Have been surveying for a new compact cam ever since I lost my Lumix FX01 a few weeks back. Will be visiting Singapore end of this month and Hong Kong end of October so it is high time I got a new cam!
Was basically torn between buying a compact for its portability + video functions and the outstanding photo quality of DSLRs. Couldn't really decide which one to opt for since both had their own pros and cons.
I for one, did not like the thought of having to lumber around during my vacation with a big DSLR around my neck. The missing video recording function also put me off buying a DSLR in the end (though I believe in the next couple of years video recording would be possible for DSLRs too, especially with the announcement of the new Nikon D90 and "Micro 4 3rds" format for future cams).
At this point, I was basically asking myself "What can give me DSLR like quality photos and controls, while still being able to slip into my pockets?". It took me a while to find what I want, and the answer was Panasonic's newest enthusiast camera, the Lumix LX3.
So, what is so good about the LX3 especially when you compare the price tag with standard compacts? The LX3 comes at a hefty RM1.7k, which with a couple of hundred more, you can basically get an entry level DSLR like the Canon EOS 1000D or Olympus E-420.
The f/2.0 aperture, the Leica DC Vario-Summicron lens, the 24mm wide angle capture (16:9 aspect ratio), DSLR like aperture and shutter speed controls and the High-Definition (HD) video capture are some of the main attractions.
After several days fidling around with the manual controls and test shots, I must say that I am generally very pleased with the photo quality of the LX3. The dynamic range has improved and rarely you will find any compacts with such good dynamic range and color reproduction. The wider aperture would mean that more light reaches the camera's sensors while at the same time lets you get creative with "bokeh" (blurring of background to give focus on subjects). And I must say I totally love the wide angle lens ever since I got my hands on the Lumix FX01.
On the down side, the ISO range isn't all that great and noise starts to creep in at ISO-400, and ISO-1600 and above are basically useless. The size of the camera is another complaint. What was claimed (in the released specs) to be a 27mm thick cam is actually ~45mm if you take into account the protruding lens (it is even worse if you put on the lens cap!). So what should have been a cam that could slide into your pants has now become something that can only slide into your jacket pockets. Not really convenient I must say. Another bad thing about such an expensive camera is the optical zoom, which is only a tiny 2.5x! Kind of a step backwards in this aspect, which Panasonic claims is to maintain the overall photo quality and the f/2.0 aperture.
To sum things up, these are the pros and cons of the Lumix LX3:
PROS:
1. Great lens (Leica DC Vario-Summicron, highest aperture f/2.0, little to no distortion)
2. Great photo quality (Performance up till ISO-400 is superb, good dynamic range, 10.1 Megapixels)
3. Manual controls (which lets you have DSLR like control over your cam, aperture, shutter speed, focus, etc.)
4. HD video recording
5. Portability (compared to DSLRs)
6. 1cm Macro focus range
7. iA (intelligent Auto) mode makes taking photos easy
8. Mega O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer)
9. Able to shoot RAW files
CONS:
1. ISO performance isn't a big leap compared to conventional compacts.
2. Meager zoom (2.5x)
3. Lens cap (huh?! A compact using a lens cap?!)
4. Fatter than expected (protruding lens + lens cap)
Colors come out crisp clear
(click the pic for larger version)
![]()
Things get interesting at night with the wider f/2.0 lens and Mega O.I.S. (this one was taken hand-held)
(click the pic for larger version)
![]()
The great dynamic range has kept a lot of shadow details in this shot
(click the pic for larger version)
Visit my photo album for full res shots: http://khpc82.multiply.com/photos/album/73/Panasonic_Lumix_LX3_samples
For more info on the Lumix DMC-LX3, please visit:
