Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX1 reviewed

We were pretty stoked when we heard about the new Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX1 a couple weeks ago because of its relatively thin size and fully 16:9 wide-angle CCD, and it looks like HardwareZone's among the first we've seen with a review. Besides that 8.4 megapixel resolution and MEGA O.I.S anti-shake mechanism, apparently the device just takes pretty good pictures. Which we hope it would for about $800 US, or whatever it's going to cost.

[Thanks, Daniel]

[MinceyFresh @ Dec 19th 2005 1:05AM]

This camera looks sweet, especially for it's "shuttle speed" controls.
;P
Seriously, though, it looks like the one to beat, unless Panasonic comes out with a US-only cheapy plastic version of the same camera for hundreds of dollars cheaper or something...
It looks like Amazon has it quoted at $599.99 available for preorder:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000A7XZI2/qid=1124473725/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_1/104-3729394-0175964?v=glance&s=photo&n=507846

[Joe Taylor @ Dec 19th 2005 1:05AM]

For that just got the Rebel.

[Cris @ Dec 19th 2005 1:05AM]

Amazon has this camera listed for pre-order for $599

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000A7XZI2/104-9857030-7718330?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance

[BK @ Dec 19th 2005 1:05AM]

Hmmm...though it claims to take 16x9 pics., the LCD view screen is "square" (4x3). I guess it letterboxes the pics. taken in the wider format.

BK

[Jacky @ Dec 19th 2005 1:05AM]

Does it have a flash? coz if it doesn't, its pretty useless

[CHL @ Dec 19th 2005 1:05AM]

"Does it have a flash? coz if it doesn't, its pretty useless"

why dont you try clicking links and reading before you waste your time and post a stupid comment?

[Jacky @ Dec 19th 2005 1:05AM]

"why dont you try clicking links and reading before you waste your time and post a stupid comment?"

i did you moron. the links are third party reviews. not from panasonic. YOU, shouldn't be wasting time if you can't answer the question.

[Nelson @ Dec 19th 2005 1:05AM]

OK... Play nice! After all, it's Friday.

[MinceyFresh @ Dec 19th 2005 1:05AM]

Yes, it has a flash that pops up out of the top corner. :-)
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0507/05072003panasonic_lx1.asp

[tr @ Dec 19th 2005 1:05AM]

"i did you moron. the links are third party reviews. not from panasonic. YOU, shouldn't be wasting time if you can't answer the question."

did you really click on the links? did you click on the link in the first sentence of the write-up above, "Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX1". because if you did, you would've seen a picture of a camera with a flash. and a pretty snazzy flash it is.

http://www.engadget.com/entry/1234000460051188/

[cuby @ Dec 19th 2005 1:05AM]

in order to settle this profound dispute, i propose a race around the world. the queen herself shall drop the checkered flag!

[Ryan Block @ Dec 19th 2005 1:05AM]

Is it possible not to have the comment boards degenerate into a bunch of insipid malicious insults? Don't make me shut comments on this thread, or in general (http://www.engadget.com/entry/1234000323048082/).

Best,
Ryan

[Eric @ Dec 19th 2005 1:05AM]

No viewfinder, yuck. I don't like having to frame my shots using an LCD screen. It's a pain in the sunlight.

[Eric @ Dec 19th 2005 1:05AM]

Looks great. The feature set seems to put the EX-Z750 and SD500 to shame. If/when the price goes below $500, I'll have to strongly consider getting one.

[cuby @ Dec 19th 2005 1:05AM]

in order to settle this profound dispute, i propose a race around the world. the queen herself shall drop the checkered flag!

[Matthias @ Dec 19th 2005 1:05AM]

Wow, that cam seems to be what I waited for, the pictures look awesome for a camera of this size (and much better than from other small Panasonic cameras).
Till now I am using my Sony DSC-V1 and still love it, but I was waiting for a smaller camera with a comparable picture quality. I hope a real review will follow at dpreview soon - and that the price will be a litte bit (ok, much) lower in Japan next year, but I don't think I will be disappointed over there.

[Chuck U Farley @ Dec 19th 2005 1:05AM]

Don't make me come back there and separate you guys, or I will turn this car around and we'll all go right back home.

[stingerman @ Dec 19th 2005 1:05AM]

In that range of camera, is there anything comparable, considering the marketing to be true?

[jcblack @ Dec 19th 2005 1:05AM]

on dpreview's forum there are a few links and posts with pics from the camera. Not bad.

[TheMan @ Dec 19th 2005 1:05AM]

G-d save us from more marketing drivel: the 16:9 mode is just throwing away cropped pixels. With max aperature as high as 4.9 (an outrageously bad number for a lens this small) coupled with unusable ISOs beyond 200 (thank you, noise) this camera is doomed to take dreadful indoor People Photos (unless you happen to like the Blinded By The Light school of photography.)

And I don't want to hear any crap about "Leica" optics: they aren't, they're Pannie optics, with Leica licensing the rights to their name (which is becoming worthless at an astounding rate).

There are far better compacts than this out there...

[Apoco-lips @ Dec 19th 2005 1:05AM]

Quite handy for insertion to iMovie HD projects - saves time cropping shots to fit - was wondering how long it would take for this stuff to come out..

[goguletzzu @ Dec 19th 2005 1:05AM]

I think it's a piece of crap

[UFG @ Dec 19th 2005 1:05AM]

Actually TheMan, the aspect ratio of the CCD itself is 16:9, so it is not cropped. The 4:3 and 3:2 resolutions are, though. Second, the lens is F2.8 at wide angle and F4.9 at full telephoto. Might wanna get your facts straight first before you rat on a perfectly good camera.

[TheMan @ Dec 19th 2005 1:05AM]

Sorry, I had the pixel-tossing the wrong-way round: it is in the traditional aspect ratios (ie the ones that get printed and will be used most often) that pixels get thrown away.

Which makes it even worse, thanks for pointing that out.

[uclatommy @ Dec 19th 2005 1:05AM]

drool... I must have that camera! but alas, i'm too poor to afford it.. =(

[UFG @ Dec 19th 2005 1:05AM]

TheMan: In a 4:3 shot from a regular consumer digital camera, pixels get thrown away as well because 4x6 prints (the most commmon) are 3:2. I guess you think all digital cameras except Digital SLRs suck.

[Jeb @ Dec 19th 2005 1:05AM]

Everyone sure does seem pissed off that it's Saturday. I hate Saturday too. But I like the camera. 16:9. Good stuff. ...but I don't really use the camera I have now...

[jestre @ Dec 19th 2005 1:05AM]

true 28mm, f2.8 on digital cam is great.
been waiting for so long to find something similar to the good old ricoh gr1s.

can't imagine how much it would cost for this to be a dslr lens.

click here for some sample image taken by another review site

i like the good exposure in low light condition for this camera as well.

[Dave @ Dec 19th 2005 1:05AM]

Wow I think this camera look impressive. But check out the manual http://service.us.panasonic.com/OPERMANPDF/DMCLX1.PDF
Anyone wanting to use this as handy alternative to a 16 x 9 camcorder BEWARE ,Panasonic Lx1 review pending, - in 16x9 30fps movie recording mode on a 1gb card you get a whopping 560 seconds (yes that's approx 9mins !!), 4x3 VGA quality doesn't fair much better with 660second (11mins) and a fairly middleing, okish quality QVGA 4x3 at 30fps leaves you 1970secs (32mins) Is this a mistake Panasonic ?? I hope so...... (perhaps check out the Sanyo exacti C5 for a staggering record time only 4x3 but stereo sound)

[Tom @ Dec 19th 2005 1:05AM]

Someone has commented earlier about Panasonic using its own optics and not Leica's. Leica only contribution is its namesake. Could anyone else add to that? Is it true? How about Sony's?

[LcT @ Dec 19th 2005 1:05AM]

TheMan>> if you're not happy about a CCD dedicated for widescreen (throwing away pixels for more squarish resolutions) or vice versa, then what do you want? a CCD which transforms shape accordingly? the widescreen ratio might be a gimmick, but some consumers might prefer that after all...

anyway, one question. if the wide-angle (28mm) is achieved in 16:9 ratio and 4:3 is essentially a cropped image of that, does that mean that if you take pictures in 4:3, you will not be able to get the advertised 28mm range?

[lic @ Dec 19th 2005 1:05AM]

I am to buy it within these 2 weeks! The specification is too good for me. But suddenly, I am stopped and wondering if it worths.

The image quality is really as good as people saying? I was shocked by some sample taken by people attending the roadshow:

http://www.fotop.net/lyan/LX1

so still worth to buy? gotta make the decision now, pls kindly help ... if the quality is not comparatively good enough against other camera, I will not consider it even it is the only 16:9 ... (you know the resolution is not good enough for big plasma or LCD anyway)

PS: it costs HKD$4000 (or USD$513) in Hong Kong

PS: Other alternatives to me are Samsung i5, Konica Minolta X1, Panasonic FX-9, Casio ???, Kodak V550

[Nick @ Dec 19th 2005 1:05AM]

I'm buying it. I just can't decide, black or silver.

[lic @ Dec 19th 2005 1:05AM]

Yes, I believe I would bet on it and own one for myself.

I couldn't decide the color previously, but Black should be the choice for me since it gave me a more classic impression but silver is too modern. And this wonderful machine deserves a classic look, I believe :)

I just want to have it within this week, 'coz I could test it in the opening of Hong Kong Disney on next Monday ... haha ... (but still waiting for the official sales in HK) ...

Anyway, I wanna meet other LX1 fans somewhere on website in future (by sharing the taken photos).

^_^

[lic @ Dec 19th 2005 1:05AM]

The movie took huge size as LcT mentioned but the ratio of 16:9 is really super good for human eyes ... especially good for movie! Sample movie URL:

http://www.clubic.com/article-22132-6-lumix-lx-1-exilim-ex-s500-flirt-avec-la-video.html

** But an important draw back is, p.60 of service manual, that controlling the auto focus/zoom/aperture values is not allowed while taking movie (c.f. not much DC can do, one example is that the Kodak V550 can)

[Red @ Dec 19th 2005 1:05AM]

#34: Nick, let me help you on this one:
BLACK
BLACK
BLACK
BLACK
BLACK!!!

[nick @ Dec 19th 2005 1:05AM]

Yes I did end up going with the black after much obsessive debating.

[Jacky @ Dec 19th 2005 1:05AM]

where did you buy it? are you in asia? how much? i'm planning to go to hk in december to buy it.

[Mr. MorePower @ Dec 19th 2005 1:05AM]

Hi!

I bought the LX1 today. Of course I tested it immediately. I'm really impressed!!!! After my Nikon Coolpix 775, Pentax Optio S4i and Panasonic FX7/8 this one showed where developpement will go. Very solid body - highest-quality-production and nearly all possibilities of "big cameras". The battery seems to live forever (250 pictures) and the new 207kPixels-Display is a pleasure for your eyes. Only the Noise upon ISO200 is disturbing - but no reason to avoid this digital camera.

I payed 530 Euros for the LX1 and 225 Euros for an Panasonic 2GB-High-Speed-Pro-SD-Card.

Greez Mr. MorePower

[Vivek Kumar @ Dec 19th 2005 1:05AM]

I found this camera for sale at Broadwayphoto.com for $479. Best deal I found, and they threw in a free table-top tripod and camera bag. The black model is $495, if you are concerned about color.

[JW @ Dec 19th 2005 1:05AM]

Isn't Broadway Photo one of those suspect
companies a lot of people complain about?
What reputable firm can anyone in the U.S.
buy this camera for?

Has anyone tried that new Casio Xacti
camera with the 3 inch screen?

[JW @ Dec 19th 2005 1:05AM]

Isn't Broadway Photo one of those suspect
companies a lot of people complain about?
What reputable firm can anyone in the U.S.
buy this camera for?

Has anyone tried that new Casio Xacti
camera with the 3 inch screen?

[kelly @ Dec 19th 2005 1:05AM]

Hi
I been doin my search to which camera to buy , i got a hp345 3.1mp . and i desired this is the camera i need, can some one tell how it looks a photo in a room (ex lounge room or tv room }, the backgroud looks dark or you can see something , any replys will be thanked

[ron @ Dec 19th 2005 1:05AM]

#39, Currently in Mong Kok for 4000 hkd amybe 33750 if your lucky; i RECENTLY BOUGHT THE fx8 AND WILL NOW SELL AND BUY THIS ,. THE ANTI SHAKE SYSTEM IS AWESOME.