• 1/1.63 inch 46.2mm2
  • 10.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 90.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Panasonic LX5 advantages over Panasonic CM1

  • Less expensive
    $500 vs $1000 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/2.0 vs f/2.8
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • More telephoto lens reach
    90 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 400 vs 300 shots
    Capture more photos
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Wider angle lens
    24 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene

Panasonic CM1 advantages over Panasonic LX5

  • 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
    ~ 2.41 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Thinner
    21 mm vs 43 mm
    Thinner
  • Newer
    9 years vs 14 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Lighter weight
    204g vs 271g
    Lighter weight
  • More dots on screen
    6221k 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
    20.1 vs 10.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 1.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    5 vs 3 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.

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
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic DMC-LX3

Panasonic LX5
Panasonic DMC-LX3
  • $550
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $450
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • Thinner
  • Shoots 24p video
Panasonic CM1
Panasonic DMC-LX3
  • $549
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $450
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Leica D-LUX 5

Panasonic LX5
Leica D-LUX 5
  • $550
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $700
  • 1/1.63 inch
Panasonic CM1
Leica D-LUX 5
  • $549
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $700
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Olympus XZ-1

Panasonic LX5
Olympus XZ-1
  • $550
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $500
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • Fast startup
  • More telephoto lens reach
Panasonic CM1
Olympus XZ-1
  • $549
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $500
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Olympus XZ-2

Panasonic LX5
Olympus XZ-2
  • $550
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • In-camera panoramas
Panasonic CM1
Olympus XZ-2
  • $549
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Canon G15

Panasonic LX5
Canon G15
  • $550
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • Shoots 60p video
  • Wider angle lens
  • $650
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • More telephoto lens reach
Panasonic CM1
Canon G15
  • $549
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $650
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder
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