Lumix DMC-LX100

<p>Hi there,<br>

I'm thinking about making a purchase, but I would like to do as much research as possible before.<br>

I really like the Lumix DMC-LX100, I've seen it does great in low light conditions, it has a great sensor, the EVF is optimal from my point of view. I also like the image stabilization and the fact that it shoots 4k.<br>

Does anyone this one, any thoughts on it?<br>

Thanks.</p>

 

<p>Welcome to photo.net. I haven't used this camera, but there is an excellent <a href="http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonic-lumix-dmc-lx100"><strong>review of it here</strong></a>.</p>

<p>Linda,<br>

I may be biased but if I had to choose only one camera among the 30-odd I own (of which only seven are digital but span from full frame DSLR to shirt pocket P&S) the one I'd keep is the LX100. Let me elaborate a bit; I've been shooting since age 11 when I got my first camera, a Kodak Six-20 and I've used most averything from View cameras, medium format, 35mm SLRs, rangefinders & PS, plus -as mentioned- a decent array of digitals.</p>

<p>Also, since the Lumix LX3 hit the streets, I've been using them; LX3, 5, 7 and now the LX100. The camera is near perfect: manual contros where they should be, nimble and intuitive operation plus a truckload of automation that will get you through most any situation you might normally encounter, unless you need a fisheye ore are into sports reportage of wildlife photography.</p>

<p>For its versatility I'd like to invite you to visit my LX100 album in my gallery here or the one I have in Facebook (look me up with my name, it's open). The AF is fast and accurate but you also have one of the best electronic rangefinders you'll find if you prefer to focus by hand. The EVF is brilliant, cistomizable and it's intergrated, like it should. There's also an eyepiece adjustment that should accomodate most people's needs. The info displeyed can be customized in a series of ways that much more expensive cameras cannot.</p>

<p>As for image quality, I've printed 17x11" from it that cannot be distinguished from my Nikon D700 or Fujifilm X system cameras.</p>

<p><strong>I recommend it heartily</strong> and, in any case, if you live in the USA, <strong>you can return it if you find it doesn't suit you</strong>.</p>

<p>One last pair of suggestions:</p>

<p>a) Get the automatic lens cover. The original Panasonic is pricey but you can get a JJC brand one at Amazon at a fraction the price.</p>

<p>b) If you like to shoot macro, get a set of close-up lenses. They are economic and work perfectly.</p>

<p>and</p>

<p>c) <strong>Probably the most important</strong>, buy the book by Alex White about the camera. It beats the cryptic manual tenfold. It's only about $10 en electronic form:<br>

http://whiteknightpress.com/photographers-guide-to-the-panasonic-lumix-lx100/</p><div></div>

<p>if i was looking for an all-in-one compact, i would definitely include lx-100 in my short list. maybe not perfect across the board, but 'good enough' in most categories for a casual shooter. the Ricoh GR may be better as a pro-spec street shooter, but it has a fixed focal, not a fast zoom. not really a whole lot of other choices out there at this price with comparable specs, though low light performance is relative to sensor size and lens max aperture. to me it would come down to whether you want an ILC at this price point, and the potential of building a system, or are more inclined to a one-solution body. </p>

<p>I bought the LX100 last summer before a trip to Europe and have taken a few thousand photos with it. As someone who worked with film for ages, I never liked the idea of having to compose on a LCD screen like a cell phone. The LX100's digital viewfinder does the job for me, at a resolution that doesn't reveal itself as a pixel pattern instead of a real through-the-lens viewfinder. And it's so compact I can carry it as a hiking camera. Drawbacks are that its little wink flash is external, so it takes some fussing to attach it for fill flash; battery life isn't great, so an extra is important; and it's sometimes too easy to move the exposure compensation dial without noticing (it doesn't have a detent or lock). I would prefer doing without the 4k video in favor of a lower price and fewer filter gadget settings to keep things very simple.<br>

But all things considered, it has good low light capability, resolution and color quality. I second the suggestion to buy the White book. I've been very pleased with the camera overall.</p>