Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3K 10 Megapixel Digital Camera with f/2.0 24mm Wide-Angle Lens, 2.5x Optical & 4x Digital Zoom, Black

2010-02-15T19:00:00

Although I've been taking photographs for over 35 years, this is my first 'proper' digital camera. In terms of thinking about taking a picture, it's so much more like film than my P&S (Nikon S200). The range of adjustment to the way the image is processed into a JPEG is enormous. You can also work with the RAW files which I'm finding very useful. The lens is excellent and bright, and doesn't get much darker at the long end of the zoom (f2.0 to f2.8). If you want to use it as a P&S, "iA" mode works very well. Battery charge seems a bit limited (lasts about a day), but otherwise a pleasure to use. Creating pictures with the LX3 is as enjoyable as film and a old-fashioned darkroom.

SIMON R.

2010-01-22T19:00:00

I sold my D700 due to hospital bill and needed a camera to get me by meanwhile I jumped back up to digital SLR's. I knew that having used higher end cameras my judgement on smaller point and shoots was hindered. After much reading reviews, looking at sample images and more, I narrowed it down to the Canon S90 and the Panasonic LX3. I previously had the Canon G10 and did not like how Canon handles noise. The Canon S90 is no exception here. At higher ISO, Canon applies noise reduction that leave all the photos as a pasty water painting. The LX3 will remove some noise but will pretty much give it to you like it is, with noise. I prefer the look much better specially since I love to shoot in BW and this can easily be interpreted as grain. The deal breaker was the 2.0 to 2.8 lens. I've been shooting this camera for a few weeks now and I am still amazed on how it performs in low light. The G10 was never this good in low light. The images are bright and clear with moderate to low noise. This camera is not for those who wish to zoom out and shoot a moose at 50 miles away ( a bit of exaggeration there but you get the point). This lens translates to a 24 to 60 mm. You know that Canon 24 to 70 2.8 is over $1,000 and so is Nikons! So no problems here when you are buying a 24 to 60 2.0 2.8 Leica Lens. I rarely use the longer zoom as I find-myself using the 24 mm setting for almost everything. The dislikes: This camera can really use a built in lens cover! I really try hard not to put my finger on the lens. It's not really a pocket camera unless u got big pockets but its still a camera I can take everywhere with me. The buttons are small but accurate to my surprise. I just have a learning curve to overcome since the menus and options are far different from any Canon and Nikon point and shoot I have ever used. The RAW option is almost useless unless u like the software they give u. Still, the JPG's still give great amount to play in Aperture, light room and photoshop. The top command dial is always moving out of place in my pocket but not a big issue. Macro mode is phenomenal with auto or manual focusing. The images out of this camera are extremely great! However I the colors on the LCD don't match my calibrated monitor (mainly the saturation white balance is perfect). White balance is really good! It seems that the latest firmware update has really fixed and perfected this fine art of metering! The Image on the LCD is slightly brighter ( 1/2 to 1 EV + )most of the time than the image recorder, so I have learned to rely on the histogram now and not just the LCD. Overall, this camera is a serious competitor to the G10, G11 and the S90. If you like to zoom out a lot, get the S90, if you like to go wide, the LX3 will never let you down!

Daniel M.

2009-11-24T19:00:00

It's my First Digital Camera!! Am 74 and refused to use it until most of my cameras became defectives and hard to be repaired.Reluctantly I "engaged" with Digital.Will now buy a DSLR-Semi-Pro but will carry with me at all times my LX3.

Nick S.

2009-03-12T21:00:00

Excellent camera. Very good picture quality. Fantastic street camera for chest or hip shooting set to hyperfocal distance- even shows you the DOF scale. If only it remembered your manual focus settings when it went into power save mode. I need to write Panasonic about that. After lugging my DSLRs everywhere, it is a great pleasure to have such a lightweight, capable tool. The f2.0 lens and pretty darn impressive optical stabilization let you shoot with much lower ISOs than you otherwise would be able to get away with. The included RAW converter is a little bit of a pain, but works fine once you get to know it better. I have not had the chance to look at competing RAW converters.

NICHOLAS R.

2009-01-13T19:00:00

I use this camera most for landscape photos and low light situations. Once you get used to it, the level of control found in thos small camera is amazing!! The wide 24mm leica f2 lens sets it apart form every other camera currently on the market. Although it has a good low light image quality, I felt it could be better.

Dija

2009-01-07T19:00:00

I knew this camera was special when the spec's of an f/2 lens, RAW capability, and full Manual operation was revealed. This camera has my DSLR's setting on the shelf. I especially like the LX3 for wide field astrophotography. On a tracking platform, this is truely a great camera for star photos.

BARRY C.

2008-12-28T19:00:00

Great for indoor shooting in low light. Fast lens is agreat bonus in a compact camera

lesm

2008-12-28T19:00:00

I've shot live music for years with Leica M cameras, with and without additional light -- when i add light it is usually subtle and always off camera. At last here's a pocket camera with a hotshoe i can use to trigger remote flashes. Add the fast wide lens (24mm is great and 60mm is long enough for most interiors) and a useful range of high iso options and we're getting close to perfection! If Panasonic would just adopt Adobe's DNG raw format, and keep on improving the sensor quality without increasing noise - we're there! All ready much better than 35mm film at ISO of 800 and above!

Marc P.

2008-10-28T21:00:00

leave the big cameras at home travel light... and have the security of a Leica Summicron F2 lens...turn off the flash and even shoot dynamic black and white (liked Tri-X) ...a superb top of the line point and shoot with full controls!

fotomanrod

2008-10-25T21:00:00

Within my long review above, I wrongly stated the body made of plastic. Today I scratched the lower corner of my LX3 and it is made from aluminum.

DIMITRIOS K.

2008-10-17T21:00:00

If you can use your DSLR all the time then keep doing so. The IQ will be better with your DSLR. However, if you find your self wishing you had not left the camera home (because it is too bulky to carry around) then keep reading. If you like the plastic-y look of Canon P&S in-camera-processed images, look else where. Though the LX3's images are not DSLR quality, they do avoid the P&S look and feel. Nice job Panasonic. There is still room to improve, especially with ISO over 400, but nice so far! I am a long time camera user with good understanding of f-stops and shutter control. If you are a P&Ser there is room for you, but you will be missing on the fun parts of this unit. The camera is a joy to use with its well made controls. The overall feel is good to very good. However, do not believe that the camera is made out of aluminum. Perhaps there is a metal frame inside. The outside is ALL plastic (I have the black model). Frankly the plastic has the feel (touch) of the Canon Rebel series though this unit does feel very solid and good-heavy. Even the small textured-grip is covered with a vertical strip of texture *hard-plastic*. This should have been some kind of leather/leatherate with a sticky feeling to it, but nope! Just hard plastic that looks like leather. Also, the grip is tiny and the thump rest is even tinier. I had to use a strap to feel I have a good hold on the unit. Biggest drawback is that you can not configure the lens to go to a predefined length when you turn on the camera. Or at least remember what zoom factor you where at before you shut it off. It always turns on at the widest (24mm), which oddly extents the frond of the element the most. Focusing is nice and internal. The only time the frond of the lens moves is when you zoom. Small negative is the battery latch is not spring-loaded. Sort of odd to press the door close *and* have to slide the (horribly gray/blue colored) latch. You can review your shots and be in shooting mode by touching the shutter. This will happen if you enter the review-mode by pressing the Fn button. There is a review or shoot *switch* on the back-right-top, that if you set it on review then pressing the shutter does nothing till you switch back to shoot-mode. The Fn button works better for entering review-mode out on the field. I wish it had a dedicated ISO button. The G10 is so much better on that. On the plus side, the camera does remember the last item you modified using the menu from the joy-stick. So if you are modifying the ISO all the time, then you are one click away. There is distortion @24mm but easily corrected. There is softness at the corners but noticeable only when I am shooting newspapers. For Linux users, Dcraw processes the new file format just fine. BTW, I am very pleased with the lens performance wide open. Think: optical stabilization, @24mm, 1/4", @f2, handheld, no flash, silent. Even if you limit your self at ISO 400, you can still shoot some neat stuff! BTW, kids do stay still at times. You just need to look for it. Overall, I am keeping mine. It complements both my DSLR as well as my medium format film cameras. It can serve on its own for trips and is with me all the time with a bigger system in the bag or by it self in my hand. Yes, it does fit in a pocket, but, if it is your pants' pocket expect to get some odd looks/comments ;-) At $300 I would say you must have one. At $450+ I will say get it if you have been avoiding P&S (cause of IQ), but find yourself wishing you had a P&S (for easy of use/carry).

DIMITRIOS K.

2008-09-24T21:00:00

I was waiting for the new Leica V LUX 4 to come out when I decided to take a look at it's 'sister' camera LX3. I was surprised how substantial it feels and it is made. It's a great looking camera. Then there's the quality of the Leica lens with it's speed. It truly feels and reacts like a professional camera. There are features that are unexpected and can give you the flexibility to adjust exposures, white balance, raw images to mid- range quality. Panasonic really thought this camera through to every detail for a very high end point and shoot. The only feature that's missing is a view finder. Although there is one you can purchase separately. I can't think of another camera in this price range that offers what this camera does. Without too many technical details, this camera lives up to my expectations.

urban v.