• 1/1.63 inch 46.2mm2
  • 10.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 60.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.8 megapixels
  • 18.00mm - 50.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Panasonic DMC-LX3 advantages over Nikon DL18-50

  • Less expensive
    $500 vs $850 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • More telephoto lens reach
    60 mm vs 50 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 380 vs 290 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    27 mm vs 57 mm
    Thinner
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Lighter weight
    257g vs 365g
    Lighter weight

Nikon DL18-50 advantages over Panasonic DMC-LX3

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    1 inch vs 1/1.63 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 2.36 vs 1.98 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 720p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    1037k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    20.8 vs 10.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Wider angle lens
    18 mm vs 24 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Longer exposure
    120 vs 60 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    60.0 fps vs 1.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

User reviews

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Canon S90

Panasonic DMC-LX3
Canon S90
  • $450
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Manual focus
  • $430
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
Nikon DL18-50
Canon S90
  • $948
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $430
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Samsung TL500

Panasonic DMC-LX3
Samsung TL500
  • $450
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • Shoots 24p video
  • Longer exposure
  • $450
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • More telephoto lens reach
Nikon DL18-50
Samsung TL500
  • $948
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $450
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Panasonic LX5

Panasonic DMC-LX3
Panasonic LX5
  • $450
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • Thinner
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $550
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Higher effective ISO
Nikon DL18-50
Panasonic LX5
  • $948
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $550
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Canon S95

Panasonic DMC-LX3
Canon S95
  • $450
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Manual focus
  • $428
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
Nikon DL18-50
Canon S95
  • $948
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $428
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compared to Leica D-LUX 5

Panasonic DMC-LX3
Leica D-LUX 5
  • $450
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $700
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • HDMI out
Nikon DL18-50
Leica D-LUX 5
  • $948
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $700
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Longer stills battery life
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