Reviews for Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2 10.2 Megapixel Compact Camera - Silver

This camera is one of the best!

Strengths: 1. True 16:9 ratio sensor chip 2. High resolution (10.2 megapixel) for such a small size. 3. 2.7 inches LCD display 4. Well designed/convenient controls 5. Excellent photos using sensitivity 100

Weakness: 1: Image noise is high when sensivity is above 400 2. Slightly cumbersome of the body protruding part 3. No view finder.

I love this camera! I actually bought this camera before, but returned it after using it a little while because of the price. I bought it again right before I went on vacation for a great deal, and I know it won't disappoint. There are many great aspects about this camera, so let me begin!

Benefits:
I really like how I can take 16:9 pictures, and this camera does it flawlessly. The sensor chip inside works really well. This camera is very compact and also easy to use, making it one of the smallest cameras with the most to offer. The large screen is pretty amazing for such a small camera, and I love how the flash is hidden. With the settings at 100 for sensitivity, the pictures of my vacation turned out great!

Weaknesses:
With that said, if I set the sensitivity at 400 or above, there is some image noise. I know this is a problem with most cameras when the sensitivity is tuned at that level, but I guess I expected better. Mind you it is still very good...I just had high expectations. The 4x optical zoom is great, but the protruding lens does make it a problem carrying it around in your pants pocket. But seriously, I can't see a smaller camera that has this much to offer. I would also love it if it had a view finder, but I guess that is the price to pay for such a large LCD and compact size.

Overall, I love it! This is definitely everything I wanted in a digital camera, and I highly recommend it to everybody. I bought it for a little under $400.

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Amazing, fun camera!!!

Strengths: Excellent lens, ease of use, fast re-cycle...very versitile with the different aspect ratios.

Weakness: Slightly smaller than I would have liked.

I read a lot of reviews on this camera before I bought it.
Noise seemed to be a common complaint, but I haven't seen
any problems with the kind of pictures I take (so far).

So far it's been a real pleasure to use, and I'm extremely
happy with the pictures. It's essentially a Leica D-LUX3 without the Leica price and logo. The only difference I've
found is that it only has 13mb internal memory vs 64mb for
the Leica version. But it also has a small grip that the Leica doesn't. Otherwise they are exactly the same camera.

Here are some pics I did of a South African plant I have at home taken without a tripod, by ambient light, 7mpx, macro mode.

I feel my money was well spent. =)

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Good Gadget

Strengths: Wide angle lens, High Pixels LCD, Optimized Automatic Mode, Other Adjustable Modes

Weakness: Optical Zoom is too short; MEGA OIS does not work very well as they advertised

I think this camera is very good for you to take picture for outdoor activities. It has wide angle lens which is good to take pictures of scenic view. I also believe that they optimized the "Automatic Mode". The pictures look really good if taken with adequate exposure. If you are interested, you can use other adjustable modes, which make it more like a traditional camera. The battery can work for a long hour. And I have not got any adaptation problem with any kind of regular SD card.

I think for this camera, the optical zoom is too small. I cannot take good picture of something just a little bit far. And even with MEGA O.I.S., it is not easy to take a picture at night when the light is not good. The noise becomes more annoying when you raise the ISO at that time.

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The LX2 is a dream

Strengths: Availability of functions; size and feel of camera; quality of LCD screen; clarity of manual; ease of operation; quality of pictures;

Weakness: as with all digital cameras, there is so much to learn for new users. However, the manual and the operation of the camera makes it less difficult for us novices to get started.

This is my first purchased small digital camera. I had only worked with a Canon SureShot for several months. This camera is a dream compared to the Canon. It has as many functions as a DSLR. Of course, the lens operation is somewhat limited compared to the DSLR but miles ahead of the Canon. The functions are numerous and I am beginning to learn how to operate this beautiful (physically and technologically) camera. Thank you Panasonic.

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One of the best compact digital camera,

Strengths: 10.4 Megapixel 16:9 aspect CCD; 28mm wide 4x optical LEICA DC lens; MEGA O.I.S.(Optical Image Stabilizer); Large 2.8” 16:9 aspect ratio LCD monitor (207k pixels)

Weakness: A little noisy on high ISO (>200)

The 16:9 'widescreen' CCD on Lumix Lx2 isn't merely unusual; it is totally unique, and - together with the wide 28mm Leica zoom - offers a unique perspective on the world, allowing the photographer to capture sweeping panoramic vistas in a single shot without cropping. It also makes a lot more sense now that the LCD screen matches the aspect ratio of the sensor.

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So You Don't Want To Lug a dSLR

Strengths: Compact, fully loaded feature set, huge LCD screen, 16:9 aspect ratio, everything is user-controllable

Weakness: Noisy images, separate lens cap, too early to adopt, weak flash, tiny built-in memory, still a compact

After seeing dpreview's somewhat negative review and pop photo's glowing review, I decided to take the plunge and see for myself, as the incredible feature set and Leica name were simply too alluring. As a result, I discovered firsthand that this is one awesome camera. It's a great compromise between a tiny compact and a dSLR, and I think it's a great backup camera for my Rebel XT. I'll definitely be using this in situations where having a dSLR with a giant zoom lens is completely inappropriate or will receive unwanted attention.


First the positive: the camera has every feature imagineable. Nearly every aspect of the image is user-controllable just like on a dSLR. You can control the aperture, shutter speed, focus, and more. Even better, you can shoot RAW (though the RAW files are huge at 19.6MB--get a big SD card). There's image stabilization, 4X optical, etc. Plus, there are some really neat little details such as the ability to set the backlight on the LCD screen to a high angle mode, so you can view it with your arms stretched out in the air up high. Then, there's the real-time histogram and more like the enormous LCD screen. Basically, this camera is so detail-oriented that it's perfect for control freaks, like me, your avid amateur photographer who cares about crafting a perfect photograph.


Unfortunately, there are plenty of negatives as well, and these are mostly due to the inherent weaknesses of the compact digital camera. First, the images are noisy. Granted, they're not as noisy as most other compacts, but if you've been shooting with a dSLR, you'll definitely notice the difference in quality. However, shooting at ISO100 and running the image through a noise filter helps greatly. Second, why is there a separate lens cap? It's incredibly annoying to have the thing dangling by a string, and I think it makes the camera more difficult to hold steadily. Third, at the time of this writing, it's a bit too early to buy the camera. There's weak software support out there, e.g., iPhoto doesn't import the RAW files and Adobe Camera Raw's support is still in beta. You may want to wait another month or two, unless you don't shoot RAW. Fourth, the flash is a bit weak, though adequate. Fifth, what's the deal with the built-in memory? 13MB? Come on! Panasonic is simply teasing you with this. 13MB won't even fit one RAW file. You can get only 2 JPEGs at the highest quality setting on there. They should've either left this feature out or bumped up the memory to some insane amount like 1GB. Also, there are plenty of things I wish it had like higher aperture settings, better noise reduction, interchangeable lenses, etc., but those are of course limitations of the compact camera. At the same time, I also wish the camera were smaller (the way the lens sticks out is a bit annoying), but that of course would compromise the image quality and feature set.


Overall, it's a good buy and will seriously give Canon and Sony some good competition. I do think the LX2 deserves five stars despite its weaknesses, as it is the new top dog in the class of compacts. However, in the broader category of cameras, it still can't compare with using a dSLR or film. Note that I didn't base this review at all on video capabilities, because frankly, who cares? You're not going to find a compact with excellent video regardless. If you want video, get a dedicated video camera. Also, one tip: buy the Panasonic rather than the Leica branded model. They're exactly the same, except for the case and color settings. Seriously, do you want to spend an extra $200 just to have a red badge? What's the point? And if you shoot in RAW, the color settings don't matter anyway.

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a jewel

Strengths: small size, 9 x 16, 10.1 megapixel, huge LCD, 4x optical, deep programed scene menu, manual control options

Weakness: small size (for people with big hands), requires careful handling

I'm a photojournalist and writer who has downsized my kit (and dispensed with film and film cameras due to travel restrictions). I'm all digital and a new black LX2 is now my good weather landscape, aerial, portrait, photojournalism back up camera (to a Leica V-Lux 1 and an Olympus 730 SW). I shoot only at the lowest ISO setting as the sensor gets noisy as the ISO increases -- though not enough to bother me and I often remove noise with DXo. The Leica lens is sweet and image detail and saturation is excellent. I mounted a Write Right film cover on the LCD (or else it would be easily scratched) and I keep the unit in a small watertight Otter box. For what I do, the LX2 with a pro Panasonic 4 GB SD card is a tasty addition to my outfit. -Mark Farmer/topcover.com

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Pictures Made Out of Noise

Strengths: Unique quality Leica widescreen 28mm lens

Weakness: Noisy chip kills Leica advantages, Not wide-view LCD in vertical direction

Camera is great, if you never look at picture quality at pixel level.

Heavy contrast noise even at ISO-100 of this camera, reported by many profi and amateurs photographers, is sometimes so nasty, that you can not remove it with any Noise Ninja

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Nice one but not perfect enough

Strengths: Great image with high-pixel; Wide screen display; Adjustable picture aspect ratio; easy-use buttons

Weakness: zoom is too short; Picture out slot is not a standard mini-usb

First of all, this is really a good camera for you to use, especially if you do not want to take much time to learn how to use the digital SLR camera and you just want to take some pictures while you travel.

This DMC-LX2 can give you very nice shot, especially when you take pictures of views. The high-pixel and wide-angle feature let me take some great picture while I was traveling last summer in several national parks. For those professional photographers, the quality of the pictures might be far from acceptable, but for me, that is enough.

The design of the buttons is OK. It makes the camera easy to use. You can actually view and adjust pictures on the camera, which I would like to do it on my computer. Plus, this camera has menu in English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Chinese and Japanese. Might be good for people in other language.

The color of those pictures is quite good, especially when there is enough light. But when the light is not good, its quality really depends. And don't be cheated by the display of the picture on the camera. Those pictures might not be that good when they show up in your computer. I think the so-called MEGA-OIS (Optical Image Stability) does not work that well as Panasonic claims. Sometime the view is so good but I cannot take a picture of it. Most of the pictures taken on those occasions are blurring. Those awful noise is surely the results of its shortcomings.

And, the zoom is too short, I guess. I tried to take some pictures of mushrooms and insects in local forest but most of them are blurred. And the focus is not quite good enough. If you magnify it in your computer, I saw the stuff I take shot of is actually not right focused.

And also, the picture-out slot is not a mini-usb one. You need use the one that is included in the package. I forgot to bring with it once and I could not bring the card-reader with me. I thought it might be OK cause I believe it has a mini-usb slot. So, when I find the slot is not a standard one and I was out of nowhere at that time, I have to delete some pictures.

Well, other than these cons, it still makes itself a good camera. And perhaps after you read the manual and more materials, you can improve a lot of taking really good pictures with it. To choose it or not depends on what you expect out of it.

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Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2

Testseek.com has collected 40 expert reviews for Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2 and the average expert rating is 76 of 100. The average score reflects the expert community’s view on this product. Click below and use Testseek.com to see all ratings, product awards and conclusions.

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panasonic lumix dmc-lx2 digital camera

Panasonic Lumix Dmc-lx2 Digital Camera receives an overall TopTenREVIEWS score of 2.77 out of 4.00. It is ranked the #113 Compact digital camera of all time. The overall rating represents an intelligent balance of features, value as a function of price to features, and a summary of reviews from a variety of sources. The TopTen REVIEWS' formula gives a picture of important consumer features,...

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Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2

High image quality and widescreen format are this camera's best attributes, though some controls could be easier to use.

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Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2

The Panasonic Lumix LX2, like its predecessor the LX1, is clearly inspired by the surging popularity of widescreen (16:9) televisions. Employing a unique set of "triple-wide" features, the Lumix LX2 combines a 28mm wide-angle Leica lens, a 16:9 wide CCD, and a 16:9 wide LCD. If you're the type who likes to count pixels, the DMC-LX2 has a 10 megapixel CCD that uses the full resolution of the...

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Camera Labs – Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2 review

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2 is very much a camera of two halves. In use, it can be an absolute dream with its wide lens, sensor and screen inspiring your creative side, and the decent build quality and high level of manual control satisfying the demands of enthusiasts. The widescreen movie modes also deliver great quality and the image stabilisation works very well. In these and many other...

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DCRP Review: Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2

If you're shooting at ISO 100 and not making huge prints then I recommend the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2. If you've got the patience to shoot in RAW mode, you'll likely be more satisfied with the photos you get out of the camera. If you want to run around shooting at ISO 800 or making 11 x 14 inch prints, I'd probably pass on this camera. Of course, it's your decision -- so use what you've learned...

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