• 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 18.4 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 12,800
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.8 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 75.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Nikon V3 advantages over Panasonic LX100

  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    33 mm vs 55 mm
    Thinner
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • More pixels
    18.4 vs 12.8 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    60.0 fps vs 11.6 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    60.0 fps vs 11.3 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    40 vs 22 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Panasonic LX100 advantages over Nikon V3

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Less expensive
    $598 vs $1197
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.77 vs 2.52 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Higher effective ISO
    553 vs 384 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    12.5 vs 10.7 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/4000 vs 1/250 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    130 vs 40 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

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Buy the Panasonic LX100

Review Excerpt

  • Very compact for an interchangeable-lens camera; Generous kit includes lens, high-res electronic viewfinder and accessory grip; Good image quality for the sensor size; Amazing burst performance; Lightning-fast autofocus; Intuitive touch-screen makes focusing a snap

  • Smaller sensor than most rivals limits possibilities for available-light shooting; Program mode opts for wide-open aperture most of the time; Limited dynamic range; Noisy shadows; Below-average battery life; Pricey when considering its image quality

  • Very good image quality; Great performance in most respects; Bright zoom lens with good macro performance; Photographer-friendly body easily fits in a coat pocket or small bag; Roomy, high-res built-in viewfinder; Decent battery life

  • Won't fit in a pants pocket; Relatively low resolution by modern standards; Zoom lens has only a modest telephoto; Soft corners at wide or tele positions; Aperture dial is too easily bumped; Bundled flash is fairly weak

The Competition

Compared to Sony RX100 III

Nikon V3
Sony RX100 III
  • $1197
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Touchscreen
  • $748
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
Panasonic LX100
Sony RX100 III
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $748
  • 1 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Internal flash

Compared to Canon G7X

Nikon V3
Canon G7X
  • $1197
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $699
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Panasonic LX100
Canon G7X
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $699
  • 1 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Tiltable Screen

Compared to Nikon J3

Nikon V3
Nikon J3
  • $1197
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Touchscreen
  • $617
  • 1 inch
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
Panasonic LX100
Nikon J3
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $617
  • 1 inch
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • Internal flash

Compared to Nikon AW1

Nikon V3
Nikon AW1
  • $1197
  • 1 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Touchscreen
  • $797
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Waterproof
Panasonic LX100
Nikon AW1
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $797
  • 1 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Built-in GPS

Compared to Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)

Nikon V3
Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)
  • $1197
  • 1 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $875
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
Panasonic LX100
Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
  • $875
  • 4/3
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
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