Panasonic Lumix LX100 Review

 
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Basic Specifications
Full model name: Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX100
Resolution: 12.80 Megapixels
Sensor size: 4/3
Lens: 3.13x zoom
(24-75mm eq.)
Viewfinder: EVF / LCD
ISO: 100-25600
Shutter: 60-1/16000
Max Aperture: 1.7
Dimensions: 4.5 x 2.6 x 2.2 in.
(115 x 66 x 55 mm)
Weight: 13.9 oz (393 g)
includes batteries
MSRP: $900
Availability: 10/2014
Manufacturer: Panasonic
Full specs: Panasonic LX100 specifications
12.80
Megapixels
3.13x zoom
4/3
size sensor
image of Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX100
Front side of Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX100 digital camera Back side of Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX100 digital camera Top side of Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX100 digital camera Left side of Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX100 digital camera Right side of Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX100 digital camera

Panasonic LX100 Review -- Hands-on Preview

by
Preview posted

In the first half of 2012, two cameras launched that were the start of an entirely new market segment. The Canon G1 X and Sony RX100 were both incredibly exciting, pairing much larger sensors than previous enthusiast compact cameras with fixed zoom lenses.

Each also had its shortcomings, however. It's these that Panasonic aims to address with the Panasonic LX100, its first entry in what's become a radically more competitive category almost overnight. (The same day that the LX100 launches, Canon has also debuted another model of its own.)

Sony's RX100-series cameras are pocket-friendly, but they opt for a much smaller sensor and either rely on a somewhat delicate-looking popup viewfinder, an external accessory finder, or they forego one altogether. All but one model also skip basics like a flash hot shoe. Canon's G1X-series camera, though, go to the other extreme: They have a sensor that's almost as tall as the APS-C chips in most consumer and enthusiast DSLRs, and many mirrorless cameras, and they offer hot shoes. One model even has a built-in viewfinder. The problem is that they're not even close to being pocket-friendly in anything other than a coat.

Panasonic LX100 strikes a middle ground the two approaches. It's a fair bit bigger than an RX100-series camera or Canon's simultaneously-launched G7X, but it's also a fair bit less tall and thick than a G1X-series camera, and much lighter. On balance, it's probably more comparable to the pocket cameras in proportion, even if its a bit too deep to be considered pants-pocket-friendly itself.

And compared to its rivals that will fit in a pants pocket, the Panasonic LX100 sports a much bigger sensor. Where its rivals are all based around 1"-type chips, Panasonic has opted for the same 4/3"-type sensors it uses in its mirrorless cameras, and that offers almost double the surface area of a 1"-type chip. The difference shows itself in sensitivity: Panasonic allows the LX100 to roam to ISO 25,600 max., when all of its rivals are limited to 12,800 max. or below.

But it's not just the larger sensor at play here. Panasonic's Venus Engine performance is also impressive, and the company's clever Depth from Defocus technology -- first seen in the GH4 mirrorless -- also helps a lot. The net result is a swift 11 frames per second with focus and exposure locked. Even with autofocus and exposure adjustment between frames you'll still see a manufacturer-rated 6.5 fps.

If you're willing to accept the compromises still inherent in an electronic shutter -- and a greatly reduced three-megapixel resolution -- you can boost this all the way up to a truly staggering 40 frames per second!

In this respect, the Panasonic LX100 leads the large-sensor, fixed-zoom camera category. For better performance at full resolution, you need to look to a compact system camera or DSLR, and you'll lose the size advantage of the LX100. The autofocus system is sophisticated in other respects, too, and very point-dense with a 49-point array.

Panasonic also seems to have done a great job at aiming its body directly at enthusiasts, rather than feeling the need to handhold beginners as some cameras do. There's no mode dial here, nor any consumer-friendly fluff like scene modes. The sole concession to beginners is Panasonic's Intelligent Auto mode, favored with its own dedicated button. Instead of these ease-of-use aids, physical shutter and aperture dials with Auto positions grace this camera, plus a physical exposure compensation dial.

And that extends beyond the body design, too: You get a 1/4,000 top shutter speed as in Canon's G1X-series cameras, not the 1/2,000 limit of the RX100-series and G7X. Enable the electronic shutter, and the Panasonic LX100 will take you all the way to 1/16,000 second. Nor is there any internal flash strobe, a feature many enthusiasts treat with a measure of disdain. Instead, the LX100 has a hot shoe, something that among its rivals only the RX100 II and G1X series also offer. (A compact flash strobe is included in the standard camera kit.)

And there's also a built-in electronic viewfinder, a feature shared only by the RX100 III. (Although admittedly, the RX100 II and G1X-series can accept optional viewfinder accessories.) Not just that, the Panasonic LX100's viewfinder is a very high-resolution unit, based around a high-definition, field-sequential panel as used previously in the Panasonic GX7.

Admittedly, though, the LCD monitor is rather more basic, a standard three-inch VGA panel with no touch screen or articulation. Other noteworthy features include Wi-Fi wireless networking with NFC for easy pairing, and a 24/30p 4K movie capture function which also allows you to extract high-res 4K stills.

The Panasonic LX100 will be available from the end of October 2014 in the US market. Pricing for the camera has not yet been disclosed.

Let's take a closer look at Panasonic's first entry in the large-sensor, fixed-zoom camera market!

 

Panasonic LX100 Walkaround

by Mike Tomkins

Measuring 4.5 x 2.6 x 2.2 inches (114.8 x 66.2 x 55mm), the Panasonic LX100 is noticeably larger than its rivals, the Sony RX100-series and Canon G7X, but not unreasonably so given that it also boasts double the sensor surface area. The difference in mass is more noticeable: At a weight of 13.9 ounces (393g) loaded and ready to shoot, it's about a third heavier.

The difference in size and weight is such that -- unlike those cameras -- you won't be keeping it in your pants pocket, but it'd easily slip into a jacket pocket or modestly-sized purse.

Comparing in the other direction, the size and weight difference as compared to the larger-sensored Canon G1X and G1X Mark II are much more stark. While width differs only slightly, Canon's cameras are a third to two-thirds of an inch taller, and almost half an inch deeper. And again, those cameras weigh around a third heaver than the LX100.

Panasonic LX100 review -- Front view

Looking at the front of the Panasonic LX100, things are clean and straightforward. There's a small but worthwhile handgrip to give your fingertips some purchase, and above right of the lens (as seen from the rear) is an LED that serves as autofocus assist lamp and self-timer indication.

The lens itelf, a bright f/1.7-2.8, 3.1x optical zoom beauty, not surprisingly takes center stage.

Panasonic LX100 review -- Top view

Seen from above, it's clear that this is a camera aimed at experienced photographers. There's no Mode dial on the Panasonic LX100; instead, Auto positions on both Aperture ring and Shutter Speed dial give you an intuitive way to switch between manual, priority and automatic shooting.

A second lens ring is also provided, and a switch atop the lens barrel selects between various aspect ratios. This might seem unusual, but makes sense once you learn that -- as the company as done in the past -- Panasonic has actually specified an image sensor slightly larger than the lens' image circle. None of the aspect ratio choices uses the full sensor area. Instead, they work to fit within the image circle while maximizing sensor area, giving you the ability to switch aspects without pixel guilt (but a fair bit lower resolution than the sensor could natively provide with a fixed aspect.)

Atop the body, meanwhile, are a flash hot shoe -- a rare treat in this style of camera, but a necessary one given that there's no popup flash -- which sits centrally above the lens, and further right a profusion of controls. The Power switch sits beneath the Shutter Speed dial, and a zoom rocker encircles the shutter button.

The Intelligent Auto mode is the sole concession to beginners, and merits its own button; so to do digital filters. Finally, there's an exposure compensation dial within easy thumb-reach.

In front of the hot shoe are two ports for a stereo microphone, and at left you can see that the eyepiece for the camera's electronic viewfinder protrudes a bit beyond the rear deck.

Panasonic LX100 review -- Back view

Switch to the rear panel, and you'll see both a fairly straightforward articulation-free, touch screen-free 3.0-inch LCD panel, and the electronic viewfinder at very top left.

This is a beauty of a finder, and quite similar to that in the Panasonic GX7. It sports a high-definition 1,280 x 720 pixel array, and uses a field-sequential design. In plain English, that means every single pixel provides all three colors -- but only one color at any given time. By cycling through the colors repeatedly, your eye gets the impression of a sharp, full-color image. Lining the right side of the viewfinder is a proximity sensor used to enable or disable the viewfinder and LCD automatically as you raise the camera to your eye, or vice versa.

This can also be accomplished manually using the LVF button adjacent to the finder. Other buttons in this row include Wi-Fi, Movie Record, and autofocus / autoexposure lock. Right of the LCD and beneath a small protruding thumbgrip are Quick Menu, Playback, Function1, and Display buttons. Two buttons in that top row also serve as function buttons, incidentally, the customizability being another indication that this is an enthusiast camera.

And finally, there's the Four-way controller surrounded by another dial, and with central Menu/Set button. Each cardinal direction serves double-duty as a Record-mode control -- ISO sensitivity, Focus area, White balance, and Drive mode. Directly beneath the Four-way controller, a tiny dimple indicates the location of the card access lamp.

Panasonic LX100 review -- Right view

The right side of the camera body is free of controls and features, save for a D-ring for a shoulder strap, and the cover over the HDMI high-definition video output. It's not marked on the door, but the combined USB data / standard-definition AV output port also lives here. In the US market, this AV output is NTSC-only.

Panasonic LX100 review -- Left view

The left side of the body is even more unencumbered, with only a metal D-ring and a curiously non-standard logo for the camera's NFC antenna, indicating where you should hold your smartphone or tablet to pair automatically.

Also visible is a switch on the side of the lens barrel with which to select the Focus mode.

Panasonic LX100 review -- Bottom view

And finally, we come to the base of the Panasonic LX100. At camera left is a nine-hole grille for the camera's speaker. Moving right, you come to a metal tripod mount, sadly situated off the lens' optical axis, a position less than ideal for tripod-mounted panoramas. (Although it's easy enough to source a bracket and reposition the camera over the tripod correctly, if you shoot a lot of panos.)

Lastly, the battery / flash card compartment sits beneath the hand grip, with a locking switch and a large rubber cutout to allow ingress for a dummy battery.

 

Panasonic LX100 Technical Info

by Mike Tomkins

Sensor

There's a lot that differs between the Panasonic LX100 and its nearest rivals, but the biggest differences all follow on from probably the most important one of the bunch: its sensor. Where all of its rivals opt either for a smaller 1"-type sensor (albeit still far larger than those of most compact cameras), or for a larger 4:3-aspect, near-APS-C height sensor, the LX100 takes a middle road with a 4/3"-type sensor like those used in Panasonic mirrorless cameras.

It's important to note, though, that the full sensor area -- roughly double that of a 1"-type sensor -- isn't actually used by any single aspect ratio on the camera. As Panasonic has chosen to do with quite a few models in the past, it has actually chosen a sensor that is somewhat larger than the image circle of the lens. This decision means that you can switch aspect ratios without guilt -- no matter which you choose, you're not throwing away data by cropping the image. Instead, you're simply changing the active area of the sensor within the confines of the image circle.

The net result is that while the total pixel count of the sensor is 16.84 megapixels, the effective pixel count is just 12.8 megapixels. The highest output resolution is in 4:3 aspect mode, and equates to 12.5 megapixels. This is one area in which the Panasonic LX100 really trails most of its rivals. All of the 1"-sensor cameras have 20.2-megapixel resolution, while the Canon G1X has a resolution of 14.3 megapixels. Closest is the G1X Mark II, which has 13.1-megapixel resolution in 4:3 crop mode, only fractionally more than the LX100.

Performance

It might have relatively low resolution compared to its rivals, but as we mentioned in our intro, the Panasonic LX100 is a real speed demon. No two ways about it, this camera is far faster than anything else in its class according to manufacturer-rated figures.

With autofocus and autoexposure between frames, the nearest rival is the Canon G7X, with a rate of 4.4 frames per second. Using Depth from Defocus techology and the Venus Engine processor, the LX100 is rated for a full 6.5 frames per second, a full 50% faster,

Disable autofocus and autoexposure between frames, and the rate climbs to an impressive 11 frames per second. Only the Sony RX100-series cameras come close, with a maximum of around 10 frames per second in this condition, but the Panasonic LX100 can leave them in its smoke if you simply enable its electronic shutter function. (Admittedly, you'll likely find artifacts like rolling shutter in moving subjects, should you choose to do so.) With electronic shutter active and resolution limited to three megapixels, though, you can shoot at up to a staggering 40 frames per second!

Sensitivity

Of course, a key benefit of the Panasonic LX100's larger sensor than most rivals is the ability to gather more light -- which is what photography is all about, after all. More light means less noise at a given sensitivity, or the possibility of higher sensitivity shooting.

The theory looks to play out as you'd expect here, as no other large-sensor, fixed-zoom camera can shoot a single-frame exposure at above ISO 12,800 equivalent, yet Panasonic gives you access to a maximum sensitivity of ISO 25,600 equivalent.

There's a flip side of the coin, though. The sensor's base sensitivity is also higher at ISO 200 equivalent, where rivals start from ISO 100, 125 or 160 depending upon the model. The LX100 allows you to expand sensitivity down to ISO 100 equivalent, but doing so will reduce dynamic range as the camera simply overexposes, and then dials back the exposure level post-capture. (That's why the expanded settings aren't part of the standard ISO sensitivity range.)

Fixed zoom lens

If the Panasonic LX100's sensor is key to its story, the other key is probably its lens. The two go hand-in-hand, after all, and anything the sensor sees has first beeen passed through this Leica DC Vario-Summilux optic.

Acknowledging the fact that the larger the sensor, the larger the optic, the LX100's lens is actually the second shortest-ranging of the group behind only the Sony RX100 III. Where most rivals offer a 3.6x-5x range (the RX100 III being the sole exception with a 2.9x range), the Panasonic LX100 has a 3.1x optical zoom.

The focal range starts from a 24mm-equivalent wide-angle, matching the widest of its rivals, but impressively the f/1.7 maximum aperture at wide-angle is the brightest of the bunch. That, combined with a larger sensor than the RX100-series cameras or G7X, will conspire to make depth-of-field blur effects easier to achieve. (And a 9-bladed, rounded aperture diaphragm -- a feature shared only by the Canon G7X -- will help make those blurred backgrounds more attractive.)

Zoom all the way out to the 75mm-equivalent telephoto position, and the LX100's lens will stop down only to f/2.8. That matches or betters all of its rivals, although in fairness, many of them have further-reaching zooms in the first place.

The optical formula of the Panasonic LX100's lens consists of 11 elements in eight groups. Of these, there are five aspheric elements, eight aspheric surfaces, and two dual-sided aspheric ED elements. Unlike the Canon G7X and Sony RX100 III, there's no built-in neutral density filter in the LX100.

Stabilization

Although it might not have the telephoto reach of some rivals, the Panasonic LX100 nevertheless includes optical image stabilization. Specifically, it's what Panasonic terms Power O.I.S. -- note that there's no mention of an Active mode. The company hasn't yet provided any specifics as to the system's corrective ability.

Focusing

Another key area in which the Panasonic LX100 betters its rivals -- at least, according to the manufacturer specifications -- is in its autofocus performance.

The 49-point, Light Speed AF-branded autofocus system in the LX100 might be more point-dense than the 31-point system of the Canon G7X or the 25-point systems of the Sony RX100-series, but it nevertheless allows for burst-capture complete with autofocus adjustment between frames at a full 50% faster than its nearest rival.

The key to the system's speed is what Panasonic calls Depth from Defocus technology. First introduced in the GH4 compact system camera, this variation on contrast-detection autofocus steals a trick from phase-detection. Like the rival tech, which relies either on hardware tweaks to the image sensor or a separate, standalone AF sensor as in a DSLR, Panasonic's Depth from Defocus can determine the direction and distance required to achieve a focus lock prior to shifting the focus group.

The result is that focusing is one quick, smooth maneuver, rather than the constant stop-and-start of a standard contrast-detection AF system, with pauses to check how contrast is changing along the way. By removing the need to pause over and over, Panasonic's system greatly reduces the time to a focus lock.

The Light Speed AF system includes face detection technology and tracking capability, and provides single, flexible or continuous operating modes. There's also a focus assist lamp, and the minimum focus distance is 1.2 inches at wide angle, or 11.8 inches at telephoto.

You can, of course, also focus manually -- and if you choose to do so, you'll be happy to find a focus peaking function provided.

Viewfinder

The Panasonic LX100 is one of only two cameras in its class that include an electronic viewfinder. (The other being the Sony RX100 III, which has a smaller popup finder.) The RX100 II and G1X-series can, admittedly, accept optional viewfinder accessories, and the G1X also has a built-in optical finder, but these solutions are less than ideal compared to the LX100's EVF.

The Panasonic LX100's viewfinder is a very high-resolution unit, based around a high-definition 1,280 x 720 pixel, field-sequential panel as used previously in the Panasonic GX7. In plain English, that means every single pixel provides all three colors -- but only one color at any given time. By cycling through the colors repeatedly, your eye gets the impression of a sharp, full-color image. The downside with field-sequential finders is that they can sometimes show rainbow "sparkle" effects on edges of subjects in motion, or when you blink.

Compared to the built-in finder in the RX100 III, the LX100's finder yields a much larger image. (In fact, it's nearly as large as that of the RX100 II's expensive accessory finder.) It also has significantly higher pixel resolution, although the field-sequential design means that the RX100 III's finder dot count suggests higher resolution. A good chunk of that resolution difference, though, comes from the fact that Panasonic has opted for a wider 16:9 aspect ratio on the viewfinder, as compared to the 4:3 aspect of the RX100 III finder. Field of view is 100%.

Lining the right side of the viewfinder is a proximity sensor used to enable or disable the viewfinder and LCD automatically as you raise the camera to your eye, or vice versa. This can also be accomplished manually using the LVF button adjacent to the finder.

Monitor

The LCD monitor, by contrast, is rather more run-of-the-mill. Size is 3.0 inches diagonal, and resolution is 640 x 480 pixels (4:3 aspect), with three dots per pixel. The Canon G7X's screen is wider-aspect and so has a somewhat higher pixel count, and Sony's RX100-series cameras all use four dot per pixel WhiteMagic screens that yield a higher dot count, greater outdoor visibility for a given power consumption level, and lower power consumption for a given brightness.

The LX100's screen is neither touch-sensitive, nor is it articulated.

Exposure

The Panasonic LX100 offers a healthy selection of exposure features as you'd expect on an enthusiast camera, while forgoing the consumer-oriented fluff like scene modes that most photographers will never touch.

Exposure modes on offer include Program, Aperture-priority, Shutter-priority and Manual, and they're all accessed simply by turning the Shutter and Aperture controls to their Auto positions, or dialing in a value that fits your subject. The only concession to approachability is a dedicated button on the top deck which launches Intelligent Auto mode, something that should suffice if you're handing your camera off to a friend or colleage for a few quick shots.

Exposures are determined using intelligent multiple, center-weighted or spot metering, but like Sony before it, Panasonic hasn't disclosed the number of areas into which its evaluative system breaks down the scene. Nor is metering system working range disclosed. We can confirm, however, that autoexposure lock and exposure compensation are provided, with the latter having a working range of +/-3EV in 1/3 increments set using a dedicated dial on the top deck. And there's also a three, five, or seven-frame exposure bracketing function that can roam within a range of +/-3EV in 1/3, 2/3 or 1EV steps.

Shutter speeds range from 1/4,000 to 120 seconds, a very wide range that bests the 1/2,000s limit of the Canon G7X and Sony RX100-series cameras. Enable electronic shutter, and this can be extended to a stunning 1/16,000 second. There's also a Time exposure function which applies on exposures 30 seconds or greater. Panasonic has not yet revealed this model's flash sync speed.

A fairly typical selection of white balance modes are provided. These include Auto, five white balance presets, a generous four custom positions, a color temperature setting, and the ability to fine-tune white balance.

Flash

If there's one surprising omission in the Panasonic LX100, it's the flash strobe. Unlike all of the other cameras in this segment, the Panasonic LX100 lacks a built-in flash strobe. Instead, there's a hot shoe and a bundled external strobe, meaning you need to carry an extra accessory with you if there's any chance of encountering less than ideal ambient lighting conditions. (The Sony RX100 II also boasts a hot shoe, but this supplements the internal flash, rather than replacing it altogether.).

We don't yet know the flash sync speed -- a pretty crucial detail -- but do know that the included, external strobe is said to have a working range of two to 46 feet (60cm to 14.1m) at wide angle, or one to 28 feet (30cm to 8.5m) at telephoto, using Auto ISO sensitivity. The range at base ISO will thus be quite a bit shorter.

The flash recycle time hasn't yet been disclosed, nor do we know if flash exposure compensation is provided or flash bracketing is possible.

Creative

Photo style options include Standard, Vivid, Natural, Monochrome, Scenery, Portrait and Custom. Possible adjustments (as relevant to the style chosen) include contrast, sharpness, noise reduction, saturation, color tone and filter effect, so you can tweak results to your taste.

Creative Control Filters include Expressive, Retro, Old Days, High Key, Low Key, Sepia, Monochrome, Dynamic Monochrome, Rough Monochrome, Silky Monochrome, Impressive Art, High Dynamic, Cross Process, Toy Effect, Toy Pop and Bleach Bypass.

A self-timer function is provided with preset durations of two or 10 seconds, plus a 10-second option which captures three images. A level gauge helps to get horizons level; we don't yet know if it's a dual-axis or single-axis type, however. A panorama function is also included.

Movie

One last feature of the Panasonic LX100 that really stands out from the competition is its movie-capture capability, again a testament to the high processor power on offer in this camera.

Unlike all of its direct competitors, which are limited to Full HD (1,920 x 1,080 pixel) video capture, the LX100 can shoot much higher-res 4K (3,840 x 2,160 pixel) movies. That's four pixels shot by the LX100, for every one shot by other large-sensor, fixed-lens cameras, or on paper at least, double the linear resolution in its movies

4K capture, though, is limited to a rate of either 24 or 30 progressive-scan frames per second. For the full capture rate of 60 progressive-scan frames or interlaced fields per second, you'll need to drop down to Full HD capture. (You can also shoot 24p or 30p at this lower resolution, or 30p at VGA 640 x 480 pixel resolution.)

Full HD videos use AVCHD compression, while MP4 capture can be used at all resolutions. AVCHD videos include Dolby audio, while MP4 videos use AAC audio. This is captured using a stereo internal microphone, and sadly there's no external microphone connectivity.

We don't yet have any details on movie exposure, except to say that Intelligent Auto exposure is possible for videos. We do, however, know that you'll be able to extract 4K stills -- around 8.3 megapixels in resolution -- post-capture from your recorded 4K videos. These can then be cropped to aspect ratios other than the 16:9 of the video footage.

Wireless networking

Now we're in the smartphone age, you have to offer Wi-Fi networking if you want to remain relevant. The Panasonic LX100 doesn't disappoint, including built-in Wi-Fi wireless networking technology, as well as support for Near-Field Communications technology.

NFC is something that came to Android about four years ago now, and has since become widespread on Blackberry, Symbian and Windows Phone devices too. For years, we've been calling out the fact that Apple was resisting adopting the standard, but it has finally surrendered and added NFC support to its latest-generation iPhone 6 models, so hopefully we'll finally see its devices supporting quick and simple pairing.

Assuming the function works on iOS as it does on Android, all you do is simply bump the devices to be paired together briefly, ensuring the locations of their antennas are near each other. (NFC has a very, very short range that acts as a security feature.) Once the devices see each other via NFC, they can then automatically negotiate a much faster, longer-range Wi-Fi connection, and the NFC tech can also be used to have the smartphone run the relevant app for you automatically, saving you launching it yourself.

The requirement for a specific app invariably rules out platforms other than the big two -- Android and iOS -- though, and that's the case here too, leaving Blackberry, Symbian and Windows Phone users looking on with jealousy. Those photographers using iOS 6.0+ or Android 2.3+, though, can look forward to quick and easy sharing through their phone or connected tablet on social networks and the like.

Connectivity

Connectivity options in the Panasonic LX100 include standard-definition video output in NTSC format only (a feature Sony's RX100-series cameras lack, although the Canon G7X offers both NTSC and PAL output), as well as high-definition video output and USB for data transfer. The HD output is a MicroHDMI port, and the SD video / USB outputs share a single connector.

Storage

The Panasonic LX100 stores images on Secure Digital cards, as do almost all higher-end cameras these days. Both the higher-capacity SDHC and SDXC types are supported, and so are the higher-speed UHS-I types up to Class 3. (Sony only recently added support for the latter in its most recent RX100 III model; earlier Sony models will simply fall back to standard speeds with UHS-I cards, likely making read / write times longer than in the Panasonic LX100.)

Still images can be stored in raw or compressed JPEG formats, or both simultaneously.

Power

The LX100 draws power from a proprietary lithium-ion battery pack. With a rated 7.2 volts, 1,025 mAh, and 7.4 Wh capacity, Panasonic predicts battery life a little behind that that offered by Sony's RX100-series cameras. Those models manage 320-350 shots on the LCD monitor, where the Panasonic LX100 is rated as good for 300 shots on the LCD.

If you switch to the viewfinder, battery life will fall to 270 shots, which is par for the course. (We're not sure why these smaller displays are so much more power-hungry than full-sized monitors, but it's almost always the case that EVFs offer lower battery life.) The good news: a drop of 30 shots really isn't that bad -- Sony's RX100 III plunges from 320 to 230 shots if you use the EVF. (!!)

Comparison Shopping

The premium compact camera market has heated up to the point you'll surely need our new camera comparison tool for helping keep all the specs sorted out! Clicking on any of the following will take you there, where you can see features, specs, pros and cons listed for virtually any pair of cameras you'd like to compare. Here are a few obvious choices to compare to the Panasonic LX100 to get you started:

Panasonic LX100 vs Sony RX100 III

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