I’ve had the Panasonic LX100 for more than 6 months now and I am ready to put my thoughts in writing, here’s my Panasonic LX100 review. Long story short, it’s one of the best street photography cameras.
Introduction
Panasonic essentially took their already great Panasonic LX series and simply made the sensor bigger and put it on steroids. It’s essentially a micro-four thirds-ish camera with a killer fast zoom that starts at 1.7 at the 24mm and ends at 2.8 at the 75mm end.
Before starting, let me first state 2 things. First, I don’t like the micro fours thirds format. There, i said it. I had the original PEN, the original OMD and I swore off them afterwards. Nothing personal, I just don’t like the format. But after being stunned of how great the Panasonic LF1 was, I decided to give the LX100 a try.
Second I used to be anti-zoom, I used to be a passionate defender of prime lenses, but with that zoom range basically removing the need to carry another lens, I’m not too zealous about my position as a prime shooter anymore. Fast zooms are great, the LX100 grew on me.
I got the LX100 because in a sense, I needed to. I was leaving for Korea and could not take all of my cameras with me. I decided to simplify and only get one camera that would work for most situations and the LX100 seemed to fit the bill well.
Panasonic LX100 review
The best camera package? Seriously? …….Let’s start by first clearing up some confusion, I am not saying that this is the best camera ever, but definitely one of the best camera packages ever when factoring in everything like price, size, weight, versatility, video, etc. It ends up being one of the best deals in photography.
For sure there’s cameras and lenses out there that can outperform this camera in individual aspects, but when you put everything in balance, I truly believe this camera is nothing short of a steal. More on that later.
Camera Handling and ergonomics
The camera takes after the good old rangefinders with the nice shutter speed dial on top and a front aperture dial. For sure they took a cue from Fuji, and let me say that both handle VERY differently. Something like my Fuji X100s feels bulkier and premium, the LX100 looks sleek, feels well built but does not feel premium.
It’s a hard feeling to describe, my point is, don’t think the LX100 is just a Fuji with a zoom range. They both handle and feel differently, one handed operation is easier with the LX100 for example.
The camera isn’t too bulky, it will fit in a small bag. It wins against the Fuji in that department as it is smaller and easier to transport. . The lens actually allows for screw on stuff like filters and hoods. To my surprise the Voigtlander 35mm’s hood fits perfectly although it obscures the lens when completely zoomed out. It’s better to get the auto-extending cap for it.
The grip is very nice and there is no need for anything like an extra grip like it’s younger brother the Panasonic LF1. The shutter is pretty silent and makes for a stealthy camera.
The only issue with this camera is the non integrated flash, it’s a little flash cube that is separate. That’s ok in my opinion, if you need flash, it’s better get a big one!
The lens, oh the lens!
The 4/3ish sensor coupled with a 24-75 2.8 sensor is the primary reason I call this camera a steal. You can get an APSC or even a Fullframe sensor with a similar lens, it would surely outclass it. But the lens alone like a canon 24-70 2.8 is $1799…..for the lens ONLY!
So this camera’s entry price is worth it for the focal length and speed alone! Granted it doesn’t Bokeh as well as a larger camera but it’s much more portable.
The lens is sharp and fast. And while it cannot be removed, you’d be hard press to find something this camera can’t do. The highly versatile lens allows for everything from landscapes to portraits. When I had to move and cutting down gear, this was the only camera that had everything built in, no need for an extra lens or video camera (more below).
As much as I was an ardent defender of prime lenses, the biggest issue I faced was the fact that you needed a separate lens for each focal length. It’s really bothersome to have to worry about a lens or two in the bag, plus you need time to change them. When you pick up the LX100, you know you are ready for whatever comes your way in terms of images.
Image Quality
Image quality is impressive, as most modern cameras are, so I won’t dwell on it…..but I do want to talk about it a little bit. Many times the shots I have from it are indistinguishable to an APSC sensor camera, but also sometimes the images have a certain “look” to them, usually when it starts going up in the ISO department. I understand that this is a purely subjective comment.
The other thing I wanted to mention is not really about the image quality but about the expected image rendering. The lens is killer, but many times I expect APSC sensor sized bokeh and it’s simply not there. I know how great the Bokeh is at 75mm 2.8 on an APSC, so it is slightly underwhelming to see the modest bokeh of the LX100. Lastly let’s see how the camera handles raw editing. Let’s start with outside manipulation, out in the sun:
There’s a lot of editing in this quick shot. Everything from bumping the shadows up, changing the white balance on the bottom, etc. Everything works fine. Now, for very dark areas, you kind of have to be careful, the quality starts breaking down when you try to recover your shadows:
All I did there is try to recover the highlights. At the end of the day, great camera or not, it’s still an mu43ish and can’t be pushed too much. ISO1600 is as far as I would go with it.
Viewfinder
These are commonplace now, the LX100 has a nice viewfinder, it’s bright and nice, On the right of the viewfinder is the viewfinder button and wifi button. While you can add a thumbrest, it will block these non crucial buttons.
Macro
While not a 1:1 macro, the lens focuses really close and does great closeups. The only thing is, you need to hit a a switch on the side to turn on the macro mode. The macro mode is pretty much only for the wide angle end, as soon as you start zooming in, it will lose it’s macro powers.
Timelapse
Did I say this camera was the best package? Yup this has built in time lapse function, no need for remotes or anything, just bring your tripod and have a lot of patience and some pretty nice time-lapses can be yours.
Wifi
Again, something that is more and more commonplace as not to be relevant, the LX100 has wifi and has a great app that goes with it. Can’t transfer raw files but has NFC for snappy connection. Beats having a cable for triggering remotely!
Video functions
Did I say this was the best package? You know how most cameras are very good still cameras and then some engineer says “Oh we should have video!” and simply puts it as an afterthought?
That is NOT the case for this camera. As for the LX100, only 2 words: 4k + stabilization. Good grief 4 friggin’ K in an already fine still camera? 4K on at 24-75mm 1.7-2.8 lens????? The videos that come out of this are simply stated STUNNING. But that’s not the amazingness (is that even a word?) of it, the stabilization is just top notch.
Look I’m not a video pro (only a photo pro 😉 ) all I know is, I spent $500 in a Steadicam merlin that I could never figure out and this beats it. Long story short, it looks like the camera is floating in the air when handholding it. Plus there is always post processing stabilization to stabilize your footage even further.
The video capabilities simply eliminates the need for a separate video camera for most people, even for those who need a bit more, like youtubers.
What’s great too is that you can turn your smart-phone into a screen so that you can record and still look at yourself to check if everything is ok. While I haven’t gotten to it yet I am planning to make Youtube vids and also sell stock footage with it!
Shooting situations
I used this camera a lot, for many situations, here’s my thoughts on each:
Street Photography
This is a great Street camera, small and stealthy. For some reason there is no focus scale on this like the LF1. The screen doesn’t flip but there is a EV dial for quick change if you use something like Aperture priority. Click here if you like street photography.
Landscape photography
I enjoy landscapes as much as the other guy, and the 24mm can hold it’s own pretty well.
Travel Photography
The fact that this is a small camera but with such a versatile lens and can do video makes this a very strong travel camera. Portraits, landscapes, everything is covered with the LX100 in your travels. It allowed me to cut down all the gear and simply do not need to bring anything else while traveling.
Professional Work
I did some paid jobs with this camera no problem, wonderful output for food images and more. The Jury is up to you for other types of jobs like weddings.
The only thing to worry about is the low light capacity of the camera, due to sensor size it can’t go too high in terms of ISO. If the area is super dark, don’t expect magic if you try to recover your blacks.
I did food stuff with it:
Event stuff:
And other random pro stuff like:
The best camera for…..
I always get emails asking me for camera recommendations, and while I believe the best camera does not exist, I do believe that this is the best camera for a certain group of people. The first group is the Minimalists….If you just want one camera, ONE CAMERA, and you don’t want to deal with lenses but still want something that is great in any situation, this might just well be it. There is very little this camera can’t do if you don’t go to very specialized fields.
The second group is travelers who want something light, the third group is those who want to get into photography and the last group is shooters who already have a main camera but feel they need the zoom range.
Where it falls short
However a great camera it is, it’s biggest strength (the versatility) might also be it’s downfall for certain folks. Of course you can get killer portraits but it doesn’t Bokeh as well as a APSC with a 1.4 can…..it can do landscapes well but can’t go as wide as a 15mm…it can do telephoto but it’s a short one. In essence, the camera does most things right, but there might be things that are too far beyond it’s reach.
Conclusion
So let’s get this straight: Incredibly versatile zoom lens, large sensor, 4k, stabilisation, timelapse & more in one small package? Now you understand why I believe this is one of the best photography packages so far! It’s not only great for photographers but also for video enthusiasts!
I’ve been using it for months now and it held itself against everything I have thrown it’s way from food shots to street. If you are looking for one camera for most of your needs, this baby will probably fit the bill.
Panasonic LX100 Review update
Panasonic released the LX100 II that is an upgraded model in every way. They simply took what was great about the previous model and upped the ante with more megapixels, and much better video functions.
Where to get it: Check on Amazon
Your camera is only as good as you are…
The Panny is a great camera that has my highest recommendation, but your camera is only as good as you are, so if you want to make better images with it, check out my street photography workshop online and book.
It is not just a zoom, it is a fast zoom that opens to 24mm, which means it covers the prime street lens turf. Never got your prime snobbery. And, considering what it can do, it is so unassuming on the street which I feel is a big factor in keeping people at ease. This recognition is a year overdue.
Well the reason for my preference (not a snob =) ) Is because of how you can pretty much know how a frame is going to look like without the camera even on yet. That and also how it forces you to work out a scene.
I do love the zoom, but I do feel a bit lazy too lately 🙂
Oh great, thanks Olivier for this booster dose of GAS. Worse thing about this camera is (a) I’ve actually got a reasonably good case for owning one, and (b) in this case you can actually UPSIZE your GAS by checking out the one with the red dot.
Let’s trade! You don’t need that Xpan 🙂
Or I’ll sell you mine AND paint over a red dot over it just for you 🙂
Sorry! It’s one of those once-in-a-while-reviews 🙂
We can either trade (Who needs an Xpan anyways?) or I can sell you mine, I’ll paint a red dot over it for you!
Make it a Linhof 612 and you’ve got a deal 🙂
(and then I wouldn’t need that XPan!)
Having used so many APS-C cameras, and the Ricoh GR, I bought and tried this camera but couldn’t get past the smaller sensor. To me it was noticeable. The bigger camera size also was kind of annoying compared to the Ricoh GR. I may as well carry my slightly bigger Fuji X-T10 around. The Ricoh has a lovely APS-C sensor in it, which is why I can’t give that camera up. I loved the faster zoom lens on the LX100, but the files to me were a tad lacking in comparison to that APS-C which has spoiled me. The LX100 camera is versatile though. Having that fast lens, zoom and 4K was really cool, but in the end I couldn’t justify keeping it over my Ricoh. I was hoping the sensor would be more pleasing to me than it was, but that’s me. Many people will love the files in this camera and have no issues with it. Since my moving away from smaller P&S cameras with the smaller sensors and jumping right into APS-C and full frame, I really never embraced the micro 4/3rds sensor cameras. I really notice the difference though now and it is hard to step back.
I share this point of view too. It’s a killer little cam but not an APSC, but in exchange you have everything else from 4k to stabilization.
Personally I am fine with the Image Quality, but where the sensor size comes in is when I shoot let’s say at 75mm 2.8 and I KNOW how the image SHOULD look like on an APSC and I am a bit let down.
Panasonic is married to mu43, but I am sure, seeing how cunning Fuji is, they will make a zoom fixed lens Fuji X.
As a major fan of the X series (got 4 of ’em), I’ve been waiting for an upsized X20 for a long time and I don’t see one coming.
I’m done with waiting and tomorrow morning, the order will be placed for this camera.
I love my X100T, but Fujifilm missed the boat when they didn’t produce a version with a short zoom (in other words an upsized X20 which I also have).
Love the X100T, but lets face it, 23mm f2 can’t do everything.
I agree that this LX100S doesn’t have that “built like a tank” feel of the X cameras, but hey, I can live with that. Gimme an aperture ring, a shutter speed dial, a good lens backed up by a decent sensor and I’m a happy camper.
Just wished Panasonic hadn’t cheaped out by failing to include a 3.5m mic jack. Good video ain’t much without good audio.
P.S. Ex – prime lens guy here, but I’m past my ‘best by’ date when it comes to lugging big camera bags around.
I own this camera (the version with the red dot, actually), have used it quite a lot as a travel companion for all the reasons mentioned by Olivier. Unfortunately, build quality seems to be a problem: mine has just acquired two really nasty specks of dust on the sensor. While they are not much of an issue with the lens wide open, they are really bothersome when stopping down. So now I’m considering getting rid of it and getting a compact with interchangeable lenses, because then I can at least clean the sensor myself. A bit of a bummer …
Hum, never had that issue myself. You can have it cleaned and get the auto extending cap.
Cleaning it yourself…..the following is at your own risk! Clean an aspirator head and put it around where the lens extends and simply tap on the camera gently in order to make the dust move and hopefully get sucked in.
Panasonic cleaned my sensor for free within warranty. Excellent pickup and dropoff service. Only took 3 days and the sensor was like new again.
Be careful not to expose the camera in dusty environments, as its not sealed at all.
I do love my LX100, and I agree that the bokeh is a bit strange and at high ISOs there is more noise than with a Fuji, say. Many of the IQ issues can be Lightroomed away. OK, so here is my question. Has anyone else found that the LX100 stalls intermittently when writing to disc? I don’t mean just takes time…I mean STALLS, so that I have to pop the battery and lose significant numbers of frames. I’ve sent it for “repair,” and the Panasonic shop said there was nothing wrong with it. I got a faster card — seemed to be OK — then BAM, last weekend, after months of not failing, same thing happened.
Seems to be fail with computer or cable. Newer had this issue with mine, either read about it. Hope, it’s been fixed since the post!
I have the same problem. Sent it in three times for repair and then got a replacement camera three days before the warranty expired. Four months later, the replacement camera did the same thing. I love this camera but losing photos because it won’t write to the disk is unbelievably frustrating.
Thanks for the great review, this camera is on my short list. Any reason you chose it over two other cameras already reviewed on your site- the Canon G1X II and the Sony RX100 III? Was the fast lens the pull for you, as I note the Sony can seem to resolve more with it’s 20 mp.? Do you miss not having the flip screens of the other two cams? Thanks for any feedback here.
Yeah the G1x is quite frankly a let down, it doesn’t feel or operate it’s sensor size. Don’t know if that makes sense. It’s not the same thing as the LX100 is a much bigger sensor than the RX100, but you lose the pocket factor. I do sometimes wish I had the flip-screen, but let’s face it, every camera has little quirks, and for such a lens and sensor, I’d gladly give it up!
If it’s for flowers or something, you can always use the phone as a wireless screen 🙂 Let mek now!
Many thanks, I’ll try an in-store test of the RX100 II vs the LX100. I know some (like Steve Huff) point to the increased mp of the RX, but there is a flatness of the 1″ sensor that I often see in pics…You mean remote operation of the LX100 with a phone? Yeah, a flip screen in handy but IQ is more important. Cheers and thanks again!
Great review and this exactly what I wanted to hear about this camera from a pro reviewer.
Thanks.
Thanks for the review. I recently got this camera to travel with me my x pro 2.
I think it is important to put this camera in the category it was meant to be in. It was not meant to replace an X pro 2, X100, or any other camera. It is meant to be a great walk around and travel companion. Better than a phone and not as good as an APS or Full frame sensor, but the convenience well makes up for the lack of a larger sensor so you can get better control of one’s depth of field.
I cannot help but wonder why some people simply want this type of camera to do everything the “big” cameras can do. Everything has its place and this little sweetheart belongs right in my pocket where it is always at the ready when my other gear is not.
Yes indeed, it will never replace any of those, BUT the versatility makes it so that I walk around with it more than any other camera lately!
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Hello,
Now that this camera is 2 years old, do you think it still is a good buy at $575? Or, are there other cameras on the market now to consider?
Also, great review! I really enjoyed your pictures!
Ted
That’s funny I came here to ask the same thing, I’m sick of switching lenses etc. And want to simplify. I want some macro and the ability to shoot my kids (the reason I have no time for a full system any longer). I honestly don’t know how people have the chance to relax and take photos with toddlers running about.
I’m torn between this and an x100t
I stumbled on this review and must say I agree with everything! I’ve had mine for about a year (got it for a steal as a Christmas gift) and since getting it have *rarely* touched my dslr. I even use mine for professional photo and video work (I’m a graphic designer).
Mine went with me to Seoul in October and it was a DREAM. Super-versatile, discreet, with fabulous image and video quality.
My one wish: Mic input jack. And if I got a second wish? Tilting LCD screen for even more discreet from-the-belt photography.
Thanks for this review! Great read.
Thanks 🙂 You weren’t too far from me, I’m in Jeju, Korea. Those will probably be in LX200, who knows?
I enjoyed your photos as much as the review, as I’ve had the LX100 for almost a year. I love the camera. The lens is, of course, sharp, with plenty of depth of field once it’s stopped down. It’s awesome when hand-held in low light (i.e. there’s minimal noise), by virtue of its f/1.7 lens at the wide end, which helps overcome the reality that the m4/3 sensor is cropped.
Two more thoughts:
1) The dust issue: I’m about to send my LX100 in for a cleaning. I have seen a slow build-up of small dust particles, and there’s one huge super-particle (or some piece of foreign matter) that is too visible at all but the largest aperture. From what I’ve read in camera forums, admittedly anecdotal, this has been a particular issue with LX100 owners, and now I’ve joined that list.
2) I have a new favorite travel camera and maybe it’s my fav street camera, too (unless I have a specific need for my larger cameras): the Panasonic ZS100. It’s not as good hand-held in low light as the LX100 (although at the wide end it’s f/2.8). It’s harder to throw the background out of focus at the same focal lengths. However, the ZS100 zooms out to 250mm. That’s the feature that sold me. Plus the camera fits in my pants pocket.
I’ve just bought an LX100, even though it’s been out for two years now. So foe (two days) it’s great and I’m loving it. One issue though – the thumbwheel on the back of the camera is a little loose and never sits completely symmetrically. Always tilts a couple of degrees to the left. I can centre it again easily enough but it always slips off to the left again. No biggie, but I’m worried it may become looser over time. Is this a normal state of affairs for this camera? Appreciate any comments, thanks!
Hey man, it’s probably an issue with your copy, just checked mine is totally fine!
No reason why not – it records in 4k, should be very acceptable quality
Is this camera good for chroma keying?
I wouldn’t be able to tell you, never tried
I wouldn’t know but it should be fine, it can shoot high resolution and has a pretty nice sharp lens!
Nice picture samples. The camera feels really solid, not too small but SO easy to travel with. Good quality fast lens and the selling point for me it is so inexpensive AND 4K video! I was chatting to a DSLR owner (with a bag full of lenses!) a few months ago who’d bought this as a lightweight backup and he now uses it about 90% of the time.
My biggest objections to this camera is the lack of swivel screen, especially for video. And touch screen is a nobrainer. If a new version brings that and possibly increases the lens range slightly it would truly be the best package.
Even slightly increasing the zoom range would significantly add to the size, weight and cost.
Thanks for your great review. Although a bit late reading this I stumbled across this for the simple reason that so far apparently no one did a better camera within the price tag/category.
There’s Sony and Leica full frame compacts but the prices are ridiculous.
There’s Fujis Wide Fixed Lens with great aperture and APSC sensor and even though they’re pricey, if they had a good Wide/Short Tele Fast Lens like this Lumix it would probably be the next best thing.
I have a Fuji X system and as almost everybody else was looking for a small companion for every situation and for traveling light as well but capable of producing pictures you would proudly display and in my case simply love a nice bokeh.
I’m surprised to see how old this review is and how new as well considering I couldn’t find anything that would best this Lumix on specs.
So I’m hoping you’ll read this and maybe will have some new information I’m missing… is the Lumix still the best compact camera for that purpose?
Would I find better Bokeh rendering on another compact camera with a similar Zoom (24-75 eq)?
Again thank you for a great review!
Cheers
Gus
Yes I too came up with this precise conclusion a month or so ago – and consequently bought the LX100. There’s just nothing else at the price range that does everything it can do – particularly now that the price has come down quite significantly. I wanted to get the Fuji 100T but it was quite a bit pricier and didn’t have the flexibility of the zoom lens.
Interesting to see what the LX200 will be like when/if it comes, but this one is certainly going to stay with me for a long time to come
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Hi, your review is still very actual and by the moment there is no sign of an upcoming LX200. So I decided to get one LX100 expecially now that its price has dropped down. To tell the truth I own also the Fuji X100S and will use both comeras for a while with the aim to understand which one suits better my needs. I agree that the APS-C sensor is unbeatable but only in some specific situations. With the X100S you can take some great shots but with my experience several things should be in the right place…. since I am not a pro maybe someelse could use the X100S better but still I wanted to try something different
If you get this, there will be no real tension between the two cameras, they complement each other very well!
Greguood review and recognition of a gem of a little camera. My regular gear is a Canon 5D3 and a slew of lenses. But I find myself using this little guy more and more.
While it’s not quite pocketable in a pair of trousers it squeezes in most of my hiking jackets. The comments about not attracting attention are on point. I will use this in situations that my professional gear makes me (or my subjects) self-conscious.
The real eye opener has been the image quality. I don’t like the 4 thirds format (it’s growing on me) but the lens is tack sharp at smaller apertures, decent wide open and fast enough. I’ve got nice, contrasty scenics from this that have little noise (below 1600 ISO) and nice colors.
But it’s the video that slays me. My wife has taken up kite boarding and I shot some video at her request. It was so much easier to focus and maintain a level horizon by using the EVF. And shooting in 16:9 and manually setting ISO and aperture the results were terrific. Actually better than my 5DIII.
Excellent value.
Makes you wonder what kind of magic they put in there 🙂 Thanks for your input!
Love the dog photo…
i have an LX100…
just want to add something: the designh is annoying. Its cumbersome to shoot at eye level. Both hands, when operating aperture and shutter speed, get together and its bad to operate quickly, imo of course
Well… What can be said that has not already been said about one of the best point and shoots on the market. Thus, I concur with the review and all the great things the LX100 can do. I’ve used it for over 2 years now, and it replaced my DSLRs for daylight shooting. It’s a remarkable night video camera, and can do just about everything. And, no firmware update needed. This camera was well designed and well thought out.
HOWEVER, the only issue I have is the dust spots. Perhaps, the air sucking zoom is a problem that allows the air into the camera. Nevertheless, dust can be dealt with in post processing. But for video when you need that huge depth of field, or shoot in bright conditions, the dust spots ruin the shot. Thus, I use a 4 stop ND filter for video to control the aperture up to f/5.6 (that’s were the dust starts to appear). The only time I use smaller apertures is when there’s a lot of texture in the scene to hide the spots.
Anyway, this is a great camera, and the only issue is the inability to clean the sensor. Overall, the pros outweigh the cons, and regardless of the spots, it’s a keeper.
Peace…
Anyone used the system for night time astrophotography? I enjoy getting images of our Airstream against night skies in places like Joshua Tree and the Rockies. But, I’m not in a place in my life where I enjoy carrying all the gear my DSLR requires. Thanks for the review and any responses.
I set up the LX100 beside my nikon D7000 on tripods using the timelapse feature trying to capture the perseid meteor shower. The results were not comparable – the LX100 sensor produces way more noise at high iso. Although, it was very convinent to use the ipad as viewfinder.
Hey! Thanks for the great review! A question though: whenever reading about this camera, I keep bumping into “problem with dust on sensor” topics. How common is this problem? I only have a limited budget so I wouldn’t want to spend it on a “risky” purchase, yet I really think this camera would fit my needs otherwise…
Never had that issue personally, wouldn’t know what to tell you 🙂
If you expose the camera in very dusty environments and use the zoom, dust gets in. I was shooting a rally cross race and got several spots on the sensor afterwards. Panasonic cleaned the camera for free within warranty. Since then I have been more careful and has used it for several years without getting dust.
I just love this camera, I only use my Nikon DSLR for portrait, sports and night photo.
I have one for 3 years now and yes there is some dust inside. I don’t consider it an issue though. The camera lived in my bag and it travelled the world. I am actually planning to buy an underwater case and take it underwater as well. I still find it a great camera. Can see some of the pics here http://www.dpchallenge.com/camera.php?CAMERA_ID=2332&view=submissions
I’m too sick of lugging around my 5D3 with a chunk of glass, and being spoiled with FF IQ I recently started using my old G12 again, only to be let down by the IQ. Its age surely shows, and the colours are terrible at anything over ISO200. After some research I found the LX100 to suit most of my needs, the only thing holding me back is that I didn’t discover it 2 years ago… On one hand I’d like to buy one now because it has still pretty good and unique specs, and it’s close to 1/2 price of what it was when it was new. On the other hand I know I’d punch the wall if a LX200 is released soon with stuff life a close to 20mp sensor, 5-axis IBIS and swivel-screen… But then again it’d probably be 2x if not 3x the price of the LX100 atm… Decisions decisions!
Great review. And now the LX200 announced for end of August 2018 – this will be my next compact purchase. It will be interesting to see what updates Panasonic will include.
I have always had trouble with the focusing on this one. I keep getting unsharp pictures or pictures with sharpness in the wrong place, even though I’ve often used manual focus and made sure to set it right. Even with a fairly small aperture, an eye can be unsharp but the eyelash perfectly sharp. Also, the focusing is so-so in manual and auto mode. Above all, the focus indication (contrast detector) doesn’t work on things like human hair, it really needs something very obvious and simple in order to focus, like a fence or something. Not entirely happy with my purchase, honestly
Hey man, don’t know what to tell you, never had any issues like you did!
You took some great pictures; that is always my constant battle !
By the way, the possessive “its” doesn’t have an apostrophe. So, it’s “each horse had its own stable”.
I mean this constructively, and not in a critical way.
Thanks again
Hopefully the first part of the sentence explains the second 🙂
I bought my LX-100 in Japan and quality is superb. I understand some are made in Japan and others in China.
I find low light shooing with this superb. Will you be reviewing the new LX-100 II? I’d be interested in any thoughts and whether its worth an upgrade.
Good to hear! I will find someone with it and see if they want to put their toughts in order.
Hi Olivier,
Just want to express my appreciation for this article, I always find myself revisiting it when I end up convincing myself I need any other camera. I’ve tried an XPro1, X100F and dabbled with an iPhone during my dalliances with the LX100, in its various guises. Whilst they’ve delivered me a few more technically adept and ‘artistic’ images, I always end up preferring the photographs and experiences I’ve been able to capture whilst carrying such an formidable, yet reassuring, compact camera which still encourages a concentrated approach to photography.
Best,
James.
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