Panasonic LX100 Image Quality

Here, we compare the fixed-lens LX100 to its compact interchangeable-lens cousin, the Panasonic GM1, as they likely use the same or very similar sensors. The GM1 offers slightly higher resolution since it uses more of its 16MP Live MOS sensor (about 15.8MP vs 12.7MP) so the elements in the LX100 crops look a bit smaller, however fine detail from both cameras is very good at base ISO. Interestingly, the LX100 image is a bit crisper and colors are rendered somewhat differently, but the GM1 does a touch better in the red-leaf fabric. (Note that although the exposures look different, middle gray levels are closely matched between the two, so the apparent exposure difference is due to slightly different tone curves and color mapping.)

Above, we compare the 12.7-megapixel "4/3" sensored LX100 to the 20-megapixel 1"-type sensored Canon G7X. The resolution difference is much more apparent here in both the relative element sizes and the higher detail from the G7X in all three crops at base ISO. But while the Canon's resolution is higher, noise is also a little higher, as you can see in the background of the bottle shoulder crop. The G7X applies slighter stronger sharpening, though, which tends to exacerbate noise. Still, the Panasonic's larger pixels pay off in terms of slightly lower noise already at base ISO when comparing at 100% like this, but the G7X still wins with better detail.

This comparison is perhaps a bit unfair given the Fuji X100S price premium, but at the time of writing, the X100S is available on sale for about the same price as the LX100. Here we see that the Fuji's larger 16-megapixel APS-C X-Trans II sensor produces lower noise levels (particularly chroma noise), but it doesn't really resolve any additional detail in most areas. Fine detail in the mosaic crop is actually a little better from the Panasonic despite the lower resolution, but the Fuji does better with fine detail in the red-leaf fabric.

Here's a comparison to a 16-megapixel APS-C sensored compact with a 28mm eq. prime lens, the Nikon Coolpix A. The Nikon does resolve more detail as well as produce lower noise at base ISO, but its advantage over the LX100 is perhaps not as great as one would expect at base ISO, in part due to the Nikon's rather conservative image processing.

Here's another comparison to a 20-megapixel 1-inch sensor, this time from the company that started the category. Here again we see Sony's 20MP sensor clearly out-resolve the Panasonic, but the camera is working harder to control noise, producing a somewhat more "processed" looking image. The Sony does however do noticeably better in the red and pink fabrics.

As expected, image quality from both Panasonic cameras at ISO 1600 is quite similar, though again, the slightly higher resolution from the GM1 is apparent, but mostly just in the size of the elements within the crops. Both blur subtle detail in the red-leaf swatch quite a bit, with the LX100 blurring it a bit more.

At ISO 1600, we see the LX100 start to pull ahead of the G7X with better detail despite the lower resolution, as well as lower luma noise. The Canon does a little better with controlling chroma noise, though. Both struggle with the red-leaf fabric.

Similar to base ISO, the Fuji produces a cleaner, smoother image with almost no chroma noise, but both show very good detail in most areas for this sensitivity. However, the X100S does much better in the red-leaf fabric as the LX100's default noise reduction blurs it quite a bit.

Again, differences in tone curves and color handling make the Coolpix A looks quite a bit brighter in this comparison, but middle gray is closely matched and the same aperture and shutter speed were used. While the Nikon clearly does better with the red-leaf fabric, elsewhere it's a much closer contest, though the Nikon applies less aggressive noise reduction and sharpening, producing a softer but more natural looking image.

At ISO 1600, the LX100 does noticeably better than the RX100 III, producing a crisper, more finely detailed image all around. The Sony's looks a little drab in areas, and has a much more "processed" look. The RX100M3 does however do a little better in the red-leaf fabric.

Again, similar performance from the two Panasonics apart from the slight resolution difference, though at this ISO, it's clear the LX100 applies slightly stronger default noise reduction, particularly in the red channel.

Once again, the LX100 comes out on top in this contest, with better detail, lower noise, and better color, but both struggle reproducing any fine detail in our red-leaf fabric.

Here we see Fuji's X100S really shine at ISO 3200, producing lower noise, better detail and great color. And there's simply no contest in the red-leaf fabric.

The Nikon leaves behind higher noise levels (both luma and chroma), but noise "grain" is more film-like, and it also renders more detail in the mosaic crop and especially in the red-leaf fabric. We'll give the edge to Nikon, but it's difficult to make a call on which is better overall, as it's really up to the viewer's tastes.

Here again the LX100 comes out on top despite its resolution handicap. The RX100 III image is noisier with more noise reduction artifacts as well greater saturation loss. And while there's slightly better contrast in the red-leaf swatch from the Sony, it actually appears as if it's almost smeared horizontally.