their fast lenses. The last LX model was the Lumix DMC-LX7, introduced back in fall of 2012. Since then, LX-series enthusiasts have been chomping at the bit for something new.

Given the rise of cameras with 1"-type sensors from the likes of Sony, Samsung, and now Canon, LX-series enthusiasts were hoping for the same in the next model. Well, we've got bad news for you: the new Lumix DMC-LX100 doesn't have one. Instead, Panasonic has somehow managed to squeeze in a Four Thirds sensor, whose area is twice as large as a 1" sensor and five times bigger than the 1/1.7" sensor in the LX7.

There is a caveat here, which is that the LX100 isn't actually using the entire sensor, instead cropping it to allow for multi-aspect shooting (just as its predecessor did). Thus, the effective sensor area on the LX100 is really 1.5X larger than 1" and 4.3X the size of 1/1.7". In our experience, the added creative encouragement offered by the multi-aspect approach, combined with a conveniently-placed aspect ratio switch is more valuable than the extra couple of megapixels and larger lens that a full-sensor design would require.

4:3	3:2	16:9	1:1

The hallmark feature of the LX100 is its Four Thirds sensor which, as we mentioned, is significantly larger than any other zoom compact save for the PowerShot G1 X II and its predecessor. If Panasonic used the entire 16 megapixel Four Thirds sensor it would be twice the size of the 1" sensors found on the likes of the Canon PowerShot G7 X and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100, but the camera's multi-aspect ratio requires a crop, so the difference is actually 1.5X. Even so, that's a considerable advantage, especially when combined with the LX100's fast lens.

Another big feature on the LX100 is its lens, which has a maximum aperture range of F1.7-2.8 and an effective focal range of 24-75mm. When you combine the fast lens and large sensor the LX100 ends up being a pretty impressive camera for those who like shallow depth-of-field. And should also mean greatly improved low light shooting.

This graph plots the equivalent focal lengths and apertures of the LX100 against its immediate rivals. That is, it compares the zoom range and apertures on a common basis. Lower down the diagram is better, all else being equal.

So, while the LX100 is a considerably larger camera than its predecessors, its larger sensor means it promises to be a more capable one. Whereas the LX3 competed with the Canon PowerShot G10's 1/1.7" sensor, the LX100 looks ready to trade blows with the PowerShot G1 X II. The level of direct control is increased, in proportion to its greater ambitions; with dedicated aperture, shutter speed and exposure compensation dials.

The styling of the LX100 is also significantly different from previous LX models, borrowing much more from Panasonic's DMC-L1 DSLR and LC1 high-end compact than from the LX series. The result is a bigger camera but also a considerably more serious one, and one that's pretty good looking.

Panasonic LX100 key features

16MP Four Thirds CMOS sensor (Up to 12.7MP used)
24-75mm equiv. F1.7-2.8 lens
Multi-aspect feature maintains diagonal angle-of-view at 4:3, 3:2, and 16:9
Venus Engine from DMC-GH4 and DMC-FZ1000
XGA-resolution electronic viewfinder (1024 x768 pixels)
Aperture and control dials around lens, shutter speed dial on top plate
3" 921k dot LCD
11 fps continuous shooting (6.5 with C-AF)
4K video recording at 30p and 24, Full HD at up to 60p
In-camera Raw conversion
Wi-Fi with NFC

As you can see, that's a pretty extensive list but, as it turns out, it's only a list of the headline specifications of the camera. The LX100 also includes a time-lapse function, the ability to create in-camera stop motion videos and a host of other specialist features. We cover as many of these as is practical in our full review, but aren't able to go into depth about everything.

Those who enjoy Panasonic's Creative Effects can now use them in A/S/M mode. A new timed exposure is essentially a bulb mode where you choose how long the exposure is. In addition to 4K video, the LX100 also has a 4K Photo mode, which lets you use the aspect ratio of your choice. The camera also offers an electronic shutter option for silent shooting.

One trade-off that comes from the addition of an EVF is the loss of the flash. Panasonic includes a clip-on compact external flash in the box that has a guide number of 7m at ISO 100. The in-lens shutter on the camera can sync with the flash all the way up to its 1/4000th of a second upper limit. The electronic shutter that extends beyond that cannot be used with flash.

Specs compared

	Lumix DMC-LX7	Lumix DMC-LX100	PowerShot G1 X II
Sensor type (Area of 4:3 crop)	1/1.7" (35mm²)	4/3" (180 mm²)	1.5" (239 mm²)
Effective resolution	9.9MP	12.7MP	12.9MP
Focal length (35mm equiv).	24-90m	24-75mm	24-120mm
Max aperture	F1.4 - F2.3	F1.7 - F2.8	F2.0 - F3.9
Multi-aspect	Yes (4:3, 3:2, 16:9, 1:1)*		Yes (4:3, 3:2)
Minimum focus distance	1cm - 30cm	3cm - 30cm	5cm-40cm
ISO range (fully expanded)	80 - 12800 **	100 - 25600	100 - 12800
Viewfinder	Optional 1.44m dot EVF	Built-in 2.76m dot equiv EVF, optional OVF	Optional EVF 2.76M dot EVF
Display	3" LCD (920k dot)	3" LCD (920k dot)	3" LCD (1.04m dot) touch screen
Burst rates (S-AF, C-AF)	11 fps, 5 fps	11 fps, 6.5 fps	5.2 fps, 3.0 fps
Video	1080p/60	4K/30p, 1080p/60	1080p/30
External controls	Aperture	Aperture, focus, shutter speed, exposure comp	Lens control dial and rear-plate thumb dial
Built-in flash	Yes	No (external included)	Yes
Wi-Fi	No	Yes (with NFC)	Yes (with NFC)
Battery life (CIPA)	330 shots	300 shots	240 shots
Weight (Inc. battery)	298g	393g	553g
Dimensions	111 x 67 x 46mm	115 x 66 x 55mm	116 x 74 x 66mm

* Different angle of view offered in 1:1 shooting
** Highest ISO images only at reduced resolution

The impressive thing to note is how much smaller and lighter the LX100 is than the G1 X II and that it's not dramatically larger than the LX7. It's enough of the difference that the LX100 will probably have to go in a coat pocket or the corner of a bag, but it's still a lot smaller than a comparable interchangeable lens camera.

Kit options and accessories

The LX100 has a list price of $899/. This is $100 more than the Canon G1 X II's launch price, but the LX100 includes a built-in viewfinder, as well as 4K video capture, both of which the Canon lacks.

A cool accessory that Panasonic will be offering is the auto lens cap you see above. We've seen this sort of lens protector from Ricoh and Olympus before, but we still think they're fun.

Updates to review:

Sept 15, 2014: Introduction, Specs, Body, and First Impressions pages published
Oct 6, 2014: Samples gallery added
Oct 29, 2014: Controls, Shooting Experience & Studio pages added. First Impressions deprecated.
Nov 18, 2014: Introduction re-worked, Lens, Features, Image Quality, Dynamic Range and Conclusion pages published

Panasonic discusses LX100 at Photokina 2014:

Huge thanks to Kenmore Camera for their assistance with this review.

If you're new to digital photography you may wish to read the Digital Photography Glossary before diving into this article (it may help you understand some of the terms used).

Conclusion / Recommendation / Ratings are based on the opinion of the reviewer, you should read the ENTIRE review before coming to your own conclusions.

We recommend to make the most of this review you should be able to see the difference (at least) between X,Y and Z and ideally A,B and C.

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Comments

Total comments: 880

I dont understand BURST speed.
My LX100 have 4 burst modes: L-M-H-SH.
In H-mode Im able to take 80 shoots for ~7 seconds what is 11fps BUT in SH-mode I take 60 photos for around 2 seconds only so WTF ???
I use Sandisk Extreme 16GB
Im happy but want to understand this :)

0 upvotes

Find myself more and more looking forward to a LX100 style "GX100" exchangeable lens camera between the GX7 and the GM5 in size.
F.

1 upvote

Got a chance to play with one in a shop, and I'm deeply disappointed to discover they've ditched the lovely LX-style distance scale (with proper distance markings and depth of field band) for the useless G-series style one that's just a line with a flower at one end and a mountain on the other. Not sure it's a deal breaker but that was a feature I use all the time for depth focussing on my LX7

0 upvotes

Next software update should make it possible to take square 1:1 format with 3456x3456 pixels !

1 upvote

Has anyone found a way to change from recording in PAL to NTSC and back again on the camera?
It seems to lack this simple feature.
I use 25/50/30/60 fps in my work .

0 upvotes

How can I find out the remaining time of video recording on my SD Card? t's not displayed, only the remaining photos are displayed. Thanks for help.

0 upvotes

Still waiting for my LX100 to arrive. 2nd try now, the first one was lost. Yeah right, but still not arrived.
The reviews I read, in anticipation, seem a little misguided. People are trying to turn the LX100 into something it isn't. I have the E-M5, the LX7 and GM1 (all great cameras in their own right). I took the E-M5 as a second camera with the GM1 on a motorbike tour in Thailand and wished I hadn't. I didn't use it and it only got in the way (too big). The GM1 with the 17mm prime and it's nice little leather case was almost perfect but the light's too bright in Thailand and I need an EVF. The GM5 perhaps? The LX100 wins because of the great lens. It's small, has EVF and great lens all in one. Perfect for my bike trips and I expect to get some pretty good pictures (if it arrives).
If I want to do other stuff, I'll use my other cameras with fixed primes.
That's my point, buy it for what it is and don't criticise too much for what it isn't.

0 upvotes

For me personally, I was kind of hoping the image quality of stills was slightly more? It seems that one can get better stills from a E-M10 kit lens, when it would be cool if they could be atleast the same. I'm no expert, but it seems GH4 serie has disadvantage in still too. Could it be that panasonic's sensors are lacking in stills, whilst oly is much better in stills? I find it rather annoying that there's no "one to go" solution as of yet (samsung is too big/apsc and no viewfinder on their "pocket" models).

0 upvotes

However, despite my atrocious experience with the LX100 'self destructing' in my jacket pocket while being turned on by mistake, I still think it is a fabulous piece of kit and I am considering buying another one, while being very careful that it does not open inadvertently. Still, I am beginning to read other owners' reviews which mention the noise it makes while zooming in (not out). Nobody else has (dared) mention switching it on in their pocket by mistake and the havoc it creates. Could I be the only one to experience this so far? Look out for other reviewers with the same comments in the near future.

On the positive side, and this is something rarely mentioned in reviews about this camera, despite having no mike socket it does have AUDIO INPUT LEVEL CONTROL (4 settings) which makes it great for videoing very loud music at festivals or night clubs, for instance, without audio distortion. As for not being as small as some cameras, that's actually a plus: its big enough to grip!

Comment edited 6 minutes after posting

1 upvote

Design fault with LX100...It started when I accidentally 'damaged' the camera in the most surprising way. I reached for it in my jacket pocket and inadvertently switched it on by pushing the on/off switch while it was still in that confined space. The lens proceeded to open with considerable force and pushed up against the immovable side of my pocket, could not open all the way and made a horrible grating sound, perhaps damaging the zooming mechanism. After that it made a noise when zooming in, a noise which was picked up by the microphone when shooting video. This could happen so easily to anyone as it is simple to push the on button by mistake. The camera does not seem able to sense the resistance to the lens opening (as the LX7 does) and carries on trying to fully open regardless and ends up self-destructing! The camera still worked after this mishap, but the zoom mechanism became damaged and noisy. This is one week into owning the camera. I got a full refund.

Comment edited 5 minutes after posting

1 upvote

I recently bought the LX100 and am really pleased with it.. but can anyone tell me why, when i go into the DRIVE mode selector, my panorama selector is greyed out?

0 upvotes

Because you shoot in RAW. Has to be only jpg. I have setup custom 1 for jpg+panorama and custom 2 for jpg+HDR :)

0 upvotes

Oh yay! I get to be #861. We have been thinking about this camera since September and playing with it quite a lot since it arrived on shelves. Most of the people who ask me in person, what camera to buy, are not likely to spend half-enough money to get this good of a camera. It is one of the few cameras I would heartily recommend without reservation, well deserving of any Camera-Of-The-Year awards it may garner. The design works very well, either as a second or only camera, the latter presumably for the person who wants top shelf pictures with minimal fuss or simple, convenient controls. The ergo values are very high. The only reason I do not have one is happiness with the fast primes that fit on other m43 bodies. I bit the bullet, yes I did. This fixed Leica zoom bests the other biscuit-size zooms by a mile.

0 upvotes

I'm not really convinced.
I don't feel image quality is up to the price and my expectations for an m43 sensor.
I was thinking about it to replace my E-PL5.
But none of those pictures all around the web made me want to sell my E-PL5 with 20mm f1.7 Panasonic ;)
On the other side, 20mm f1.7 is an impressive lens (apart focus speed).
I even find my XZ-2 pictures (up to 400 ISO only) on par with all LX100 samples i seen. And it is not the same year and same sensor size...
Don't know exactly what is the problem (CA, micro contrast, dynamic, optical quality...?), but there is one for sure.
I expected an m43 sensor camera to output much more than a 1/1,7 sensor one.

0 upvotes

Just for those who interested to know, I have both LX100, RX100 III and the A6000.

LX100 with face detection on AF is really quick! Even better than E-M1 + 25mm F1.8. Much quicker than RX100 III and the A6000 with kit lens. It does lock on fairly quick but so often locks on the background.

3 upvotes

Why doesn't 1:1 use the full height of the sensor? Why is it just a crop from 4:3?

2 upvotes

I agree.
I suspect that they are simply not sending any power to the top and bottom bands on the chip.
some report that battery autonomy seems to be a problem with this camera, and that would only make it worse.

Comment edited 10 minutes after posting

0 upvotes

battery life is fairly standard really, and I find it's fairly good considering there's a large lens to move around.

0 upvotes

I guess it's not that bad... not bad as for the G7X for example.
My comment was influenced by some feedback from others, that it isn't as good as claimed.

0 upvotes

This multi-aspect ratio thing is all about making the camera less expensive to manufacture. Otherwise they would be using a true 225mm2 4/3 format, rather than the 180mm2 you get with this camera. If Panny can throw away parts of the sensor output, it can use sensors with defects in those zones, as well as lenses with poor quality in those regions or poor design quality. Corners are particularly bad on typical sensors (not to mention vignetting of most lenses), so Panny completely avoids the corners.

If they extended 1:1 to the edge, it would be the ONLY aspect ratio that used the top and bottom bands of the sensor. It's not a format used often anyway, so it's not worth it to require sensor and optical system performance in zones hardly ever used. As it is, Panny only has to require good QA in the zones of the sensor and optical system that are actually in the imaging areas.

0 upvotes

huh? I'm fairly sure the aspect ratio is related to the size of the lens as it would take a far larger lens to cover the entire area of the sensor while maintaining the same aperture/focal-length range. The problem with softness and other optical issues are entirely related to optics, i.e. the lens and not at all related to the sensor. A pixel is a pixel and functions exactly the same way wether it's in the middle of a sensor or close to one of the corners.

1 upvote

firstly: sorry for my ignorance. Becasue i am not an expert, and i need good audio for inerriview (portable so no a dr 60d), my question is if the Dr 44wl can be connected wifi to the lx100 (which no have audio output) and rec in sync audio and video.
If not, if there any way to rec audio with an external devices be synced wuth the video wihile shooting with the Lx 100 or the only option is to rec ausio and video separeted and match them in post production?
And if there is no way and must do in post production, whick external portable microphe can u suggest?
I was thinging for the tuscam Dr44WL, but maybe is not the right and vest choice
thank you
nest regards
Nicola

0 upvotes

What i need to to is something classical: video introduction of busieness mixrd with of interview (apple style) of the man who is telling about his profession

Comment edited 1 minute after posting

0 upvotes

I assume that the built-in stereo microphones are too far from the instruments?
why not simply try any standard stereo microphones that plug in?

Comment edited 2 minutes after posting

0 upvotes

I suggest you buy the A6000 with the kit lens and be happy. When you learn the A6000 buy a prime lens and WOW.

Comment edited 2 minutes after posting

0 upvotes

I think so, at least a6000 has flash built in + Flippable LCD + [seems] better EVF, and almost the same size:

http://camerasize.com/compare/#569,535

Comment edited 16 seconds after posting

0 upvotes

I had the Sony A6000 for two months before selling it. It felt horribly cheap and not a patch on my NEX5n; the tilt screen did not sit flush with the back and felt terribly weak; the viewfinder was horrible and I could only used it for framing a shot; getting the card out was annoyingly awkward; I personally found the menu system even worse than on my NEX 5n; image quality was potentially good, but there was a horrible blue cast at auto ISO that I found difficult (if not impossible) to correct properly. Just my subjective opinion, but it feels that the A6000 was made by a different company that made the NEX5n. Adieu Sony. I bought a Canon 700d: ISO and dynamic range are less good but colour reproduction is far more pleasing, focus is way sharper and the handling is great. PLUS all those great lenses on asgoodasnew!

2 upvotes

Has anybody experience with the battery time. I am using the lx100 since November and have to charge the battery almost every time. I switched off nfc and wifi but that didn't help and the flash photos I made can be count on 2 hands. Thanks in advance for helpfull replies

1 upvote

omg that is bad

0 upvotes

maybe you have a defect?
maybe a short circuit somewhere... I would have it checked...
cipa rating is 300 shots

are you using a wifi memory card? that might be contributing

Comment edited 56 seconds after posting

0 upvotes

definitely something wrong with your battery. I have an X30 which is one of the better, if not the best performer in terms of battery life for compacts and my LX100 is not that far off it to be honest.

1 upvote

this has got to be a record, had my LX100 for less than a week. its the most overpriced paperweight I have ever owned. totally over the top reviews. the image raw or jpg is on par with the RX100 Mk1 its ok if you have been using an iPhone as your main camera. I would imagine that's its even an upgrade, but after selling my X100s thinking that this would be more versatile, was I wrong. the lens is awful wide open not matter what zoom you use. the iso well I suppose its ok if you don't go above 800 but after that its noise city. thank got I sold it to some unsuspecting punter on eBay. I now have a Sony a6000 i,m not going to turn this post into a Sony review, but I am more than happy now.

0 upvotes

christmass troll

Comment edited 2 times, last edit 2 minutes after posting

4 upvotes

Are you a troll.
Do you have any constructive comments to make on the LX100. I'd love to hear any from someone else who has owned this or better still who still owns one and why. I'm not loyal to any manufacturer as I have to purchase my cameras with my own hard earned cash. If I buy a camera and its crap that's what I will say. Just because you buy a certain manurfacturers camera doesn't mean that you become part of that company. They sell to you to make money. Period. I had the GF1. That was a fantastic camera for its day. And probably what helped the 4/3 format become what it is today. Happy Christmas. ( Christmass)

1 upvote

He is not a troll. I had the LX100 for one week and returned it. MFT & Leica Vario Summilux is a mouthful when it comes to promises. I expected a lot as far as stills IQ is concerned and had to realize that it is decent at best. My RX100III beats it for stills, resolution, lens performance, micro contrast. The controls, handling and EVF of the LX100 are great but if I want to go this big as far as size is concerned, I want better IQ. A GM5 with two or three primes, 15 Pana, 25 Oly, 45 Oly or a Sony 6000 with the inexpensive Sigma primes are in a different league.

2 upvotes

Davidbailey and ektakon must be very high-tech photo expert to know so much more than all reviewers in the world. Or perhaps payed by Sony.

4 upvotes

you have just hit it on the head, reviewers are biased maybe they know more than me. but do they know what I want or would be happy with. I doubt it. plus if they slate every product that's the latest all singing and dancing bit of kit. how long do you think they would be an expert reviewer for. not long is my guess.
A good example of the so called expert reviewers, Look how 99% of them said how good the original Fuji X100 was then just read any review on the X100S/ or X100T and see how they slate the original X100 or how the OMD EM5 gets Top marks yet the cheaper and just as good Pen Light 5 hardly gets a mention.
also i,m not an expert my father was a pro photographer but not me.

Happy New Year

Comment edited 2 times, last edit 11 minutes after posting

1 upvote

and now New Year's Troll

1 upvote

Not sure why anyone would expect a MFT sensor to outperform an x-trans, let alone one with a fixed prime lens in front of it. If you sold your x100s expecting better IQ from the LX100 then I'd suggest there's something wrong with you and not the camera. I've owned the RX100 and there's no way it ever produced better images than the LX, more detail in perfect light conditions granted but awful dynamic range in comparison and low light performance at higher ISOs is at least one stop behind. Let's not mention handling as the Sony is terrible in that regard. The LX IQ falls pretty much in the middle of the RX and the X100 but beats both those cameras in terms of performance, AF, shot-to-shot etc.

2 upvotes

Has both A6000 and LX100, for photo i would say LX100 wins hands-down in term of Auto focus speed. If you have the kit lens, LX100 IQ is better, however if you have prime on the a6000 it is a different story, but then size is going to be vastly different then.

If you care about IQ and not so much the size, i suggest look at Fuji, that X-A1 is really, cheap, small and IQ would crap all over Sony A6000.

My 2 cents

Comment edited 2 times, last edit 6 minutes after posting

1 upvote

Personally I think if anyone's just interested in image quality and can live with a fixed 28mm equivalent lens, then the Ricoh GR will take some beating. Half the price of the Fuji X100 T with snappier focus in good light. Not so good in the dark though. and no view finder, but hay who uses a view finder on a compact.

0 upvotes

Lots of people use the EVF on a compact, it's the reason I sold my GR actually, I love the IQ in good light and as you say its lens beats every other compact in sharpness and detail resolving power but it was almost unusable in harsh bright sunny days (at least in Australia where I live) so I could not use it. I still disagree with your comments about he LX though as it's a great camera, maybe overpriced at the moment but definitely better than the Sony RX (which I've also had) not just in stills but particularly in video, the dynamic range of the RX is awful no matter what the numbers tell you, I've had better results with my X30 which also reminds me, the Sony colours are pretty bad and it must always be shot in RAW if you want to create attractive looking images (even their mono renditions are not worth using SOOC) in my opinion.

1 upvote

The difference is I live in the uk. And the only sun we see is on posters. As for the rx100 I totally agree with you. It was another poster who rated the rx100. I had the original rx100 although at the time it was unchallenged so was without doubt the best compact of the time but without enough changes it has fell behind the competition. I'm not against Panasonic cameras. As I said I loved the GF1. It's just that I was so disappointed with the lx100 I thought I would let fellow photographers know what I thought of it, save them wasting there hard earned cash. As I did when I sold it. The image quality and dynamic range in my opinion was appalling for a micro 4/3 sensor.

0 upvotes

If pixel is not an issue, this is the camera to go.

Comment edited 11 minutes after posting

1 upvote

I've thought briefly about an LX100 but then I realised that the Sony A6000 is currently much cheaper, with the kit lens. With a much bigger sensor and interchangeable lens it seems like a no brainer. Why would anyone buy the LX100 instead?

2 upvotes

I just tried both in the store. The Sony A6000 felt much better in the hand, was much more responsive, and the LX100 has this silly zoom button that you find on all cheap compacts. You can't zoom on the lens. A6000 is also cheaper despite coming with 2 lenses which cover a range of 24mm to 300mm. And it has the option to upgrade to heaps of other great lenses, including an unbeatable Samyang 12mm f2 (equivalent to 18mm)

1 upvote

Right but look at the Sony lenses. Both "walk around" lightish zoms are LAMBASTED in reviews. The res chart here looks great for the a6000 but that is with a prime.

No one seems to get it right, Sony small zooms are dreadful, 4/3 not much better, fuji has the zooms but AF is slow on the E series, Pentax has the lenses but no body ... it's nuts, no one seems to get it right.

4 upvotes

@No 2:
1) You can use the customizable ring on the lens of the LX100 for zooming.
2) The Sony 16-50 kit lens sucks. Got it with the Nex-6 and hardly use it anymore. Instead of getting the Zeiss 16-70/f4 I bought the LX100 and I'm very happy with it. If I need long I take the Nex-6 with 55-210 zoom and for wide the LX100. Perfect combination for me!

3 upvotes

I bought the A6000. I tried the LX100 in the store and didn't really like it. Though I know that is a superficial test. The A6000 is a nice quick camera to use. The Power Zoom is not as bad as I thought it would be: it's quick, but it is rough. I don't think you could use it for video.

Overall the weak point of the A6000 is the lenses. They are lightweight and junk or big and expensive, and not that great either. I am still waiting for DXOMark to show LX100 lens results.

It's also a pity that Sony don't have a 23mm. 20mm is a bit wide and not that great, though better than the kit lens. It's 9Mpix vs 6Mpix according to DXOMark, that may be 50% more but it's still only 9Mpix!

I guess that now Sony have the FE mount the E mount is pretty much doomed to languish where is it.

0 upvotes

Is there anything that matches this video quality in this price range? DSLR, Camcorder, or anything else?

Besides the FZ1000, that is.

1 upvote

I would be interested as well to get an answer on this question, I am interested in 4K filming but I am on a budget. I have seen video's shot with both the FZ1000 and the LX100 and I am impressed with both. The camera's are almost the same price (the FZ1000 a bit more expensive), but still expensive because of the 4K function probably (which will be cheaper in 2015).

0 upvotes

The Page 5 explanation of Auto ISO isn't strictly accurate.

You sort-of can set an upper boundary for Auto ISO, but the LX100 is oddly inconsistent about when it respects that setting.

Also, the LX100 is bi-polar when it comes to picking auto shutter speeds, lurching from very conservative (approx. one-over-TWICE-focal-length) to being happy to drop the shutter speed to super sloooooooow without pushing the ISO up (even before it's hit your Maximum Auto ISO choice).

Discussion here: http://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/54951441

Comment edited 50 seconds after posting

0 upvotes

I had the same manual controls on my first Olympus in 1972, that's one powerful reason why I bought this camera

1 upvote

What is often overlooked when talking about pixels or loss of pixels (as in the LX100) is that the the number of pixels is roughly the square of the sides e.g. 16 mega pixels could roughly equate to 4 x 4 mega pixels.
If you reduce 16 down to 12, that's a loss of 25% actual pixels..
However, this only equates to about 13% loss on the sides of the 4 x 4 square.
Is this such a loss in quality that it first seems?

0 upvotes

On the other hand, since this camera has a very short tele (70mm) you will probably find yourself cropping a lot of images to "zoom in" a bit more; and now that "square relationship" will cut your total pixels down very quickly to a very low level. So as the LX100 starts with fewer pixels and then "has to" crop, it's not a particularly good recipe for larger high quality prints :-(
You can't always zoom with your feet, and digital zoom is more or less just the same as cropping.

Comment edited 56 seconds after posting

0 upvotes

@DPR: sensor size is incorrect.
if the outer perimeter is being thrown away, it is obviously not the actual sensor size being used.
please correct the specs, so we can better compare with 1" sensor size.
(what is thrown away is quite irrelevant, because it's not being used - this is obviously because it's more economical to keep on using the same sensor than to incur higher manufacturing costs with a new one - so just give us the actual dimensions of what is alive, not the "dead matter"!)

Comment edited 60 seconds after posting

2 upvotes

I purchased one 10 days ago and took it to for a short trip in London. It is a great camera and manual controls are a plus.
So far, the lack of the tilt screen is sometimes a problem but the smartphone App can fix this in some ways. I am also missing the integrated ND Filter but i don't need it often so, it is a tradeoff. Sincerely, this camera is awesome.

Here are some pictures I took in London:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/marc-heurtaut/sets/72157649363075439/

I used to shoot with DSLR for years, than i moved to Canon G1x 2 years ago. Will never go back to DSLR when I look at what i can achieve with such a small body. No regrets.

3 upvotes

+1 for "the lack of the tilt screen is sometimes a problem". I bought EVF for my LX7 for low posision as LX7's add-on EVF can be tilted up.

Also, it is better to have a built in auto lens cap as seem from the rest of P&S such as Canon G1X-2 because no auto lens cap slows down the flow, and I do not think the LX100 3nd paty liking add-on auto lens cap is a good ideal.

Moreover, built in flash is useful some time.

I'm not sure if this lens is PURLY desiged by Leica because I saw reviews and real userers compain the flare which is worse than other High-end P&Ss.

Panasomic may fix some above issues in the next LX100.

Comment edited 3 times, last edit 3 minutes after posting

1 upvote

Bought it and am very happy with it.
The main thing that stands out for me is having all the manual controls at your finger tips. If it was smaller like the sony rx100 they wouldn't fit on . I wasn't really looking for this as I wanted it for the video quality.
I only have a transcend sdhc c10 from my old camera in it and yet it still records 4k mp4s ok.

2 upvotes

I reckon this is on my Christmas list for next year! If IQ is anything like my EM5 with macro lens ( http://photocompetition.flowerpower.com.au/ ) then I'm in!

0 upvotes

I'm an old film SLR guy that's recently gotten back into photography. Got the LX100 three weeks ago and took a solid week of playing around to get fairly comfortable with the menus & capabilities. I'm just back from a week of shooting close to 1000 RAW pictures in indoor museum/library research settings with a colleague who has the Sony RX100 III, often shooting side by side. Lighting was challenging and at times we had to shoot through glass displays, and often desired very close-up shots with precision focusing. I can say with confidence that the LX100 produced the best results hands down.

I don't miss a built-in flash and have yet to use the external. Clearly the LX100 is much larger than the Sony and thats one of the trade-offs, but the LX100 easily fit in my coat pocket. I do have a good Canon ELPH (1/2.3 sensor) that I'll stick in my pocket and not care too much about it. But I'll take the LX100 for anything planned (travel, family events, museum research, web publishing..)

Comment edited 1 minute after posting

6 upvotes

looks like fujifilm camera.
did you copy?

0 upvotes

Both have the same root of Leica M typ, but Leica M typ looks much nicer than both because no grip.

Comment edited 2 times, last edit 56 seconds after posting

0 upvotes

You must be very young..
2004
http://www.dpreview.com/articles/9056344259/pansonicluminlc1
2006
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonicdmcl1

1 upvote

The below is Leica M Edition 60 for "Honoring the 60th anniversary of the legendary Leica M rangefinder system". It has no grip, of course, and it has timeless beauty.

http://www.dpreview.com/products/leica/slrs/leica_m_edition_60

BTW. None of Leica M typ has (built in) Grip for 60 years as seem from below:

https://www.google.com/search?q=leica+m+typ&biw=1536&bih=755&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=siWQVP6ROcqzggT3joCgBw&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAg

0 upvotes

Got it yesterday and I must say, I am very impressed! Its a lot smaller than I expected. The screen is very clear, so I don't understand the criticisms. I personally hate touch screens, so that's not a con imho and IQ is incredible. This is my first 4/3 camera and ita really surprising that is can do a nice shallow dof and has very good low light. Plus, the ois is SO nice, I can hand hold at 1/15 shutter! So the faster lens plus the awesome ois means I can shoot at lower iso than my ff. This is gonna be a fun new tool!

2 upvotes

I can hand hpld my x100 at 1/15 (usually limited to 1/30) with no IS so I would hope for even better with this.

0 upvotes

First impression; well built camera with loads of features and options. 4K time-lapse. WOW! Received it just in time for the holiday season :-)

1 upvote

Hi Dutch

Congrats.

On my earlier question. What is your workflow when setting the correct shutter speed in video mode? Do you leave the top dial to 30/60p and then use the back dial to change it to 25/50p.

Or do you leave top dial it in A mode and then use only the back dial to set correct shutter speed.

Seems to me a very poor implementation or a massive miss not to have the right shutter speed intervals for each region.

0 upvotes

I have only used 4K/24p. 24p mp4 is in line with the Bluray requirements (for HD) and so far this setting has worked fine in Sony Movie Vegas software.

0 upvotes

You know most cameras can do higher than 4K RAW timelapse right?

0 upvotes

Of course. I use G5's with a modified timer for 3D timelapse up to the sensor size :-)

0 upvotes

i have to say...i was very eager to get one and sell my x100s because of the more versatile lens. but it didn´t catch my when i tried one. its..flimsy compared to the "real camera" feel of the x100s, the EVF is small, has terrible optics and ugly color even after adjusting, the high iso performance lacks noticeably behind the fuji, and well..if you like fuji colors...this doesn´t do them.

technically its so much better in many aspects (for example autofocus reliability and speed) but the key aspects i "feel" as a photographer..they are not there. kept my fuji and returned it.

Comment edited 2 minutes after posting

1 upvote

I'm not buying this... this $900, 12 MP camera gets an 85% score despite some significant shortcomings. But the Canon EOS 70D got an 83%. Yes, they are different formats, but the EOS 70D is way more camera and it will absolutely take better photographs, and it has substantially better autofocus for video.

3 upvotes

What part of "compared to others in its class" escapes you?!

10 upvotes

all of it escapes him /

5 upvotes

Well, I'm not buying the 70D as the 1DX is way more camera and it will absolutely take better photographs and it has substantially better autofocus, weather resistance, ergonomics, sensor and lens selection... oh and street cred. Do I sound like a moron?? oh, and good luck in finding an equivalent zoom for your 70D in this universe. Geeeezuz some people!!!

0 upvotes

Strange comparison.....there will always be a better camera in the market (despite the fact it's the photographer itself that makes the good photograph, not the camera). If it comes to the race for maximum resolution and sharpness, a Digital Medium Format Digital camera like Hasselblad H4D/H5D will win in the end. If it comes to a camera that has the most important things (i.e. making digital photographs and video) most modern digital camera's will do great imo. The best quality in the world comes with a price, but for most people "good quality" will do fine (they just want something portable most of the time but something better than their regular mobile phone camera).

0 upvotes

I noticed on the shutter dial that the intervals are 30, 60 and 125.

Shooting video in 4k PAL mode (25p) the "proper" shutter speed should be 50 or in 1080 PAL mode (50p) should have a shutter speed 100.

Does the LX100 sold in PAL regions have a different shutter intervals or are the all the same? or did I miss something here?

1 upvote

Further adjustments to shutter speed can be made with the rear dial. 1/25th, 1/50, 1/100 are all there.

0 upvotes

Ok, so the top shutter dial is for pictures and rear shutter dial is for movie mode?

Does this also mean that the top dial increments is the same for PAL and NTSC cameras?

This is insane! How could Panasonic miss this? Also I did not notice this was mentioned in the review.

Comment edited 5 minutes after posting

0 upvotes

The top dial only goes in full stops....the digital dial foes in 3rd stops.

0 upvotes

what about saying there is a 15 minutes maximum recording time in 4k video

0 upvotes

In MP4/ 4 K mode You can continue recording without interruption even if the file exceeds 4GB, but the motion picture will be saved in separate files.

0 upvotes

I've seen this same comment elsewhere, and I must admit, I don't get it. My shots average about 15 seconds each (before editing), and I cannot comprehend a shot lasting over 1 minute. In the old days, a roll of 35 MM motion picture film was only 10 minutes long. A 15-minute limit is much longer than I'll ever shoot.

2 upvotes

I was thinking the same LagunaHiker, the longer the original videoclips are the harder it will be to use it. 15 Minutes is really long but it won't be really interesting I think when watching it in a final product (15 minute original video that is). Maybe it is only good for nature photographer/'filmers that want to capture wildlife without interruption or cut off shots or lectures that last 1 hour or something.

0 upvotes

The last picture of Zach Arias is funny as he is a strong supporter of Fuji cameras...

1 upvote

not a fanatic of m43, sold an EPL5 a few months ago,
but pics taken by this camera on Flickr look realy nice

0 upvotes

That's because they cherry picked where it excels. Problem is that is a small world.

0 upvotes

@Zusu, How does this differ from what users of other cameras post to Flickr?

5 upvotes

Oly's E-M10 looks interesting. What made you sell your EPL5?

0 upvotes

I have had LX100 for two weeks now. As expected it has great image quality, and very nice jpg. I shoot Raw+JPG and always prefer the jpg version, no matter how much I process Raw in lightroom.

My biggest gripes are

1. Automatic focus point selection is poor, especially if subject is moving. If you have children playing, don't expect the face detection to nail it. With still subject, face detection is fine, but overall subject selection in non-people pictures fails.

2. Manually adjusting focus point requires taking eyes off the subject and fumbling with buttons. The issue is bigger because of the issue I mentioned above.

3. EVF is not very useful. The viewfinder is small, and is difficult to peer into, specially with glasses on.

4. The biggest, deal breaker, issue for me is the lack of macro mode. With a fixed lens camera, you would expect a macro mode. This camera does not.

Comment edited 3 minutes after posting

2 upvotes

I have the LX100 too...
On 1) Automatic Focus: can't comment - rarely use automatic focus point selection...
BUT: 2) Just assign the Focus point selection to one of the Fn-Buttons... and it's as direct and quick as with any other camera I've seen... can be done easily without taking the camera away from the eye-sight.

No 3) I think it is quite good the EVF... but of course that's personal preferences

No 4) Of course it has a macro mode... Just look at side of the lens-barrel on the same line as the 3:2-4:3 switch... AF, AF Macro, MF. Switch it to AF-Macro and you're in Macro mode.
Depending on the Zoom-Setting it can focus down to about 2-3cm (!) (which is quite decent)

12 upvotes

Put the AF switch on the lens to AF macro and you will have auto focus from 3cm in wide ange and about 30cm in tlephoto.

3 upvotes

How close can you focus in telephoto? One of my big gripes about my RX100-II is that while it focuses very close at wide angle, you loose close focusing ability as soon as you zoom in.

I'm hoping the LX100 works more like my Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8...that lens can focus very close, even at full telephoto.

0 upvotes

It is about 1 foot, from 45mm and up.

Comment edited 7 minutes after posting

1 upvote

Thanks for the info. I just tested my RX100-II, and at full telephoto its minimum focus distance seems to be around 17 or 18 inches, so the LX100 seems to be a bit better in this regard.

0 upvotes

i'm seriously considering this LX100, the spec on paper is crazy
i currently have 15mm, 12-35mm and 42.5mm with EM1 body
thinking of selling 15mm and 12-35mm for this Lx100
does it make sense???

the lx100 sample photos aren't that impressive, compared to my current set up it's not as sharp, but sample photos are only reference
anyone's used it already, is the image quality comparable to my current setup or close to?

0 upvotes

If you already have an Oly EM1 with the lenses you have mentioned you are better off with it. The LX100 will be good for those who do not want to change lenses or interested to take some 4K video. If you are a still photographer, you are much better off with an interchangeable lens camera like the EM1.

Besides, the EM1 handles better and is weather proof with certain lenses like the 12-40mm f/2.8. The LX100 is not.

Comment edited 2 minutes after posting

0 upvotes

you have the most serious olympus with you. It has much less compromises / sacrifices than the compact/1 lens bodies have.

0 upvotes

Hi acidandroid. I am a pro whose work camera is a Canon 1DSMk2 with a suite of Canon lenses. My favourite cameras over recent years have been the LX series and I have all the past iterations and when the new model arrives on the market I just buy it. My LX100 arrived in Australia 4 days ago and I am not disappointed. I have found that the convenience and image quality of the LX series has been so good that I use these little gems instead of the Canon monster for some professional work. Over the weekend I covered a Christmas Tree festival in a local church. Using a tripod and taking advantage of the camera level facility I shot 60 trees in an hour using ambient light and in less than an hour they were all edited in Lightroom 5.7. I travel extensively and the LX of the day is always on my belt and with the level facility, the very fast lens and good optical stabilisation I obtain exceptional results in the most trying conditions. I believe the LX100 is way out in front!

1 upvote

I sold my 12-35mm f2.8 for LX100, wide angle in 4K is one of my grip with GH4, the optics is surely not in the same league as 12-35mm but for video it can be more forgiving, also F1.7 at 12mm is really useful for indoor shooting.

0 upvotes

Lumix Lover, I am also a DSLR shooter (both Canon and Nikon), would you recommend the LX100 for architecture photography? Or should I stay with my Full frame DSLR and L-lenses? I am looking at the LX100 for the 4K video, but maybe also photographs that are currently made with a DSLR.

0 upvotes

I am tired of useless sample pictures of flowers and the photographer's girlfriends. I miss Jeff Keller's wonderful San Francisco scenes on dcresource.

4 upvotes

Whilst certainly not all of the photos in this review are top-notch or speaking volumes to say, I found them still rather useful in evaluating certain aspects about the LX100.
If used in context with the review itself I guess they're doing just fine.
They probably were not taken with the idea of framing and hanging them in a photo exhibition but rather to show a few aspects of the reviewed camera.

I agree some more interesting photos would spice up the review a bit... But all of it goes hand in hand with basically not much PP done to any of the photos...

0 upvotes

I look for tonality/saturation but also corner to corner sharpness.
Jeff Keller's pictures of the Transamerica Pyramid and the church in San Francisco were so good you could download and compare them across cameras.

I would be happy if dpreview would include a couple of "standard" scenes in Seattle along with the snapshots.

0 upvotes

The Lumix DMC-GX7, for slightly less cost and greater versatility is a much better choice. Read the DP article comparing the GX7 and the LX100. For travelling, I find the GX7 cannot be beat. This camera also uses the entire sensor for superior results. The only thing I envy about the LX-100 is the Leica lens.

0 upvotes

please show us the math for how the GX7 costs less with equivalent lenses

4 upvotes

The GX7 with an equivalent lens would be much bigger and much much more expensive.

1 upvote

where I live, there's 10 euro difference with bodies alone.

0 upvotes

There is no body alone on the lx100...also, keep in mind...the cheapest leicanlens its more than the lx100.

2 upvotes

was saying there's only 10 euro difference between gx7 body and lx100. I know it's compact, just wanted to say that GX7 is not cheaper.

Comment edited 44 seconds after posting

0 upvotes

Rented the LX100 for the weekend. Wanna see how this stacks up against the Ricoh GR since I hated the Sony M3.

1 upvote

Curious to know what you thought of the LX100 vs the GR. I rented the GR and loved it, but missed the ability to zoom. Great camera, though.

0 upvotes

Did you have any results? I am trying to decide which of Ricoh GR or Lumix LX100 to buy.

0 upvotes

I liked the LX100 better. Best compact I've ever shot with.

0 upvotes

Help! :), I bought the camera with a Japanese interface, looking for a manual in English.

0 upvotes

Just downloaded the advanced user guide. According to it the LX100 has wirelss (RF) flash function. Just another icing on the cake!

4 upvotes

Do you mind posting the link to download the advanced users guide to save me from looking? Please?

0 upvotes

LX100 Adv User's Guide:
https://concierge.panasonic.ca/pcs//viewing/ALL/DMC-LX100P/OI/sqw0021/sqw0021.pdf

Comment edited 11 minutes after posting

0 upvotes

thank you

0 upvotes

I just bought a D3300 with the collapsible VR kit lens. It's a great package as it is but for portability and flexibility this camera is quite tempting: more portable, better controls, sexier.

2 upvotes

The D3300 is indeed a great package. But it shouldn't be too hard to convince yourself that you need both ...

3 upvotes

just tried it for a day. a friend got the fancy leica version. it's an excellent excellent camera. the lens is simply amazing. the controls are phantastic!!! aperture on lens, time and compensation dials. nice viewfinder (although I have little comparison with viewfinders). fast, reliable. and the lens. did I mention it? the lens. it is 1,7 -2,8. the wide angle seems better than my excepensive olympus 12mm. It is a loveable camera. don't see much (or any) difference to my gm1 concerning the 12 vs 16mp. I personally would prefer a touchscreen and I'm not sure why it's not included. the extra leica lens hood is also great... as far as I can tell all panasonic I used did amazing video, I am looking forward to test the 4k (and extract 8mp images from it). so only downside: if you like touch then wait or get the lovely gm5. panasonic is really trying hard to please their customers.

8 upvotes

better than your olympus 12mm?! how's that?

0 upvotes

The 12mm prime is a good but not great lens. The 7-14mm f/4 zoom, which is at its best at 7mm, even resolves better than it at 12mm.

3 upvotes

DXO says that the Oly 12mm prime has a perceptual MP of 11mpx

I seriously doubt the zoom on this panny is better, but I would be interested to see your source data.

Comment edited 19 seconds after posting

0 upvotes

hey, I didn't want to start a flamewar here. just saying the lens of the LX100 is amazing. it's a beautiful machine for taking images.

0 upvotes

@Sirandar, for your delectation:

http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Panasonic_Lumix_G_7-14mm_f4_H_F007014E/Lumix_7-14mm_vs_Olympus_12mm.shtml

1 upvote

Interesting .... I had a look but the pics but the comparisons are too small and there are differences in black levels and contrast that makes it impossible for me to compare them. Also it is shot with a pana body which sometimes makes a 2 mpix effective resolution difference compared to an OMD at least according to DXO.

BUT it does seem a reasonably valid comparison and the pana 7-14mm lens must be a great lens to stand up to a prime.

I am actually a fan of Pana since the FZ20 and FZ30 and I have always liked their lenses. With the Oly EPL2 I switched over to Oly but was never fully satisfied with that camera. I am fully satisfied with my OMD.

1 upvote

I like the larger sensor, but at such a sacrifice in size. I think the GM-5 is lots more attractive as a small, high quality camera.

1 upvote

The GM5, with an equivalent lens, will not be smaller.

1 upvote

Well, I still like my Canon G1x mark II more. With touch screen, longer zoom and no issues with the lens cap...

2 upvotes

All said was physical things nothing to do with image and versatility.leica lens and 4K??

Comment edited 43 seconds after posting

1 upvote

I am very much satisfied with the image quality of G1x mark II, otherwise I would not start with the handling issues. I don't care about brands like leica really and I am not planning to buy a dedicated device for playing 4K videos in the next few years.

1 upvote

You don't need device for playing 4k. You use the 4k as extra resolution to edit your videos, then downsample them to 1080. You have more information to edit/play with in editor.

Comment edited 19 seconds after posting

2 upvotes

here are some pics taken with this fabulous camera. I had a LX3 and after that a RX100 but very happy to find again a panasonic expert compact camera !

http://photos.sekence.net/lx100-01

10 upvotes

I have been trying to make a decision between this and the Sony RX100 III and I think your beautiful shots have helped me decide:) Is the filtering/processing done on camera or is that on external software? Sorry if this is a stupid question, I know very little about this. Merci!

0 upvotes

Very good pp...
And good pp needs a good original photo.

1 upvote

Haven't tried the filters yet, only bought the LX100 yesterday, but the RAW processing's really easy to use, the highlight/shadows manipulation really useful if you don't want to upload to a computer and send to your phone or tablet over the wi-fi function, also really easy to use

0 upvotes

Total comments: 880

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