Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX1 - Expert Reviews

Review summary: The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX1 enters the compact market with 8.4 effective megapixels and a nice Leica Vario-Elmarit DC 4x optical zoom lens. The lens is complemented by Panasonic's Mega Optical Image Stabilization system, which has two modes and shuns ...

Pros: - 16:9 movie mode - Nice LCD screen - High quality Leica lens - Durable aluminum body - Decent burst mode - User friendly exposure controls - Thorough software package

Cons: - Expensive - Images are extremely noise (ISO 200 setting is pushing it, 400 is unusable) - Rickety pop-up flash - placed off lens axis - Slippery zoom toggle - Small controls - Poorly translated scene help screens

Verdict: With 8.4 megapixels, a 2.5-inch LCD screen, and a Leica 4x optical zoom lens with optical image stabilization, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX1 has a lot to offer consumers. That is, consumers with lots of money to offer Panasonic. The LX1 retails for $599 ...

Review summary: Digital camera 'Small and powerful' is no contradiction in terms with the latest point-and-shoot digital cameras. But Panasonic's $999 Lumix DMC-LX1S is even better equipped than most, starting with its amazing 8.4 megapixel CCD and wealth of advanced ...

Verdict: The camera's most intriguing feature, though, is its array of three image aspect ratios: 4:3, the typical digital camera ratio; 3:2, a match for 35mm film and perfect for 4 x 6-inch prints; and 16:9, the standard for widescreen displays

Review summary: The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX1 has a broad set of manual controls, image stabilisation, a wide lens and a 16:9 sensor crammed into a compact package

Pros: 16:9 native aspect-ratio CCD ; wide-angle lens ; image stabilisation ; decent photo quality ; versatile burst mode ; TIFF and raw formats ; 64mm LCD

Cons: No optical viewfinder ; LCD difficult to view in dim light ; no white-balance presets for fluorescent light ; some image artefacts

Review summary: Panasonic continues to offer innovation where most manufacturers have become content with an endless round of 'me too' product and minor upgrades.

Award: Recommended!

Review summary: Announced alongside the FZ30 in July, the Lumix LX1 is the world's first compact camera with a 'widescreen' 16:9 ratio CCD sensor, combined with a 28-112mm (equiv.) wideangle 4x Leica-branded zoom lens. As with all Panasonic cameras, the LX1 features ...

Pros: High resolution, very sharp results with lots of detail, Unique 'widescreen' 16:9 mode, 28mm wideangle (16:9 mode only), Comprehensive photographic control, High quality construction, lovely design, Good edge-to-edge sharpness, Excellent white balance ...

Cons: Noise, noise, noise, Occasional exposure / dynamic range problems in very contrasty scenes, Supplied raw converter useless, Default settings a little over-sharpened, a little too contrasty, Quite expensive

Verdict: Panasonic continues to offer innovation where most manufacturers have become content with an endless round of 'me too' product and minor upgrades.