| Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 10.1 MP Digital Camera with 3.8x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 3.0-Inch LCD (White) | 
| Brand: Panasonic
Category: Photography
Buy New: $499.00
as of 9/6/2010 17:57 MDT details
Seller: Amazon.com
Rating:  10 reviews
Sales Rank: 6,118
Color: White
Media: Electronics
Optical Zoom: 3.8
Maximum Resolution: 10
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.6
Dimensions (in): 4.3 x 2.6 x 1.7
MPN: DMC-LX5W
Model: DMC-LX5W
UPC: 885170016187
EAN: 0885170016187
ASIN: B003WJR69O
Shipping: Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Not yet released
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| Features:
| • | 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) |
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Product Description
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.
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 10
 WOW - An AMAZING camera! September 6, 2010
J.R. (Washington, DC)
I was going to get the LX3 several months ago, but then heard they were coming out with LX5.
All I can say is WOW! This camera is AMAZING.
Wide angle, superior IQ, great in low light conditions, easy to use, feels solid when you hold it...love this camera!
 Great little camera, but there are issues. September 6, 2010
Encite (Alaska)
2 out of 10 found this review helpful
Received this camera just hours before leaving on a two week trip to Hawaii, kudos to Amazon for getting it to me the day after it was released. I am very impressed with the camera and it's capabilities. There are already enough reviews talking about the capabilities, so I'll talk about a few issues that I need help resolving.
First, my Windows 7 starter edition does not recognize the movie files created on the camera. I upgraded my Lightroom to 3.2, and it does not import the movie files. I tried installing the included software, thinking that it would see and install the movie files, but it will not install because my gateway netbook does not have enough resolution. Very frustrating.
Second, I had already purchased the wide-angle conversion lens and the conversion tube to make it, and filters, work. Unfortunately, the tube is 46mm on one end, and 45mm on the other, and both the camera and the accessories are 46mm. Another bummer.
Third, I have been unsuccessful in finding a "Panasonic approved battery", as a spare, and was not able to find the leather camera case for sale anywhere.
I have work-arounds for most of these issues, but in my mind, after shelling out more than $600 for the equipment, I should not have to resort to work-arounds.
The camera itself rates 5 stars, but the frustrations pull it down to 4.
 Sold my Canon G11 for this - regret it - will be going back. September 5, 2010
Todd Gilbert
6 out of 17 found this review helpful
I don't know why - but I sold my G11 about a month ago. I replaced it with a Panasonic GF-1 that while I really like the camera - it is just to big to be my compact (primary is a 5D2). I plan on selling the GF-1 to pay for it's replacement. That was to be the LX5, G12, S95 or TL500/EX1. I tried the LX5 first and frankly - am quite disappointed.
Pros:
1. 24mm f/2 Wide Angle - love it.
2. Love the aspect ratio switch that ISN'T just cropping the main 4:3 aspect ratio. The 16:9 24MM angle of view is very impressive - my favorite thing about the camera by far. I originally went with this over the S95 strictly for the 24mm FOV and it is great after seeing it.
3. 3FPS while shooting raw is pretty cool.
4. Zoom/AF during video is also very nice.
5. Hotshoe - definitely a must have and the primary reason it got picked over a S90/5.
6. Battery life is pretty good - another reason it got picked over S90/5.
Cons:
1. When composing - the camera quadruples the pixels on the back screen - so only after you take the photo is the 460K dot screen actually utilized. This is a huge drawback and makes a camera that came out last week feel dreadfully dated in use.
2. Image quality is really just ok - my G11 was way better. I shoot raw exclusively - and I have to use Lightroom's noise reduction even when shot at ISO 80 to get creamy soft skys.
3. As stated the screen above isn't 460K all the time - but I also didn't realize how much I loved the swivel screen of the G11.
4. Video quality is ok - but I don't want to fire up iMovie every time I want to dump stuff off a card - wish it was a self contained file like the h.264 out of Canon.
5. Menu system feels like a 1999 camera - very dated and disorganized.
6. Build quality feels just ok - the G11 or TL500 are both built like tanks - this just doesn't have that feel.
7. The lens cap is crap and adds too much thickness - I much prefer the G11/S95's automatic cap.
8. When you turn the camera off after taking photos in succession or a video (where the buffer is used) - the lens doesn't retract immediately. You have to wait for the camera to finish writing to the card before you can put that dreadful lenscap back on. I bought a faster memory card and that did improve it - but I never had this problem with my G11.
Really I suppose what I want just isn't here yet. I want a Canon menu system GF-1 with a 24mm equiv f/1.8 pancake lens that will fit in my pocket.
The closest I think I will get to that - is the Samsung TL500 Black 10-megapixel Digital Camera
But it might just be too big - so I want to try out the Canon PowerShot S95 10 MP Digital Camera with 3.8x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 3.0-Inch inch LCD or even a used S90 as they are CHEAP now.
Excellent Image Quality September 5, 2010
Randy Benter (Kansas City)
7 out of 7 found this review helpful
I have owned a few premium compacts, so this is a review of how I think the LX5 compares to the competition. My primary camera is a Nikon D90, but I like to have a compact camera that I can put in a pocket for outings when photography is a secondary objective.
***THE GOOD
The image quality of this camera is excellent for a compact. The metering and auto white balance do a fine job of accurately reproducing the scene. The contrast and colors are excellent with nice saturation. Skies look better than some other Panasonics which tend to render the sky more cyan than blue, but the reds seem a little too strong (be careful not to blow the red channel). I can definitely see a difference between the LX5 and previous Panasonics and overall, I think the new Venus Engine FHD does a fine job.
The ergonomics of this camera are great. I never could get used to the small size of the Canon S90, it is too small and too slick; I always felt as if I could easily drop it. The LX5 is just slightly larger than the S90 and feels much better. I have no problems operating this camera with one hand. The buttons and menu system are well designed so you can get to the most commonly used settings quickly.
The lens is super sharp for a compact fixed lens and the extended zoom range compared to the LX3 is a nice improvement. Pictures taken with the LX5 are slightly sharper than the Canon G11 and much sharper than the Canon S90 and Samsung TL500. The lens is also wider and faster than other compacts.
Low light (high-ISO) performance has long been Panasonic's Achilles heel. Pictures taken with an LX3 at ISO settings above 200 were very noisy. The LX5 is greatly improved in this area and I find ISO 800 to be very usable. Don't expect the low-light performance to be as good as an APS-C or 4/3 camera, it is not even close, but considering the sensor size, the LX5 does a good job. I think the Canon compacts are still ahead in this area, but the difference is now very slight. The new intelligent-ISO feature is also an improvement; it considers both available light and subject movement when setting the ISO. I usually set ISO manually, but by setting the ISO limit to 800 and using intelligent-ISO I have found the camera sets the ISO just where I would want it.
Autofocus seems very accurate and I seldom get a blurry shot. The AF speed is typical of cameras in this class, but noticeably slower than my GF1. I had hoped the fast AF of the GF1 would make it into the LX5, but I presume this is a trade-off for a smaller, lighter camera.
The image stabilization feature works very well and is equal to the Canon compacts.
The camera ships with the latest version (3.1) of SilkyPix, which does an excellent job of raw file conversion. The camera is also supported in Adobe Camera Raw 6.2 for users of Photoshop and Photoshop Elements.
***THE BAD (in case Panasonic is listening)
Manual Focus is difficult to use! The MF assist zoom releases within 1 second of changing the zoom while the camera is still shaking from the operation of the wheel or button. The zoom really needs to stay on longer (the GF1 stays on for about 10 seconds). I hope Panasonic releases a firmware update to fix this issue soon. I think 3-5 seconds would be ideal.
The AE-Lock indicator is only displayed with the normal display along with all other setting icons. AE-Lock only functions as lock-hold, so the status indicator is necessary. Users should have the option to disable lock-hold and the indicator should be displayed regardless of display mode.
The detachable lens cap seems unnecessary; I would prefer a built-in cap like most cameras in this class.
It is annoying that the only way to view a histogram in playback mode is to enable it in live-view mode. My personal preference is to not have it in the way while framing, but I occasionally check the histogram when reviewing a shot. A color histogram would also be nice in playback mode.
The buttons on the rear control pad are in different locations compared to my GF1 which has the ISO button on the top and the focus button on the left. The memory card orientation is also inconsistent between Panasonic models. These are not major issues, but I wish the designers hadn't overlooked this. As long as I own both cameras, I will occasionally push the wrong button and insert the memory card backwards.
There is no remote trigger option.
***SUMMARY
There really aren't many cameras to choose from in the premium compact market. I only consider those with 1/1.6 or 1/1.7 sensors and the ability to shoot raw to be true premium compacts. Anything with a smaller sensor will not deliver the same image quality. There are also some larger sensors available in small cameras, but if you want to fit it in a pocket or small belt case, then you are limited to a single focal length, like the Sigma DPx or a Micro 4/3 with a pancake lens. Once you put a zoom lens on a micro 4/3, then you are so close to the size of a small DSLR that you might as well carry a Rebel or D5000 (the same goes for the Sony NEX series). I expect when I walk out the door I will either select the D90 for image quality or the LX5 for its small size, the GF1 might get lost in the middle and may not remain in my arsenal much longer.
If you are trying to choose between an S90, a G11, an LX5 or a TL500, then I recommend you cross the S90 and TL500 off your list straight away; the LX5 and G11 are better. Choosing between the LX5 and G11 is a bit more difficult as there are some things each camera does better. I personally think the LX5 has the edge based on image quality and a slightly wider (24mm) and faster (f2.0) lens, but if an articulating screen and remote control are important to you, then a G11 will also provide excellent images. The good qualities I listed above far outweigh the minor bad issues; I highly recommend this camera.
Nice upgrade from the LX3 September 5, 2010
Mic Masterson (New York, NY)
6 out of 7 found this review helpful
This camera is really fantastic and a nice upgrade from the LX3 for some. For others it won't be, because at the end of the day both cameras take excellent photos.
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 1/10
- 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.
- 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. The leica lens is better than any PaS lens I've ever used.
- Easier to get into the film mode with the dedicated movie button. Honestly I havent really tested recording in 720p yet, but the AVCHD codec is supposed to give better results.
- 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 I've ever used. 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.
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, F1.8 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 ~$100 cheaper 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.
Canon G11: Not a big fan of this camera as it uses the same sensor as the Canon S90 and doesn't use as fast a lens. Lacks HD video recording and is more expensive. It's also larger and bulkier than the LX5. Overall I just don't feel like it is a strong competitor. The G12 will probably be something better to compare against the LX5 or any of the other cameras mentioned here. To the G11's credit, it does have an articulating screen and a view finder which is nice.
Olympus EP-L1: This camera is also a worthy competitor and has the benefits of a larger sensor and interchangeable lens. However, the build quality is not as good, the lens that comes with the EP-L1 isn't very impressive and it's a bit larger. You will need to spend some serious money on the 20mm f1.8 lens which makes this purchase almost ~$850. If you are okay with the kit lens this is a great bargain for just slightly more than the LX5.
Pansonic GF1: This was the most difficult decision to make for me. The GF1 costs $250 more than the LX5 at this point, but comes with a better lens (20mm f1.8) and is m4/3 like the EP-L1. While the 20mm kit the GF1 does take noticeably better pictures, I still ended up choosing the LX5. Why? The LX5 is still cheaper (the $250 difference does matter to me, it might not to you), has image stabilization (the GF1 does not) and it's substantially smaller. I like the GF1 and think it is tiny compared to traditional digital SLRs, but it's still not as convenient as a compact PaS like the LX5. Basically, I see myself taking the LX5 to more places and using it more in general. I think that beats out the image quality edge that the GF1 has.
Ricoh GR Digital III: Looks interesting and has a nice spec'd 28mm f1.9 lens, but is fixed (no zoom) and has no HD video recording. I didn't test this because I need zoom and HD recording, and it's also larger and a good amount more expensive than the LX5. I've heard the menu system on the Ricoh's is one of the best to use, but it seems to be targeted at a very niche audience.
Samsung TL500: Was really impressed and seriously considered this camera because I read about it having a f1.8 lens at 24mm! And it has a nice articulating AMOLED screen. I played with the camera a bit and was impressed, but it's larger than the LX5, doesn't have as good a zoom range and about 1/2 the battery life. I've also examined the TL500 image samples on the web and don't think they are good as the LX5. Low light performance is a little less impressive, but the LX5 just produces more crisp images with better colors IMO. This is comparing jpg's straight out of the camera, not RAW files. Lastly, there is no HD video recording (only does 480p). The price on this camera is great though and it looks and feels like it will last a LONG time. Great design here by samsung.
Conclusion:
After weighing the LX5 against the competition I think overall it's the most balanced camera out there and a worthy successor to the classic LX3.
If you're willing to sacrifice some features and IQ, but need a cheaper camera with a fast lens and with smaller size go for the Canon S90/95.
The LX3 still competes with most of the cameras mentioned and is a terrific bargain. I'd definitely recommend looking into getting one if you're a bit tight on cash, but want a great camera that will last years and years.
If you don't mind being able to record video and are willing to sacrifice some IQ look at the Samsung TL500, it has even faster glass than the LX5 and offers some unique features like an articulating amoled screen. Overall an excellent value for what you get.
Finally, if you want SLR-like image quality and are willing to pay a bit more, look at the Panasonic GF1. The 20mm kit will take amazing photos but you get a less compact camera, no zoom, no image stabilization, and of course the higher price for a camera that's already about 1 year old.
Hope this was helpful.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 10
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