Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX1 - Expert Reviews

Review summary: Many photographers who lug around a digital SLR and a full camera kit occasionally long for a camera that fits in a pocket and takes high-quality images. Could Panasonic's new point-and-shoot fill the bill?

Verdict: The noise issue is a problem but not a total deal-breaker for me. You can treat the noise issue with software, and for landscape shooting, the camera's ISO 80 and 100 are very clean. If you think you'll shoot mostly indoor snapshots in low light, you ...

Review summary: The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX1 is an 8 megapixel digital camera with a difference - it's the first compact digicam to feature a 16:9 ratio CCD sensor, perfect for viewing on your widescreen TV ...

Verdict: The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX1 is a unique, innovative and intriguing camera. It's the first ever model to offer a choice of image aspects, from widescreen 16:9 to the more conventional 4:3. If ...

Review summary: Expensive, attractively styled point-and-shoot camera offers multiple aspect ratios, but image noise is a problem.

Verdict: The DMC-LX1 provides lots of advanced features, along with plenty of point-and-shoot capabilities. The aspect-mode options will also appeal to photographers who want to escape the ordinary, but the noise at higher ISO settings makes the camera ...

Review summary: At $600 the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX1 is rather pricey for a point-and-shoot camera, but it's as compact as many in this class and offers some interesting features normally not found in this group.

Pros: Choice of aspect ratios Many advanced features

Cons: Digital noise is a problem at high ISOs

Verdict: Although the noise is noticeable, the camera still shoots nice-looking photos in most settings, and the 16:9 aspect ratio opens up many possibilities for photographers who want to do more with their photos than just take the shot and move on. The DMC ...

Review summary: Announced on the 20th of July, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX1 is the first 16:9 wide-aspect ratio (effectively "wide-screen") digital camera with a 16:9 wide aspect ratio 8.4 megapixel CCD sensor. The camera has a Leica 4x optical zoom lens starting at ...

Pros: Very good image quality Very compact and stylish with a solid metal body (will fit in trouser pockets) Built in "Mege Optical Image Stabilisation" allows blur free low-light photos. 2.5" screen is good with a high resolution (207,000 pixels) Unique ...

Cons: High noise (ISO200 and above practically unusable) Screen isn't widescreen Expensive compared to other compact 8 megapixel digital cameras Video doesn't "gain-up" in low-light Some purple fringing

Verdict: The Panasonic Lumix LX1 is in the unique position of being the only digital camera to offer a 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio with wide angle at 8 megapixels (other Panasonic digital cameras feature a 16:9 aspect ratio but not at the full resolution). ...