For the best-quality photographs, a digital SLR is the number-one choice. They're not always practical to lug around, though. Hence the existence of high-end, premium-priced compacts, such as Canon's class-leading PowerShot G11 and Panasonic's Lumix DMC-LX5, an update to the Lumix DMC-LX3. The LX5 will set you back around £400.
Metal jacket
The LX5 has a reassuringly solid, metal body. From the front and the top, it resembles the Lumix DMC-GF1, yet, from the back, it's more like a £200 point-and-shoot camera, with dinky buttons. Like the GF1, it includes an integrated pop-up flash, and a hotshoe for an external flash or viewfinder. But it's a more manageable size, measuring 110 by 66 by 43mm.
Shooting under bright sunlight, the LX5 avoids the usual problem of lens flare, while delivering a pleasingly even exposure and sharp detail (click image to enlarge).
Compared to competing high-end compacts, the LX5 feels more elegant and streamlined. The fact that it will slip into a jeans pocket inevitably means it will also get taken out more than your dSLR.
Panasonic suggests the LX5's grip is an improvement over that of the LX3. It's not huge, but its attractive faux-leather padding prevents the camera from feeling like it will slip from your grasp.
The camera's headline features include a 10.1-megapixel, high-sensitivity CCD sensor that enables a maximum ISO setting of 12,800. The camera also has a bright, wide-angle, 24mm-equivalent, f/2.0 lens, offering a 3.8x optical zoom, increased from its predecessor's 2.5x zoom.
The LX5 will let you shoot uncompressed raw files alongside JPEGs. Whether shooting raw files or JPEGs, the camera veritably zips along. Both files are committed to an SD, SDHC or SDXC card in 2 to 3 seconds, thanks to the latest-generation Venus Engine FHD processor.
The camera's clear, 76mm (3-inch), 460,000-pixel LCD screen is used for composing and reviewing shots. The 'quick menu' button on the back plate summons up a time-saving drop-down toolbar of essential shooting functions.
Hi-def happiness
With a flick of the power switch, the LX5 readies itself for action in 2 seconds. A dedicated video-record button resides on the top plate for the recording of 720p high-definition movie clips in either the AVCHD Lite or Motion JPEG formats. The optical zoom can be used when filming, and its action is both smooth and quiet.
You can swap picture aspect ratios in a trice, via a control mounted just above the lens barrel. Usually such a feature is buried within the menu screens. The options on the dial are: the 4:3 ratio that's the industry standard for digital images; the boxier 3:2; the elongated 16:9; and the unusual 1:1. Slide a finger down and to the left of the lens surround and you'll find a further switch for swapping between autofocus, macro focus and manual focus. This is a camera you'll want to experiment with.
When shooting in a 4:3 ratio, you can access an 'extra optical zoom' option that boosts the standard 3.8x zoom. It introduces incremental resolution drops, though, as the camera is effectively performing a crop. Thus you get the equivalent of a 4.5x zoom at 7 megapixels, 5.4x at 5 megapixels and 6.7x at around 3 megapixels.
Our interior test shot, taken under natural light with the aid of a tripod, reveals the characteristically warm colours of the Lumix range, the camera having selected an ISO setting of 250 (click image to enlarge).
The camera offers a intelligent-auto mode for those who can't be bothered to fiddle with the settings, plus 'my colour' modes. We particularly liked the effect provided by the 'expressive' my-colour mode, which boosts primary colours so that they almost pop out of the screen. The shooting dial is also home to program, aperture-priority, shutter-priority and manual modes.
Picture perfect?
The razor-sharp clarity of the LX5's pictures really impresses. Like any digital compact, it's under clear, bright skies that the LX5 best struts its stuff, delivering even exposures and retaining plenty of sharp detail in both shadow and highlight areas.
When shooting in lower light or interiors, photos hold up well in terms of detail up to and including ISO 1,600. At ISO 3,200, noise starts to gradually intrude. If you use the ISO 6,400 or ISO 12,800 settings, you'll see the resolution fall to 3 megapixels, to limit the appearance of such degradation. The result is a distinctly painting-like effect.
Conclusion
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 can't be considered a replacement for a dSLR, but its sharp pictures and portable dimensions make it a competent back-up. It's far too expensive, though, which loses the camera a star.
Edited by Charles Kloet
Note: We originally reviewed the pre-production model of the LX5 in July. This is a new review of the actual production model.
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Graham 7 January 2012
Good: Excellent low light f2 Leica lens. Compact. pocketable size for travelling.
Bad: Apart from the relatively brief written manual. no complaints so far in the 6 weeks I've owned the camera.
Comment: I reviewed CSC models with interchangeable lenses for travel use. When I analysed previous travel photos over 75% were taken with 70mm or less lens settings. In the camera store the fact that the LX-5 had a f2 zoomable lens with manual control options and its compact size made up my mind. The results have been very pleasing, especially in low light conditions. Full impact wide angle landscapes have also impressed. Also wide angle speculative shots from the hip without attracting attention in markets etc. Even managed the controls with thermal gloves in -14C really freezing windy conditions in China. Try changing a DSLR lens or touching a metal bodied camera without gloves in those temperatures! Needed the excellent stabilisation mode to help counter body shake from the cold and freezing wind! Very impressive compromise camera for travel use. Battery life easily lasted a full day with over 100 shots, even in freezing conditions... !
Tim Rogers 20 November 2011
Good: Image quality, build quality and portability.
Bad: No built in eye level finder.
Comment: There is a patronising sniffiness among nerdy photographic circles about the image quality produced by compact cameras. "Yes, all very well...but SERIOUS photographers would ALWAYS go for a dslr,"
Oh yeah?
I will pass over the fact that one of the world's top professional photographers ( a friend of mine - not dropping names) has only used an iphone to capture his images for the last 12 months to wide critical acclaim...and simply say that don't believe what the photo nerds tell you.
The most important part of any photograph is the image. Get the composition right...capture that elusive moment...understand how to make the most of light and you will embody the spirit of Cartier Bresson. Obsess with gadgetry and forget what photography is REALLY all about and you might as well buy an anorak and start collecting train numbers.
In the real world, where international travel involves luggage restrictions, security checks and long sweaty queues....the thought of hefting dslr kits and various lenses is becoming less and less appealing...cameras like the Panasonic LX5 are a godsend.
Beautifully engineered, with superb image quality...and yes, I do men superb...this is an ideal travel companion.
I have had mine a year and I am pleased to report the pin sharp Leica lens, long battery life and excellent vari functions (including glorious video) have captured some of the best pictures I have taken in years.
Don't misunderstand me. I have no beef with Dslr's. I also own a Nikon D90 - and fond of it I am too. Excellent. But the truth is I am far more inclined to reach for the LX5 because for most needs - it is a far more versatile camera. It is almost always with me - and that's when the best images often present themselves - when you least expect them.
The Leica lens is a gem.
The price of a new LX5 is way below where it was when CNET reviewed it...a fact they really ought to recognise now.
Buy this camera and you will enjoy it. It feels as if it was built to last andI am looking forward to enjoying it for years to come.
Scott Haman 8 November 2010
Comment: Does it use the same adapter as the LX3, i.e. same aftermarket lenses, external flash, etc.?
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