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Panasonic DMC-LX3 10.1MP Digital Camera with 24mm Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Black)




  • 054 4  I've had the camera about one week and it meets the expectations I had from reading many reviews . I have not had an issue with the lens cap ; I use the strap and put it on the left side of the camera and then cup the cap in my hand while I shoot . It actually kept me from dropping the camera once . The picture quality is really outstanding and am having fun with the dynamic B / W . Would recommend this to anyone who wants more than a simple point and shoot but doesn't want to lug an SLR around .
    • 076 4  As a professional photographer I am picky about image quality and camera controls . This is a great small camera with outstanding image quality . I love it for natural light photography and the wide lens is perfect for scenics and travel . If the noise level is not as good as good SLR so what . . . it comes very close and I can take it with me all the time .
    • 166 4  This is my 4th digital camera , and I like it much better than my previous point-and-shoots , as well as my SLR ! I use it in manual mode with AF . I love having a camera that gives me control over aperture and shutter speed , yet is compact enough to fit in my pocket . The wide-angle , fast lens is excellent !
    • 171 4  i couldn't justify spending the money on a full frame DSLR that i wanted but wanted something more than a point and shoot . this handy little thing has turned out to be quite the find . love it !
    • 177 4  If you are looking for a top non-DSLR , here is the answer you were waiting for . Watch the artificial light performance though .

  • 090 4  It's great to have a small camera that can create decent photos . It's also nice to have a P & S camera that can produce RAW images , has a fast wide angle lens and a live view with histogram . It would have been nice to have a longer zoom but I'll take the extra wide angle any day . I find the camera easy to work with at every level . Learning the menu system was easy . While there are lots of automatic features there is also manual features for those who like to fiddle with the settings . I'm used to using a DSLR with a view finder and I wasn't too sure how I would take to the big 3 screen on the back of the camera . The LCD took a little getting used to but now that I've adjusted , I find it easy to compose shots . I really like the live histogram , it is very helpful in adjusting functions to get better shots . Some folks complain about the lens cap but honestly I just stick in my pocket or in my carry bag and don't think it's worth complaining about ! In short the camera is capable of producing stunning images , has tons of features , is compact but built like a little tank and in the end helps makes picture taking fun .
    • 136 4  Won't add to the already plentiful praise for this camera . I'll just say it is almost perfect - the right size , excellent build quality , total flexibility in manual mode , RAW capabilities and photos at least as good as those coming from my Canon 30D . I've owned a lot of cameras in my life and this is right up with the best of them .

  • 119 4  Bought this ' point and shoot ' camera for my wife and daughter just before leaving on vacation . Sifted through dpreview.com and found this camera to be ' Highly recommended ' . If you are looking for something out of the box ready to shoot with little time or expertise this is your camera ; the photos were breathtaking . This camera , unlike my other ' point and shoot ' captures the image with little perceptible lag . Best of all , it has adjustable manual settings if you want to experiment . On the downside , it could use a little more zoom .
    • 163 4  This is a wonderful small camera that lets you do some things that only the big DSLRs permit , like vary your f-stops and exposure times . You can , of course , shoot completely automatic if that's what to want to do , but having the flexibility to shoot manually is great . It has one major flaw : no optical viewfinder . Also , you can't zoom when shooting video , and speaking of zoom , it could be a tad longer . But the important thing is that the picture quality is outstanding . It might be a little overpriced since it is so much in demand .
    • 192 4  Takes great pictures - just wish the downloading software gave option to choose which photos to download .
    • 212 4  After seeing the diner BDay party video and the vanilla ice cream , the critique of the camera wasn't surprising . This video was more about them and their dining habits , and less about the camera . Gee , it's a point and shoot camera . What do you expect ? Stop whining . Eat cake .

  • 124 4  I got this camera for Christmas . I wanted a camera that would take indoor pictures of my kittens in natural light , and I've got some amazing photos already . I've also taken nighttime pictures of our house with the Christmas lights on , and they came out great as well . There are so many options available . I love having the option of using the automatic settings the camera chooses for me , or using my choice of settings for aperature or shutter . It is small , lightweight , and has a huge LCD display . I also purchased a memory card and an extra battery , which I would recommend . All in all , I'm looking forward to lots of fun with this camera . ( I took over 400 pictures in a 3 - day period over Christmas ! )
    • 151 4  Great little camera . Easy to carry around with you , and capable of making print-quality photos . The limited focal length is a downside , but there are many upsides that make this a great camera in my opinion . The LCD is large and bright . The HD video capture capability is very convenient . Great bang for the buck .
    • 189 4  Great camera for low light ( f2 lens ) and landscape ( 24mm wide-angle lens ) . HD video recording . I used it for street and travel photography also . Highly recommended .
    • 215 4  This Camera is for people who like to post process images to pefection . As a point and shoot it's worthless as most outdoor images are Underexposed . Great if you want a perfectly exposed highlights only ! Do not be fooled by the overly bright LCD display . Take Photos in store at your nearest shop , develop them and then decide * if * this camera is for you . AWB with incandesent light is still a minor drama with the new 1.2 firmware . Otherwise great low light performance compared to it's compeditors hence the 3 stars .

  • 126 4  I had to get one due to its larger sensor and the 24mm wide angle lens and the large f2 stop , as my Canon G9 didn't have either . Taking pics with it is great , but you have to remember to just tap the zoom button before taking a shot ; you're starting at 24mm so unless you want to risk wide angle distortion for a portrait , you'll want to at least go to 28mm or higher to reduce the possibility . Some of my early portrait shots had severe wide angle lens distortion towards the edges , and faces got a little skewed there . But otherwise , that's what I bought the camera for , which is to take wide angle shots , and also the f2 really helps in low lights and also blurring backgrounds . All in all , a great camera .
    • 104 4  Couldn't be happier . The trade off for giving up zoom is well worth it . Living in Kauai allows me to do all sorts of fun stuff , and the landscape is other-worldly and surprisingly varied . There's this one cave on the north shore that is particularly dark . Going to Aperture priority and just setting the camera on a rock allowed the most beautiful shots . Video is great . Camera is easy to use . Photo quality outstanding . I am an amateur photographer , so I'm sure there are some nits I could pick , but I'm too dumb to know what they are . I'm a happy customer .
    • 181 4  I'm an amateur so I haven't learned how to use all of the features yet but it takes a nice picture on the automatic setting . Nice big screen yet small enough to fit in my small saddlebag or in my purse . I can finally take pictures of my horses that aren't blurred .

  • 128 4  I have only had the LX3 for a couple of weeks and so far it performs as advertised . I especially like the opportunities the wider-than-usual lens offers . Image Quality is at least as good as my other P & S cameras from Canon and Sony , but at this point I really can't say it's any better . Much better value than it's Leica relative . Good , solid feel suggests excellent construction and reliability . I'm quite happy with this camera based on initial results . I do wish there was a good , reasonably-priced auto flash available .
    • 170 4  The most bang for your buck : - - Great features - - Superb Lowlight - - Quality Construction - - Premium Optics

  • 138 4  Bought this to replace the DSLR I was sick of lugging around . A bit on the noisy side at anything above ISO 100 , but other than that a great all around shooter with more features and settings than one could shake a proverbial stick at . Awesome , awesome macro capability , even in HD movie mode . Speaking of which - nice to have the 720p video , but it is mostly a novelty , as it is limited to 24fps . Overall I am quite pleased , and would love to pick up a GF1 sometime once the price dips a bit more - the Lumix menus and interface are pretty intuitive and the build quality of their cameras is quite impressive , especially when my previous camera was a plastic-bodied entry level DSLR .
    • 129 4  The camera is performing exactly as designed . The many professional reviews I could find on the net helped me to pick that camera . Smallest digital camera with full manual control and superb lens !
    • 160 4  At least when I bought it , this was definitely the best digital camera available . I have printed up to around 16x20 with excellent clarity . A great camera . Lots of great features .
    • 206 4  as compact digital camera , this one has done well enough . I like the color it produced , pretty special if compared with nikon and canon .

  • 148 4  Camera is excellent . Best digital I've ever had . Leica licensed lens is sharp , very sharp . 24mm equivalent is the main reason why I bought it , and it does not disappoint . I was able to buy a 25mm Voigtlander finder for it , to use as a normal optical viewer , as the camera does not come with an optical finder , the one principal fault I find with the camera . The Voigtlander finder was $159 at B & H Photo , in NYC , versus the hard to source Panasonic finder at almost $300 . Get the Voigtlander . Taking night photos either hand held or with a tripod is easy , and they usually come out great . Very impressive in Manhattan . Thank you , Panasonic , and Leica .
    • 086 4  I love this camera . It takes super sharp pictures and has taken my everyday shots to a whole new level . It makes me smile every time I get to use it !
    • 110 4  Excellent low light camera , slightly bulkier than most P & S cameras but I found it easy to use and very portable . Tack sharp lens , very low noise sensor , this is a perfect camera for travel or for use in bar or night photography . . . but regular photos turn out fine . Highly recommended .
    • 112 4  I bought this camera mainly for its RAW file capabilities , I was not dissapointed . Having full control over the image data makes this a great camera . No regrets . I really love using the macro function too !
    • 150 4  Most impressive small compact digital that have ever used . The photos are sharp and gorgeous color as well as beautiful black & white when needed . The only slight shortcoming is the built in flash . It is too hot and have yet to find a way to turn it down . Have not seen anything this good in a number of years . Why pay the extra premium for the Leica ?
    • 185 4  Finally a Camera that almost gives me great pictures in candid , low light . More experimenting and I may find the sweet spot , so far very satisfied . Maybe I expected the Leica lens to look sharper but I does !
    • 205 4  The product is as good as I knew before . and the shipping is also so fast .

  • 201 4  My Lumix LX3K just arrived and I took my first pictures this afternoon . Wow ! I've never shot anything quite like it before . You obviously can't compare this camera to either my Canham with Schneider lens or my Mamiya 7II , but , it does come darn close to my Nikon D200 . The lens is fabulous . Again , it can't compare to my father's 1953 Leica and Leitz lenses , but , for the price , I can't imagine a better point and shoot on the market .
    • 172 4  I've had this camera for a year and I still love it . The capabilities of the camera exceed my capabilites as a photographer , so it continual challenges me to improve my skills .

  • 211 4  I got this camera a week ago and took alot of pictures with it , many of the pictures are quite nice , when I had set the camera properly and took the shots right , but overall it is not portable and fast enough on the draw for me , for instance a flock of birds flew just feet over head at the beach , and by the time I got this bulbus thing out of my jacket only place it can fit > , and took the lens cap off , turned it on , set to a setting , and shot , the birds were gone , not to mention there is such a small zoom range it may as well not have a zoom , again the pictures the camera takes are fine , but it is definitely somewhat complicated and ment more for professional users , which I am not . I couldn't picture myself trying to take this with me on a hike in the summertime in shorts and a tshirt as it would have to hang around my neck the whole time . Bottom line nice pictures , but not pocket portable , not really user friendly , annoying lens cap you have to put on and off every time you shoot , slow start up , I'm going to exchange for the cannon S90 , I like the pictures I've seen from the LX3 better than the ones Ive seen from the S90 but the best picture is the one you take , and I know Ill be able to take a lot more with a more portable faster on the draw camera .
    • 013 4  I've owned a lot of digicams including a Canon 20d with a slew of L lenses . The DMC-LX3 is the best of the bunch . I've had it for over a month bringing it on a recent trip to Sydney as a backup to my dslr setup . After the first day I left the dslr in the hotel room and spent the remaining week with the Panasonic . This is not a point and shoot and allows me to be as creative as I want to be ( I can finally get a nice bokeh with a compact ! ) . However , unlike the 20d where I can get clean shots up to ISO 1600 the noise is definitely noticeable above 100 with the LX3 . Save for that I have no other complaints .
    • 052 4  This camera is a pleasure to use . Whether using manual settings or the automatic ( ia ) setting , the IQ is fantastic . My first Lumix was the FZ - 10 . It , too , produced amazing shots . Since then , I've had two other cameras in the Lumix lineup . I enjoy both of those , but they've never given me the excitement of the FZ - 10 . With the LX3 , I've found that excitement all over again . The Leica Summicron lens give super sharp , beautifully saturated photos . In short , I love this camera !
    • 074 4  I bought the Lumix DMC-LX3 2 months ago , having been somewhat disappointed with my Olympus 550 UZ ( 18x zoom ) and after having had my Canon S3 IS stolen in Costa Rica . I've lugged around my old Minolta XD - 11 for years and wasn't interested in getting another SLR . I try to travel light . Well , this Lumix DMC , in my eyes , does just about everything but tap dance in the dark and sing in Japanese ! A lot of people complain about its mediocre 2.5x zoom . Well , by decreasing the image quality to less than 10 million pixels , you can increase that zoom to 4.5 , which I find altogether sufficient . What is so impressive about this DMC is its light sensitivity , its 24 mm wide angle lens , and its raw capability . On top of tht it's the size of a pack of cigarettes and won't entice thugs to chop off your head to get to your clunky SLR . I recommend this little jewel wholeheartedly .
    • 092 4  I read a lot of reviews on this camera before buying . The reviews were right on . I have a Nikon D300 and needed a quality point and shoot . I have not been disappointed .
    • 107 4  There are plenty of good , thorough reviews here , but I had to add my two cents worth . Simply put , this is a fantastic point and shoot camera . I was a dedicated and loyal Nikon owner : Digital SLR's , film cameras and point and shoots . I had heard someone rave about the Panasonic LX3 in a discussion of P & S cameras but didn't give it much thought . A friend of mine has the Canon G10 , which I liked and almost bought one , but I remembered the LX3 . I read several reviews and everyone seemed to love this camera . I liked the fact that it shot high-def video and had the Leica lens among other things . I bought it about 4 weeks ago and I like it better every time I use it . You cannot go wrong with the LX3 . It is definitely not the least expensive P & S out there , but it's worth every cent . I hesitate to even give it the P & S label because it seems to be in a class by itself .
    • 121 4  I simply enjoy this fine camera . I purchased it because I wanted a high quality compact that I could take anywhere . I have a Nikon D200 and a Leica M2 . The Lx3 gives me the best of both worlds . I shoot black and white with it quite a bit . The Dynamic Black and White is great in JPEG . We recently went to Puerto Rico and decided to only take this camera . The color photos were absolutely stunning , with great detail . The strength of this camera really is the lens - - very sharp . I took some beautiful low light photos . The zoom range is limited , but I would rather have the sharp fast lens . I find when I do a crop the image remains very sharp , so that makes up for the limitation . The flash is not very powerful . but I don't really use the flash much . I purchased the leather retro case made for the camera . I would suggest it . Makes a comfortable and steady hold . Yes the lens cap is annoying , but I simply make a habit of always putting it in my left front pocket . Over all , I've had my LX - 3 four about 4 months now . I think this will become one of my favorite cameras ever , rivaling my Leica M2 , which I love !
    • 123 4  I've owned this camera for a couple months and it has really changed my photography . I previously used a Pentax dslr , which provided great quality but was just too big to carry around too much . I initially got into digital photography using compacts and liked the small size but they were always lacking in either features or image quality . I'm always looking for photo opps but often didn't have a camera with me . With the LX3 , I'm able to have it with me virtually everywhere . I've taken more pictures , and more quality pictures , since I got the LX3 than I have the previous year . As someone who started photography with manual film camera , the manual settings are great and allow utmost creativity . The auto features are great and yield fantastic results also . The fast Leica f2.0 24mm ( equiv ) lens is super . I was always a wide angle fan and most photos I take are at the wide end . The few hd videos I have shot are surprisingly nice but they are not what I look for in a still camera . A nice feature to have though because , well , you never know .
    • 154 4  Had this camera for 2 days now and I'm amazed by it's set of manual exposure . I was deciding between the LX3 or Canon G10 , but the wide lens on the LX3 really got my attention . Although this is not a DSLR , I expected less noise on high iso shots . Better than it's competitors though , including the G10
    • 165 4  The LX3 is the 3rd generation of a line in which the 1st generation couldn't shoot a decent picture in any limited light conditions at all , and it has taken over from the little Fuji as the new Low Light King . The lens is very good , and shots at f2.0 and ISO400 with IS on can just amaze . You'll want to go play around the neighborhood in the evening . And the quality with things like landscape is actually slightly better than the 1st , which was slightly better than the second . I admit that when I'm thinking about wanting more than the 60mm zoom I just take my G9 ( having both is very nice , by the way ) , so I have no reason to gripe about the low zoom range . There's a lot to do between 24 and 60 , and the quality and fun-factor are both very high . I really like this camera .
    • 184 4  i have been carrying DSLR for past few years , decided to go with something lite . LX3 is very good at low lighting area , although cant compare to the big DSLR . Overall satisfied .

  • Panasonic DMC-LX3 10.1MP Digital Camera with 24mm Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Black ) ( Electronics ) I was looking for a camera with DSLR-style control but without the bulkiness of one and I am happy to say that I found ALL this in LX3 ! The LX3 is one of the best wide-angle focal lengths in the camera market at 24 mm ( not many cameras can boast this ! ) . Granted , the zoom range on this camera isn't great ( only 2.5x ) so I believe that this camera is more geared towards those who are into landscape photography . Combined with the optional Panasonic DMW-LA4 Conversion Adapter ( ~ $25 ) and the Panasonic DMW-LW46 Wide Conversion Lens ( ~ $150 ) , I found a winning combination by allowing me to have an even greater wide-angle coverage at 18 mm . This was particularly important for me as I was going to Hawai'i and I wanted to capture as much beauty , detail and information the Islands had to offer and the LX3 did exactly that . The adapter also allows attachment of filters - another added bonus , so one can capture flowing waterfalls , include a protective UV filter and polarizing filter . Even with the conversion lens attached to the LX3 , it is still significantly cheaper ( and lighter ) than buying a DSLR and a wide-angle lens . For me , I get the opportunity to visit many places and the last thing that I want to do is lug around a DSLR with me . The LX3 is more like a compromise between a compact camera and the DSLR . The LX3 also shoots HD-video but I use that less often . I enjoy subjecting the LX3 under complex light conditions as well as low-light conditions . I rarely need to enhance any images as the colour , detail and quality of such pictures are instantly fabulous . This camera performed exceptionally under low-light conditions with the aid of the beautiful and fast f 2.0 Leica lens . The LX3 has less auto-options visible on the dial ( but easily accessible under the menu options ) forcing the user to use his / her imagination while composing the shot . Thus , for beginners , this is a nice prompt to encourage their photography skills and creativity . Some things I LOVE about the LX3 in a nutshell . 1 . Aspect ratio dial = easy to change from 16 : 9 to 4 : 3 etc . 2 . Focus dial = easy to focus manually in both normal and macro modes . 3 . RAW = greater flexibility in post-picture processing . 4 . Great battery life . 5 . Easy access to important menu functions using the jog dial . Note , if your hands are not dainty , it might be difficult to access the button closest to the screen . Here are a few things that people complain about but my thoughts on them . The lens cap : I do not have a problem with removing it from the lens . If you have a DSLR , you have the EXACT same feature . Poor flash : The bright f2.0 lens is so great at capturing light under low-light conditions , rarely do you need to use the flash . Use a tripod or buy a flash gun . The LX3 is equipped with a hotshoe ! Some things I would love to see in a future incarnation of the LX3 ( The LX3 has been out for more than a year ( as of May 2010 ) so there could be a new model coming out soon ? : 1 . Increased zoom let's up from 2.5x optical zoom to 5x or more ! ( If you decrease the MP down to 5MP , you will get 5x zoom ) . 2 . Ability to zoom whilst shooting video . One thing that might swing it for you : I have been stopped numerous times by people asking me about this camera while I have been out . It's such a great feeling to know you have a unique camera . It's such a rare build combining internal complexity and external simplicity into an all-round beautiful camera . Final thoughts - If you enjoy landscape photography , shoot regularly under low-light conditions , enjoy simplicity and obtaining beautiful results , this is the camera for you . Although the LX3 is geared more towards the more advanced photographer , beginners will enjoy the delights of this camera . It costs almost twice the cost of a typical point and shoot camera but the pleasure of being able to capture an image under extreme conditions absolutely warrants this camera as a MUST HAVE . I am so glad I bought the LX3 .
    • 012 4  Panasonic has just released new firmware v1.1 on 12 / 15 / 2008 , which adds these improvements to the great LX3 : 1 . Compatibility update for the DMW-FL220 flash unit . 2 . Improved auto white balance performance . 3 . Improved auto focus performance . I love the LX3 . When I go on vacation , I take the LX3 along with the TZ5 , and I'm all set . In good lighting , the LX3 takes pictures that can compare to a DSLR . They're stunning . Even in low light , the pictures are still excellent . This camera is perfect for the person that wants a somewhat compact camera that has manual controls , and takes much better pictures than any point and shoot . Update 1 / 15 / 09 : Panasonic released a new update today : Improvements Date / Version 1 / 15 / 2009 Ver 1.2 1 . Improved white balance flash mode setting when DMW-FL220 is connected . 2 . Proper setting of shutter speed on iA mode and Scene mode when OIS is turned ON . 3 . Proper Exif information in the JPEG picture file .
    • 037 4  This review is from : Panasonic DMC-LX3 10.1MP Digital Camera with 24mm Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Black ) ( Electronics ) I was looking for a camera with DSLR-style control but without the bulkiness of one and I am happy to say that I found ALL this in LX3 ! The LX3 is one of the best wide-angle focal lengths in the camera market at 24 mm ( not many cameras can boast this ! ) . Granted , the zoom range on this camera isn't great ( only 2.5x ) so I believe that this camera is more geared towards those who are into landscape photography . Combined with the optional Panasonic DMW-LA4 Conversion Adapter ( ~ $25 ) and the Panasonic DMW-LW46 Wide Conversion Lens ( ~ $150 ) , I found a winning combination by allowing me to have an even greater wide-angle coverage at 18 mm . This was particularly important for me as I was going to Hawai'i and I wanted to capture as much beauty , detail and information the Islands had to offer and the LX3 did exactly that . The adapter also allows attachment of filters - another added bonus , so one can capture flowing waterfalls , include a protective UV filter and polarizing filter . Even with the conversion lens attached to the LX3 , it is still significantly cheaper ( and lighter ) than buying a DSLR and a wide-angle lens . For me , I get the opportunity to visit many places and the last thing that I want to do is lug around a DSLR with me . The LX3 is more like a compromise between a compact camera and the DSLR . The LX3 also shoots HD-video but I use that less often . I enjoy subjecting the LX3 under complex light conditions as well as low-light conditions . I rarely need to enhance any images as the colour , detail and quality of such pictures are instantly fabulous . This camera performed exceptionally under low-light conditions with the aid of the beautiful and fast f 2.0 Leica lens . The LX3 has less auto-options visible on the dial ( but easily accessible under the menu options ) forcing the user to use his / her imagination while composing the shot . Thus , for beginners , this is a nice prompt to encourage their photography skills and creativity . Some things I LOVE about the LX3 in a nutshell . 1 . Aspect ratio dial = easy to change from 16 : 9 to 4 : 3 etc . 2 . Focus dial = easy to focus manually in both normal and macro modes . 3 . RAW = greater flexibility in post-picture processing . 4 . Great battery life . 5 . Easy access to important menu functions using the jog dial . Note , if your hands are not dainty , it might be difficult to access the button closest to the screen . Here are a few things that people complain about but my thoughts on them . The lens cap : I do not have a problem with removing it from the lens . If you have a DSLR , you have the EXACT same feature . Poor flash : The bright f2.0 lens is so great at capturing light under low-light conditions , rarely do you need to use the flash . Use a tripod or buy a flash gun . The LX3 is equipped with a hotshoe ! Some things I would love to see in a future incarnation of the LX3 ( The LX3 has been out for more than a year ( as of May 2010 ) so there could be a new model coming out soon ? : 1 . Increased zoom let's up from 2.5x optical zoom to 5x or more ! ( If you decrease the MP down to 5MP , you will get 5x zoom ) . 2 . Ability to zoom whilst shooting video . One thing that might swing it for you : I have been stopped numerous times by people asking me about this camera while I have been out . It's such a great feeling to know you have a unique camera . It's such a rare build combining internal complexity and external simplicity into an all-round beautiful camera . Final thoughts - If you enjoy landscape photography , shoot regularly under low-light conditions , enjoy simplicity and obtaining beautiful results , this is the camera for you . Although the LX3 is geared more towards the more advanced photographer , beginners will enjoy the delights of this camera . It costs almost twice the cost of a typical point and shoot camera but the pleasure of being able to capture an image under extreme conditions absolutely warrants this camera as a MUST HAVE . I am so glad I bought the LX3 .
    • 038 4  I was looking for a camera with DSLR-style control but without the bulkiness of one and I am happy to say that I found ALL this in LX3 ! The LX3 is one of the best wide-angle focal lengths in the camera market at 24 mm ( not many cameras can boast this ! ) . Granted , the zoom range on this camera isn't great ( only 2.5x ) so I believe that this camera is more geared towards those who are into landscape photography . Combined with the optional Panasonic DMW-LA4 Conversion Adapter ( ~ $25 ) and the Panasonic DMW-LW46 Wide Conversion Lens ( ~ $150 ) , I found a winning combination by allowing me to have an even greater wide-angle coverage at 18 mm . This was particularly important for me as I was going to Hawai'i and I wanted to capture as much beauty , detail and information the Islands had to offer and the LX3 did exactly that . The adapter also allows attachment of filters - another added bonus , so one can capture flowing waterfalls , include a protective UV filter and polarizing filter . Even with the conversion lens attached to the LX3 , it is still significantly cheaper ( and lighter ) than buying a DSLR and a wide-angle lens . For me , I get the opportunity to visit many places and the last thing that I want to do is lug around a DSLR with me . The LX3 is more like a compromise between a compact camera and the DSLR . The LX3 also shoots HD-video but I use that less often . I enjoy subjecting the LX3 under complex light conditions as well as low-light conditions . I rarely need to enhance any images as the colour , detail and quality of such pictures are instantly fabulous . This camera performed exceptionally under low-light conditions with the aid of the beautiful and fast f 2.0 Leica lens . The LX3 has less auto-options visible on the dial ( but easily accessible under the menu options ) forcing the user to use his / her imagination while composing the shot . Thus , for beginners , this is a nice prompt to encourage their photography skills and creativity . Some things I LOVE about the LX3 in a nutshell . 1 . Aspect ratio dial = easy to change from 16 : 9 to 4 : 3 etc . 2 . Focus dial = easy to focus manually in both normal and macro modes . 3 . RAW = greater flexibility in post-picture processing . 4 . Great battery life . 5 . Easy access to important menu functions using the jog dial . Note , if your hands are not dainty , it might be difficult to access the button closest to the screen . Here are a few things that people complain about but my thoughts on them . The lens cap : I do not have a problem with removing it from the lens . If you have a DSLR , you have the EXACT same feature . Poor flash : The bright f2.0 lens is so great at capturing light under low-light conditions , rarely do you need to use the flash . Use a tripod or buy a flash gun . The LX3 is equipped with a hotshoe ! Some things I would love to see in a future incarnation of the LX3 ( The LX3 has been out for more than a year ( as of May 2010 ) so there could be a new model coming out soon ? : 1 . Increased zoom let's up from 2.5x optical zoom to 5x or more ! ( If you decrease the MP down to 5MP , you will get 5x zoom ) . 2 . Ability to zoom whilst shooting video . One thing that might swing it for you : I have been stopped numerous times by people asking me about this camera while I have been out . It's such a great feeling to know you have a unique camera . It's such a rare build combining internal complexity and external simplicity into an all-round beautiful camera . Final thoughts - If you enjoy landscape photography , shoot regularly under low-light conditions , enjoy simplicity and obtaining beautiful results , this is the camera for you . Although the LX3 is geared more towards the more advanced photographer , beginners will enjoy the delights of this camera . It costs almost twice the cost of a typical point and shoot camera but the pleasure of being able to capture an image under extreme conditions absolutely warrants this camera as a MUST HAVE . I am so glad I bought the LX3 .
    • 043 4  Virtually Identical to the Leica Digilux 4 but at 2 to 300 less . I had the DLUX 4 sold it bought the LX3 and I needed a zoom so I also got the zs3 both for the same price I sold the Dlux4 for . The LX3 is expandable with filters and excellent add on lenses like the dmw-lw46 I use the dmw-lw52 ( it also fits the Digilux 2 and Sigma dp cameras ) . Best compact ever made macro to 1cm - great lens - super wide with the lw52 very low light with a 2.0 lens . Many have found this camera to be almost as good as the Leica M8 at thousands less.Look for pros on the internet who use the Dlux4 and check out the pics . This is what this camera is capable of.The manual is much easier to read also . Plus the firmware has been updated giving you a better EV adjustment then Leica especially when taking bracketed shots . So also great for HDR photos.The micro 4 / 3rds cameras may beat this one out but at 2 to three times the price and thats with one lens.The JPG output is many times better then what you can do with the RAW . Add one point of saturation and one of contrast and you have the Leica equivalent of what they claim makes the Dlux4 better.See the dpreview tag elsewhere it says it all . Shoot raw and JPG in dynamic B + W and get a great B + W and if you need a color version use the raw image .
    • 050 4  Panasonic has just released new firmware v1.1 on 12 / 15 / 2008 , which adds these improvements to the great LX3 : 1 . Compatibility update for the DMW-FL220 flash unit . 2 . Improved auto white balance performance . 3 . Improved auto focus performance . I love the LX3 . When I go on vacation , I take the LX3 along with the TZ5 , and I'm all set . In good lighting , the LX3 takes pictures that can compare to a DSLR . They're stunning . Even in low light , the pictures are still excellent . This camera is perfect for the person that wants a somewhat compact camera that has manual controls , and takes much better pictures than any point and shoot . Update 1 / 15 / 09 : Panasonic released a new update today : Improvements Date / Version 1 / 15 / 2009 Ver 1.2 1 . Improved white balance flash mode setting when DMW-FL220 is connected . 2 . Proper setting of shutter speed on iA mode and Scene mode when OIS is turned ON . 3 . Proper Exif information in the JPEG picture file .
    • 059 4  FYI to all - Imaging Resorce has reported that if viewing images captured with RAW you will see barrel lens distortion in the picture ( s ) UNLESS you use the Silkypix RAW viewer to open the file . Apparently the Silkypix SW corrects for this problem that is already corrected internally in the camera for the JPEG files .
    • 062 4  Took this beauty across country from Utah to NY State and NH during the Fall color season right after it was released from Panasonic to this country . . . amazing camera ! All external buttons are quick and strategically placed . . . still have not used manual control much AND I always shoot in RAW PLUS LO-JPEG with a 16 gig sdhc class 6 , standard speed memory . Leica Summicron lens history . . . are low light capable optics - these lenses sold for over $2k each on Leica SLR version bodies as removable 35mm lenses at f2.0 fastest aperture . AND widest , at 24mm equivalent ! This camera also has a very interesting new feature from Panasonic called : AF Tracking , by setting the menu option to use the external button designated AE / AF , you can do some amazingly simple depth of field control shots by picking the object you most prefer in focus in a still life picture , for example , and click the AE / AF button on that spot then move your LX3 where you want to frame the actual image . A little yellow square stays with the part of the picture you fixed on while you are re framing to where you want to take the picture int the frame . . . very coool , and really works well . This is my third Lumix from LZ 5x to TZ1 / 10x , to TZ3 / 10x . It has been worth the 2.5x optical trade off because of the RAW capability . I read somewhere , the TZ5 / 10x now handles video zoom capability like the first TZ1 model . . . TZ3& TZ4 did not have video zoom . I only wish Panasonic would partner better with Adobe : Photoshop CS3 / CS4 RAW plugin ver . 5.2 works , HOWEVER , Lightroom 2.0 will not handle 5.2 RAW files until LR 2.2 is released next year . . . see Mike Lao Photography blog for more detailed info . [ . . . ]
    • 065 4  This review is from : Panasonic DMC-LX3 10.1MP Digital Camera with 24mm Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Black ) ( Electronics ) I have owned this camera for about 7 months now . There are a lot of other stellar reviews about this product so I won't rehash what everyone else says . In a nutshell - this is a camera I would highly recommend to anyone . About Me : I'm just an average user , I'm learning as I go and I'm certainly not an expert . I shoot mostly scenery / landscapes and candid people shots . I use Lightroom on my Mac to do any post-processing - which has not given me any problems at all thus far . That being said - the LX - 3 performs excellently , no matter what the scenario . Build - The camera itself is quite portable , and feels solid to the hand . The only major point of concern I have is the separate lens cap , which I've gotten used to by now . This thing CAN fit in a large pocket but i prefer to have my girlfriend carry it in her purse - where it fits quite nicely . Performance - Excellent low-light performance , REALLY excellent daytime performance . The camera has a slew of useful preset Scene modes , but also allows you to tinker with almost anything else - aperture , shutter speed , exposure are the ones I use most but there are others - including white balance , ISO etc . The latest firmware update also gives some predefined HDR settings for that HDR look , although it also gives you autobracketing from - 3 to + 3 EV so you can actually use it for a proper HDR scene . Images are clear , sharp and the best I've seen from any digital camera . Noise increases in low-light conditions , but when used with a tripod and proper shutter speed selections the results are quite nice . Even so , this beats other digital point and shoots by a long run when it comes to low-light photography . I don't use video all that much , but it seems to work well , especially audio reception . By the way , the full AUTO setting on this ( iA ) is quite capable of adjusting for almost any scenario . I feel absolutely no shame in using this when on a regular point ad shoot day . Awesome results almost every time . Overall - a solid product , one that is very very hard to beat .
    • 066 4  I have owned this camera for about 7 months now . There are a lot of other stellar reviews about this product so I won't rehash what everyone else says . In a nutshell - this is a camera I would highly recommend to anyone . About Me : I'm just an average user , I'm learning as I go and I'm certainly not an expert . I shoot mostly scenery / landscapes and candid people shots . I use Lightroom on my Mac to do any post-processing - which has not given me any problems at all thus far . That being said - the LX - 3 performs excellently , no matter what the scenario . Build - The camera itself is quite portable , and feels solid to the hand . The only major point of concern I have is the separate lens cap , which I've gotten used to by now . This thing CAN fit in a large pocket but i prefer to have my girlfriend carry it in her purse - where it fits quite nicely . Performance - Excellent low-light performance , REALLY excellent daytime performance . The camera has a slew of useful preset Scene modes , but also allows you to tinker with almost anything else - aperture , shutter speed , exposure are the ones I use most but there are others - including white balance , ISO etc . The latest firmware update also gives some predefined HDR settings for that HDR look , although it also gives you autobracketing from - 3 to + 3 EV so you can actually use it for a proper HDR scene . Images are clear , sharp and the best I've seen from any digital camera . Noise increases in low-light conditions , but when used with a tripod and proper shutter speed selections the results are quite nice . Even so , this beats other digital point and shoots by a long run when it comes to low-light photography . I don't use video all that much , but it seems to work well , especially audio reception . By the way , the full AUTO setting on this ( iA ) is quite capable of adjusting for almost any scenario . I feel absolutely no shame in using this when on a regular point ad shoot day . Awesome results almost every time . Overall - a solid product , one that is very very hard to beat .
    • 155 4  This review is from : Panasonic DMC-LX3S 10.1MP Digital Camera with 2.5x Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Silver ) ( Electronics ) I'm a professional photog who grew up shooting in medium format . I have been a photo for 35 years . I bought the LX3 after about a year of salivating for this camera and not being able to find it in stock . At first I was so in love with the camera that I practically took it to bed with me . BUT , then I headed out for a month of trekking ( not wanting the weight of a DSLR ) in Thailand and Laos and the camera began to fail : 1 . Within a few days of being in Thailand , the sensor developed a sizable black spot in the lower right hand corner . . . mostly visible in the 16 : 9 mode shooting zoomed in at a bright subject . VERY , VERY annoying for a professional photog . I have returned to the US and sent it in to Panasonic ( $11 in shipping paid by me ) and am waiting for its return . It was returned in a month's time and now within 2 weeks , it developed ANOTHER spot on the sensor and a blurry area in the lower right hand area in low light wide angle shooting . NOTE : the lens is not dirty on the outside . It is spotless . I have asked Panasonic for a loaner while they fix it and they refuse . You can see photos and documentation of the spot and blurry area on my blog : [ . . . ] 2 . I returned to my home computer to find that about 50% of the photos I shot in RAW format were out of focus . WHAT ? ? ? My last Lumix never produced a single out-of-focus shot . I examined them all carefully and can see that in some cases the auto focus didn't grab my intended focal point . . . it grabbed something like a shirt color instead of a nose . Enough when using the camera in not-so-bright settings to ruin the shot . One has to be very careful about what exactly the camera is focusing on . Chalk that up to user error , but still , it was disappointing . The remaining unfocused shots were camera shake at 1 / 40 . What ? ? What about that image stabilizer that worked so well in the TZ3 and ZS3 ? I think the stabilizer is not adequate . 3 . The LX3 is not supported in RAW format on iPhoto . That is a BIG DRAG ! ! If you use Lightbox or Bridge , OK . 4 . The zoom really does suck . We all know that at the outset , but I found myself using my travel companion's Lumix ZS3 b / c of its extraordinary zoom capability . 5 . The VIDEO mode really is pretty miserable . It won't zoom . I knew that . BUT , what I didn't know is that the camera adjusts its aperture on the fly as you're panning from a bright to dark subject . But it doesn't do it gradually or elegantly . It does it abruptly so you have these SUDDEN shifts in exposure which are jarring . What good I will say about the camera is that the f2.0 lens is great . The wide capapbilities are great . The sharpness and sensitivity of the sensor when shooting in RAW are better than any compact I've ever seen or used . That alone makes this cranky camera worth the investment . So if you can haul around a mono or tripod to ensure sharpness and you take the time to make SURE you're focusing correctly , and if you're not really into shooting video , go ahead and get this camera . But if you're NOT going to shoot in RAW , don't waste your money . Get the ZS3 , an overall better camera for the good amateur . It is also a very attractive package when coupled with the Leica leather case . Very retro and styling !
    • 156 4  I'm a professional photog who grew up shooting in medium format . I have been a photo for 35 years . I bought the LX3 after about a year of salivating for this camera and not being able to find it in stock . At first I was so in love with the camera that I practically took it to bed with me . BUT , then I headed out for a month of trekking ( not wanting the weight of a DSLR ) in Thailand and Laos and the camera began to fail : 1 . Within a few days of being in Thailand , the sensor developed a sizable black spot in the lower right hand corner . . . mostly visible in the 16 : 9 mode shooting zoomed in at a bright subject . VERY , VERY annoying for a professional photog . I have returned to the US and sent it in to Panasonic ( $11 in shipping paid by me ) and am waiting for its return . It was returned in a month's time and now within 2 weeks , it developed ANOTHER spot on the sensor and a blurry area in the lower right hand area in low light wide angle shooting . NOTE : the lens is not dirty on the outside . It is spotless . I have asked Panasonic for a loaner while they fix it and they refuse . You can see photos and documentation of the spot and blurry area on my blog : [ . . . ] 2 . I returned to my home computer to find that about 50% of the photos I shot in RAW format were out of focus . WHAT ? ? ? My last Lumix never produced a single out-of-focus shot . I examined them all carefully and can see that in some cases the auto focus didn't grab my intended focal point . . . it grabbed something like a shirt color instead of a nose . Enough when using the camera in not-so-bright settings to ruin the shot . One has to be very careful about what exactly the camera is focusing on . Chalk that up to user error , but still , it was disappointing . The remaining unfocused shots were camera shake at 1 / 40 . What ? ? What about that image stabilizer that worked so well in the TZ3 and ZS3 ? I think the stabilizer is not adequate . 3 . The LX3 is not supported in RAW format on iPhoto . That is a BIG DRAG ! ! If you use Lightbox or Bridge , OK . 4 . The zoom really does suck . We all know that at the outset , but I found myself using my travel companion's Lumix ZS3 b / c of its extraordinary zoom capability . 5 . The VIDEO mode really is pretty miserable . It won't zoom . I knew that . BUT , what I didn't know is that the camera adjusts its aperture on the fly as you're panning from a bright to dark subject . But it doesn't do it gradually or elegantly . It does it abruptly so you have these SUDDEN shifts in exposure which are jarring . What good I will say about the camera is that the f2.0 lens is great . The wide capapbilities are great . The sharpness and sensitivity of the sensor when shooting in RAW are better than any compact I've ever seen or used . That alone makes this cranky camera worth the investment . So if you can haul around a mono or tripod to ensure sharpness and you take the time to make SURE you're focusing correctly , and if you're not really into shooting video , go ahead and get this camera . But if you're NOT going to shoot in RAW , don't waste your money . Get the ZS3 , an overall better camera for the good amateur . It is also a very attractive package when coupled with the Leica leather case . Very retro and styling !
    • 157 4  This review is from : Panasonic DMC-LX3 10.1MP Digital Camera with 24mm Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Black ) ( Electronics ) BEST CAMERA I HAVE EVER OWNED . Wish it had : time lapse video , and a more stiff mode wheel ( turns sometimes just from taking it in and out of the camera bag ) , hand strap - only came with a neck strap , and a different lens cap design . . . something like the JJC ALC3 ( google it ) . These are very minor though , other than that its a GREAT camera for beginners like me .
    • 158 4  BEST CAMERA I HAVE EVER OWNED . Wish it had : time lapse video , and a more stiff mode wheel ( turns sometimes just from taking it in and out of the camera bag ) , hand strap - only came with a neck strap , and a different lens cap design . . . something like the JJC ALC3 ( google it ) . These are very minor though , other than that its a GREAT camera for beginners like me .
    • 202 4  This review is from : Panasonic DMC-LX3 10.1MP Digital Camera with 24mm Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Black ) ( Electronics ) I have just purchased this lx3 camera for approx $476.00 and will give an update review when I have really put it to some use.The service from Amazon / Worldwide Distributers was excellent ! ALL I WANT TO SAY FOR NOW IS SHAME ON AMAZON FOR PLACING A CAMERA ON SALE FOR $200 OVER THE MANUFACTURER'S RETAIL PRICE $699.00 ACH ! Sure , the camera is difficult to find in stock , but that is no reason to rip off people . For the price it is now being offered for , go ahead and purchase the Leica D lux 4 for approx $100 more dollars ! Jantje of southern Calif . I have just purchased what I think will be the perfect carrying case for my Lx3 when it arrives , I will update on how it works I purchased the Tamrac Dig Model 5691 from Norman Camera . You have to do a bit of searching to find it but their web site is user friendly and they DO have it . Check it out .
    • 214 4  I purchased this camera , Panasonic LX3 , online without any problems . Delivery was as stated , about 5 business days . Packing could have been better as the camera box was put into the shipping container and then ' peanuts ' dropped on top and sides . Note , not underneath the camera . But , this is how I have come to expect the packaging . Still , I will always deal with Amason when I can . As to the camera , it works as advertized , GREAT !

  • Panasonic DMC-LX3 10.1MP Digital Camera with 24mm Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Black ) ( Electronics ) Panasonic LX3 It's not a world-shaking camera , but it's a good one . I give it 4 stars . I've been taking pictures for pleasure since the 70s . I've owned a Nikon rangefinder , a Yashicamat 124G , a Pentax 67 , and a variety of Nikon SLRs since back in the ancient days of film . Most of my cameras have been fully manual : set the focus by hand , set the zoom by hand ( if there is a zoom ) , set the aperture and shutter speed by hand . All those cameras have separate lens caps , too . I've also owned several all-automatic point & shoots , and I now own a Nikon D - 70 , which is my main camera these days . I got my LX3 a couple of weeks ago , and I've devoted a good bit of time to reading the manual and putting the instructions to use on the LX3 . My understanding of most items is that they're all the product of compromises . Some of the compromises work for me , some I can live with , and some are deal breakers . The LX3 has its compromises : the zoom is 2.5X ; when you take a video , the camera locks the zoom and focus when the recording begins . I'm more aggravated by this latter compromise - I'd prefer to be able to zoom in and out while making a video , but it's not a deal breaker for me . The small things I like are the slides and dial for some controls instead of buttons or menus . A sliding switch to turn it on means I don't accidentally hit the power button when I meant to press the shutter release . The slide for the flash means I really have to mean to raise the flash - - it doesn't pop up accidentally because my fingers were in the wrong place . A slide fastener for the battery / SD access means ( I hope ) a more secure fastening of that door . There's a slide switch to select picture mode or view mode . I also like the rotating dial for modes . I can turn the camera on with it set to video , even though I last used it for still photos . No drilling down through menus as the event passes me by . I use the dial to determine exposure mode ( P , A , S , manual , and custom ) before I turn the camera on or while it's coming on . In the dark and without my reading glasses , I can see my mode in the LCD ; if I change it , it shows me an animation of the dial selecting the modes . I like this , since I can't always read the icons on the dial . The major selling point for me , though , is the ability to think about what I'm going to do and to do that . This is a camera that rewards thoughtful photography . Do I want to show the slide on a regular TV , a computer , or on Hi-Def TV ? I can choose the aspect ratio accordingly by using a slide switch right on the lens . Is the background a distraction so that I want to blur it out ? I can choose my aperture and let the camera set the shutter speed . Do I want to take a snapshot of someone ? I can choose to have the camera find the face and set focus and exposure on that . Is someone in bright light ? I can set the flash to - 1 or - 2 EV and soften the shadows without overpowering the sun . Is someone backlit ? I can choose spot metering and use the focus function and joystick to put the spot to be metered right on the subjects eyes and get a good exposure . I have set up a couple of specific setting combinations and saved them as custom modes . I can select them using the mode dial ( one is selected without further ado ; the others require a quick selection from a menu that pops up - slows me down , but not too much ) . With my Nikon FM2 , all settings are totally manual , and the camera is set up to make it easy : aperture is a ring on the lens and shutter speed is a dial on the body . Twist another ring to focus on the screen through the eyepiece . On the LX3 , things are different , so it takes some getting used to . Shutter speed and aperture are manually set using the joystick , so it's not an immediate result . Focus is also done using the joystick and looking at the LCD , and I'm not happy with that yet . Maybe I will be . So far , though , I'm happier setting the focus using the focus button and the joystick to put the focus dot on what I where I want the focus to be and letting the camera handle it . It's slower than my FM2 but faster than using the joystick to manually focus . ( And more accurate so far . ) User interfaces are personal . If you don't like the interface on the LX3 , you won't like the camera . I like it fine . I'd prefer to have the menu drop me back in to the last-used selection , but it starts at the top every time . I'd prefer to be able to press the menu / set button and have it scroll to the next menu item , but I have to use the select buttons instead . Overall , I give the user interface high marks ; there's a quick menu accessible from the joystick which gives you quick access to often-used items . Some observations : it's a light camera , but it's not small . The dimensions are for the body of the camera , but the lens , even when the camera is shut off , extends from the body almost another inch . My wife has a Canon G9 , and the volume of the two cameras is identical if you take the LX3 ' s lens into account . It won't fit in your shirt pocket . I've used lens caps for so long , it's a non-issue for me . I have no problems with the removable lens cap . The Hi-Def videos are excellent . I shoot in RAW all the time ; conversion to JPEGs is not much more burdensome than shooting in JPEG , and having all the photo information available to play around with rewards any extra time it takes . Your mileage will vary , but all the options I have available on the LX3 makes using RAW a good decision for me . Another observation is the barrel distortion at 5.1mm . I've photographed quadrille paper at 5.1mm and 12.8mm at all three aspect ratios . At 5.1mm , barrel distortion in the graph paper is quite obvious . However , in the real world I never notice the distortion in my wide-angle photos or videos . I'm sure other people will notice and be put off by it . The distortion can be corrected by some photo editing applications if it bothers you . Further , the LX3 has a distinctive lens flare pattern : if you shoot into some specular lights , you get a vertical line up and down the entire photo for each light . If you use your point and shoot for snapshots , I'm not sure the LX3 is worth the big bucks . Leaving it on automatic and JPEGs doesn't seem to me to be worth $500 . If you want to make photographs instead of taking snaps , I think this camera is worth comparing with others of its ilk ( the Canon G9 , for example [ or better , the G11 when it comes out ] ) . The LX3 does not make photos equal in quality to DSLRs , but it's much more carriable - and having it on hand when you want to make a photograph means you actually get the photo . For me , the value in the camera lies in having all the choices I get to make in 35mm photography ( and DSLR ) without having to lug the big iron around all day . It won't replace my D - 70 anymore than my other P & S cameras did , but it's a very worthy adjunct . I would have preferred a much smaller camera , but I'm willing to compromise on the size to get the capabilities of the LX3 .
    • 001 4  This review is from : Panasonic DMC-LX3 10.1MP Digital Camera with 24mm Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Black ) ( Electronics ) In the last 6 years I've used a couple of compacts which I've since got rid of after upgrading to DSLRs ( Canon XT and then 40D ) . For a while I was waiting for a compact that I could carry with me anywhere I want , and particularly to parties and other social occasions where bringing a DSLR is really not an option . When this camera was announced it really looked like a dream compact for me . Fast , wide and optically stabilized lens is ideal for low-light indoor shots . The design is stylish and beautiful , the camera is quite compact and it has all the controls an advanced amateur would need . Further the sensor is essentially as big as they get in compact cameras and with almost reasonable 10mp ( still about 5mp too many but not as bad as 12 - 15mp you would get in any other compact with a comparable sensor ) . I've had the camera for a couple of weeks now ( and shame on Amazon for not having it in stock a month after it appeared in some other big stores ) . I like it a lot and the camera delivers on most of Panny's promises . Here are some of the experiences . 1 . The image quality is certainly and noticeably better than the ulracompact cameras ( like Panny's own FX series ) . It is however still a compact camera . . . meaning there is visible noise even at ISO 80 and lots of noise at ISO 400 . However noise reduction algorithms seem to be doing quite a good job and ISO 80 pics look very nice . . . sometimes almost like a DSLR . And even at ISO 400 most shots are good enough to keep . In general the output from this camera is comparable to my 40D at 8 times the ISO ( that is 80 on LX3 is about 640 on 40D and 400 LX3 is a bit better than 3200 on 40D ) . Fortunately , with fast lens and image stabilization I almost never need to use ISO above 400 . 2 . The camera is very responsive and the autofocus is fast and seems accurate . 3 . Changing ISO through the menus is a bit of a pain but a variety of useful ISO regimes are provided . In general controlling all the options is not very easy . . . but I guess that's the compromise you get with such a small camera with a large LCD . Update : it is possible to simplify ISO changing by reassigning a button for this purpose . The drawback of this is that now reviewing pictures becomes more cumbersome . 4 . Aspect ratio switch on the lens is more useful than I thought . . . saves quite a lot of cropping . 5 . Shooting in RAW + jpeg is fast enough to be usable . 6 . The camera is quite a bit bulkier than it might seem ( and the given dimensions are misleading since they do not include the lens and other protrusions from the main part of the body ) . It is not shirt-pocketable both because of its size and weight . . . but fits fine in a jacket pocket or purse . 7 . The macro capability of the camera is really excellent . 8 . Having user customizable preset regimes on the dial is very useful and quite a luxury not present even on Canon XSi DSLR ( shame on Canon ! ) Overall it's a great compact camera : in my opinion certainly the best on the market by a margin ( I've studied the market very thoroughly ) . It is in the same league as Canon G-series ( which I owned back when they were the best and liked a lot ) but fits my current needs much more than a Canon Gx . I also think it's a real bargain at around $400 . But it is still a compact camera with a sensor 1 / 8 area of most DSLRs and 1 / 20 of full frame ( mostly pro ) DSLR . So those expecting miracles like close-to-DSLR quality or usable ISO 800 + might be disappointed . = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = A quick update in response to a comment : 1 . At widest setting of the zoom there is quite significant distortion especially noticeable in 16 : 9 regime . There is also noticeable loss of sharpness in the corners . This might not look good in some shots ( like if a straight like or someones face is close to the border ) but nothing too bad for most of the shots . 2 . HD video is very good for a compact . There is no zooming , no auto focus and sometimes exposure adjustments are not very smooth . So I'd not recommend to treat it as a camcorder . But overall it gives detailed and reasonably smooth video ( well not quite 30fps smooth ) . I've just made a quick comparison with Canon HF10 dedicated compact camcorder ( which is as good as they get these days ) . In bright light LX3 cannot quite match the 1080p detail of Canon . But in relatively dim light it is about as good . Also LX3 has a huge advantage in wide angle . All dedicated consumer camcorders have widest angle around 40mm which is much worse than 24mm of LX3 . Another impression which I have with LX3 and certainly did not have with other compacts is that it is a tool worth learning and investing some time and experimentation . My pics with this camera keep improving even the first ones were already decent . For anyone interested in sharpness and noise level comparisons with some cameras you can check out = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Update Dec 17 : Finally Photoshop and Lightroom started to recognize LX3 raws . The quality of my pictures is now even higher : colors much more pleasing and noise reduction less blotchy . Overall this camera gives results well beyond what I thought to be possible for a compact camera . So it still has my highest recommendation . Update Jan 27 , 2009 . The single most annoying thing about this camera is its lens cap . Having to remove it slows you down . Attaching via a string leaves it dangling . . . which detracts from the aesthetics of the camera and can add a bit of extra shake . Without the string it's likely to get lost . . . and I have not seen any replacements on sale . Anyway , fortunately , creative peoples found out that Ricoh LC - 1 lens adapter can be easily modified to be used on this camera . I've did this and it works much better than the original cap . I've uploaded some pictures of the result to the product images . Use google to find the modification instructions .
    • 002 4  In the last 6 years I've used a couple of compacts which I've since got rid of after upgrading to DSLRs ( Canon XT and then 40D ) . For a while I was waiting for a compact that I could carry with me anywhere I want , and particularly to parties and other social occasions where bringing a DSLR is really not an option . When this camera was announced it really looked like a dream compact for me . Fast , wide and optically stabilized lens is ideal for low-light indoor shots . The design is stylish and beautiful , the camera is quite compact and it has all the controls an advanced amateur would need . Further the sensor is essentially as big as they get in compact cameras and with almost reasonable 10mp ( still about 5mp too many but not as bad as 12 - 15mp you would get in any other compact with a comparable sensor ) . I've had the camera for a couple of weeks now ( and shame on Amazon for not having it in stock a month after it appeared in some other big stores ) . I like it a lot and the camera delivers on most of Panny's promises . Here are some of the experiences . 1 . The image quality is certainly and noticeably better than the ulracompact cameras ( like Panny's own FX series ) . It is however still a compact camera . . . meaning there is visible noise even at ISO 80 and lots of noise at ISO 400 . However noise reduction algorithms seem to be doing quite a good job and ISO 80 pics look very nice . . . sometimes almost like a DSLR . And even at ISO 400 most shots are good enough to keep . In general the output from this camera is comparable to my 40D at 8 times the ISO ( that is 80 on LX3 is about 640 on 40D and 400 LX3 is a bit better than 3200 on 40D ) . Fortunately , with fast lens and image stabilization I almost never need to use ISO above 400 . 2 . The camera is very responsive and the autofocus is fast and seems accurate . 3 . Changing ISO through the menus is a bit of a pain but a variety of useful ISO regimes are provided . In general controlling all the options is not very easy . . . but I guess that's the compromise you get with such a small camera with a large LCD . Update : it is possible to simplify ISO changing by reassigning a button for this purpose . The drawback of this is that now reviewing pictures becomes more cumbersome . 4 . Aspect ratio switch on the lens is more useful than I thought . . . saves quite a lot of cropping . 5 . Shooting in RAW + jpeg is fast enough to be usable . 6 . The camera is quite a bit bulkier than it might seem ( and the given dimensions are misleading since they do not include the lens and other protrusions from the main part of the body ) . It is not shirt-pocketable both because of its size and weight . . . but fits fine in a jacket pocket or purse . 7 . The macro capability of the camera is really excellent . 8 . Having user customizable preset regimes on the dial is very useful and quite a luxury not present even on Canon XSi DSLR ( shame on Canon ! ) Overall it's a great compact camera : in my opinion certainly the best on the market by a margin ( I've studied the market very thoroughly ) . It is in the same league as Canon G-series ( which I owned back when they were the best and liked a lot ) but fits my current needs much more than a Canon Gx . I also think it's a real bargain at around $400 . But it is still a compact camera with a sensor 1 / 8 area of most DSLRs and 1 / 20 of full frame ( mostly pro ) DSLR . So those expecting miracles like close-to-DSLR quality or usable ISO 800 + might be disappointed . = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = A quick update in response to a comment : 1 . At widest setting of the zoom there is quite significant distortion especially noticeable in 16 : 9 regime . There is also noticeable loss of sharpness in the corners . This might not look good in some shots ( like if a straight like or someones face is close to the border ) but nothing too bad for most of the shots . 2 . HD video is very good for a compact . There is no zooming , no auto focus and sometimes exposure adjustments are not very smooth . So I'd not recommend to treat it as a camcorder . But overall it gives detailed and reasonably smooth video ( well not quite 30fps smooth ) . I've just made a quick comparison with Canon HF10 dedicated compact camcorder ( which is as good as they get these days ) . In bright light LX3 cannot quite match the 1080p detail of Canon . But in relatively dim light it is about as good . Also LX3 has a huge advantage in wide angle . All dedicated consumer camcorders have widest angle around 40mm which is much worse than 24mm of LX3 . Another impression which I have with LX3 and certainly did not have with other compacts is that it is a tool worth learning and investing some time and experimentation . My pics with this camera keep improving even the first ones were already decent . For anyone interested in sharpness and noise level comparisons with some cameras you can check out = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Update Dec 17 : Finally Photoshop and Lightroom started to recognize LX3 raws . The quality of my pictures is now even higher : colors much more pleasing and noise reduction less blotchy . Overall this camera gives results well beyond what I thought to be possible for a compact camera . So it still has my highest recommendation . Update Jan 27 , 2009 . The single most annoying thing about this camera is its lens cap . Having to remove it slows you down . Attaching via a string leaves it dangling . . . which detracts from the aesthetics of the camera and can add a bit of extra shake . Without the string it's likely to get lost . . . and I have not seen any replacements on sale . Anyway , fortunately , creative peoples found out that Ricoh LC - 1 lens adapter can be easily modified to be used on this camera . I've did this and it works much better than the original cap . I've uploaded some pictures of the result to the product images . Use google to find the modification instructions .
    • 003 4  First let me establish some credentials . I have been making photographs for 57 years , for personal satisfaction and for work . For 24 of those years , I also ran a part-time wedding photography business . I have been using digital cameras since 2001 and have owned many Nikon digital SLRs ( D100 , D200 , D300 ) and a number of compact digital cameras . With that out of the way , let me simply say , the Panasonic LX3 is the BEST compact digital camera I have ever owned and , in my opinion , there is nothing else currently in its class that even comes close . I feel so strongly about the merits of the LX3 , I am purchasing another one to put up for future use . It's THAT good ! Yes , its a bit pricey . . . . . no , it will not replace a DSLR for some things . . . . . no , it is not for everyone . Because of the limited zoom range ( 35mm equivalent of 24mm to 60mm ) , I would not recommend the camera to those who might need more zoom for outdoor sports , etc . But , if you can live within the zoom limitations , you will find the 24mm wide angle , amazing low-light capability and VERY effective stabilization system to be priceless . The iA setting ( puts the camera on fully automatic ) is the best I have ever seen , allowing anyone to routinely make outstanding images . For experienced photographers , the LX3 opens up a whole new world for compact cameras , used when it is not possible or convenient to carry a DSLR or used as a back-up or companion camera for your DSLR . I purchased my LX3 in September 2008 . Since then , my D300 and other cameras have likely felt very neglected ! I have posted some sample images on this page .
    • 004 4  This review is from : Panasonic DMC-LX3 10.1MP Digital Camera with 24mm Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Black ) ( Electronics ) Panasonic LX3 It's not a world-shaking camera , but it's a good one . I give it 4 stars . I've been taking pictures for pleasure since the 70s . I've owned a Nikon rangefinder , a Yashicamat 124G , a Pentax 67 , and a variety of Nikon SLRs since back in the ancient days of film . Most of my cameras have been fully manual : set the focus by hand , set the zoom by hand ( if there is a zoom ) , set the aperture and shutter speed by hand . All those cameras have separate lens caps , too . I've also owned several all-automatic point & shoots , and I now own a Nikon D - 70 , which is my main camera these days . I got my LX3 a couple of weeks ago , and I've devoted a good bit of time to reading the manual and putting the instructions to use on the LX3 . My understanding of most items is that they're all the product of compromises . Some of the compromises work for me , some I can live with , and some are deal breakers . The LX3 has its compromises : the zoom is 2.5X ; when you take a video , the camera locks the zoom and focus when the recording begins . I'm more aggravated by this latter compromise - I'd prefer to be able to zoom in and out while making a video , but it's not a deal breaker for me . The small things I like are the slides and dial for some controls instead of buttons or menus . A sliding switch to turn it on means I don't accidentally hit the power button when I meant to press the shutter release . The slide for the flash means I really have to mean to raise the flash - - it doesn't pop up accidentally because my fingers were in the wrong place . A slide fastener for the battery / SD access means ( I hope ) a more secure fastening of that door . There's a slide switch to select picture mode or view mode . I also like the rotating dial for modes . I can turn the camera on with it set to video , even though I last used it for still photos . No drilling down through menus as the event passes me by . I use the dial to determine exposure mode ( P , A , S , manual , and custom ) before I turn the camera on or while it's coming on . In the dark and without my reading glasses , I can see my mode in the LCD ; if I change it , it shows me an animation of the dial selecting the modes . I like this , since I can't always read the icons on the dial . The major selling point for me , though , is the ability to think about what I'm going to do and to do that . This is a camera that rewards thoughtful photography . Do I want to show the slide on a regular TV , a computer , or on Hi-Def TV ? I can choose the aspect ratio accordingly by using a slide switch right on the lens . Is the background a distraction so that I want to blur it out ? I can choose my aperture and let the camera set the shutter speed . Do I want to take a snapshot of someone ? I can choose to have the camera find the face and set focus and exposure on that . Is someone in bright light ? I can set the flash to - 1 or - 2 EV and soften the shadows without overpowering the sun . Is someone backlit ? I can choose spot metering and use the focus function and joystick to put the spot to be metered right on the subjects eyes and get a good exposure . I have set up a couple of specific setting combinations and saved them as custom modes . I can select them using the mode dial ( one is selected without further ado ; the others require a quick selection from a menu that pops up - slows me down , but not too much ) . With my Nikon FM2 , all settings are totally manual , and the camera is set up to make it easy : aperture is a ring on the lens and shutter speed is a dial on the body . Twist another ring to focus on the screen through the eyepiece . On the LX3 , things are different , so it takes some getting used to . Shutter speed and aperture are manually set using the joystick , so it's not an immediate result . Focus is also done using the joystick and looking at the LCD , and I'm not happy with that yet . Maybe I will be . So far , though , I'm happier setting the focus using the focus button and the joystick to put the focus dot on what I where I want the focus to be and letting the camera handle it . It's slower than my FM2 but faster than using the joystick to manually focus . ( And more accurate so far . ) User interfaces are personal . If you don't like the interface on the LX3 , you won't like the camera . I like it fine . I'd prefer to have the menu drop me back in to the last-used selection , but it starts at the top every time . I'd prefer to be able to press the menu / set button and have it scroll to the next menu item , but I have to use the select buttons instead . Overall , I give the user interface high marks ; there's a quick menu accessible from the joystick which gives you quick access to often-used items . Some observations : it's a light camera , but it's not small . The dimensions are for the body of the camera , but the lens , even when the camera is shut off , extends from the body almost another inch . My wife has a Canon G9 , and the volume of the two cameras is identical if you take the LX3 ' s lens into account . It won't fit in your shirt pocket . I've used lens caps for so long , it's a non-issue for me . I have no problems with the removable lens cap . The Hi-Def videos are excellent . I shoot in RAW all the time ; conversion to JPEGs is not much more burdensome than shooting in JPEG , and having all the photo information available to play around with rewards any extra time it takes . Your mileage will vary , but all the options I have available on the LX3 makes using RAW a good decision for me . Another observation is the barrel distortion at 5.1mm . I've photographed quadrille paper at 5.1mm and 12.8mm at all three aspect ratios . At 5.1mm , barrel distortion in the graph paper is quite obvious . However , in the real world I never notice the distortion in my wide-angle photos or videos . I'm sure other people will notice and be put off by it . The distortion can be corrected by some photo editing applications if it bothers you . Further , the LX3 has a distinctive lens flare pattern : if you shoot into some specular lights , you get a vertical line up and down the entire photo for each light . If you use your point and shoot for snapshots , I'm not sure the LX3 is worth the big bucks . Leaving it on automatic and JPEGs doesn't seem to me to be worth $500 . If you want to make photographs instead of taking snaps , I think this camera is worth comparing with others of its ilk ( the Canon G9 , for example [ or better , the G11 when it comes out ] ) . The LX3 does not make photos equal in quality to DSLRs , but it's much more carriable - and having it on hand when you want to make a photograph means you actually get the photo . For me , the value in the camera lies in having all the choices I get to make in 35mm photography ( and DSLR ) without having to lug the big iron around all day . It won't replace my D - 70 anymore than my other P & S cameras did , but it's a very worthy adjunct . I would have preferred a much smaller camera , but I'm willing to compromise on the size to get the capabilities of the LX3 .
    • 005 4  Panasonic LX3 It's not a world-shaking camera , but it's a good one . I give it 4 stars . I've been taking pictures for pleasure since the 70s . I've owned a Nikon rangefinder , a Yashicamat 124G , a Pentax 67 , and a variety of Nikon SLRs since back in the ancient days of film . Most of my cameras have been fully manual : set the focus by hand , set the zoom by hand ( if there is a zoom ) , set the aperture and shutter speed by hand . All those cameras have separate lens caps , too . I've also owned several all-automatic point & shoots , and I now own a Nikon D - 70 , which is my main camera these days . I got my LX3 a couple of weeks ago , and I've devoted a good bit of time to reading the manual and putting the instructions to use on the LX3 . My understanding of most items is that they're all the product of compromises . Some of the compromises work for me , some I can live with , and some are deal breakers . The LX3 has its compromises : the zoom is 2.5X ; when you take a video , the camera locks the zoom and focus when the recording begins . I'm more aggravated by this latter compromise - I'd prefer to be able to zoom in and out while making a video , but it's not a deal breaker for me . The small things I like are the slides and dial for some controls instead of buttons or menus . A sliding switch to turn it on means I don't accidentally hit the power button when I meant to press the shutter release . The slide for the flash means I really have to mean to raise the flash - - it doesn't pop up accidentally because my fingers were in the wrong place . A slide fastener for the battery / SD access means ( I hope ) a more secure fastening of that door . There's a slide switch to select picture mode or view mode . I also like the rotating dial for modes . I can turn the camera on with it set to video , even though I last used it for still photos . No drilling down through menus as the event passes me by . I use the dial to determine exposure mode ( P , A , S , manual , and custom ) before I turn the camera on or while it's coming on . In the dark and without my reading glasses , I can see my mode in the LCD ; if I change it , it shows me an animation of the dial selecting the modes . I like this , since I can't always read the icons on the dial . The major selling point for me , though , is the ability to think about what I'm going to do and to do that . This is a camera that rewards thoughtful photography . Do I want to show the slide on a regular TV , a computer , or on Hi-Def TV ? I can choose the aspect ratio accordingly by using a slide switch right on the lens . Is the background a distraction so that I want to blur it out ? I can choose my aperture and let the camera set the shutter speed . Do I want to take a snapshot of someone ? I can choose to have the camera find the face and set focus and exposure on that . Is someone in bright light ? I can set the flash to - 1 or - 2 EV and soften the shadows without overpowering the sun . Is someone backlit ? I can choose spot metering and use the focus function and joystick to put the spot to be metered right on the subjects eyes and get a good exposure . I have set up a couple of specific setting combinations and saved them as custom modes . I can select them using the mode dial ( one is selected without further ado ; the others require a quick selection from a menu that pops up - slows me down , but not too much ) . With my Nikon FM2 , all settings are totally manual , and the camera is set up to make it easy : aperture is a ring on the lens and shutter speed is a dial on the body . Twist another ring to focus on the screen through the eyepiece . On the LX3 , things are different , so it takes some getting used to . Shutter speed and aperture are manually set using the joystick , so it's not an immediate result . Focus is also done using the joystick and looking at the LCD , and I'm not happy with that yet . Maybe I will be . So far , though , I'm happier setting the focus using the focus button and the joystick to put the focus dot on what I where I want the focus to be and letting the camera handle it . It's slower than my FM2 but faster than using the joystick to manually focus . ( And more accurate so far . ) User interfaces are personal . If you don't like the interface on the LX3 , you won't like the camera . I like it fine . I'd prefer to have the menu drop me back in to the last-used selection , but it starts at the top every time . I'd prefer to be able to press the menu / set button and have it scroll to the next menu item , but I have to use the select buttons instead . Overall , I give the user interface high marks ; there's a quick menu accessible from the joystick which gives you quick access to often-used items . Some observations : it's a light camera , but it's not small . The dimensions are for the body of the camera , but the lens , even when the camera is shut off , extends from the body almost another inch . My wife has a Canon G9 , and the volume of the two cameras is identical if you take the LX3 ' s lens into account . It won't fit in your shirt pocket . I've used lens caps for so long , it's a non-issue for me . I have no problems with the removable lens cap . The Hi-Def videos are excellent . I shoot in RAW all the time ; conversion to JPEGs is not much more burdensome than shooting in JPEG , and having all the photo information available to play around with rewards any extra time it takes . Your mileage will vary , but all the options I have available on the LX3 makes using RAW a good decision for me . Another observation is the barrel distortion at 5.1mm . I've photographed quadrille paper at 5.1mm and 12.8mm at all three aspect ratios . At 5.1mm , barrel distortion in the graph paper is quite obvious . However , in the real world I never notice the distortion in my wide-angle photos or videos . I'm sure other people will notice and be put off by it . The distortion can be corrected by some photo editing applications if it bothers you . Further , the LX3 has a distinctive lens flare pattern : if you shoot into some specular lights , you get a vertical line up and down the entire photo for each light . If you use your point and shoot for snapshots , I'm not sure the LX3 is worth the big bucks . Leaving it on automatic and JPEGs doesn't seem to me to be worth $500 . If you want to make photographs instead of taking snaps , I think this camera is worth comparing with others of its ilk ( the Canon G9 , for example [ or better , the G11 when it comes out ] ) . The LX3 does not make photos equal in quality to DSLRs , but it's much more carriable - and having it on hand when you want to make a photograph means you actually get the photo . For me , the value in the camera lies in having all the choices I get to make in 35mm photography ( and DSLR ) without having to lug the big iron around all day . It won't replace my D - 70 anymore than my other P & S cameras did , but it's a very worthy adjunct . I would have preferred a much smaller camera , but I'm willing to compromise on the size to get the capabilities of the LX3 .
    • 006 4  O.k . Let me start off by saying that I bought this camera via 17th Street Photo's actual store in the photography district on 17th street here in New York City . I called ( on Sept . 10th 2008 ) before I went to the store and I spoke with a super friendly man named Doug who told me that they got the silver and black ones and that they had 50 each . So , I went down there and immediately bought one . They have a 7 days no questions asked return policy so I tried it out like a crazy man . Keep in mind that if you mention the fact that on EBAY they have the price listed at $475 , they will honor it in the store even though they have it priced at $499 . Anywho , the purchasing experience with them was excellent . By the way , I've been waiting for Amazon to have this camera too . I pre-ordered both of them ( black and silver ) , and never received an email saying that they were finally available to purchase . So , I took things into my own hands and found it myself ( which is explained above ) . So , onto the previous testing and my current camera : Before purchasing the LX3 , I bought the fx500 from Panasonic ( from amazon.com ) and the Fujifilm f100 ( from B & H ) in order to try those out . I wanted to try the fx500 because of the 25mm wide angle lens , 5x optical zoom , and to see what recording movies at 1280 x 720 at 30fps was like . And , I tried the f100 because I was told at B & H that the f100 was the best non-noisy camera to shoot indoor shots without flash ( FYI the best movie option on the f100 was at 640 x 480 at 30fps so I had no desire in trying that ) . I'll get to the results in a minute . Before those two , I was a Canon Powershot sd500 owner for more than 5 years and loved the camera , but I needed a new one for my honeymoon that is coming up on 10 / 12 for Hawaii . Results of testing : FX500 : 25mm wide angle was awesome , 5x zoom was nice but focusing was a problem even after trying to focus 3 times ( keep in mind my hands were steady as a rock so it wasn't due to camera-shaking ) . the movie quality at 1280 x 720 at 30fps was a nice improvement from my powershot sd500 ' s 640 x 480 at 30fps , but in the end the actual quality and sound wasn't as eye popping improvement . Picture quality was very noisy , no matter all of the tinkering that I tried . F100 : yes , the picture quality indoors without any flash with this camera was better and less noisy than the fx500 , but I ultimately did not keep this camera because of the poor movie quality , wide angle only goes to 28mm , the LCD is small and it's resolution is horrible . So , sorry for the wait , but I thought I'd be as thorough as I possibly could about my review before the review . LX3 : Keep in mind , I'd say that I'm an advanced beginner digital photographer . So , after owning the LX3 for almost a month , I simply have to say that I am SOOOOOOOO happy to have finally found the digital camera I've been looking for . I've read all of the digital camera websites out there , gone to the brick and morter stores to ask specialists directly , gone out and purchased digital cameras to test hands on , etc . etc . to finally come to the pleasure of owning the LX3 . What I was look for was a compact digital camera that had : - Excellent wide angle : at 24mm , it's the widest I've ever used , and I cannot go back to a camera even with 28mm ever again . the 24mm on this camera is SICK ! it blows 28mm out of the park . I haven't noticed any barrel distortion at 24mm . if wide angle is the main thing you are looking for in a compact digital camera , LX3 is where you will need to stop . and it doesn't stop there . if you get the lens adapter and purchase the wide angle lens , you'll be able to even go to 18mm ! ! ! ! . I haven't gotten that yet . Oh , I definitely do no mind that this camera doesn't have insane optical zoom options . I'm totally happy with the 24mm - 60mm range . I found out that I personally didn't even use the zoom options that much when I had the sd500 canon that it's range was 35mm - 115mm . - Low f-stop : Finally the LX3 is the camera that steps up to the plate to offer an f-stop starting at 2.0 . The slowest you'll see on the other comparable camera companies are at like 2.8 . - Excellent indoor no flash quality : If you use the iA mode in a low light situation it will most likely automatically use ISO400 to take the picture and in the darker parts of the photo ( like shadows , etc . ) there will be noise , which is common anyway . But , if you use the P or A modes and change the + / - with the Q.Menu joystick , it will lighten up the photo and reduce the amount of noise . I found this out on my own , and I've been INSANELY pleased with the difference . So , all in all , in indoor low light situations , I now use either the P or A mode over the iA mode . - 1280 x 720 HD movie quality : The fx500 had 1280x720 HD quality at 30fps , while the LX3 has 1280x720 HD quality at 24fps . And honestly , the LX3 resolution LOOKS and SOUNDS much better to me than the fx500 . Movie after movie that I take , they look and sound amazing . i LOVE the movie HD option on the LX3 . My advise , I bought two 16gb extreme 3 sdhc cards from amazon and I'll have no worries about recording speed and space issues . - Easy to use manual controls : It took me no time to learn them . Easy breezy for a photographer at my level ( again : advanced beginner ) - Easy to hold : I actually use the around the wrist cord that came with my powershot sd500 and that's fine . The LX3 comes with a around the neck strap ( which I don't use ) . It does not come with an around the wrist cord . Maybe I'll use the around the neck strap for days that I would go on hikes or something like that . This is NOT a pocket camera . More of a around the wrist camera . - 3.0inch 460k resolution LCD : Best LCD for a digital camera I've ever used , and it's AWESOME . I'd rather have this than a 3.0inch 230k resolution touch screen LCD that the FX500 had . - South of $500 : Bought it at $475 , no sales tax . . . . and the LX3 met all of those requirements . CONS : You do need a cap for the lens ( it comes with one and a cord to attached it to the camera ) . Initially , I'd say that was the only semi-annoying thing , but I've already gotten used to it , and it's no biggie at all . It's a little tough taking vertical shots , but again . . . not a big problem at all . Any questions let me know . I've easily taken north of 2000 shots already of all different types . Honestly , I'm insanely pleased with this camera . Oh , I read in another review about noise at iso400 . If you really want to keep a shot taken in iso400 indoors without flash and there is still noise in it , there is an AMAZINGLY helpful plugin used in Adobe Photoshop that you can get called Imageonic Professional Noiseware that does an amazing job in totally removing it . Mark .
    • 007 4  There is already a lot of info out there on this camera , so I'll just quickly highlight a few things , mostly from the perspective of someone who normally shoots with DSLRs . - Unlimited control - You can control just about anything on this camera , and a surprising amount of it very quickly through the quick menu accessed through the joystick . - Wonderful wide angle lens - The 24mm equivalent field of view at the wide end is wonderful for landscapes , street photography and tight quarters . The fast F / 2.0 max aperture and IS make the camera an awesome low light performer . I have a Fuji F30 , long considered the king of compact low light cameras , and in reality the LX3 is able to get far more low light shots than the F30 . - Excellent user interface - Coming from almost exclusively using Canon cameras I was concerned about another user interface to deal with . I love the LX3 interface , it is so intuitive and transparent that I'm amazed that I often can get settings the way I want faster than with my SLRs . - Excellent RAW shooting - The camera has a fairly decent RAW buffer ( about three shots ) and doesn't slow down at all in RAW shooting . Remember , it is still a compact camera and thus shot to shot time is longer than an SLR , but the point here is that the speed is the same regardless of whether you are shooting RAW or JPEG . Most of the few compacts that shoot RAW suddenly become glacially slow if you actually try to use the RAW mode - not the LX3 . Those are probably the four things that made me fall in love with this camera . Be advised of course that it isn't the perfect camera for everyone . If you tend to shoot in auto all the time ( and the LX3 does have an excellent auto mode ) you really won't be using a great part of the LX3 ' s advantages . If you aren't comfortable working with the relatively restricted 2.5x zoom range you might also be frustrated and would probably be happier with cameras that have longer zoom ranges either by being larger ( Canon G10 , Panasonic FZ28 ) or by making a few more compromises in the lens design ( Panasonic TZ5 ) . This camera really is a photographers camera that gives you not only complete creative control , but most importantly easy and transparent control through its wonderful user interface . Even the variable aspect ratio setting , which I thought was sort of gimmicky when I read about it , has proven to be a feature I use almost continuously . The LX3 ' s novel implementation of this ( the different aspects preserve the diagonal angle of view rather than just cropping down one of the other aspect settings ) is wonderful . The size is wonderful , it is truly pocketable unlike the Canon G10 ( of course the G10 has other benefits ) . Being a wide angle junky I actually did purchase the wide angle adapter lens for this camera . Wow , wow , wow . I always thought these accessory type lenses were a silly idea , but this one gives an 18mm equivalent field of view and the optical performance is stunning for such a wide angle lens . My Canon XTi and 10 - 22mm no longer need to be hauled around for ultra-wide shots . Finally , to repeat a point made by many , this is NOT a DSLR replacement . It can't do everything a DSLR can . It does have way more manual control than almost any other compact , it can shoot RAW much faster than most compacts , and its imager size and pixel density are better than the vast majority of compacts . That said , it doesn't offer the fast autofocus of an SLR , the deep RAW buffers and fast frame rates of an SLR , nor high ISO performance anything like an SLR . But it is a camera that performs admirably in many of those departments and most importantly it does a great job of getting out of the photographers way just like a SLR . I have now taken the LX3 on two dedicated landscape shooting trips instead of my SLR , so for some tasks is can be a replacement and for others a complement . Don't expect miracles , but do expect to be pleasantly surprised if you've shot with other compacts . As long as you are aware of the restrictions of the 24 - 60mm focal range you just simply can not get a better compact camera .
    • 008 4  This review is from : Panasonic DMC-LX3S 10.1MP Digital Camera with 2.5x Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Silver ) ( Electronics ) Panasonic DMC-LX3S 10.1MP Digital Camera with 2.5x Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Silver ) I'm mainly a film user . For digital , I use a Nikon D200 and this Panasonic DMC-LX3 . I just went on a vacation to Zion National Park last month and just brought my Leica and Panasonic with me . The bulky Nikon was left at home . The Panasonic , with its f2.0 lens , gives excellent quality pictures , usable up to ISO400 . That's equivalent to an ISO800 speed for a comparable camera with f2.8 lens . The camera does occasionally show purple streaks on the LCD preview when I focus under a bright back light condition , but the streaks don't show up in the picture . Not a big deal and tolerable to me . Hope Panasonic will have a firmware fix . Otherwise , it's a gem . UPDATE : More than a year later , the camera still works like new , no problem , no surprises . I played with the video option . The image quality , although at 720P , is definitely not as good as a dedicated HD camcorder , like the Canon HF11 , but it's acceptable .
    • 009 4  Panasonic DMC-LX3S 10.1MP Digital Camera with 2.5x Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Silver ) I'm mainly a film user . For digital , I use a Nikon D200 and this Panasonic DMC-LX3 . I just went on a vacation to Zion National Park last month and just brought my Leica and Panasonic with me . The bulky Nikon was left at home . The Panasonic , with its f2.0 lens , gives excellent quality pictures , usable up to ISO400 . That's equivalent to an ISO800 speed for a comparable camera with f2.8 lens . The camera does occasionally show purple streaks on the LCD preview when I focus under a bright back light condition , but the streaks don't show up in the picture . Not a big deal and tolerable to me . Hope Panasonic will have a firmware fix . Otherwise , it's a gem . UPDATE : More than a year later , the camera still works like new , no problem , no surprises . I played with the video option . The image quality , although at 720P , is definitely not as good as a dedicated HD camcorder , like the Canon HF11 , but it's acceptable .
    • 010 4  This camera was a delightful surprise . It is small and easy to use , yet takes beautiful pictures . I am especially pleased with : 1 ) Uncanny flash performance - the flash looks like a joke , it is so tiny , but it really does the job . Closeups without being washed out , surprising distance range as well . 2 ) Battery life - also uncanny . You can shoot hundreds and hundreds of shots without depleating the battery . Fringe benefit of buying a camera from a leader in battery technology . ( I bought spares but don't expect to ever need them ) . 3 ) Gorgeous LCD - best in the business , viewable in any light . 4 ) Virtual film types - there are several effects to choose from . My results have been startling - especially the dynamic B & W and Vivid Color settings . 5 ) Quick Menu - a tiny joystick gives instant access to many popular settings . Very cool and uncomplicated . 6 ) Multiple Exposure - you can use this for impressive artistic results . 7 ) Fit and finish are like fine jewelry , it's a pleasure to hold and to use Other reviews have hit the basics , but these are a few of my favorites that may not be obvious from the other reviews . Kudos to Panasonic for making such a ground-breaking product even when the competition is so good .
    • 011 4  This is a good little camera . I thought long and hard before I gave it only three stars . But , despite it being better than any other compact , I still have lots of criticism . The good : The image quality is very strong . Not as good as the DP1 / 2 , but that camera is a disaster in nearly all other regards . With F / 2 and and 400 you'll likely get the indoor shot you need . And when that fails , 800 is tolerable . The LX3 is a zippy performer too . While a little slow on the startup , the auto-focus is decently quick ( could be better ) and the shot to shot performance is quite good . The full-auto mode is good too . Hand the camera over to a novice and he / she will get a good shot . Love the aspect ratio . The meh : The zoom range is a little limited . But I'm not too bothered by it . Other than macro , I can't imagine the manual focus ever being usable . I'd gladly give up some screen real estate for a viewfinder ( even an evf ) . An integrated lens cap would have been a nice touch , as would a wrist strap . It'd be nice if the RAW format were more open . At the time of this review Aperture doesn't support it at all and Lightroom only kinda supports it . The bad : My main complaint is the interface . It's not awful . In fact it's probably better than most compacts . But this camera had so much manual potential , only to be let down my too many darned buttons . The user programable setting are a good example . It has four presets . But only two of them are really useful . The other two require you to turn the dial , hit the select button , navigate down and then confirm ; you just missed your shot . I wonder why it would be so difficult to have two or three more dials on the camera to control shutter , aperture and ISO ? Instead , we get the worlds tiniest joystick . Again , by the time you've actually changed a setting you probably missed the shot . Also , why is a manual focus that goes around the lens so hard to implement ? It's such a wonderful convention that is almost never seen on a compact . The wrap up : I do really like this camera . It's a good RAW shooter with good quality ; all in a compact package . But , I hope that Panasonic really concentrates on the fundamentals for the LX4 . A viewfinder and a couple of dials or knobs would have made this a four star camera for sure . If they managed to squeeze a larger sensor in too , it would be the best camera of all time . The unrelated : Shame on Amazon for allowing price gouging from their partners . Currently ( April / May 2009 ) the LX3K is quite scarce . I ended up paying a reasonable $50 over MSRP . But during the shortage the camera has been on sale for as much as $750 ( $250 over MSRP ! ) . Capitalism , the free market and supply / demand are all good things . But I'm a little offended that Amazon would allow their customers to be bludgeoned by such heavy pricing . Remember , just because someone agrees to be taken advantage of , doesn't make it right to do so .
    • 014 4  This review is from : Panasonic DMC-LX3 10.1MP Digital Camera with 24mm Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Black ) ( Electronics ) So everyone knows DSLR's are fantastic these days , and the images you can get with these ( provided you use expensive glass ) can be downright amazing , but what if you just want a really usable ( and I mean usable ) camera you can bring with you wherever you go ? This is that camera . There IS a catch . You have to get decent at RAW editing to get anywhere near the results you can get out of this camera . Yeah , the dynamic B & W mode is pretty good , and I've shot low light jpgs at shows ( no flash ) , but to get real results from the camera , you're going to have to get your hands a little dirty . The results I can get from this in RAW are just simply amazing for a camera this small . Yes , amazing . I don't throw that word around ; but the color depth and sheer detail you can get in 5 minutes worth of work will just make you all smiles . What I don't like about the camera : Not much , but there are a couple of things I could point at that might make it a bit more usable . 1 . ) It doesn't have much of a zoom . Ok , lame complaint , because I actually do understand somewhat that the laws of physics dictate how much of a zoom range you can have on a lens of a given size , without having image quality suffer . This is silly ; if you need a zoom camera , this isn't what you should be looking at . 2 . ) No viewfinder , save an aftermarket one . Ok ; this actually bothers me sometimes . In bright sunlight , or very low light , a cheesy optical viewfinder would be helpful . Yes , it would also make the camera larger too . 3 . ) The onboard flash sucks . It's cool that you can throttle it down , but if it could tilt up to be a bounce flash , it would be really , really useful . As it is , it always seems to be either too bright , and washes everything out , or too dark . It's a good thing this camera has good ISO performance at 400 , and acceptable at 800 ; with the f2.0 aperture , it can take pictures in VERY low light , and still look great . Oh , and the hotshoe mount will accept a full sized flash : ) 4 . ) Lack of a focus ring . Of course , without a decent viewfinder , that wouldn't be of much use , and we're moving away from what the camera is , so I understand the lack . The manual focus on the camera is quite decent , I should mention . 4 . ) That's it . Nothing else not to like about the camera . If you need a zoom lens , or the lack of a viewfinder is a deal breaker for you , go with the larger Canon G10 / G11 . The DMC-LX3 works better for my needs , being a 24mm f2.0 lens , and having unbelievable RAW data to work with . What I do like about the camera 1 . ) It's small ; purpose built . You won't draw crowds using this camera . It's almost friendly . It looks quite nice too . I can stroll through the city , taking pictures of folks , and they just don't seem to mind as much as when I'm doing the same with a DSLR . So for low key urban photography , this is actually BETTER than a DSLR ( what , a compact camera does something better than an DSLR ? ) . 2 . ) Fantastic lens . Can't say enough about it , for the price point , and camera size , it's awesome . Really wide angle , if you like landscape or urban photography , it's the perfect focal range . 3 . ) Best low light compact camera on the market , period . Yep , I'll stand by that . It SMOKES the G10 / G11 in low light ; I love going to see local bands in small clubs ; these venues aren't very well lit , but you can get right by the stage . This thing takes fantastic pictures in low light . I don't care what the reviews say either about ISO 400 or ISO 800 ; check the images out in RAW , and then say ISO 800 isn't usable . Speaking of which ; 4 . ) ISO performance . ISO 800 is a little bit grainy ; but the best thing is , that it is a usable grain , not some watercolor chromatic that just ruins everything . I say ISO 800 is just fine for color photographs ; it can even make gritty B & W images look better ( cleaner is NOT always better ) 5 . ) Ridiculous RAW performance ; the camera is fast and responsive , even when shooting full sized JPEG and RAW . Never seems to really bog , and when it does ; it still will buffer what your doing . Really amazing for a camera this size , and it makes RAW the only image format I even think about using . The amount of detail ; color , edge retention , contrast ; try this camera out with Adobe Lightroom , and you'll see what I mean , and you'll have a blast to boot . 6 . ) Multiple image formats ; at first , reading it on paper , I thought it was just a gimmic ; 4 : 3,3 : 2 , & 16 : 9 formats didn't seem like they'd be that useful . But I was completely wrong , and that is the most used switch on my camera ; it actually does change the way you'll compose photographs ; what was one photo at 16 : 9 is completely different @ 4 : 3 or 3 : 2 , landscape vs portrait , etc . Another fun feature : ) So , obviously , I like the camera ; I've owned it for almost a year now . Best small camera ever made , IMO ; this will probably be the benchmark classic folks talk about for years . Yes , I'm quite serious about that , I don't believe these days digital cameras are outdated every 6 months ; this one will be quite current for years . If you need a low light , low key , wide angle camera with awesome RAW performance , just pull the trigger . 2 thing's I'd get while buying ; a fast 8GB or higher card , and an extra battery ( the generic one they sell here is just fine ) , and you're good to go .
    • 015 4  So everyone knows DSLR's are fantastic these days , and the images you can get with these ( provided you use expensive glass ) can be downright amazing , but what if you just want a really usable ( and I mean usable ) camera you can bring with you wherever you go ? This is that camera . There IS a catch . You have to get decent at RAW editing to get anywhere near the results you can get out of this camera . Yeah , the dynamic B & W mode is pretty good , and I've shot low light jpgs at shows ( no flash ) , but to get real results from the camera , you're going to have to get your hands a little dirty . The results I can get from this in RAW are just simply amazing for a camera this small . Yes , amazing . I don't throw that word around ; but the color depth and sheer detail you can get in 5 minutes worth of work will just make you all smiles . What I don't like about the camera : Not much , but there are a couple of things I could point at that might make it a bit more usable . 1 . ) It doesn't have much of a zoom . Ok , lame complaint , because I actually do understand somewhat that the laws of physics dictate how much of a zoom range you can have on a lens of a given size , without having image quality suffer . This is silly ; if you need a zoom camera , this isn't what you should be looking at . 2 . ) No viewfinder , save an aftermarket one . Ok ; this actually bothers me sometimes . In bright sunlight , or very low light , a cheesy optical viewfinder would be helpful . Yes , it would also make the camera larger too . 3 . ) The onboard flash sucks . It's cool that you can throttle it down , but if it could tilt up to be a bounce flash , it would be really , really useful . As it is , it always seems to be either too bright , and washes everything out , or too dark . It's a good thing this camera has good ISO performance at 400 , and acceptable at 800 ; with the f2.0 aperture , it can take pictures in VERY low light , and still look great . Oh , and the hotshoe mount will accept a full sized flash : ) 4 . ) Lack of a focus ring . Of course , without a decent viewfinder , that wouldn't be of much use , and we're moving away from what the camera is , so I understand the lack . The manual focus on the camera is quite decent , I should mention . 4 . ) That's it . Nothing else not to like about the camera . If you need a zoom lens , or the lack of a viewfinder is a deal breaker for you , go with the larger Canon G10 / G11 . The DMC-LX3 works better for my needs , being a 24mm f2.0 lens , and having unbelievable RAW data to work with . What I do like about the camera 1 . ) It's small ; purpose built . You won't draw crowds using this camera . It's almost friendly . It looks quite nice too . I can stroll through the city , taking pictures of folks , and they just don't seem to mind as much as when I'm doing the same with a DSLR . So for low key urban photography , this is actually BETTER than a DSLR ( what , a compact camera does something better than an DSLR ? ) . 2 . ) Fantastic lens . Can't say enough about it , for the price point , and camera size , it's awesome . Really wide angle , if you like landscape or urban photography , it's the perfect focal range . 3 . ) Best low light compact camera on the market , period . Yep , I'll stand by that . It SMOKES the G10 / G11 in low light ; I love going to see local bands in small clubs ; these venues aren't very well lit , but you can get right by the stage . This thing takes fantastic pictures in low light . I don't care what the reviews say either about ISO 400 or ISO 800 ; check the images out in RAW , and then say ISO 800 isn't usable . Speaking of which ; 4 . ) ISO performance . ISO 800 is a little bit grainy ; but the best thing is , that it is a usable grain , not some watercolor chromatic that just ruins everything . I say ISO 800 is just fine for color photographs ; it can even make gritty B & W images look better ( cleaner is NOT always better ) 5 . ) Ridiculous RAW performance ; the camera is fast and responsive , even when shooting full sized JPEG and RAW . Never seems to really bog , and when it does ; it still will buffer what your doing . Really amazing for a camera this size , and it makes RAW the only image format I even think about using . The amount of detail ; color , edge retention , contrast ; try this camera out with Adobe Lightroom , and you'll see what I mean , and you'll have a blast to boot . 6 . ) Multiple image formats ; at first , reading it on paper , I thought it was just a gimmic ; 4 : 3,3 : 2 , & 16 : 9 formats didn't seem like they'd be that useful . But I was completely wrong , and that is the most used switch on my camera ; it actually does change the way you'll compose photographs ; what was one photo at 16 : 9 is completely different @ 4 : 3 or 3 : 2 , landscape vs portrait , etc . Another fun feature : ) So , obviously , I like the camera ; I've owned it for almost a year now . Best small camera ever made , IMO ; this will probably be the benchmark classic folks talk about for years . Yes , I'm quite serious about that , I don't believe these days digital cameras are outdated every 6 months ; this one will be quite current for years . If you need a low light , low key , wide angle camera with awesome RAW performance , just pull the trigger . 2 thing's I'd get while buying ; a fast 8GB or higher card , and an extra battery ( the generic one they sell here is just fine ) , and you're good to go .
    • 016 4  In my review of the Canon G11 I talked about how it was , for many reasons , a better camera than the new Canon S90 . If you're in the market for a top of the line P & S camera you should know all of these models . The LX3 goes head-to-head with both of them and , in my opinion , wins the battle regardless of being a little bit older than both . Everyone has their criteria , their wish list of what they want from a camera . Here are mine so anyone reading this knows why I prefer the LX3 over all the other top models . 1 . Low light ability . The LX3 has a f / 2.0 lens and is great in low light . 2 . Fast enough frames per second ( fps ) to handle taking photos of moving kids . The LX3 goes at more than 2fps , about double the speed of both the Canon G11 and S90 . In fact , a slow fps is the Achilles heel of all current Canon P & S cameras . They're back in the dust compared to the Panasonic . And Casio trounces them all . 3 . Ability to shoot RAW - all the top models have this . 4 . As wide angle a lens as possible - 24mm on the LX3 , wider than either Canon . As a general rule , I just prefer the Panasonic menu layout more than I like Canon's . One example : When you're in scene mode on the LX3 the camera shows you icons for all your choices . You move from icon to icon to get the one you want . For example , fireworks or portrait . On the Canon G11 each icon has its own screen and you flip through them until you get to the one you want . This is just one example . The G11 just feels less intuitive . There are only two major things I wanted from a P & S camera that I didn't get with the LX3 1 . Articulating screen that allows you to shoot from all sorts of angles ( in crowds , at your feet , self portrait , etc . ) The Canon G11 has this and it's the top reason I bought it in addition to the LX3 . 2 . Acceptably long zoom . The LX3 only goes out to 60mm which is essentially in the normal range and not even close to telephoto . But I don't really need the longer zoom in most situations . The G11 also has a bigger and probably stronger metal body . This is a wash . The LX3 you can pocket , not so with the bigger G11 . The LX3 , as noted by many many other reviews , also has a lens cap problem . How Panasonic missed the boat on this one I have no idea because its flaw is so obvious and so easily fixed . You're going to lose the lens cap . There are workarounds , one including adapting a Ricoh lens cap that attaches to LX3 and opens & closes as you turn the camera on or off . So add another 15 bucks to the price of the camera for that . The really killer ability of the LX3 is the Dynamic B & W mode . If you learned to shoot using 35mm B & W film this one feature will invigorate your creative inspiration like no other . Many amateur reviewers point out that you can just convert anything you shoot in color to B & W on your computer . But it's just not the same . In the moment you see the results of your work and it will give you ideas for more shots that never would have come to you if you were shooting in color . I absolutely love this function on the camera . If you look at shot by shot comparison reviews between the LX3 and the Canon G11 or S90 you'll find some that show obviously better shots from the Canon . I've tested these cameras and I know those reviews aren't completely honest . I've found that if you just grab the camera and shoot in straight auto that in many situations the Canons will take a better photo . However , if you tweak the Panasonic it will take an even better shot . For example , I have a dimly lit livingroom where I shot in auto with no flash on both cameras . The LX3 came back with a dark unpleasing image . The Canon picked up the light and looked acceptable . I switched the Panasonic to candlelight mode and it beat anything I did with the Canon . Some pro reviewers have noted that the LX3 cannot compare with the dynamic range of the Canon G11 or S90 . That might be true . If this is a problem for you then maybe you won't want the LX3 . The LX3 is a photographer's camera . It has obvious flaws , but it's still what I prefer over anything else currently on the market . The rumors are that Panasonic will release the LX5 ( they'll apparently skip the number 4 ) around mid - 2010 . Let's hope they'll fix the lens cap issue . Should be easy . Expand the zoom , improve the noise levels . . . and add an articulating screen ( Panasonic won't do this - that's Canon's thing - too bad ) and it would be about perfect .
    • 017 4  This is the first Panasonic camera that lives up to the Leica name on its lens . Images from the JPEG engine show both accurate colors and plenty of detail . You can take great pictures with the camera out of the box , or you can dive deeply into the manual controls to get exactly what you want out of an image . Buyers should be aware that you have to give up the telephoto end of the zoom range in exchange for this camera's 24mm wide end . It may seem like a difficult compromise to make until you remember that you can always zoom with your feet . Give 24mm a try . * * Update * * Six months later , I'm still extremely happy with my LX3 . I used the camera extensively over a week long tour of Japan ( Tokyo & Kyoto ) . * 24mm - 60mm is perfect for an urban environment . I didn't feel constrained by the lack of zoom at all * f / 2.0 is great for evening shots . I got a number of sharp shots with my LX3 that turned out blurry on much more expensive dSLRs using the kit lens . * The LX3 is pocketable if your pocket is a jacket pocket . I ended up carrying my LX3 in my hand most of the time . * Hold on to the lens cap while your are shooting for extra security . I don't like camera straps or wrist lanyards since they tend to get tangled and in the way . I found that I was shooting with the LX3 in my right hand and the cap ( still connected to the body by its lanyard ) in my left . This provided extra security against dropping the camera . * Image quality is great , but the biggest win is that you can keep the LX3 with you all the time . * I didn't need to use my Gorillapod at all , though it would have been helpful for night shots . * Video mode is pretty good . I've avoided the low-resolution video feature on previous cameras , but the LX3 seems to produce fairly decent video . * The mode dial is way too easy to turn . I lost a few pictures because I bumped the mode dial into aperture priority mode at f / 8.0 . Be careful before you shoot ! * The controls are convenient and easy to use . The focus button is great in MF mode . The MF-AF Macro-AF switch saw a lot of use , as did the aspect ratio switch . Except for the mode dial , usability is great . Now that the LX3 and Leica D-Lux 4 sell at the same price , you might want to look at the Leica before you click buy . Another camera worth checking out is the new Olympus E-P1 . The Olympus has a much larger sensor than the LX3 and supports interchangeable Micro - 4 / 3 lenses . * * UPDATE 2 * * Canon just announced the S90IS , a very similar camera to the LX3 . Definitely worth a look while LX3 prices remain high .
    • 018 4  This review is from : Panasonic DMC-LX3 10.1MP Digital Camera with 24mm Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Black ) ( Electronics ) I received this camera a week ago & have not had all the time I would like shooting pictures but anyway . I understand why people make reference to DLSRs but as a threshold issue-it is NOT a DLSR so I don't know why people even mention it . I am an average camera user , and have had a FZ50 , FZ1 , TZ1 , & FZ8 . This model is the Gem of gems . I now have just this camera & a Sigma SD14 which I will be bequeathing to someone . Given all the cameras I have owned-why does the LX3 beat them all ? If I had to say it in a sentence-it would be the high quality of the picture I get without any post processing . I know digital photographers don't seem to mind PP . I think it's a pain where I sit down . And i don't buy the argument that with 35 millimeter film cameras-having owned my share-that much PP was done when you had the film developed . Some-yes ; a lot no way . So what does this have to do with the LX3 ? Simply that for me this camera over all takes the nicest pictures I have seen without a lot of encumbrances . I don't have to hassle with a DLSR's size , the zoom is enough not to compromise the quality of the image it produces , the build is lovely . Not a lot of frills but many options . How can you beat that combination ?
    • 019 4  I received this camera a week ago & have not had all the time I would like shooting pictures but anyway . I understand why people make reference to DLSRs but as a threshold issue-it is NOT a DLSR so I don't know why people even mention it . I am an average camera user , and have had a FZ50 , FZ1 , TZ1 , & FZ8 . This model is the Gem of gems . I now have just this camera & a Sigma SD14 which I will be bequeathing to someone . Given all the cameras I have owned-why does the LX3 beat them all ? If I had to say it in a sentence-it would be the high quality of the picture I get without any post processing . I know digital photographers don't seem to mind PP . I think it's a pain where I sit down . And i don't buy the argument that with 35 millimeter film cameras-having owned my share-that much PP was done when you had the film developed . Some-yes ; a lot no way . So what does this have to do with the LX3 ? Simply that for me this camera over all takes the nicest pictures I have seen without a lot of encumbrances . I don't have to hassle with a DLSR's size , the zoom is enough not to compromise the quality of the image it produces , the build is lovely . Not a lot of frills but many options . How can you beat that combination ?
    • 020 4  This review is from : Panasonic DMC-LX3S 10.1MP Digital Camera with 2.5x Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Silver ) ( Electronics ) There are plenty of reviews of this excellent camera . What I'm going to do here is providing some user feedback and tips on how to fully utilize this camera . First of all , this is a professional's camera ( or at least like me , a serious amateur ) . You can use iA mode for point and shoot , and most scene modes are good enough , but you can't get the most out of it by using it that way . There are other cameras which can achieve that purpose and cost much less . To begin , I would suggest read the manual fully . The manual is not the best I've read , and the grammar is awkward and seems translated , but it does provide very important information . After all , this camera can overwhelm people with features . Get familiar with q.menu joystick / button . This thing can save a lot of time . Some complain about the lack of a dedicated ISO button or dial , which this camera's closest competitor , Canon Powershot G10 provides , but the feature is just under the q.menu button . Important features such as ISO , white balance , metering modes , etc . , are also under here . I would suggest set an ISO limit to cap at ISO 200 , which this camera allows . Also turn the flash power to the lowest setting . With f2.0 aperture , I rarely use flash anyways . I agree with others before me , the lens cap is annoying . I also agree the camera should allow turning off all beeping sounds except for the focus confirmation . Panasonic's setting menu can be cryptic , but fortunately there is the q.menu button . Aspect Ratio dial is absolutely wonderful . 4 : 3 is very good for digital photo frames of the same aspect ratio , as well as for computer monitors . 3 : 2 is best if you intend to print them on paper , as most shops print them in 4x6 , which is the same ratio as 3 : 2 . 16 : 9 is best for HD TV or widescreen LCD monitors . Get a 150x SD flash memory . I personally use OCZ 8GB SDHC flash memory . Or you could opt for two pieces of smaller memory chips , depend on your habit . Fast memory = faster capture and less waiting time , if you intend on using RAW + Jpeg a lot . Also recommended is getting yourself a second battery . If you shoot a lot of photos like me , the battery will last less than a whole day . It is not bad , but you definitely do not want to lose any opportunity when a magic moment comes . I wish there is a continuous depth of view . Neither this camera nor Canon G10 allows that , which is rather bizarre , considering these are very high-end cameras . My ancient Canon PowerShot S1 IS instantly provides feedback on the impact of changing aperture and shutter speed , which has given me a lot of creative warrants . To be fair , most DSLRs don't have that feature either . Canon's SX10IS , however , is able to do it . Not a big deal for some , but I find it inconvenient having to press the shutter button half way first before able to see if the picture is going to be overexposed or underexposed than I intended . Get Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2 . If you intend to shoot your picture in RAW , and do a lot of post processing , this is a gem . You can get a 30 - day trial on Adobe's website , but I think you'll most likely end up buying it . You'll need a tripod . ISO 80 is susceptible to shaking under low light condition . It is more intolerant to handshake even with MEGA O.I.S turned on , compared with my Canon PowerShot S1 anyways . It's a very good camera for low-light and landscape . It is not a DSLR substitute , but an excellent complementary camera if you have a DSLR to handle your daylight photography needs .
    • 021 4  There are plenty of reviews of this excellent camera . What I'm going to do here is providing some user feedback and tips on how to fully utilize this camera . First of all , this is a professional's camera ( or at least like me , a serious amateur ) . You can use iA mode for point and shoot , and most scene modes are good enough , but you can't get the most out of it by using it that way . There are other cameras which can achieve that purpose and cost much less . To begin , I would suggest read the manual fully . The manual is not the best I've read , and the grammar is awkward and seems translated , but it does provide very important information . After all , this camera can overwhelm people with features . Get familiar with q.menu joystick / button . This thing can save a lot of time . Some complain about the lack of a dedicated ISO button or dial , which this camera's closest competitor , Canon Powershot G10 provides , but the feature is just under the q.menu button . Important features such as ISO , white balance , metering modes , etc . , are also under here . I would suggest set an ISO limit to cap at ISO 200 , which this camera allows . Also turn the flash power to the lowest setting . With f2.0 aperture , I rarely use flash anyways . I agree with others before me , the lens cap is annoying . I also agree the camera should allow turning off all beeping sounds except for the focus confirmation . Panasonic's setting menu can be cryptic , but fortunately there is the q.menu button . Aspect Ratio dial is absolutely wonderful . 4 : 3 is very good for digital photo frames of the same aspect ratio , as well as for computer monitors . 3 : 2 is best if you intend to print them on paper , as most shops print them in 4x6 , which is the same ratio as 3 : 2 . 16 : 9 is best for HD TV or widescreen LCD monitors . Get a 150x SD flash memory . I personally use OCZ 8GB SDHC flash memory . Or you could opt for two pieces of smaller memory chips , depend on your habit . Fast memory = faster capture and less waiting time , if you intend on using RAW + Jpeg a lot . Also recommended is getting yourself a second battery . If you shoot a lot of photos like me , the battery will last less than a whole day . It is not bad , but you definitely do not want to lose any opportunity when a magic moment comes . I wish there is a continuous depth of view . Neither this camera nor Canon G10 allows that , which is rather bizarre , considering these are very high-end cameras . My ancient Canon PowerShot S1 IS instantly provides feedback on the impact of changing aperture and shutter speed , which has given me a lot of creative warrants . To be fair , most DSLRs don't have that feature either . Canon's SX10IS , however , is able to do it . Not a big deal for some , but I find it inconvenient having to press the shutter button half way first before able to see if the picture is going to be overexposed or underexposed than I intended . Get Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2 . If you intend to shoot your picture in RAW , and do a lot of post processing , this is a gem . You can get a 30 - day trial on Adobe's website , but I think you'll most likely end up buying it . You'll need a tripod . ISO 80 is susceptible to shaking under low light condition . It is more intolerant to handshake even with MEGA O.I.S turned on , compared with my Canon PowerShot S1 anyways . It's a very good camera for low-light and landscape . It is not a DSLR substitute , but an excellent complementary camera if you have a DSLR to handle your daylight photography needs .
    • 022 4  This review is from : Panasonic DMC-LX3S 10.1MP Digital Camera with 2.5x Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Silver ) ( Electronics ) The LX 3 is a high quality , precision photographic tool . With basic photographic knowledge this little camera delivers outstanding jpeg images and even better tiffs should you shoot in the RAW mode . Set in the intelligent auto mode and anyone can use it . Set in the aperture mode and advanced users can get very creative with the f2 Leica lense . This camera is identical to the Leica D-Lux 4 . It just costs about $400 less . And this camera is really fun to use . Has a joy stick , high definition view screen , 1950 ' s quality construction and with a really fast SD card installed ( buy a fast one ; don't use your old one ) performs very quickly . I cannot stress the need for a fast SD card enough . This may sound a little juvenile , but with an extreme SD card , the LX 3 knows you have fed it hi-test and not regular , 22 karat and not 10 karat , prime rib and not hamburger . For me , the LX 3 is truly a jewell . Leica and Panasonic have teamed up and shown us that old world craftsmanship is not dead here . It can be put in your coat pocket . I like mine . Think you would like the LX 3 too . Update : Have used the LX 3 for 3 months now and am pleased with the images this camera produces . iPhoto easily tweaks the images to my liking ( highly saturated color and contrast ) and the few 8 X 10 enlargements I have made are most pleasing . My only complaint is no optical viewfinder . But reflections on the LCD monitor when shooting outdoors is just a fact of life with the LX 3 . However , ware a black jacket or tee shirt and you will dramatically reduce these reflections on the LCD screen . No kidding . June 2009 - 6 month of using : Use this camera for shooting indoors at social events and outdoors at night . Set the camera in the shutter preferred mode at 1 / 25 sec at ASA 400 . Don't use the flash and hold the camera as still as possible . A tripod works good here . Images will be washed out , but there is enough information in the image where photoshop or other good imaging program will render a nice photo . You'll be surprised at how little light is needed . It is trial and error but worth the effort . December 2009 update . The LX3 continues to please . A carryover from my 35mm film days I find I am shooting mostly in the shutter preferred mode for daytime shooting and the manual mode for night time shooting . The resulting images please me and require little to no post processing . Have posted a couple of more images for you to view .
    • 023 4  The LX 3 is a high quality , precision photographic tool . With basic photographic knowledge this little camera delivers outstanding jpeg images and even better tiffs should you shoot in the RAW mode . Set in the intelligent auto mode and anyone can use it . Set in the aperture mode and advanced users can get very creative with the f2 Leica lense . This camera is identical to the Leica D-Lux 4 . It just costs about $400 less . And this camera is really fun to use . Has a joy stick , high definition view screen , 1950 ' s quality construction and with a really fast SD card installed ( buy a fast one ; don't use your old one ) performs very quickly . I cannot stress the need for a fast SD card enough . This may sound a little juvenile , but with an extreme SD card , the LX 3 knows you have fed it hi-test and not regular , 22 karat and not 10 karat , prime rib and not hamburger . For me , the LX 3 is truly a jewell . Leica and Panasonic have teamed up and shown us that old world craftsmanship is not dead here . It can be put in your coat pocket . I like mine . Think you would like the LX 3 too . Update : Have used the LX 3 for 3 months now and am pleased with the images this camera produces . iPhoto easily tweaks the images to my liking ( highly saturated color and contrast ) and the few 8 X 10 enlargements I have made are most pleasing . My only complaint is no optical viewfinder . But reflections on the LCD monitor when shooting outdoors is just a fact of life with the LX 3 . However , ware a black jacket or tee shirt and you will dramatically reduce these reflections on the LCD screen . No kidding . June 2009 - 6 month of using : Use this camera for shooting indoors at social events and outdoors at night . Set the camera in the shutter preferred mode at 1 / 25 sec at ASA 400 . Don't use the flash and hold the camera as still as possible . A tripod works good here . Images will be washed out , but there is enough information in the image where photoshop or other good imaging program will render a nice photo . You'll be surprised at how little light is needed . It is trial and error but worth the effort . December 2009 update . The LX3 continues to please . A carryover from my 35mm film days I find I am shooting mostly in the shutter preferred mode for daytime shooting and the manual mode for night time shooting . The resulting images please me and require little to no post processing . Have posted a couple of more images for you to view .
    • 024 4  This review is from : Panasonic DMC-LX3 10.1MP Digital Camera with 24mm Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Black ) ( Electronics ) I am SO glad to be an LX3 user again . I owned one for several months but found myself afraid to use it because of it's diminutive size . It also just felt and looked so nice that I was constantly afraid to use around my kids for fear of getting it banged up . The quality does feel that good . Otherwise , I had no qualms about it's picture taking abilities . One day I got a chance to hold a Canon G10 and it's size , weight and tank-like build just felt so good in the hand . I immediately sold the LX3 and bought the new Canon G11 . It took only a few dozen pictures for me to realize I loved the LX3 so much better . In all , I took maybe a thousand pictures with it and most of my pictures were soft or slightly out of focus ( defective ? ) . Fortunately , I was within the return period and able to return it . So here I am , back to being a proud LX3 owner . I won't reiterate the technical specification and superior performance of the LX3 because that has already been done by many novice and professional reviewers . There are a few features that I really like : 1 ) Ai mode , 2 ) Dynamic B & W , 3 ) 16 ; 9 and 4 ) Macro function . There , short and sweet . My main gripe is that Panasonic OEM accessories are still hard to get and overpriced when you can find them . Don't buy the hot shoe viewfinder ! I had one for my first camera and found it a waste of time and money . These accessories for Panasonic Lumix LX3 that I highly recommend : 1 ) Two-piece leather case with strap from seller linsaifeng on the four letter site . Inexpensive , sturdy , excellent quality and perfect fit . Haven't had a chance to touch and feel the OEM case from Lumix but can't imagine the quality being better . And the price ? Forget about it . If you really must have a case that says Lumix on it then go ahead and pay $100 . If you could do with out the logo then this one will cost you $20 . 2 ) CamGrip camera grip - This is a little 3 rubber hand grip that screws into the tripod mount . Sweet ! I don't leave home without this . Adds tremendous stability and holdability . One handed video recording is a breeze . 3 ) Manfrotto ModaPocket - A tiny , adjustable stand that screws into the tripod mount . Small enough to leave on all the time ( if you are not using a fitted case ) . Perfect for table top shooting and macro shooting . I love this and it's quality and beauty match the LX3 . Oh , and it has a tripod mount so I can use the Cam Grip with it ! 4 ) Lensmate lens adapter . Priced maybe a little more than the OEM adapter but it's quality is excellent . I use this on my camera full-time with a 46mm filter . 5 ) Richard Franiecs hot shoe mount shutter release cable adapter . A little expensive for what it is but it allows you to use a shutter release cable for night shooting and Panasonic does not sell one of these . 6 ) Lowepro Rezo TLZ 10 Digital Camera Case Gadget Bag - I found this top loading bag to be perfect for the LX3 when used with the adapter on full-time . Also has enough room for an extra battery , the ModaPocket and the Cam Grip . Has a belt loop and top loading design so the camera can be stored and retrieved quickly . Perfect for hiking , or places where you don't want the camera hanging from you neck all the time . 7 ) Goby mini flexible tripod - This can be a little frustrating to use when you are trying to get level shots on a flat surface . However , I have the smallest one and have found an incredible amount of ways to use this . It really shines on uneven surfaces where it's flexible legs can adapt . I have used it at the tidepools on uneven , slippery rocks , have mounted it to fences and gates , have mounted it to the seatpost of my bike to make videos , it wraps around poles , hand rails , etc . Hope you find this review helpful . Happy shooting !
    • 025 4  I am SO glad to be an LX3 user again . I owned one for several months but found myself afraid to use it because of it's diminutive size . It also just felt and looked so nice that I was constantly afraid to use around my kids for fear of getting it banged up . The quality does feel that good . Otherwise , I had no qualms about it's picture taking abilities . One day I got a chance to hold a Canon G10 and it's size , weight and tank-like build just felt so good in the hand . I immediately sold the LX3 and bought the new Canon G11 . It took only a few dozen pictures for me to realize I loved the LX3 so much better . In all , I took maybe a thousand pictures with it and most of my pictures were soft or slightly out of focus ( defective ? ) . Fortunately , I was within the return period and able to return it . So here I am , back to being a proud LX3 owner . I won't reiterate the technical specification and superior performance of the LX3 because that has already been done by many novice and professional reviewers . There are a few features that I really like : 1 ) Ai mode , 2 ) Dynamic B & W , 3 ) 16 ; 9 and 4 ) Macro function . There , short and sweet . My main gripe is that Panasonic OEM accessories are still hard to get and overpriced when you can find them . Don't buy the hot shoe viewfinder ! I had one for my first camera and found it a waste of time and money . These accessories for Panasonic Lumix LX3 that I highly recommend : 1 ) Two-piece leather case with strap from seller linsaifeng on the four letter site . Inexpensive , sturdy , excellent quality and perfect fit . Haven't had a chance to touch and feel the OEM case from Lumix but can't imagine the quality being better . And the price ? Forget about it . If you really must have a case that says Lumix on it then go ahead and pay $100 . If you could do with out the logo then this one will cost you $20 . 2 ) CamGrip camera grip - This is a little 3 rubber hand grip that screws into the tripod mount . Sweet ! I don't leave home without this . Adds tremendous stability and holdability . One handed video recording is a breeze . 3 ) Manfrotto ModaPocket - A tiny , adjustable stand that screws into the tripod mount . Small enough to leave on all the time ( if you are not using a fitted case ) . Perfect for table top shooting and macro shooting . I love this and it's quality and beauty match the LX3 . Oh , and it has a tripod mount so I can use the Cam Grip with it ! 4 ) Lensmate lens adapter . Priced maybe a little more than the OEM adapter but it's quality is excellent . I use this on my camera full-time with a 46mm filter . 5 ) Richard Franiecs hot shoe mount shutter release cable adapter . A little expensive for what it is but it allows you to use a shutter release cable for night shooting and Panasonic does not sell one of these . 6 ) Lowepro Rezo TLZ 10 Digital Camera Case Gadget Bag - I found this top loading bag to be perfect for the LX3 when used with the adapter on full-time . Also has enough room for an extra battery , the ModaPocket and the Cam Grip . Has a belt loop and top loading design so the camera can be stored and retrieved quickly . Perfect for hiking , or places where you don't want the camera hanging from you neck all the time . 7 ) Goby mini flexible tripod - This can be a little frustrating to use when you are trying to get level shots on a flat surface . However , I have the smallest one and have found an incredible amount of ways to use this . It really shines on uneven surfaces where it's flexible legs can adapt . I have used it at the tidepools on uneven , slippery rocks , have mounted it to fences and gates , have mounted it to the seatpost of my bike to make videos , it wraps around poles , hand rails , etc . Hope you find this review helpful . Happy shooting !
    • 026 4  After years of searching for a perfect point-and-shoot to complement my other heavier gear , I think I have finally found a close approximation of THE solution . I am not going to go through the usual pros and cons of this machine , as most have already been covered by other reviews . I just want to touch upon the issue of the much hated separate lens cap . Yes , I do hate to deal with a separate lens cap , tethered or not . It was not clear to me but once I saw the camera I understood why Panasonic had this overlook . Well , it was not an overlook , it was an unfortunate design compromise . And the key term here is f2.0 . This is their flagship point-and-shoot , so they can't use a smaller sensor . To draw enough light onto that sensor to create f2.0 they need some lens real estate . If you look at the lens barrel ( the smallest section of the telescopic mechanism ) , you'll see that the lens actually goes almost all the way to the edge of the barrel . Now take another P & S camera with an integrated lens cover and see how it works and ask yourself , where and how could you integrate a lens cover in LX3 to cover the entire area of the lens ? Sure they can make the barrel thicker , but that will directly impact the overall size of the camera . And I thought we wanted this thing to be quasi-pocketable . Given the current form factor , I won't say integrating a lens cap is impossible but it would certainly take some major innovation . Another side effect of this large lens is that the mounting hole for the tripod has to be pushed to the side , another victim of f2.0 . So , it all boils down to this . If you want a fast lens in a pocket P & S , you can't have that integrated lens cover . You can't even mount your tripod at the center of the camera . Well that's just too bad . Sure , people have different priorities , but my money goes to the fast lens . I'll live with the lens cap , for now . PS . I have seen an external integrated lens cover for LX3 made by a third-party . It looks like a pizza cut into three pieces that get pushed open by the lens when extended . Pretty clever idea but very ugly in my opinion . It looks like a cannon popping out from an ambush . I'll stick to my lens cap and risk losing it .
    • 027 4  I was looking for a camera to have when I didn't want to carry around my DSLR . I wanted it to be pocketable , have awesome image quality , especially in low light , and I wanted it to have sensible manual controls . I would not be the only user , though . My wife , not a trained photographer , would be using it a lot with our child . I set out to find a camera to fulfill this tall request . . . and we have not been disappointed with the LX3 . I'll start with the complaints . This thing is not going to slide into my pants pocket . It's dang close , but it will fit in to many pockets easily , including cargo pants and jackets . The lens ( something I'll rave about soon ) protrudes too far from the camera body . Other complaints : the interface isn't the world's most convenient ( but far from the worst I've seen on a camera ) and some of the physical controls are annoying , like the tiny joystick you use to make changes to various settings . It takes more time to set manual settings than on a dSLR . The camera is not phenomenally light , though , that comes across as a plus as well . . . this thing is constructed out of metal like a tank . It feels solid and wonderful in your hands . The USB cable is not a standard mini-usb connection . I worry one day I'll lose it . It's not the only camera I own with a unique cable , though . Last beef that's only partially Panasonic's fault : the RAW format is not yet compatible with Apple software . I use the camera with iPhoto and will be moving to Aperture eventually . Currently I have an 8GB card and am shooting RAW plus JPG and just keeping JPGs for now . When the sw update comes , I'll have to go through a curate all those . Speaking of software , there's a firmware update available now , that looks like it takes many hoops of jumping through to apply . : ( OK , those are really all my qualms . Everything else is pretty much great , though $400 was more than we initially wanted to spend . Pluses : the lens is great . Shoots in really low light . Hurray for real Leica glass on a point-and-shoot ! 24mm means a nice wide angle , without giving a fish-eye effect . This doesn't have a super-ultra zoom , but I didn't want or need that . Full control over the camera , if you want it . If you know what you're doing , you can really go artistic with this camera . If you prefer the camera to do the thinking , it usually makes really smart decisions . My wife usually uses the iA ( full auto ) or occasionally one of the scene presets , and it very rarely makes a bad shot . If it does , it's usually too much flash . . . but that's often what you get from auto settings on a camera anyhow . The LCD is gorgeous . Everyone is wowed by it when I show them a shot . The HD video is nice . It saves as a standard QuickTime , not some crazy file format . However , you have no control over camera settings when you shoot video . I'd love to control aperture here . Sensor : hurray for Panasonic taking a break from the megapixel wars ( more MP doesn't necessarily = quality ) and giving us a sensor low on noise ! High ISO settings work well on this camera . Past Lumixes have been criticized for high noise . This camera is not particularly noisy . Of course , with out my full size RAW images and full on editing , I'm not done checking this out . The body looks and feels awesome in black . Feels retro and really current at the same time . Great shape for shooting . Overall , I'm very happy with this camera . I evangelize it to others looking for a high-end , small sized camera . It's great for a DSLR shooters who want a smaller second camera . Or for someone who wants a very capable do everything camera , and aren't shy about laying down the cash for one .
    • 028 4  The Panasonic LX3 is a great advanced compact camera for the photo enthusiast . The photo quality is terrific , the build quality is great , the size is perfect , and it has all the manual and automatic controls you could ever need . First let me start by saying that I have always wanted a Panasonic digital camera , most Panasonics have always had great lenses , a good interface , great built quality , and image stabilizers . I never bought one , though , because photo quality was subpar , with lots of image noise and noise reduction mushiness . The LX3 is the first Panasonic camera I have bought and I love it . The best aspect of the camera has to be that lens . It's super-wide at 24mm and is great for indoor shots , and landscapes . Moreover , the maximum aperture of the lens is f2.0 to f2.8 and really helps in low light allowing a faster shutter speed and avoiding the flash , while macro shots benefit from the greater depth-of-field . The lens is also sharp from corner to corner , and the jpeg processing removes any barrel distortion and fringing . The only downside to the lens is the 60mm reach ; so take that into consideration before buying . The rest of the camera is no slouch either . The sensor is a bit bigger than most point and shots and has a modest 10 - megapixel resolution . Panasonic claims to have kept the megapixels at 10 to increase sensitivity and decrease noise , and it has worked to an extent . If you don't expect SLR quality at higher ISO speeds you'll be pleased . From ISO 80 - 200 I have no complaints with image quality . There is plenty of detail , good exposure , and natural looking colors . Above ISO 200 to about ISO 400 it's still plenty acceptable and depends on the subject matter and lighting . Anything above ISO 400 , in my eyes , is for emergency use , or photos that are not very important . At that point most of the detail is mushed away and noise is pretty high . Of course , if you prefer to do the processing yourself you can always shoot RAW . The camera is a good size , not large , but definitely not a pocket camera either , the protruding lens sees to that ( see my included picture ) . Build quality is great ; most of the camera is made of metal ( even the front of the lens cap ) . The 3 screen on the back is bright and clear with a high resolution . There are manual controls for pretty much every function , two custom white balance settings , and two custom setting on the mode dial . Of course there is also a fully automatic mode and plenty of scene modes as well . I especially like the different film modes to tweak your results , and the two custom film modes , which even give you control over noise reduction . The aspect ratio switch on the lens let's you shoot in 4 : 3 , 3 : 2 , and 16 : 9 , and the camera also allows you to bracket in the three ratios . The only minor negatives I have about the camera is as follows : 1 ) The lens retracts too quickly when you switch into review mode , delaying the next shot , 2 ) The lens cap can be finicky to put on , the release buttons are quite small , 3 ) There is no sensor to prevent the camera from extending the lens when the cap is on , I always turn it to playback mode when I turn it off just in case , 4 ) The battery door , and playback / record switch don't feel as sturdy as the rest of the camera , 5 ) The flash release switch is small , 6 ) The camera can be slow when going from record to playback . All in all . . . despite the few flaws it's an awesome camera , and a great companion for my digital SLR . 03 / 23 / 09 Update : Still love this camera . I'm able to get sharp photos when shooting at 1 / 4 seconds at wide angle . The stabilizer is very effective . My initial impressions remain for the ISO speeds , I rarely go above ISO 200 .
    • 029 4  This review is from : Panasonic DMC-LX3 10.1MP Digital Camera with 24mm Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Black ) ( Electronics ) This review is for people considering the LX3 versus the Canon G9 / G10 . I just came back from a month long family vacation in Australia . Since I was going to be traveling with my 2.5 year old , I didn't want to lug my DSLR ( a D70 w / 18 - 200 and a 10 - 20 ) but wanted to take a DSLR backup camera . I bought the LX3 here at amazon a couple months ahead . But since it was going to be a long trip with many photo ops , I also borrowed my brother's G9 for the trip ( and while there also borrowed an Australian friend's G10 for half a day ) . Short answer : If you can afford it , buy both . Canon G9 / G10 is for outside . The Lumix LX3 is for indoors . The G9 / G10 is a great walking around camera - in full sunlight . Its greater range of zoom is invaluable and I found that it handled very well ( easy to set controls and compose shots in a hurry and no lens cap to slow you down ) . Also in full , bright sun ; when it's hard to see the LCD , it's really nice to have a viewfinder . The G9 / G10 ' s downfall is its slow lens : in partial shade it couldn't offer a shutter speed fast enough to freeze my 2.5 yr old son as he dashed around even at ISO800 . The LX3 totally dominates in low light - indoors it crushes the G9 / 10 . It can take amazing shots in almost no light . We were at the Sydney Aquarium and while people - even those with DSLRs - were blasting away with their flashes ( which mostly bounced off the tanks ) , I got some surprisingly good pictures without the flash and all hand held . Also indoors , the LX3 ' s limited zoom is not a liability ; you're close to your subjects already . I also found that a viewfinder is less useful inside , so the lack of one on the LX3 is not an issue . So in museums , stores , restaurants , etc . the LX3 is / was invaluable . Overall though I took 95% of my shots with the G9 , but that's because we were in Australia - in the summer and at the beach . Now at home , any time I know that we'll be indoors , I take the LX3 and leave the DSLR only for shots at home ( when I often set up my SB - 600 as a remote flash ) . I view digital cameras as a portfolio ; no camera can do it all : I've got my DSLR , a ELPH-sized pocket camera , and the LX3 as my indoor backup camera . If you are going to get the LX3 , do a youtube search for the Ricoh LC - 1 - a nice accessory to eliminate one of the LX3 ' s achilles heels .
    • 030 4  This review is for people considering the LX3 versus the Canon G9 / G10 . I just came back from a month long family vacation in Australia . Since I was going to be traveling with my 2.5 year old , I didn't want to lug my DSLR ( a D70 w / 18 - 200 and a 10 - 20 ) but wanted to take a DSLR backup camera . I bought the LX3 here at amazon a couple months ahead . But since it was going to be a long trip with many photo ops , I also borrowed my brother's G9 for the trip ( and while there also borrowed an Australian friend's G10 for half a day ) . Short answer : If you can afford it , buy both . Canon G9 / G10 is for outside . The Lumix LX3 is for indoors . The G9 / G10 is a great walking around camera - in full sunlight . Its greater range of zoom is invaluable and I found that it handled very well ( easy to set controls and compose shots in a hurry and no lens cap to slow you down ) . Also in full , bright sun ; when it's hard to see the LCD , it's really nice to have a viewfinder . The G9 / G10 ' s downfall is its slow lens : in partial shade it couldn't offer a shutter speed fast enough to freeze my 2.5 yr old son as he dashed around even at ISO800 . The LX3 totally dominates in low light - indoors it crushes the G9 / 10 . It can take amazing shots in almost no light . We were at the Sydney Aquarium and while people - even those with DSLRs - were blasting away with their flashes ( which mostly bounced off the tanks ) , I got some surprisingly good pictures without the flash and all hand held . Also indoors , the LX3 ' s limited zoom is not a liability ; you're close to your subjects already . I also found that a viewfinder is less useful inside , so the lack of one on the LX3 is not an issue . So in museums , stores , restaurants , etc . the LX3 is / was invaluable . Overall though I took 95% of my shots with the G9 , but that's because we were in Australia - in the summer and at the beach . Now at home , any time I know that we'll be indoors , I take the LX3 and leave the DSLR only for shots at home ( when I often set up my SB - 600 as a remote flash ) . I view digital cameras as a portfolio ; no camera can do it all : I've got my DSLR , a ELPH-sized pocket camera , and the LX3 as my indoor backup camera . If you are going to get the LX3 , do a youtube search for the Ricoh LC - 1 - a nice accessory to eliminate one of the LX3 ' s achilles heels .
    • 031 4  I owned this camera for a few months and would give it nothing less than 5 stars . When I bought this camera , I had a Nikon D40 and Canon SD630 . I was selling the Canon and wanted a point and shoot that would complement my D40 , be compact , and still have some dSLR-like controls . After using it for a few months , I decided to sell it because I felt it overlapped with my D40 too much and it was a little too big for what I was using it for . I'd much rather have a compact point and shoot to take to restaurants and carry in my pockets , and take out the dSLR for actual hobby photography . But I loved using the LX3 . The 3 - inch screen was very detailed , the controls are easy to use , it had above average battery life , the flash didn't wash out pictures , and most important the picture quality was the best I've seen out of a p & s . Plus it's just a cool looking camera and feels solid in your hand . The LX3 is great for someone who wants a more advanced point and shoot and doesn't mind the fact that it won't fit in your jeans pocket , or anyone who doesn't have a dSLR but would like to experiment with aperture and shutter speed .
    • 032 4  This review is from : Panasonic DMC-LX3 10.1MP Digital Camera with 24mm Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Black ) ( Electronics ) I've used a whole range of cameras , and own everything from a 4x5 field camera , to medium format , to SLR , to DSLR , etc . With all my cameras , I make sure each one works as a tool for a specific situation . The one niche I wasn't able to find in digital imaging for my wife or myself was something small , like my old Pentax slr or a rangefinder , that could take a good picture in difficult situations . This did the trick . I've given my wife a few P & S's and gone through a few myself , but nothing really did the job . What we expect out of a P & S is pretty demanding if you think about it , so I haven't been too surprised that most can't pull it off . Shoot fast , while everything is in motion often , in low light most of the time , with all sorts of mixed light , all in a small package . Even using my pro cameras I would have a difficult time managing that . This camera gets pretty close , with a fast lens , fast electronics , good size ( not too small for my big hands or to induce a lot of shaking ) . The image quality is good , and the addition of the HD video and variable image formats , make this the camera we never leave behind now .
    • 033 4  I've used a whole range of cameras , and own everything from a 4x5 field camera , to medium format , to SLR , to DSLR , etc . With all my cameras , I make sure each one works as a tool for a specific situation . The one niche I wasn't able to find in digital imaging for my wife or myself was something small , like my old Pentax slr or a rangefinder , that could take a good picture in difficult situations . This did the trick . I've given my wife a few P & S's and gone through a few myself , but nothing really did the job . What we expect out of a P & S is pretty demanding if you think about it , so I haven't been too surprised that most can't pull it off . Shoot fast , while everything is in motion often , in low light most of the time , with all sorts of mixed light , all in a small package . Even using my pro cameras I would have a difficult time managing that . This camera gets pretty close , with a fast lens , fast electronics , good size ( not too small for my big hands or to induce a lot of shaking ) . The image quality is good , and the addition of the HD video and variable image formats , make this the camera we never leave behind now .
    • 034 4  This review is from : Panasonic DMC-LX3 10.1MP Digital Camera with 24mm Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Black ) ( Electronics ) This is my 4th P & S and 2nd Panasonic camera . My other Panasonic is a LZ8 , which is an inexpensive but fantastic P & S . I have 2 DSLRs also . It is by far the best P & S . At ISO 100 , images from LX3 are comparable to my 10MP DSLR , which is about 4X more expensive . I have been wanting to buy this camera for over about a year but the price has been higher than I want to pay . I was able to get it in a narrow window earlier this month but it has since gone back up . Really sharp lens at f / 2.0 . It is one of the best lenses on the market . Period . One of the drawbacks of digital P & S is the relatively large depth of field . It is difficult to isolate the main subject from the background . At wide open aperture of f / 2.0 ( or f / 2.8 at the long FL end ) , the LX3 has a relatively shallow depth of field . It is one of the best features that makes it really stands out among higher end P & S . It has an extremely powerful and easy to use manual focus . With the magnified area , it is easy to do manual focus . Furthermore , it is possible to choose the focus area . This feature is especially useful for macros . I have never used short FL for macros before , using the macro feature opens up an entirely different possibilities . It has a usable ISO range up to 400 . At ISO 100 or below , it is hard to find fault . Noise is visible but acceptable at 400 ; it is comparable to ISO 1600 on my DSLR . Beyond 400 , noise is too high for me . This is an unfortunate fact about small sensor P & S . LX3 has a bigger sensor than most P & S and so its noise performance is already better than most . With a fast lens and built-in stabilization , it is not always necessary to use high ISO . It is possible to export RAW images but I have not yet tried it ; btw I use RAW exclusively for my DSLR . IOW , I might be able to squeeze still a little more out of the LX3 . The option of using filters ( polarizer , IR , etc ) is usually not possible for most P & S . LX3 let you do just that . You can buy an adapter to use a variety of add-ons . It is a system that you can grow . Now on to the not so great part . I really don't care about the different aspect ratios . I can crop on a computer . I prefer to have the battery compartment separate from the SD card . Control during movie is non-existent . Zoom range is limited but it is not a big deal for me . Overall , it is a great camera . It is not cheap , however . If you need a high quality camera that you can carry around easily , this is IT .
    • 035 4  This is my 4th P & S and 2nd Panasonic camera . My other Panasonic is a LZ8 , which is an inexpensive but fantastic P & S . I have 2 DSLRs also . It is by far the best P & S . At ISO 100 , images from LX3 are comparable to my 10MP DSLR , which is about 4X more expensive . I have been wanting to buy this camera for over about a year but the price has been higher than I want to pay . I was able to get it in a narrow window earlier this month but it has since gone back up . Really sharp lens at f / 2.0 . It is one of the best lenses on the market . Period . One of the drawbacks of digital P & S is the relatively large depth of field . It is difficult to isolate the main subject from the background . At wide open aperture of f / 2.0 ( or f / 2.8 at the long FL end ) , the LX3 has a relatively shallow depth of field . It is one of the best features that makes it really stands out among higher end P & S . It has an extremely powerful and easy to use manual focus . With the magnified area , it is easy to do manual focus . Furthermore , it is possible to choose the focus area . This feature is especially useful for macros . I have never used short FL for macros before , using the macro feature opens up an entirely different possibilities . It has a usable ISO range up to 400 . At ISO 100 or below , it is hard to find fault . Noise is visible but acceptable at 400 ; it is comparable to ISO 1600 on my DSLR . Beyond 400 , noise is too high for me . This is an unfortunate fact about small sensor P & S . LX3 has a bigger sensor than most P & S and so its noise performance is already better than most . With a fast lens and built-in stabilization , it is not always necessary to use high ISO . It is possible to export RAW images but I have not yet tried it ; btw I use RAW exclusively for my DSLR . IOW , I might be able to squeeze still a little more out of the LX3 . The option of using filters ( polarizer , IR , etc ) is usually not possible for most P & S . LX3 let you do just that . You can buy an adapter to use a variety of add-ons . It is a system that you can grow . Now on to the not so great part . I really don't care about the different aspect ratios . I can crop on a computer . I prefer to have the battery compartment separate from the SD card . Control during movie is non-existent . Zoom range is limited but it is not a big deal for me . Overall , it is a great camera . It is not cheap , however . If you need a high quality camera that you can carry around easily , this is IT .
    • 036 4  Finally found the digicam to replace my DSLR . No , it doesn't have high ISO performance equal to any DSLR but the f2.0 lens and image stabilization more than compensates . I also got the Panasonic 18mm wide angle lens . Well worth the money . In all , a great little system that's good enough to have me selling off my DSLR for our needs . The greatest surprise ? How well that tiny little flash works . It's far more powerful than I anticipated and works great even in mid day fill flash . A remarkable camera . This camera is just a joy to use .
    • 039 4  This review is from : Panasonic DMC-LX3S 10.1MP Digital Camera with 2.5x Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Silver ) ( Electronics ) When I was shopping for a digital camera a few weeks ago , my choices are the micro ¾ system : Olympic E-PL1 , E-P2 or Panasonic GF1 . I want a camera that can go anywhere with me so size is an important factor . The above are all good cameras , and then I came across the LX3 . Comparing with the price and the features , I decided that it gives me the best value among the other products . Having an interchangeable system is great , but with the limited choice of lens at this stage , I decided to wait a few more years until the ¾ market is more mature . So the deciding factor for my purchase on the LX3 is its size , the features , the F2.0 lens , and the price . Although LX3 is at it end of life but looks like Panasonic has just release a new firmware for it . The 10 mb pixel is good enough for me , size does not matter . It's the quality . The picture quality of the LX3 beats all the pictures I took in my film camera years ( bye . . . Minolta XE7 , X700 ) . The Good : The micro mode is excellent . I took a lot of pictures with my model diorama , so this feature ranges #2 in my wish list . I like the multi-file mode where I can take a color and B + W pictures at the same time ; I like the custom mode where I can preset the features and be able to switch to it at an instant . Overall , good quality on the built and on the picture . The Bad : This is a major design fault . The Leica F2.0 cannot take a filter unless you buy a lens adaptor . Having the lens adaptor on adds two inches in the front of the camera and makes it no pocket-able . If you want to take the adaptor off , you have to put the lens ring back on , otherwise you cannot put on the lens cap . So in effect , you either leave the lens adaptor on all the time , or have to constantly mount and dismount the lens ring and the adaptor . This is more trouble than it's worth . And then I found out , with the lens adaptor on , it left a dark shadow at the lower right hand corner of the picture when you use flash . You have to zoom out to 2x in order for the lens to reach out of the blind spot . To the Panasonic engineer : why can't you design a small thread on the front lens element so that it can take on a filter ? This is why I gave the product four stars instead of five . By the way , I brought the silver LX3 and brought the lensmate silver lens adaptor . It comes with two lens cap tabs that allow me to use the original lens cap on the filter . Cool .
    • 040 4  When I was shopping for a digital camera a few weeks ago , my choices are the micro ¾ system : Olympic E-PL1 , E-P2 or Panasonic GF1 . I want a camera that can go anywhere with me so size is an important factor . The above are all good cameras , and then I came across the LX3 . Comparing with the price and the features , I decided that it gives me the best value among the other products . Having an interchangeable system is great , but with the limited choice of lens at this stage , I decided to wait a few more years until the ¾ market is more mature . So the deciding factor for my purchase on the LX3 is its size , the features , the F2.0 lens , and the price . Although LX3 is at it end of life but looks like Panasonic has just release a new firmware for it . The 10 mb pixel is good enough for me , size does not matter . It's the quality . The picture quality of the LX3 beats all the pictures I took in my film camera years ( bye . . . Minolta XE7 , X700 ) . The Good : The micro mode is excellent . I took a lot of pictures with my model diorama , so this feature ranges #2 in my wish list . I like the multi-file mode where I can take a color and B + W pictures at the same time ; I like the custom mode where I can preset the features and be able to switch to it at an instant . Overall , good quality on the built and on the picture . The Bad : This is a major design fault . The Leica F2.0 cannot take a filter unless you buy a lens adaptor . Having the lens adaptor on adds two inches in the front of the camera and makes it no pocket-able . If you want to take the adaptor off , you have to put the lens ring back on , otherwise you cannot put on the lens cap . So in effect , you either leave the lens adaptor on all the time , or have to constantly mount and dismount the lens ring and the adaptor . This is more trouble than it's worth . And then I found out , with the lens adaptor on , it left a dark shadow at the lower right hand corner of the picture when you use flash . You have to zoom out to 2x in order for the lens to reach out of the blind spot . To the Panasonic engineer : why can't you design a small thread on the front lens element so that it can take on a filter ? This is why I gave the product four stars instead of five . By the way , I brought the silver LX3 and brought the lensmate silver lens adaptor . It comes with two lens cap tabs that allow me to use the original lens cap on the filter . Cool .
    • 041 4  This review is from : Panasonic DMC-LX3 10.1MP Digital Camera with 24mm Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Black ) ( Electronics ) Ok , everyone else has sung the many praises of the LX - 3 in excessive detail in other reviews , so I'm just adding some key insights about the major pros and minor cons that I have noticed after 18 months of fairly regular use : Pros : The LX - 3 is the best camera available for low light social settings , including candle light . I hate flash photography , and with the LX - 3 ' s fast lens and image stabilization , i almost never need the flash and still get great photos . Start-up speed and refresh rate are very good , the wide angle is fantastic for getting a group in the shot , and it fits in my pocket so I don't feel like a geek lugging around a big camera , but when a photo op arrives , it starts up and is ready quite quickly , and takes great photos in such conditions . With the wide angle , I have perfected the art of taking self portraits with a group of people . Stand next your group in a line , then hold out the camera pointing down the line and click , a picture of the whole group . This really streamlines the group photo thing , and allows me to get in the photos I take ! It is also very good for portraits , but at the widest angle , noticeable distortion occurs , so zoom out quite a bit for the best portraits . The same features that make it so good for social photos make it great for photographing the interiors of buildings . Wide angle , fast lens , image stabilization equals truly excellent interior photos : realtors , architects and designers take note ! The LX - 3 is also stellar for casual outing and travel photos . I am the sort of photographer that loves to take quick photos of whatever interesting scenes come up while traveling , and the LX - 3 allows me to get images on the fly with a minimal amount of effort at programming . All I have to worry about is composition and light angle etc . , and it makes some surprisingly good travel photos . It is also very good for landscapes . I can fit it in my jeans back pocket with a little bit of care , it is tight , but it works ! The small size is amazing for a camera that takes such great photos . Problems : The lens cap is a pain , often getting in the way when I am trying to compose a shot on the fly , and when it isn't on , it is easy to get finger prints on the lens . I've gotten used to it tho , mostly . The mode dial and / or on off switch often moves when slipping in and out of the case , or my pocket . This slows things down and can lead to some missed photos . Not much zoom out ability . This makes it nearly useless for wildlife , birds , etc . Verdict : If you are a serious casual photographer like me , who takes a lot of social photos and interior photos and casual travel photos , I cannot recommend this camera enough , it is fantastic , and you must go out and buy one immediately !
    • 042 4  Ok , everyone else has sung the many praises of the LX - 3 in excessive detail in other reviews , so I'm just adding some key insights about the major pros and minor cons that I have noticed after 18 months of fairly regular use : Pros : The LX - 3 is the best camera available for low light social settings , including candle light . I hate flash photography , and with the LX - 3 ' s fast lens and image stabilization , i almost never need the flash and still get great photos . Start-up speed and refresh rate are very good , the wide angle is fantastic for getting a group in the shot , and it fits in my pocket so I don't feel like a geek lugging around a big camera , but when a photo op arrives , it starts up and is ready quite quickly , and takes great photos in such conditions . With the wide angle , I have perfected the art of taking self portraits with a group of people . Stand next your group in a line , then hold out the camera pointing down the line and click , a picture of the whole group . This really streamlines the group photo thing , and allows me to get in the photos I take ! It is also very good for portraits , but at the widest angle , noticeable distortion occurs , so zoom out quite a bit for the best portraits . The same features that make it so good for social photos make it great for photographing the interiors of buildings . Wide angle , fast lens , image stabilization equals truly excellent interior photos : realtors , architects and designers take note ! The LX - 3 is also stellar for casual outing and travel photos . I am the sort of photographer that loves to take quick photos of whatever interesting scenes come up while traveling , and the LX - 3 allows me to get images on the fly with a minimal amount of effort at programming . All I have to worry about is composition and light angle etc . , and it makes some surprisingly good travel photos . It is also very good for landscapes . I can fit it in my jeans back pocket with a little bit of care , it is tight , but it works ! The small size is amazing for a camera that takes such great photos . Problems : The lens cap is a pain , often getting in the way when I am trying to compose a shot on the fly , and when it isn't on , it is easy to get finger prints on the lens . I've gotten used to it tho , mostly . The mode dial and / or on off switch often moves when slipping in and out of the case , or my pocket . This slows things down and can lead to some missed photos . Not much zoom out ability . This makes it nearly useless for wildlife , birds , etc . Verdict : If you are a serious casual photographer like me , who takes a lot of social photos and interior photos and casual travel photos , I cannot recommend this camera enough , it is fantastic , and you must go out and buy one immediately !
    • 044 4  I've been using the LX3 for eight months and continue to be impressed by its interface and image quality . Yes , there is some noise above ISO 200 but it's not objectionable . Canon just introduced a competitor in the Canon S90 IS , which looks impressive at its introduction . However , its lens is not as wide as the LX3 ' s , which is very important to me as a travel shooter . The S90 has no means to use filters , again a shortcoming in my opinion . Also , the S90 does not shoot in 3 : 2 aspect mode , which the LX3 does easily by simple moving a switch . If you're looking for a great travel companion , the LX3 will sure to please . I wish it had an optical viewfinder , but I'm getting used to using the LCD screen . [ . . . ]
    • 045 4  This review is from : Panasonic DMC-LX3 10.1MP Digital Camera with 24mm Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Black ) ( Electronics ) This is my ninth compact digicam and easily the best of the lot for image quality . Most small cameras suffer from extreme contrast issues and lack of dynamic range . The LX3 improves on that quite a bit . With my Panasonic TZ3 which this replaced , noise was a big issue in many shots even at ISO 100 . Noise has been reduced considerably in the LX3 . I don't shoot at high ISO values so can't speak for that . This LX3 tends to overexpose and blow out highlights so I'm shooting a full stop below normal for most outdoor shots . I'm shooting RAW + JPG . The JPG files are very good , only when shooting with reduced contrast and saturation settings . RAW gives more flexibility for post processing and for nearly every shot I get better results after PP than the JPGs . The included Silkypix software is adequate for post processing of RAW images but it's not the easiest or fastest software to use . So I'm hoping for a compatibility release for Apple's Aperture . ( As of early 2009 the LX3 is not supported by Aperture . ) I'm a little disappointed in HD video results because 24 fps isn't fast enough for smooth panning . As long as the camera is pointed in one direction , video quality is very good . As soon as I move it around , the image gets jerky . All in all , I'm very happy with the LX3 . For me it's a big jump in image quality over the Panasonic TZ3 I replaced . Highly recommended , if like me you refuse to truck around a SLR .
    • 046 4  This is my ninth compact digicam and easily the best of the lot for image quality . Most small cameras suffer from extreme contrast issues and lack of dynamic range . The LX3 improves on that quite a bit . With my Panasonic TZ3 which this replaced , noise was a big issue in many shots even at ISO 100 . Noise has been reduced considerably in the LX3 . I don't shoot at high ISO values so can't speak for that . This LX3 tends to overexpose and blow out highlights so I'm shooting a full stop below normal for most outdoor shots . I'm shooting RAW + JPG . The JPG files are very good , only when shooting with reduced contrast and saturation settings . RAW gives more flexibility for post processing and for nearly every shot I get better results after PP than the JPGs . The included Silkypix software is adequate for post processing of RAW images but it's not the easiest or fastest software to use . So I'm hoping for a compatibility release for Apple's Aperture . ( As of early 2009 the LX3 is not supported by Aperture . ) I'm a little disappointed in HD video results because 24 fps isn't fast enough for smooth panning . As long as the camera is pointed in one direction , video quality is very good . As soon as I move it around , the image gets jerky . All in all , I'm very happy with the LX3 . For me it's a big jump in image quality over the Panasonic TZ3 I replaced . Highly recommended , if like me you refuse to truck around a SLR .
    • 047 4  This review is from : Panasonic DMC-LX3 10.1MP Digital Camera with 24mm Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Black ) ( Electronics ) After much internal debate , I finally bought the LX3 last December . I was held back initially by the outer limit of the lens [ about 60mm ] . Then I had to wrestle with whether to buy the D-Lux 4 instead . I decided the cost difference was not worth it . The LX3 is delightful . I am very pleased with the results . The camera is portable and fun to use . The OIS feature is very effective . The ability to quickly change formats is handy . I enjoy the square format option . It reminds me of my Hasselblad days . Some have expressed concern about the lens cap . It is not a problem . Virtually all of my cameras ( Canon , Nikon , Leica , Hasselblad ) have had lens caps , not built-in lens covers . I don't use the tether since it just gets in the way . I put the cap in my pocket or in a camera bag , just as I have done with other cameras . It is great fun to use the different film modes with this little camera . It is charming to use black and white at a wide angle and fill the frame with an interesting composition , such as people interacting in a room . The 24mm view is a very attractive feature . So is the f / 2.0 wide aperture . It invites low light photography . I generally use the aperture priority setting . Just as with my M6TTL , I can just go out with my little camera and make lovely pictures without getting wrapped up in the technology . Of course , with the LX3 , I can quickly change the film or the format . I tend to do less fiddling and concentrate on the image , not the technology . Too much fiddling gets in the way of the joy of photography . I am enjoying the camera very much . So is my wife . I miss my tripods , but find the OIS lets me get along without them in most cases . Of course that is so with the M6 , too . The LX3 is easy and fun to use . Great results . I have been chiefly using jpegs and like what I see . I am low on the RAW learning curve , so I have little to say about RAW capture . I must add that I also bought the G1 last spring so as to use my Leica M lenses on a digital body [ with the Cosina Voiglander M adapter ] . A great combination .
    • 048 4  After much internal debate , I finally bought the LX3 last December . I was held back initially by the outer limit of the lens [ about 60mm ] . Then I had to wrestle with whether to buy the D-Lux 4 instead . I decided the cost difference was not worth it . The LX3 is delightful . I am very pleased with the results . The camera is portable and fun to use . The OIS feature is very effective . The ability to quickly change formats is handy . I enjoy the square format option . It reminds me of my Hasselblad days . Some have expressed concern about the lens cap . It is not a problem . Virtually all of my cameras ( Canon , Nikon , Leica , Hasselblad ) have had lens caps , not built-in lens covers . I don't use the tether since it just gets in the way . I put the cap in my pocket or in a camera bag , just as I have done with other cameras . It is great fun to use the different film modes with this little camera . It is charming to use black and white at a wide angle and fill the frame with an interesting composition , such as people interacting in a room . The 24mm view is a very attractive feature . So is the f / 2.0 wide aperture . It invites low light photography . I generally use the aperture priority setting . Just as with my M6TTL , I can just go out with my little camera and make lovely pictures without getting wrapped up in the technology . Of course , with the LX3 , I can quickly change the film or the format . I tend to do less fiddling and concentrate on the image , not the technology . Too much fiddling gets in the way of the joy of photography . I am enjoying the camera very much . So is my wife . I miss my tripods , but find the OIS lets me get along without them in most cases . Of course that is so with the M6 , too . The LX3 is easy and fun to use . Great results . I have been chiefly using jpegs and like what I see . I am low on the RAW learning curve , so I have little to say about RAW capture . I must add that I also bought the G1 last spring so as to use my Leica M lenses on a digital body [ with the Cosina Voiglander M adapter ] . A great combination .
    • 049 4  After using Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3S ( for Silver ) for a while , I am impressed of its capability and quality . Build Quality and Control LX3 has very good build quality . It feels tough , scratch and the size is smaller and lighter than its competitor Canon G series . It fit in my winter coat easily . The silver version I have looks very classy and shiny.Like other advanced compact cameras , LX3 allow users to set aperture , shutter speed and focus manually . Like digital SLR camera , we have aperture priority ( A ) , Speed priority ( S ) , iA ( inteligent auto mode ) , SCN ( Scene selections ) , Movie mode , Automatic without flash ( P ) mode , two custom settings and off course full manual mode . The intelligent mode ( iA ) is great to recognize the scene and adjust the setting automatically for us . For example , when I am shooting at night , the mode dial automatically adjust to night scene . The image comes up great without blown highlight unlike other entry level compact camera . The other great thing the camera has to offer is the ability to choose aspect ratio for image and also video . For me it is a great creative tools for any photographers . The aspects ratio we can choose for image is 4 : 3 , 3 : 2 , and 16 : 9 . For movie : 4 : 3 and wide screen 16 : 9 . Image Quality and Video Quality The main difference between this camera with Canon G series or other compact cameras is the famous leica lens is able to go down to f / 2 - 2.8 . This big aperture ensure the camera to take picture in dim light with lowest iso sensitivities as possible . The result is cleaner look . Even when I took picture in very big aperture of f / 2 , the depth of field remain very large . This is because the relatively smaller sensor compared to digital slr camera . I feel this is one of great advantage over digital SLR camera where the depth of field was so shallow in lower aperture lens . The lens is also wider than other advanced compact out there ( 24mm ) . It is superb for low light indoor large group picture . In addition , MEGA OIS ( optical image stabilization ) help to combat hand shake . I am able to take picture without blur up to 1 / 15 shutter speed easily . About the noise , The result is relatively clean up to iso 400 which is about equal to iso 800 in dslr camera . In iso 800 , the noise start to be a problem . It is about equal to iso 2400 in dslr camera . Regarding to movie mode , I haven't try it extensively but looking at samples that other took , It was very clean and smooth . The built in microphone did the job well too . The Downside The not so good about this camera is the lens cap . Not like other compact , that have built-in lens cap . The LX3 lens cap could be annoying . Also some of the buttons and joystick might be too small for people with a large finger ( fortunately I have thin and small fingers ) . Built-in flash is provided but the result of the image with flash is not good . Luckily it has hot shoe for external flash . There is no viewfinder ( external viewfinder is optional but very expensive aprox . $140 ) but the hi-res 460k LCD screen are sharper than any entry-level dslr camera out there . The last one is the zoom , it is limited from wide to standard length ) . So users that interested on taking picture from a far ( wild life , airplane , candids ) will be disappointed . In conclusion This camera certainly is a very unique camera because it is superior for low light ( compared to other compact cameras ) and have a very wide angle ( 24mm ) which is the best for landscape , large group picture and indoor . For beginners : if you love to take wide angle pictures and don't like to take telephoto pictures then take this cameras . You'll love it . It has many useful application such as family events , travel landscape and even macro . For Digital SLR users and hobbyists : Because its portability , there is no excuse on not to take this camera around with you in anytime . You will be surely do not miss the moment . While the image quality is not up to par to digital slr camera with PRO grade lens , but this camera do produce sharp pictures for regular print or web . In addition , for all users , the movie mode it provide will be very handy to capture some high quality video clip . Please check out my blog radiantlite dot com for more review and general photography information . Thanks !
    • 051 4  This review is from : Panasonic DMC-LX3 10.1MP Digital Camera with 24mm Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Black ) ( Electronics ) This camera is a pleasure to use . Whether using manual settings or the automatic ( ia ) setting , the IQ is fantastic . My first Lumix was the FZ - 10 . It , too , produced amazing shots . Since then , I've had two other cameras in the Lumix lineup . I enjoy both of those , but they've never given me the excitement of the FZ - 10 . With the LX3 , I've found that excitement all over again . The Leica Summicron lens give super sharp , beautifully saturated photos . In short , I love this camera !
    • 053 4  This camera is awesome . If you love the versatility of a SLR , but don't like the bulkiness then this camera is purrfectt for you ! It is the highest end compact camera that you can get . Only other that comes close is the Canon G10 ; Which has problems with poor LCD quality and average sensor . The sensor on this camera is HUGE and is of the top quality . This camera is so feature rich , there is no comparison to any cameras available in the market . I have owned it for a few months and comprehensively evaluated it . 1 . I did a test on the sensor and it has excellent dynamic range which is the contrast between bright and dark areas . 2 . The camera has superb color reproduction . It was surprising to see the colors retained even in low light situations . 3 . The most interesting feature for me was availability of manual focus ! I have not come across any other compact camera that even has that feature . It is also very easy to use . 4 . Overall the camera menu and user interface is excellent and very logical . 5 . There are a tonne of standard modes for capture that any amateur or enthusiastic photographer will find useful . 6 . The camera is also capable of capturing High Definition video in 16 : 9 mode , which is great if you have a HD TV . ( sound quality though was not to impressive ) 7 . One of the very few compact cameras that allow you to capture images in RAW format . 8 . There is an intelligent mode which adjusts the camera automatically with the conditions . I will admit to have tried it when I am too lazy and it works quite well Things I don't like : None that really bother me . 1 . However , it is annoying to have to remember to put lens cap ON everytime you turn it OFF . I am used to canon cameras that have automatic lens covers when the camera is shut down . However the lens in this camera is HUGE compared to any Canon camera ( compact ) I have used . 2 . The other annoyance is that movies are shot in . mov format , which is not the most versatile format . However , with little search you can find programs that could convert then to avi or wmv files . 3 . The Panasonic software is average , but again there are so many other softwares that you can use , why even bother . 4 . If you are very SLRish , you will notice that the RAW images appear to be slightly processed since there is some image processing that occurs on the sensor board . Bottom line : This is a great camera for most SLR replacement or learning more advanced photography .
    • 055 4  The Good : * 24mm wide angle in a compact . This is invaluable to me as I love to get closer to my subject . Also , the JPEG processing eliminates distortion . * 60 second exposures ! This is my favorite part of the camera . I do a lot of night time shooting , and when I don't have one of my serious cameras handy the LX3 can create some gorgeous long exposures . I don't think many other compacts go beyond 15 seconds . * F2.0 lens . I'll use this cameras at low ISO and 2.0 all day indoors . I hate using a flash ( bounced flash is lovely , but I'm lazy unless it's for work ) so I'll use an slr if I really need great ISO indoors for people . Let's all be honest and say it's NOT a real summicron ; and even if it were it would not matter as a tiny sensor isn't going to max out even a so-so lens . I would never pay over 500 dollars for a normal focal length lens ( if you do you need your head examined ! ) , so this is probably the only thing I'll ever own that says Leica . * Moderate control of noise reduction . I can set my lx3 to - 2 noise reduction and capture more detail . * Aspect ratio control on the lens ( 3 : 2 , 4 : 3 , 16 : 9 ) . I almost always shoot in 3 : 2 and 4 : 3 , but it's nice to have such a convenience . * Image stabilizer definitely does work . * Battery life is acceptable . * The lens cap . Most people see this as a bad thing , but I enjoy it as it provide infinitely more protection than the weak built in caps on other compacts . Yes it protrudes , and I'm willing to make that sacrifice in order to keep my expensive camera safe . * Screen is very nice . I also like how you can eliminate all the junk on the screen by pressing the display button . * I blew a picture up to 20x30 at iso 80 / f4.5 / - 2 noise reduction / 3 : 2 ratio / JPEG . It looks plenty sharp from a few feet away and perfectly reasonable up close . It currently hangs in someone's home and definitely displays just how capable these tiny cameras are . The Bad : * The auto white balance has trouble at night time . During the day it is ok . It produces some cooler colors during the day and I find adding some amber to the auto white balance makes it more to my taste . Night time auto white balance is very frustrating though ; it loves to go green like reciprocity issue on film . I can still get it to look good , but it's nothing like the pleasant gamut of colors I get from a professional slr . Haha but how mad can I really get ? It's a compact camera . * Has RAW support . All this does is cause people to angst over RAW vs . JPEG in a compact camera . Compacts are all about convenience , so I really have zero desire to shoot RAW on this ( or quite frankly any other camera ) . My clients have never noticed or cared that I shoot JPEG . For snapshot duty on the lx3 , shooting RAW is like walking up an escalator that is traveling down . For real cameras , RAW is a choice for the photographer as they have to decide if the marginal benefit is worth so much of their time . Too much work for arguably the same results . * This is not as compact as most compacts . It's bulges a little in your pocket , but then again that's the price you pay for having such a versatile tool in a barely pocketable package . I may switch over to an aps-c compact camera when they have improved some more . For now this camera goes everywhere with me in my backpack . HIGHLY recommended .
    • 056 4  I , like many others who have written a review , wanted a good point and shoot for those times when my Canon xTi ( still a wonderful camera ) or 40D with lenses , are too much to bring along . Additionally , I have arthritis in my hands , and sometimes I simply cannot handle my 40D . I had read many reviews of the Leica D-Lux 4 , but I could not justify the price-even if I got the Leica name and leather case ! . But seriously , I then did some research on the Lumix / country cousin of the Leica . I read ever review I could locate . . . pro and con . I realized that what I wanted , and what would suit my purpose was a compact w / a wide angle . . and the Leica lense in the Lumix would suit me . I went to the camera store and I held both cameras . Honestly , the Lumix is a little work of art . I liked it better than the Leica . It felt like the first Minolta my parents gave me in 1968 ; sturdy . At any rate , I was impressed with the packaging , with the in box equipment , and the sheer beauty of this little gem . I have been shooting for years w / SLRs and for the past four years with DSLRs , and to be completly honest , the picture quality ( 4x6 ) even at a higher ISO is void of noise . The shots are crisp and clear with detail I could not have expected from a point and shoot ( but of course , there is the Leica lense ) . I know some reviewers are not happy with shooting results in RAW , but I did not purcahase the camera to get creative in this manner / I have the aforementioned cameras for this purpose . I have not tried RAW yet , but again , for my purposes , the camera is so far working well . Now , for the technical issue I have with Lumix : In my opinion , the instruction book was written by someone whose first language is not English . If this camera is purchased by someone who has never owned a digital of any kind , I imagine there will be some frustration with plodding through the book . I have purchased many camera instruction books over the years to complement those that have come with my other camreas , and someone could write one for this camera . I figured out most of the menue selections because of being familiar with the Canon system , but I had to go on-line to locate some answers to a few of my questions . This being said , I recommend this camera as a suburb buy at under $450 . I just love it .
    • 057 4  This review is from : Panasonic DMC-LX3 10.1MP Digital Camera with 24mm Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Black ) ( Electronics ) I bought this camera about a week before my honeymoon , on the strength of its specifications and the positive reviews . We wound up getting some great indoor and outdoor pictures of Barcelona , and couldn't be more pleased with the camera . My wife , who isn't interested in fiddling with aperture and shutter speed , used the excellent Auto mode ; I was able to get some nice results with the aperture and shutter priority settings . This camera has an excellent lens - the wide-angle end is as wide as you're likely to need , and the zoomed-in end is sufficiently tight for most uses . The maximum aperture of f2.0 gives you more flexibility with exposure time than any other point-n-shoot of which I'm aware . Coupled with a sensor that's usable at reasonable ISO , and with auto-stabilization , the fast lens lets you take fantastic indoor shots with available light . The included flash is pretty powerful , but I almost never used it . The only things I didn't like about this camera were its lack of an optical viewfinder ( you can purchase one that fits in the hotshoe ) and the need for a lens cap . Otherwise , this is a fantastic camera , and arguably the best current-generation camera in its price range .
    • 058 4  I bought this camera about a week before my honeymoon , on the strength of its specifications and the positive reviews . We wound up getting some great indoor and outdoor pictures of Barcelona , and couldn't be more pleased with the camera . My wife , who isn't interested in fiddling with aperture and shutter speed , used the excellent Auto mode ; I was able to get some nice results with the aperture and shutter priority settings . This camera has an excellent lens - the wide-angle end is as wide as you're likely to need , and the zoomed-in end is sufficiently tight for most uses . The maximum aperture of f2.0 gives you more flexibility with exposure time than any other point-n-shoot of which I'm aware . Coupled with a sensor that's usable at reasonable ISO , and with auto-stabilization , the fast lens lets you take fantastic indoor shots with available light . The included flash is pretty powerful , but I almost never used it . The only things I didn't like about this camera were its lack of an optical viewfinder ( you can purchase one that fits in the hotshoe ) and the need for a lens cap . Otherwise , this is a fantastic camera , and arguably the best current-generation camera in its price range .
    • 060 4  This review is from : Panasonic DMC-LX3S 10.1MP Digital Camera with 2.5x Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Silver ) ( Electronics ) Hi , everyone : I posted a few sample pictures in the album . Many of you might have some questions . How much do I love my new LX3 after 3 months ? Love gets cold , some say . Let's see if that's the case . Oh , I still have plenty of love for my LX3 . The fact is , when this love lasts , I start to know what she can or she can't do , and that just becomes easier for both of me and the camera . First of all , I have to tell you this is the first electronic equipment that I actually read the whole user guide . The 1cm focus range , the manual controls , and the cool f / 2.0 lens are among the things I really like about this camera . Plus that compact size , there are a lot of general occasions people will find this camera extremely useful , especially when a DSLR is not present . And that says it all , when a DSLR is not around , this camera is the king of the house . From my album on Flickr you probably have already noticed I shoot a lot of different objects . Especially when I am on a trip , I won't start saying , I am going to shoot landscape today . Or I am going to shoot party scene today . Or anything like that . As I view photography as a way to record life , life has many dimensions . Our photographic objects change quickly , to portraits , to landscape , to macro , to low-light , to anything we , as photographers , would notice . And that , with my laziness , make me rely on the auto mode in shooting . Too often there is no time for me to massage the camera bottoms , play with the settings and then shoot . Pathetic , maybe , but point and shoot is what I usually do . That becomes a problem for the LX3 . Something about how the computer was set inside . Though I keep updating the firmware , the camera , in more than one occasion , took too long to recognize the scene and left me with no picture . I know this is a common problem for compact small cameras , all brands have it , especially I usually leave only seconds for the camera to shoot . It pushes me back to my old reliable DLSR . The other problems are the picture quality . Sure , I have tried both the Canon G10 and the Nikon competitor . LX3 by far has the best picture quality with the lowest noise . However my Pentax K100D has only 6MP yet it has better smoother pictures , sort of , maybe I should upgrade to K20D . º The third problem , actually not from the LX3 , is that recently I just took two photographic trips to New Orleans and San Diego . When I am on a trip like that , I would definitely use my DSLR . That's why most of my latest uploads onto my flickr album are from my Pentax . Now here comes the sliver lining . 1 . The camera is compact and can go places where a DLSR cannot go . 2 . The camera can take high def video . 3 . The camera can be put into a jean ¡ ¦ s tight pockets ( ouch ~ ~ ~ ! ) . 4 . You don't need to , or you can ¡ ¦ t , change lens on a trip . ( oh , that's a plus ? ) I hope the above helps ! Best regards , Lisi
    • 061 4  Hi , everyone : I posted a few sample pictures in the album . Many of you might have some questions . How much do I love my new LX3 after 3 months ? Love gets cold , some say . Let's see if that's the case . Oh , I still have plenty of love for my LX3 . The fact is , when this love lasts , I start to know what she can or she can't do , and that just becomes easier for both of me and the camera . First of all , I have to tell you this is the first electronic equipment that I actually read the whole user guide . The 1cm focus range , the manual controls , and the cool f / 2.0 lens are among the things I really like about this camera . Plus that compact size , there are a lot of general occasions people will find this camera extremely useful , especially when a DSLR is not present . And that says it all , when a DSLR is not around , this camera is the king of the house . From my album on Flickr you probably have already noticed I shoot a lot of different objects . Especially when I am on a trip , I won't start saying , I am going to shoot landscape today . Or I am going to shoot party scene today . Or anything like that . As I view photography as a way to record life , life has many dimensions . Our photographic objects change quickly , to portraits , to landscape , to macro , to low-light , to anything we , as photographers , would notice . And that , with my laziness , make me rely on the auto mode in shooting . Too often there is no time for me to massage the camera bottoms , play with the settings and then shoot . Pathetic , maybe , but point and shoot is what I usually do . That becomes a problem for the LX3 . Something about how the computer was set inside . Though I keep updating the firmware , the camera , in more than one occasion , took too long to recognize the scene and left me with no picture . I know this is a common problem for compact small cameras , all brands have it , especially I usually leave only seconds for the camera to shoot . It pushes me back to my old reliable DLSR . The other problems are the picture quality . Sure , I have tried both the Canon G10 and the Nikon competitor . LX3 by far has the best picture quality with the lowest noise . However my Pentax K100D has only 6MP yet it has better smoother pictures , sort of , maybe I should upgrade to K20D . º The third problem , actually not from the LX3 , is that recently I just took two photographic trips to New Orleans and San Diego . When I am on a trip like that , I would definitely use my DSLR . That's why most of my latest uploads onto my flickr album are from my Pentax . Now here comes the sliver lining . 1 . The camera is compact and can go places where a DLSR cannot go . 2 . The camera can take high def video . 3 . The camera can be put into a jean ¡ ¦ s tight pockets ( ouch ~ ~ ~ ! ) . 4 . You don't need to , or you can ¡ ¦ t , change lens on a trip . ( oh , that's a plus ? ) I hope the above helps ! Best regards , Lisi
    • 063 4  Let me get the less-than-perfect stuff out of the way first : 1 ) the zoom range is only 2.5x , 2 ) there is no optical viewfinder and 3 ) the lens cap is not built-in . There . Now you know the bad stuff ; from here on I rave . Instead of rave , perhaps I'll just leave you with the most important thought . It takes excellent pictures ! The Leica lens , the wide aperture and the CCD together work well in most lighting conditions . This was the promise in Panasonic's marketing materials . They deliberately held off from raising the pixel count opting instead to really push for quality and they delivered . I carry my LX3 everywhere and when I'm shooting seriously I also hang my Sony Alpha 300 with a 70 - 200 mm around my neck . The two cameras are perfectly complimentary . I have been VERY happy with this purchase these past six months .
    • 067 4  This review is from : Panasonic DMC-LX3 10.1MP Digital Camera with 24mm Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Black ) ( Electronics ) I was looking for a high quality compact camera to take on motorcycle trips and use as a walk-around camera for shooting landscapes , street scenes and nature shots . After doing extensive research , my short list contained the LX3 , the G11 and the S90 . While the Canons are good cameras , I went with the LX3 mainly due to the incredible images this fine machine produces . It has a magnificent , wide and fast lens that allows indoor and low-light shooting without flash . Build quality is superb , this is a very solid camera that has a real retro look and feel . While it can be used as a high quality p & s , it also has tremendous manual capabilities . This is a camera you can grow with , a camera that will enhance your skills as a photographer , a camera that is a keeper . The LX3 is not quite jeans pocketable due to its wonderful lens , but it slips easily into a jacket pocket or the pocket of cargo shorts . Having grown up on 35mm SLRs , I have no problem with the lens cap . It also has a very bright and clear screen , which is a pleasure to compose shots with , even in sunlight . For those waivering on the LX3 due to its small zoom range , I have not found this to be a problem . Either walk closer to your subject ( always a good idea ) or reduce the megapixel size and you then have 4.5 X optical zoom to work with . I highly recommend this amazing camera - it is in a class by itself .
    • 068 4  I was looking for a high quality compact camera to take on motorcycle trips and use as a walk-around camera for shooting landscapes , street scenes and nature shots . After doing extensive research , my short list contained the LX3 , the G11 and the S90 . While the Canons are good cameras , I went with the LX3 mainly due to the incredible images this fine machine produces . It has a magnificent , wide and fast lens that allows indoor and low-light shooting without flash . Build quality is superb , this is a very solid camera that has a real retro look and feel . While it can be used as a high quality p & s , it also has tremendous manual capabilities . This is a camera you can grow with , a camera that will enhance your skills as a photographer , a camera that is a keeper . The LX3 is not quite jeans pocketable due to its wonderful lens , but it slips easily into a jacket pocket or the pocket of cargo shorts . Having grown up on 35mm SLRs , I have no problem with the lens cap . It also has a very bright and clear screen , which is a pleasure to compose shots with , even in sunlight . For those waivering on the LX3 due to its small zoom range , I have not found this to be a problem . Either walk closer to your subject ( always a good idea ) or reduce the megapixel size and you then have 4.5 X optical zoom to work with . I highly recommend this amazing camera - it is in a class by itself .
    • 069 4  This review is from : Panasonic DMC-LX3 10.1MP Digital Camera with 24mm Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Black ) ( Electronics ) I would highly recommend this camera to anyone who wants a portable , pocket-able , camera that enables them to experiment in digital photography and gives them the ability to take some fantastic pictures . I have had my LX3 ( purchased through Amazon at $417 ) for about a month now and just LOVE IT . First impressions : Very well made camera - good solid construction with a perfect weight . Made in Japan - many of its competitors are manufactured in China . Beautiful design - you are basically getting a Leica D-LUX4 in terms of looks and almost in terms of quality too . I just love the retro styling and it feels great in the hand too . Lovely lens - enables great indoor photos due to its fast f2.0 lens at 24mm . Sometimes it would be nice to have a little bit more of a zoom but it often means you should just walk closer to the subject . My previous camera was a Canon S5 with a very long zoom so it will take a bit to get used to not having that option . I do love the wide angle lens for landscape photography and it seems to be really useful for capturing big family groups clustered around a table etc . Very fast burst mode - About 2.5fps which is really good for a point-and-shoot . This camera just totally inspires me to want to get out and take pictures . Cons : Movie mode - not too impressed so far . Movies aren't as good quality as my old camera even though there is the 720p ' High-Def ' option . One thing about the movie mode that is of poor quality is the audio due to a single microphone on the LX3 compared to dual mics on my old camera that allowed for stereo sound of much higher quality . The lack of a dedicated movie capture button . Instead you have to cycle through to the movie option and then press the capture button . The separate lens cap is a little annoying although , in my opinion , is not nearly as bad as some reviewers ' thoughts . It is definitely not a deal breaker . I would love it if I could use AA batteries with the LX3 although that just doesn't seem to be an option on most digicams anymore . All in all , very few cons - a wonderful camera , you really can't go wrong with the Panasonic Lumix LX3 .
    • 070 4  I would highly recommend this camera to anyone who wants a portable , pocket-able , camera that enables them to experiment in digital photography and gives them the ability to take some fantastic pictures . I have had my LX3 ( purchased through Amazon at $417 ) for about a month now and just LOVE IT . First impressions : Very well made camera - good solid construction with a perfect weight . Made in Japan - many of its competitors are manufactured in China . Beautiful design - you are basically getting a Leica D-LUX4 in terms of looks and almost in terms of quality too . I just love the retro styling and it feels great in the hand too . Lovely lens - enables great indoor photos due to its fast f2.0 lens at 24mm . Sometimes it would be nice to have a little bit more of a zoom but it often means you should just walk closer to the subject . My previous camera was a Canon S5 with a very long zoom so it will take a bit to get used to not having that option . I do love the wide angle lens for landscape photography and it seems to be really useful for capturing big family groups clustered around a table etc . Very fast burst mode - About 2.5fps which is really good for a point-and-shoot . This camera just totally inspires me to want to get out and take pictures . Cons : Movie mode - not too impressed so far . Movies aren't as good quality as my old camera even though there is the 720p ' High-Def ' option . One thing about the movie mode that is of poor quality is the audio due to a single microphone on the LX3 compared to dual mics on my old camera that allowed for stereo sound of much higher quality . The lack of a dedicated movie capture button . Instead you have to cycle through to the movie option and then press the capture button . The separate lens cap is a little annoying although , in my opinion , is not nearly as bad as some reviewers ' thoughts . It is definitely not a deal breaker . I would love it if I could use AA batteries with the LX3 although that just doesn't seem to be an option on most digicams anymore . All in all , very few cons - a wonderful camera , you really can't go wrong with the Panasonic Lumix LX3 .
    • 071 4  First let me tell you what I have : Three Nikon reflex cameras ( D70 , D300 , D200 ) a canon 5D as well as a bevy of film based cameras . I have had a Lumix FZ20 , a Sony 717 and a Minolta 530 . For the money the LX3 is simply amazing , but don't expect to be in the same league as the reflex camera , especially at high ISO . If there are lots of shadows I don't like using my LX3 above ISO 400 ( that's a subjective assessment ) . I get about a 2 EV advantage with my D300 . The zoom is not especially powerful , but it's so bright and compact I imagine it would have been difficult to design one that would have been at F / 2.8 all the way . The depth of field is of course much greater than my larger cameras because the focal length is so small , so it can be an advantage in many situations , and a disadvantage for taking portraits . It doesn't feel that slow , probably because I expect compact cameras to be slow . The quality of the image stabilizer amazes me : I'm able to take many pictures inside museums and have had better results than with my reflexes when I wasn't using stabilized lens . Pictures at a 15th of a second are tack sharp . There is very little chromatic aberration in the lens . The flash is occasionally over-powerful . The video quality is so much better than what I had before . I take this camera everywhere , which is more than what I can say about my reflex cameras . It looks good . On the negative side the manual is not especially well written , but finally you can figure out a lot by just exploring the menus . All in all I would give it four and a half stars , but given the price and the use I get out of this camera I'll give it 5 .
    • 072 4  This review is from : Panasonic DMC-LX3S 10.1MP Digital Camera with 2.5x Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Silver ) ( Electronics ) I come from a very different camera - the Panny FZ - 20 from long ago . I deliberated over this for several weeks , going back and forth betwixt the usual competitors : this , the G10 , the Sigma DP1 , DP2 , and Ricoh's comparable cameras . Finally it broke down to the a competition betwixt the LX3 and the G10 . Both are serious cameras , and both have the positive and negative attributes . The things that sold me on the LX3 were the f2.0 24mm wide angle lens , the 1 / 1.63 CCD sensor and the fact that they didn't up the megapixels as the G10 did . In fact , I'd think that keeping the megapixels down would make for better pictures , if done correctly . Hopefully this is going to be a trend panasonic will continue with . I love the feel of this camera . Very solid it is and has mass it does . I am still getting used to this jewel , and I do miss a few things that I enjoyed from the FZ - 20 , especially the more powerful zoom , vs . the 24 - 60mm zoom range that this has ( which suits me fine most of the time as I love landscape photography most of all ) , but I am really enjoying using it . Look at [ . . . ] to see some of my pictures , and to be sure , I will post more later on . Anyway , too bad they are so expensive now . But if you can afford it , I say GET IT ! ! !
    • 073 4  I come from a very different camera - the Panny FZ - 20 from long ago . I deliberated over this for several weeks , going back and forth betwixt the usual competitors : this , the G10 , the Sigma DP1 , DP2 , and Ricoh's comparable cameras . Finally it broke down to the a competition betwixt the LX3 and the G10 . Both are serious cameras , and both have the positive and negative attributes . The things that sold me on the LX3 were the f2.0 24mm wide angle lens , the 1 / 1.63 CCD sensor and the fact that they didn't up the megapixels as the G10 did . In fact , I'd think that keeping the megapixels down would make for better pictures , if done correctly . Hopefully this is going to be a trend panasonic will continue with . I love the feel of this camera . Very solid it is and has mass it does . I am still getting used to this jewel , and I do miss a few things that I enjoyed from the FZ - 20 , especially the more powerful zoom , vs . the 24 - 60mm zoom range that this has ( which suits me fine most of the time as I love landscape photography most of all ) , but I am really enjoying using it . Look at [ . . . ] to see some of my pictures , and to be sure , I will post more later on . Anyway , too bad they are so expensive now . But if you can afford it , I say GET IT ! ! !
    • 075 4  This review is from : Panasonic DMC-LX3S 10.1MP Digital Camera with 2.5x Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Silver ) ( Electronics ) As a professional photographer I am picky about image quality and camera controls . This is a great small camera with outstanding image quality . I love it for natural light photography and the wide lens is perfect for scenics and travel . If the noise level is not as good as good SLR so what . . . it comes very close and I can take it with me all the time .
    • 077 4  I've had my LX3 for a couple of weeks now , and shot everything with it from landscapes to portraits and Xmas candids . It has produced a surprising number of impressively good images . It's produced city scapes with great detail at 100% in Photoshop , and portraits with smooth , lifelike tone and colors that show pores and individual hairs on faces . The LX3 does have its weaknesses . Noise is often visible in shadowed areas on many images , even with the lower ISO's . It can't compete with DSLR's for fine color contrast ( for example , hair ) . Auto white balance and auto focus sometimes miss the mark . Get this camera out of its comfort zone and it will remind you it is a compact . I also wish it extended beyond its conservative 2.5x ( ignore the 2.0x description above - - the LX3 is a 2.5 ) . This is the first compact , however , that I've ever really considered a workable DSLR substitute . My prior compact , a Canon G7 , gave up too much resolution and picked up too much noise at ISO 200 and above for confidence with reliably capturing that one great impromptu shot . My LX3 recently produced a pic of two orange koi in a pond at ISO 400 that shows why the folks at dpreview praise this camera's mid-range ISO performance - - - the shot is surprisingly clean and the colors are vibrant ( with a little Photoshop work ) . If you can recognize and work within this camera's limitations , the LX3 can be a fun and great tool . Best compact I've ever owned .
    • 078 4  This review is from : Panasonic DMC-LX3 10.1MP Digital Camera with 24mm Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Black ) ( Electronics ) I have been using the LX3 for about 1.5 months . I find it to be a good substitute for my DSLR in many situations . One weird thing about it : when the lens is set at the widest setting the lens is fully extended . This works really well , because I can put on the lens adapter and use it like a lens shade . In other situations , if you have shading for wide , you have no protection for telephoto . Not so for this camera , because if the lens shade is not blocking anything at wide , it certainly is not going to block anything at the telephoto ( retracted position ) . Those who use off-camera flash / strobes should consider a hotshoe-to-PC synch cord adapter such as the Nikon AS - 15 . I used this camera to do my son's passport pictures and it worked surprisingly well . This camera is designed for those who crave for wide coverage . Those who like to use 85mm + lenses on a full-frame DSLR ( equivalent ) should not consider this one .
    • 079 4  I have been using the LX3 for about 1.5 months . I find it to be a good substitute for my DSLR in many situations . One weird thing about it : when the lens is set at the widest setting the lens is fully extended . This works really well , because I can put on the lens adapter and use it like a lens shade . In other situations , if you have shading for wide , you have no protection for telephoto . Not so for this camera , because if the lens shade is not blocking anything at wide , it certainly is not going to block anything at the telephoto ( retracted position ) . Those who use off-camera flash / strobes should consider a hotshoe-to-PC synch cord adapter such as the Nikon AS - 15 . I used this camera to do my son's passport pictures and it worked surprisingly well . This camera is designed for those who crave for wide coverage . Those who like to use 85mm + lenses on a full-frame DSLR ( equivalent ) should not consider this one .
    • 080 4  This review is from : Panasonic DMC-LX3 10.1MP Digital Camera with 24mm Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Black ) ( Electronics ) I bought this camera to take pictures at social gatherings and in situations where I did not want the bulk , size , and intimidation factor of an SLR digital camera . In many situations people are more relaxed when they see me with a point and shoot type as opposed to a pro SLR digital camera . By the way the DMC-LX3 is by no means a toy camera in its performace and operational characteristics . The DMC-LX3 lets me take pictures and get good enough quality without wishing I had the Canon 50D or the 7D in these situations . Having a decent understanding of photography , I've always wanted features such as a hot shoe for external flash , and full manual control even on a point and shoot camera . I rarely use auto or program mode and set the white balance manually . I've used the auto program mode on this camera and found it to be satisfactory overall in performance , and typical of the many compact cameras such as the Canon and Sony brands . One of the things that impressed me was the ease of use in manaul mode in setting the f-stop and shutter speed . You don't have to go into sub menus to do that . The display is at the bottom of the screen showing the f-stop , shutter speed , and the exposure meter . Setting these parameters are easy using the small joystick like control button on the right side of the cameara next to the LCD display . One minor complaint was that the exposure meter disappeared from the screen after about 10 seconds . A half push of the shutter release , or the take the picture button brings it back on the display . Other than that quirk , I found that the menus were laid out in a logical manner , so I was able to get around quickly to set up the camera for what I needed in a particular shooting situation . The LCD is sharp and has good resolution , however I don't believe that the color temperature is entirely accurate . It tended to render on the warm side . This isn't a deal breaker though , just as long as you are aware of this , and don't use the screen to set color temperature of the shooting scene . The image stabilization works great and give one the ability to shoot using slow shutter speeds with available light . I'm a big fan of image stabilization ( IS ) as it allows for sharp pictures under most all conditions with the exception that if the subject moves there is nothing IS will do to fix that . Image stabilization gives you freedom from the tripod in more situations and allows one to travel light and work more candidly with this camera . The lens sharpness is quite good for a camera in this price range . I've blown up handheld images and found that the sharpness holds up quite well and is not the limiting factor in this camera . Another reason I bought this camera was the speed of the lens , f2.8 . Thats pretty quick for a compact camera and helps in low light shooting conditions . I have to admit that the lens does not have great telephoto range , but its very usable in 90% of my shooting situations . In terms of picture quality this camera is great for what it is . I shoot in the 400 ISO speed range or lower and get good results . ISO 800 and higher start to get grainy , but don't rule that out in some situations where grain gives a desired feel to a particular scene . Don't expect this camera to perform like a Canon 5D / 7D or other pro type cameras . This image sensor is a fraction in size in comparison to that of a full frame or a 1.6 size sensor . The noise / grain to sensitivity factors will be more apparent in a sensor of this size , and will be the picture quality limiting factor . The hot shoe is another feature that I wanted that doesn't exist on any compact camera . Once in a while I'll pull out my Vivitar 285HV flash with a Stofen diffuser and shoot a single or group shot with good results . Since I'm not using the external Panasonic flash designed for this camera , I have to set the f-stop manually as per the dial reading on the flash . If you have an old school auto thyristor flash you will know what this if for . Also the flash makes a good hand grip as the camera is so small , holding it steady could be a challenge . One note ; this camera has a built in pop up flash . The camera should be set to red eye removal mode , otherwise peoples eyes will glow red due to the closeness of the flash to the lens location . I only use the built in flash when I have no other options , and I'm willing to live with its forensic harsh looking pictures . To conclude , this is a great camera and is well made with a lot of metal casing for the body exterior . The build quality is excellent . The camera can be manually configured and used by an advanced user or you could run everything in auto program mode still get decent results . After taking numerous pictures , I don't regret buyng this camera and would still choose this one if I had to do it all over again . If you want to know more in depth about the DMC-LX3 check out the test results at DP Review .
    • 081 4  I bought this camera to take pictures at social gatherings and in situations where I did not want the bulk , size , and intimidation factor of an SLR digital camera . In many situations people are more relaxed when they see me with a point and shoot type as opposed to a pro SLR digital camera . By the way the DMC-LX3 is by no means a toy camera in its performace and operational characteristics . The DMC-LX3 lets me take pictures and get good enough quality without wishing I had the Canon 50D or the 7D in these situations . Having a decent understanding of photography , I've always wanted features such as a hot shoe for external flash , and full manual control even on a point and shoot camera . I rarely use auto or program mode and set the white balance manually . I've used the auto program mode on this camera and found it to be satisfactory overall in performance , and typical of the many compact cameras such as the Canon and Sony brands . One of the things that impressed me was the ease of use in manaul mode in setting the f-stop and shutter speed . You don't have to go into sub menus to do that . The display is at the bottom of the screen showing the f-stop , shutter speed , and the exposure meter . Setting these parameters are easy using the small joystick like control button on the right side of the cameara next to the LCD display . One minor complaint was that the exposure meter disappeared from the screen after about 10 seconds . A half push of the shutter release , or the take the picture button brings it back on the display . Other than that quirk , I found that the menus were laid out in a logical manner , so I was able to get around quickly to set up the camera for what I needed in a particular shooting situation . The LCD is sharp and has good resolution , however I don't believe that the color temperature is entirely accurate . It tended to render on the warm side . This isn't a deal breaker though , just as long as you are aware of this , and don't use the screen to set color temperature of the shooting scene . The image stabilization works great and give one the ability to shoot using slow shutter speeds with available light . I'm a big fan of image stabilization ( IS ) as it allows for sharp pictures under most all conditions with the exception that if the subject moves there is nothing IS will do to fix that . Image stabilization gives you freedom from the tripod in more situations and allows one to travel light and work more candidly with this camera . The lens sharpness is quite good for a camera in this price range . I've blown up handheld images and found that the sharpness holds up quite well and is not the limiting factor in this camera . Another reason I bought this camera was the speed of the lens , f2.8 . Thats pretty quick for a compact camera and helps in low light shooting conditions . I have to admit that the lens does not have great telephoto range , but its very usable in 90% of my shooting situations . In terms of picture quality this camera is great for what it is . I shoot in the 400 ISO speed range or lower and get good results . ISO 800 and higher start to get grainy , but don't rule that out in some situations where grain gives a desired feel to a particular scene . Don't expect this camera to perform like a Canon 5D / 7D or other pro type cameras . This image sensor is a fraction in size in comparison to that of a full frame or a 1.6 size sensor . The noise / grain to sensitivity factors will be more apparent in a sensor of this size , and will be the picture quality limiting factor . The hot shoe is another feature that I wanted that doesn't exist on any compact camera . Once in a while I'll pull out my Vivitar 285HV flash with a Stofen diffuser and shoot a single or group shot with good results . Since I'm not using the external Panasonic flash designed for this camera , I have to set the f-stop manually as per the dial reading on the flash . If you have an old school auto thyristor flash you will know what this if for . Also the flash makes a good hand grip as the camera is so small , holding it steady could be a challenge . One note ; this camera has a built in pop up flash . The camera should be set to red eye removal mode , otherwise peoples eyes will glow red due to the closeness of the flash to the lens location . I only use the built in flash when I have no other options , and I'm willing to live with its forensic harsh looking pictures . To conclude , this is a great camera and is well made with a lot of metal casing for the body exterior . The build quality is excellent . The camera can be manually configured and used by an advanced user or you could run everything in auto program mode still get decent results . After taking numerous pictures , I don't regret buyng this camera and would still choose this one if I had to do it all over again . If you want to know more in depth about the DMC-LX3 check out the test results at DP Review .
    • 082 4  I've been using a black LX3 for a little year now , and I highly recommend it . I primarily take photos of my pets ( dog and cats ) , friends , and family . The camera really excels indoors in low light conditions where the F / 2 lens really shines . You can take sharp photos in places where there was previously not enough light . The wide angle end of the lens is great for group shots in tight spaces or for getting an interesting perspective . The telephoto side ( 60mm equivalent ) is nice for portraits . I primarily use the raw files , and finally Apple software supports the LX3 ' s raw file in iPhoto . If I am going to be somewhere inside or dark , this is the camera I want with me . It's a little bulkier than your standard point and shoot . It definitely doesn't go into my jeans pocket , but I can put it in my cargo pocket or in a jacket pocket . The size does make me take it less places than I like . The interface is a bit complicated , but the features and customizability is one of the reasons I love the LX3 . For instance , I love that you can take 1 : 1 aspect ratio photos . This is a camera that I've grown photographically with over the past year , and I highly recommend it .
    • 083 4  The fact that this camera has been on backorder for months in most stores should tell you something . . . There's nothing better for travel than this gem . It's a Leica in disguise ( and a lot cheaper ) . Compact , solid , low light lens , extra wide angle , great flash , HD video ( 16x9 ) in a package that you can take with you anywhere . The most amazing results are with pics or vid indoors at low light . Forget flash , any ambient light will do . After taking a few thousand shots in a couple of months and hundreds of video clips , here are my gripes : It doesn't do beaches ( with sand and salt water spray ) well . It is difficult to protect from the weather . Take at least four batteries , you'll be running out of power before you'll run out of memory . The lens cap CAN be connected to the camera with a special thin threaded band so you don't loose it ( get it from another device ) . There's no other lens protection like a ND filter available . It won't work . The adapter tube is a joke . Like so many others , I went SLR to Digital to DSRL and now to this one . I think this is the best camera I ever used .
    • 084 4  just as an fyi . . . the retail price on this is around 500 , yet all the retailers here have jacked it up due to the limited availability . I just purchased the silver lx3 from Dell , at a discount ( ~ 420 ) , with delivery next week . Just wanted to let people make an informed decision on this great little camera .
    • 085 4  This review is from : Panasonic DMC-LX3 10.1MP Digital Camera with 24mm Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Black ) ( Electronics ) I love this camera . It takes super sharp pictures and has taken my everyday shots to a whole new level . It makes me smile every time I get to use it !
    • 087 4  This review is from : Panasonic DMC-LX3 10.1MP Digital Camera with 24mm Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Black ) ( Electronics ) Recently purchased this camera and have been surprised and impressed each time I took pictures with it because of the quality of the photos . I have not taken pictures in all kinds of situations , just in bright sunshine , patio cover shade , inside the house during the day with subdued light coming in the windows and indoor flash . In all cases , the white balance was good , the focus was very good , and most of the photos were taken Ai which works very well . No indication of camera shake , pictures very sharp , skin tones very good . I haven't really tested it in all conditions , but it is a perfect bridge camera unless you want a long zoom . If that is what you want , this is not your camera . I have an FZ35 for a long zoom , and a Canon 5D for those days when you feel like packing some weight and getting pictures that can stand large size without any noise . Otherwise , I am using the LX3 most of the time now , when I am going to carry all day . It is certainly worth the money , very wide and fast lens and sharp pictures .
    • 088 4  Recently purchased this camera and have been surprised and impressed each time I took pictures with it because of the quality of the photos . I have not taken pictures in all kinds of situations , just in bright sunshine , patio cover shade , inside the house during the day with subdued light coming in the windows and indoor flash . In all cases , the white balance was good , the focus was very good , and most of the photos were taken Ai which works very well . No indication of camera shake , pictures very sharp , skin tones very good . I haven't really tested it in all conditions , but it is a perfect bridge camera unless you want a long zoom . If that is what you want , this is not your camera . I have an FZ35 for a long zoom , and a Canon 5D for those days when you feel like packing some weight and getting pictures that can stand large size without any noise . Otherwise , I am using the LX3 most of the time now , when I am going to carry all day . It is certainly worth the money , very wide and fast lens and sharp pictures .
    • 089 4  This review is from : Panasonic DMC-LX3 10.1MP Digital Camera with 24mm Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Black ) ( Electronics ) It's great to have a small camera that can create decent photos . It's also nice to have a P & S camera that can produce RAW images , has a fast wide angle lens and a live view with histogram . It would have been nice to have a longer zoom but I'll take the extra wide angle any day . I find the camera easy to work with at every level . Learning the menu system was easy . While there are lots of automatic features there is also manual features for those who like to fiddle with the settings . I'm used to using a DSLR with a view finder and I wasn't too sure how I would take to the big 3 screen on the back of the camera . The LCD took a little getting used to but now that I've adjusted , I find it easy to compose shots . I really like the live histogram , it is very helpful in adjusting functions to get better shots . Some folks complain about the lens cap but honestly I just stick in my pocket or in my carry bag and don't think it's worth complaining about ! In short the camera is capable of producing stunning images , has tons of features , is compact but built like a little tank and in the end helps makes picture taking fun .
    • 091 4  This review is from : Panasonic DMC-LX3 10.1MP Digital Camera with 24mm Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Black ) ( Electronics ) I read a lot of reviews on this camera before buying . The reviews were right on . I have a Nikon D300 and needed a quality point and shoot . I have not been disappointed .
    • 093 4  This review is from : Panasonic DMC-LX3 10.1MP Digital Camera with 24mm Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Black ) ( Electronics ) The build quality is simply outstanding . If you never use the camera , it is still a quality piece of technology . I have the DP1 also and it simply does not come close to the look , feel , and button / dial feel . Silly neck strap , looks goofy . . . feels wrong . Either way , I purchased the camera for image quality and usefulness . First , the DP1 is an artists camera and when approached with careful time and patience really delivers great pictures . The LX3 is a camera for the active photographer . Quick autofocus , sharp pictures , raw + jpeg shooting , various film / color simulations and decent battery life . While reviewing shots in Lightroom the pictures exhibit some level of noise and artifacts in ISO 100 and above . I will not use 800 or higher as the color shifts and noise turn me off . Regarding the noise at the lower ISO levels , I have not used noise reduction or tried to eliminate it as the noise does not show up in photographs printed on 5x7 paper . I have not tried 8x10 but I probably would attempt using noise reduction software if i were to try . Flash works well for it's size and the lens cap is really not an issue ( compared to my Leica film rangefinders ! ) . The close-up autofocus switch is also very helpful and I have used it many times during photo shoots . The LCD does make shots look better than the files ( color / contrast ) but it is useful for judging exposure and focus . Overall it is an excellent alternative to the Sigma camera lines from a user-interface perspective and overall joy of ownership . I considered the Leica version but after using this camera , unless a larger sensor was used in the Leica version ( which it does not ) I can not think of any reason to spend the extra money unless you simply must have a Leica to fill in the collection .
    • 094 4  The build quality is simply outstanding . If you never use the camera , it is still a quality piece of technology . I have the DP1 also and it simply does not come close to the look , feel , and button / dial feel . Silly neck strap , looks goofy . . . feels wrong . Either way , I purchased the camera for image quality and usefulness . First , the DP1 is an artists camera and when approached with careful time and patience really delivers great pictures . The LX3 is a camera for the active photographer . Quick autofocus , sharp pictures , raw + jpeg shooting , various film / color simulations and decent battery life . While reviewing shots in Lightroom the pictures exhibit some level of noise and artifacts in ISO 100 and above . I will not use 800 or higher as the color shifts and noise turn me off . Regarding the noise at the lower ISO levels , I have not used noise reduction or tried to eliminate it as the noise does not show up in photographs printed on 5x7 paper . I have not tried 8x10 but I probably would attempt using noise reduction software if i were to try . Flash works well for it's size and the lens cap is really not an issue ( compared to my Leica film rangefinders ! ) . The close-up autofocus switch is also very helpful and I have used it many times during photo shoots . The LCD does make shots look better than the files ( color / contrast ) but it is useful for judging exposure and focus . Overall it is an excellent alternative to the Sigma camera lines from a user-interface perspective and overall joy of ownership . I considered the Leica version but after using this camera , unless a larger sensor was used in the Leica version ( which it does not ) I can not think of any reason to spend the extra money unless you simply must have a Leica to fill in the collection .
    • 095 4  This is my second LX camera . The first one , the LX1 , was too noisy at higher ISO's . Anything above ISO 80 was noisy . So , I waited for a version that dealt with the noise . This one seems to have done a pretty good job . I can shoot up to ISO 800 ( in good light ) without too much noise . This camera FEELS and LOOKS good and that's important to me . . . as silly as that may sound . I have taken it in place of my Canon 5D many times and have even shot with both at times and compared results to find that the LX compares VERY favorably ! I also love the dynamic black and white that this camera produces . D B & W is a setting in the camera and produces black and whites that are reminiscent of some of the better B & W photography you may remember from noteworthy photographers . I know that some photographers have bought the camera just for this and use it as their dedicated black and white camera . I use it for color AND B & W and have been pleased with both ! I would highly recommend this camera ! Some people have complained that his camera isn't quite small enough to be a pocket camera . I disagree ! It is plenty small enough for me . I think I'd have problems holding it still even with the stabilization if it were smaller ! If you want small ( it's very important in your decision-making ) , this may not be the camera for you !
    • 096 4  I've had the LX3 for a couple of months now . I've pretty much stopped using my big Nikon . This camera has more functionality in a small package than just about anything else I've seen . As others have stated , the fast lens is a huge plus - - low-light situations that dogged my old compact digital are no problem for the LX3 . I didn't have an issue with the auto white balance others have noted , but the auto-focus was a little quirky when taking sunset pics . Firmware version 1.2 took care of that little annoyance . All in all , this is a fine product - - but I'd wait till the price drops ! My goodness - - it's going for $699 today . Supply and demand still works , I guess .
    • 097 4  I love this camera . I've spent lots of time searching for a point and shootI could be happy with , and this is it . I am a professional fine-arts photographer and shoot with a Canon 5D SLR . So , shots with the point and shoot had to be of very high quality . One of my major issues was that it had to do well in low light . I find that with this camera ISO 800 with some correction is of a fine quality and 1600 is usable but not great . Has a real camera look and feel . Controls are very accessible and easy to use . LCD nice and bright and adjusts to surrounding light . Easy to carry and fits into my Tamrac 5689 case , on my belt , perfectly . Great lens ; Resolution , exposure , and sharpness are excellent . Also , I am amazed by how smart the camera is . Major shortcoming is that lens only extends to 60mm . I bought it with the view I'd rather have a camera that takes images of an excellent quality with a shorter lens than one with a long lens that gives images of a poor quality . Prior to buying this I had bought and returned a Canon G10 , which handled beautifully and had a longer lens , but took images of poor quality and was terrible at high ISOs . I consider this camera an excellent buy for what it cost . Would have liked an auxiliary viewfinder . There is one but it cost close to $200 . I've learned to live with the LCD alone . Martin
    • 098 4  It's great to see a company focus on actually improving an existing product rather than just bumping up specs in an attempt to sell more cameras , introducing issues such as increased noise that come with cramming additional pixels onto a small sensor . The LX2 was a great camera and the LX3 is an excellent evolution of this design . I went to look at the Canon G9 / G10 as well as a few Nikon point-and-shoots while shopping for a camera of this feature set . What really sold me was the wider lens , better low-light performance and HD video capabilities . This camera also has an excellent form factor that can actually fit in a loose jeans pocket . ( It's no ultra-slim camera by any means , but when compared to the G10 it's definitely more pocket-able . The P6000 is about the same as an LX3 . ) The lens is fast at f / 2.0 and pictures look great from ISO 80 - 400 . ISO800 is okay but beyond that , you had best be prepared for some grain . The only thing that bugs me is that the lens cap comes of a bit too easily . I don't terribly mind using a lens cap - - I'm used to it on an SLR - - but if it stayed on a bit more securely , that would be great . Not enough to reduce my overall rating , however . I highly recommend this camera if you're looking for a great camera with a variety of available accessories that can do all the things this camera can do .
    • 099 4  It is an estimable camera at the top of the heap in its class . I bought it for the f2.0 fast lens , the wide angle , the build quality , the Panasonic processing software in the camera itself , the accessories like even more wide angle with an accessory lens or the 24mm optical finder . I have done some photojournalism in my life and this is what I wish I had back then . I have gone through at least four digital cameras since I decided to leave my Nikon film SLR on the shelf a few years ago . I have never looked back . But this beauty allows me to do the photography I like best , to be inconspicuous , to be quick , to feel like taking it along because of its relatively light weight and size , to not spook people who are shy when an SLR is around . It looks like any P & S , but I'm thankful it isn't . I've seen minimal barrel distortion , maximum sharpness and contrast , easy menus , abundant automatic as well as full manual features . You can go with the much less costly extra batteries ( under $15.00 ) and other items . A tip about non-Panasonic brand batteries : remove the stick-on label because it is just thick enough to make it difficult to remove these after market batteries . When I did this , they fit just as well as the Panasonic batteries . Get the S005 battery . These aftermarket are just as good as maker branded batteries . Get a few of them . They charge up in just 45 minutes or so . I have used the 720P HD video ( use the wide 16 : 9 format at the right side of the lens barrel selector switch ) and am impressed at the quality . Certainly a dedicated 1080P HD videocam would do better , but being able to use a 24mm wide angle lens is a real plus . On my digital TV and on my computer monitor the results were satisfying . My computer played it with a little stutter the first time but playing it again it was smooth on succeeding times . Go figure . I have a low end graphics card so that may be the cause . My HD videos have been less than one minute so far - I understand there may be a limit of five minutes or so ( per file ) . Don't buy another still camera without HD video ! A tip about what some pros and advanced amateurs do with a quality new camera to preserve its resale value is to cover as much surface on the camera as possible with adhesive plastic ( such as the PDA screen protector materiel ) to minimise wear ( and actually , it gives you a better grip than the stock exterior ) . This is for a user camera . Oh , one thing . Do not trust the neck strap . It almost came loose at the camera end while on its first use . Use a sailor's knot there - don't trust the tiny plastic sleive to hold . We don't need any of these hitting the concrete .
    • 100 4  I have several lower end p / s digital as well as a Nikon D700 . It became clear that when I travel lightly I need something in between . I am very satisfied with the LX3 whether I shoot portraits or scenery in the city or in national parks . On thing works well for me is that I kept a third party filter adaptor on all the time , which also expands to 52mm . This allows me to use my old Nikon filters . I also use my Nikon lens cap for it . I don't mind carrying my camera in a small camera bag , which provides much better protections than squeeze it in the pocket without the adaptor . Furthermore , taking 24mm pictures under the blue sky without PL just seems wrong ! There are 52mm diameter wide angle converters which may not be as good as the Panasonic one . But at 1 / 4 of the price for an occasional superwide angle shot , I am ok with that !
    • 101 4  This review is from : Panasonic DMC-LX3 10.1MP Digital Camera with 24mm Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Black ) ( Electronics ) I am a total amateur as a photographer , but I know a great picture when I see one . When I went shopping for a p & s camera I wanted it to be good in low-light and good for scenery shots . I wanted depth and quality shots . I read somewhere that this is Leica's D-Lux cheaper twin , so I went for it . I received this camera a few weeks ago . I can't speak to noise , f-stops , etc . I'm not quite ' there ' yet in my photo-knowledge . However , what I can speak to is this camera's auto-settings such as Dynamic , Natural , etc . These allow even us amateurs to get the look we want right off the bat . My first day playing with the camera resulted in several photos of my cat looking out the window in the B & W Dynamic setting that look like they should be in Kitty Vogue or something . This is a serious camera too . When I hand it off to people they sometimes get a little nervous once it's in their hands b / c it obviously is more than just your average p & s . I get a lot of whoa ! s . I didn't want a dSLR because from experience I knew I would never lug it around .
    • 102 4  I am a total amateur as a photographer , but I know a great picture when I see one . When I went shopping for a p & s camera I wanted it to be good in low-light and good for scenery shots . I wanted depth and quality shots . I read somewhere that this is Leica's D-Lux cheaper twin , so I went for it . I received this camera a few weeks ago . I can't speak to noise , f-stops , etc . I'm not quite ' there ' yet in my photo-knowledge . However , what I can speak to is this camera's auto-settings such as Dynamic , Natural , etc . These allow even us amateurs to get the look we want right off the bat . My first day playing with the camera resulted in several photos of my cat looking out the window in the B & W Dynamic setting that look like they should be in Kitty Vogue or something . This is a serious camera too . When I hand it off to people they sometimes get a little nervous once it's in their hands b / c it obviously is more than just your average p & s . I get a lot of whoa ! s . I didn't want a dSLR because from experience I knew I would never lug it around .
    • 103 4  This review is from : Panasonic DMC-LX3 10.1MP Digital Camera with 24mm Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Black ) ( Electronics ) Couldn't be happier . The trade off for giving up zoom is well worth it . Living in Kauai allows me to do all sorts of fun stuff , and the landscape is other-worldly and surprisingly varied . There's this one cave on the north shore that is particularly dark . Going to Aperture priority and just setting the camera on a rock allowed the most beautiful shots . Video is great . Camera is easy to use . Photo quality outstanding . I am an amateur photographer , so I'm sure there are some nits I could pick , but I'm too dumb to know what they are . I'm a happy customer .
    • 105 4  This is an amazing camera . It's a compact camera that shoots as well as a mid-range DSLR . Best of all , it costs half of what a bottom-end DSLR costs . Don't get me wrong , it's not a DSLR , and if you go out taking pictures with your friends who have spent a lot on their kit , they'll take better pictures than yours . On the other hand , it's a compact camera . You can fit it in a jacket pocket . Okay , it's not small in a jacket pocket , but it does fit ( I've done it many times ) . You can find other cameras that are more compact and are no slouches in the picture quality range , as well . With the LX3 , though , you can use it in full-auto mode , or you can set everything to manual . Everything . Exposure , focus , everything . You don't get the range of control with smaller cameras . You get what you pay for and what you pay for is a compact camera that shoots like a mid-range DLSR . It has great low-light performance , and the amazing f2.0 Leica lens has everything in focus from a half-meter to infinity at 2.0 . It's stellar . The macro capability is great as well . On the other hand , it's only 2.5x zoom , which is the only thing I miss elsewhere . It's more of a landscape camera than a telephoto camera . You can make it zoom more by having fewer pixels . Crank it down to 6MP and you can get 4x zoom , but I like the 10MP . You will hear it referred to as a wide-angle camera , and that is true . It's not got a lot of zoom . If you want more than a basic point-and-shoot , but you don't want a DSLR for any of a number of reasons - - like cost , size , or weight , then you want this camera . Understand what you are getting and you'll be as utterly delighted as I am .
    • 106 4  This review is from : Panasonic DMC-LX3 10.1MP Digital Camera with 24mm Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Black ) ( Electronics ) There are plenty of good , thorough reviews here , but I had to add my two cents worth . Simply put , this is a fantastic point and shoot camera . I was a dedicated and loyal Nikon owner : Digital SLR's , film cameras and point and shoots . I had heard someone rave about the Panasonic LX3 in a discussion of P & S cameras but didn't give it much thought . A friend of mine has the Canon G10 , which I liked and almost bought one , but I remembered the LX3 . I read several reviews and everyone seemed to love this camera . I liked the fact that it shot high-def video and had the Leica lens among other things . I bought it about 4 weeks ago and I like it better every time I use it . You cannot go wrong with the LX3 . It is definitely not the least expensive P & S out there , but it's worth every cent . I hesitate to even give it the P & S label because it seems to be in a class by itself .
    • 108 4  I have been using it since it came out . I will just echo what has been said already . This is best compact camera in the market right now . This picture quality is really good , especially low light . I love the manual control . The construction quality is superb . I dropped this camera on a concrete floor and it has a huge dent in one of the corner . The camera still works as when it was new ! My wish for future models . Please keep the megapixel the same and make the low light even better !
    • 109 4  This review is from : Panasonic DMC-LX3 10.1MP Digital Camera with 24mm Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Black ) ( Electronics ) Excellent low light camera , slightly bulkier than most P & S cameras but I found it easy to use and very portable . Tack sharp lens , very low noise sensor , this is a perfect camera for travel or for use in bar or night photography . . . but regular photos turn out fine . Highly recommended .
    • 111 4  This review is from : Panasonic DMC-LX3 10.1MP Digital Camera with 24mm Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Black ) ( Electronics ) I bought this camera mainly for its RAW file capabilities , I was not dissapointed . Having full control over the image data makes this a great camera . No regrets . I really love using the macro function too !
    • 113 4  This review is from : Panasonic DMC-LX3 10.1MP Digital Camera with 24mm Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Black ) ( Electronics ) This is THE camera to buy if you want portability . This camera won't replace your pro-sumer DSLR . That's what DSLRs are for . dpreview and cameralabs have the information you need for comparing features and image quality . But if you're stuck on which camera to buy ( ie , Canon G11 ) the dpreview conclusion made it simple for me to decide : Here is the quote : For a carry anywhere ' walk around ' camera I'd go for the LX3 every time . As a bonus the LX3 has HD video . The G11 does not . So if you're on a trip you could bring just the one camera , instead of a camcorder and camera . Sure it won't replace a camcorder but if you're taking more pictures than video it'll give you more room to pack in your carry on .
    • 114 4  This is THE camera to buy if you want portability . This camera won't replace your pro-sumer DSLR . That's what DSLRs are for . dpreview and cameralabs have the information you need for comparing features and image quality . But if you're stuck on which camera to buy ( ie , Canon G11 ) the dpreview conclusion made it simple for me to decide : Here is the quote : For a carry anywhere ' walk around ' camera I'd go for the LX3 every time . As a bonus the LX3 has HD video . The G11 does not . So if you're on a trip you could bring just the one camera , instead of a camcorder and camera . Sure it won't replace a camcorder but if you're taking more pictures than video it'll give you more room to pack in your carry on .
    • 115 4  This review is from : Panasonic DMC-LX3 10.1MP Digital Camera with 24mm Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Black ) ( Electronics ) I bought this camera to take with me to DC so I wouldn't need to lug my SLR everywhere . The lens 2.0 at 24mm ( 35mm equiv ) is WONDERFUL . I had only taken the camera out once for it to become intuitive . This is my favorite digital non-SLR yet . ( I have bought and own a number of cameras . ) It is easy to explore and just makes taking the pictures out just plain fun . I call this my medium camera . It is not quite pocketable , but with a small case that clips on my belt buckle ( bought seperately - I use a Tamrac case ) , it is easy to take with me . For an example of what this camera can do , go to flickr and look for photos taken with it and prepare to be amazed ! Highly recommended !
    • 116 4  I bought this camera to take with me to DC so I wouldn't need to lug my SLR everywhere . The lens 2.0 at 24mm ( 35mm equiv ) is WONDERFUL . I had only taken the camera out once for it to become intuitive . This is my favorite digital non-SLR yet . ( I have bought and own a number of cameras . ) It is easy to explore and just makes taking the pictures out just plain fun . I call this my medium camera . It is not quite pocketable , but with a small case that clips on my belt buckle ( bought seperately - I use a Tamrac case ) , it is easy to take with me . For an example of what this camera can do , go to flickr and look for photos taken with it and prepare to be amazed ! Highly recommended !
    • 117 4  I got this camera shortly before my wedding and honeymoon trip overseas . Without a doubt , it is the best camera in it's class . I did lots of research and played around with this camera and the g10 . Both cameras are excellent and the G10 has an advantage over the LX3 with the analog controls and the optical zoom . However i've quickly become accustomed to the LX3 ' s joystick approach to changing settings . Its not that big of a deal . I found the dealbreaker of the g10 was the size . In contrast the LX3 is a tad smaller and thus more manageable . It is still not a pocketable camera , but with the neck strap , I wear the camera like a messenger bag and it tucks nicely away under my arm . I did have a complaint a few weeks ago about the poor auto white balance performance , but since Panasonic just recently upgraded the firmware , this issue has been resolved . The camera lacks any useful optical zoom . However , I only regret this missing feature about 5% of the time I use this camera because most of the time I'm satisfied with the low-light performance , wide angle lens , and overall image quality . And also the tripod mount at the bottom of the camera is not centered to the lens so taking panorama shots might be a bit tricky . The battery life is outstanding and has the capability of shooting at least 400 photos before requiring a recharge . Black and white photos are absolutely fantastic . All your BW photos will look even better than the color ones . It instantly makes for great prints . Macro photos are excellent . I've had this camera for about 1 month now and three people I'm close to have decided to buy the same camera . My wish list for this camera : I do wish that I could take continuous video recording as the camera limits you to a certain time or file size depending on the aspect ratio you choose to shoot in . However I don't think anyone would want to watch videos like that as most watchable videos are cut with many shorter shots . I also wish that this camera had time-lapse function of taking a photo at set intervals . More optical zoom . And I wish the accessories for this camera didn't cost so much . ie . optical viewfinder .
    • 118 4  This review is from : Panasonic DMC-LX3S 10.1MP Digital Camera with 2.5x Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Silver ) ( Electronics ) Bought this ' point and shoot ' camera for my wife and daughter just before leaving on vacation . Sifted through dpreview.com and found this camera to be ' Highly recommended ' . If you are looking for something out of the box ready to shoot with little time or expertise this is your camera ; the photos were breathtaking . This camera , unlike my other ' point and shoot ' captures the image with little perceptible lag . Best of all , it has adjustable manual settings if you want to experiment . On the downside , it could use a little more zoom .
    • 120 4  I don't much care for having a removable lens cap on a string ( like my old 2000 - era digicam from Sony ) , and I wish the zoom was a bit better , but everything else about this camera I love . It takes the best low-light no-flash pictures of any camera I've had - - finally beating out the old F2.0 Sony camera I had back in 2000 . I've looked for years to find something like this , and can finally replace my Fuji F10 ( which wasn't as good , but had clean high ISO low-light performance ) . And altough I thought I'd hate it , I ended up LOVING the pop up flash - - so convenient compared to toggling computer menu options . I'm quite impressed . You can see thousands of photos taken using this camera at DisneyFans.com in the Disneyland 2009 gallery .
    • 127 4  This review is from : Panasonic DMC-LX3 10.1MP Digital Camera with 24mm Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Black ) ( Electronics ) I have only had the LX3 for a couple of weeks and so far it performs as advertised . I especially like the opportunities the wider-than-usual lens offers . Image Quality is at least as good as my other P & S cameras from Canon and Sony , but at this point I really can't say it's any better . Much better value than it's Leica relative . Good , solid feel suggests excellent construction and reliability . I'm quite happy with this camera based on initial results . I do wish there was a good , reasonably-priced auto flash available .
    • 130 4  This review is from : Panasonic DMC-LX3 10.1MP Digital Camera with 24mm Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Black ) ( Electronics ) I do documentation work in a variety of indoor and outdoor conditions in India . A year ago I purchased the Panasonic TZ5 , but soon realized that its poor performance in low-light conditions made it unsuitable for my work . I ended up relying more on a Canon Powershot 590 for good pictures . The things that I missed most of all in the Panasonic TZ5 were manual control , and a wider aperture range . I was looking for a replacement for my Panny , and chose the LX3 on the basis of its positive reviews . The LX3 has the same body dimensions as the TZ5 , but the lens of the LX3 sticks out a little bit farther than the TZ5 ' s lens when the cameras are off . The LX3 has performed much better than the TZ5 . I'm quite happy with the performance of its flash , and the quality of images from the LX3 in all conditions . It's performing well with an 8gb Sandisk Extreme III SDHC card .
    • 131 4  I do documentation work in a variety of indoor and outdoor conditions in India . A year ago I purchased the Panasonic TZ5 , but soon realized that its poor performance in low-light conditions made it unsuitable for my work . I ended up relying more on a Canon Powershot 590 for good pictures . The things that I missed most of all in the Panasonic TZ5 were manual control , and a wider aperture range . I was looking for a replacement for my Panny , and chose the LX3 on the basis of its positive reviews . The LX3 has the same body dimensions as the TZ5 , but the lens of the LX3 sticks out a little bit farther than the TZ5 ' s lens when the cameras are off . The LX3 has performed much better than the TZ5 . I'm quite happy with the performance of its flash , and the quality of images from the LX3 in all conditions . It's performing well with an 8gb Sandisk Extreme III SDHC card .
    • 132 4  For a compact , non-SLR camera the LX3 seems to have everything a photographer could want . The features do go well beyond what someone interested in a simple point-and-shoot would need . However , for those looking for something more , the LX3 offers some fantastic additions . The highlights : - A nice , wide angle Leica lens ( bright enough not to require the flash where lesser cameras would only see black and shadows ) - Multiple film ' modes ' - - different color and B / W options for a different looks , all with great results allowing for a tremendous range of artistic expression - Solid body feel , compact size ( but the lens does protrude a bit ) - 16 : 9 , 4 : 3 , and 3 : 2 aspect ratios - Great macro capabilities - Full auto and manual capabilities Some cons : the menu options / navigation screens have a steep learning curve ; the battery / SD card door seems a tad flimsy , no optical viewfinder In short , the LX3 , as many other reviews have noted , is one of the nicest digital cameras available , offering fine quality photos with options that allow one to shoot more than just nice vacation photos .
    • 133 4  I've had my LX3 for over a year now and really enjoy it . I love the fact that you can change the aspect ratio by simply adjusting a switch . Its LCD is gorgeous , macro and low light ability sensational . It still though has a smaller sensor than 4 / 3 or traditional SLR so don't expect miracles . Its colors do tend to be a bit saturated and have a somewhat flat or canned feel to them but this can be tweaked . Even though its marketed as having high def video , its not really very that good and you would be impressed if you saw it on your big screen TV . Its best to use jpeg despite the fact that it has raw because the in camera processing when shooting jpegs takes compensates for some of the distortion caused by the wide angle lens . You can do this in post production but why bother and I didn't notice much of a benefit when shooting Raw . So to conclude , this is a fun compact camera that gets the job done and is very versatile . The low light performance will allow you to get shots that normally with other cameras you wouldn't attempt . I also have a Sigma DP1 that is far less practical and much more finicky but produces stunning images in day light , in almost every other situation though the LX3 is a far superior camera
    • 134 4  I am satisfied in all respects with this new camera . It is exactly what I was looking for . A camera for taking interior pictures without flash because that usualy changes the aspect of the characters . In addition , it takes very impressive pictures outside for landscapes , and the HD video is of quite good quality also ( although unfortunately in MOV.format like most cameras these days . . . ) but without the ability to use the zoom when shooting I must tell that this camera comes in addition to my Canon Powershop S5IS which I use outside for its x12 zoom and for taking AVI videos of reasonably good quality . I also have a Pana LX2 and a Canon G9 . The improvement with the LX2 is impressive in all respect . Compared to the G9 , the main area where the LX3 is clearly winning is the shooting in low light . I mainly use my LX3 in P mode with the ISO limited to 400 and I hardly never use the flash . Occasionaly I have to adjust to ISO 800 which still gives very good pictures . I believe that the quality of the optic , the aperture ( 1 : 2.0 ) and the limited zoom explain this result . For me it is compact enough to be carried in a pocket or in a hand bag , but of course not as compact as some other cameras , but which may not take as good pictures . To give an example , I bought an Olympus 840Mu a year ago but I have not used it beyond the first month as I could accept to get only one or two good pictures out of 10 . It is expensive . . . But personaly I consider it is a worthwile investment . At that price they could have adeed a viewfinder ( even an optical one ) because in the sunshine it is difficult to adjust .
    • 135 4  I was getting a bit tired of carrying two SLR bodies around , one with long lens , one with macro or wide angle so I thought I'd try a compact digital for some shots and leave one SLR behind . I love the LX3 . I'm now doing videoscoping with it in addition to photos and both give excellent results . I've found one difficult aspect : manual focus with the joystick . Everything else produces good results .
    • 137 4  This review is from : Panasonic DMC-LX3 10.1MP Digital Camera with 24mm Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Black ) ( Electronics ) Bought this to replace the DSLR I was sick of lugging around . A bit on the noisy side at anything above ISO 100 , but other than that a great all around shooter with more features and settings than one could shake a proverbial stick at . Awesome , awesome macro capability , even in HD movie mode . Speaking of which - nice to have the 720p video , but it is mostly a novelty , as it is limited to 24fps . Overall I am quite pleased , and would love to pick up a GF1 sometime once the price dips a bit more - the Lumix menus and interface are pretty intuitive and the build quality of their cameras is quite impressive , especially when my previous camera was a plastic-bodied entry level DSLR .
    • 139 4  This review is from : Panasonic DMC-LX3 10.1MP Digital Camera with 24mm Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Black ) ( Electronics ) This camera is perfect . Remember those days when photos were taken on film ? And it was easy and intuitive to make adjustments ? Now remember when digital came along and you lost that connection between you and the images ? This camera restores that connection without having to lug around a DSLR . The LX3 is easily operated in aperture or shutter-priority modes , acting just like a film camera . It also offers a good Program mode where you can make your own sets of settings . Finally , there's a Manual mode for those who like to spend time on each shot . The camera feels and handles like a well-constructed dream . One feature I love : because the flash has to be manually revealed , the common behavior of flash being on by default is gone ! And to be honest , with a good sensor and 2.0 aperture , you don't even need it in most situations ! Biggest downside is the size of the camera , especially when considering the protruding lens and lens cover . If you're an amateur or pro photographer looking for a compact that offers you control and a connection to your images , this is the one to pick .
    • 140 4  This camera is perfect . Remember those days when photos were taken on film ? And it was easy and intuitive to make adjustments ? Now remember when digital came along and you lost that connection between you and the images ? This camera restores that connection without having to lug around a DSLR . The LX3 is easily operated in aperture or shutter-priority modes , acting just like a film camera . It also offers a good Program mode where you can make your own sets of settings . Finally , there's a Manual mode for those who like to spend time on each shot . The camera feels and handles like a well-constructed dream . One feature I love : because the flash has to be manually revealed , the common behavior of flash being on by default is gone ! And to be honest , with a good sensor and 2.0 aperture , you don't even need it in most situations ! Biggest downside is the size of the camera , especially when considering the protruding lens and lens cover . If you're an amateur or pro photographer looking for a compact that offers you control and a connection to your images , this is the one to pick .
    • 142 4  This review is from : Panasonic DMC-LX3 10.1MP Digital Camera with 24mm Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Black ) ( Electronics ) I LOVE this camera . This will be my last compact digital camera and my next camera will be a DSLR . I was confused in choosing either Canon G11 or LX3 at first but I prefer the low aperture feature that LX3 has . So I made this my Christmas present . I like its size and the crystal clear LCD screen . You might have to read up the instructions book before you really play with it because you can do many things with this amazing gadget ! But if you just want to take pictures with the auto mode , you will be delighted by its performance . It takes very good , shape and clear pictures with just auto mode .
    • 143 4  I LOVE this camera . This will be my last compact digital camera and my next camera will be a DSLR . I was confused in choosing either Canon G11 or LX3 at first but I prefer the low aperture feature that LX3 has . So I made this my Christmas present . I like its size and the crystal clear LCD screen . You might have to read up the instructions book before you really play with it because you can do many things with this amazing gadget ! But if you just want to take pictures with the auto mode , you will be delighted by its performance . It takes very good , shape and clear pictures with just auto mode .
    • 144 4  This review is from : Panasonic DMC-LX3 10.1MP Digital Camera with 24mm Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Black ) ( Electronics ) I really like this camera and mainly got it b / c of its low light performance ( which is great btw ! ) . It works great but my main gripe is that switching between video and still picture mode is not intuitive . I take all my still photos in 3 : 2 aspect but when I shoot video , I set it to 16 : 9 . When switching to video mode , a message is displayed on the screen saying to switch to 16 : 9 aspect ( it can't shoot video in 3 : 2 ) . Ok , so I switch to 16 : 9 mode no problem . When I go from video ( 16 : 9 ) back to still photo mode , I have to remember to switch back to 3 : 2 mode or it will take all my pictures in 16 : 9 aspect . This is no big deal for me b / c I know to do this . The problem is that my wife and other people taking pics really doesn't understand this so I get a lot of pics in 16 : 9 mode . It's not a deal breaker but it is annoying to have some shots in 3 : 2 and some in 16 : 9 . While this is a problem for me , the fact that there is a manual switch for aspect mode is probably something desired by a lot of people b / c they might have it for different uses than me .
    • 145 4  I really like this camera and mainly got it b / c of its low light performance ( which is great btw ! ) . It works great but my main gripe is that switching between video and still picture mode is not intuitive . I take all my still photos in 3 : 2 aspect but when I shoot video , I set it to 16 : 9 . When switching to video mode , a message is displayed on the screen saying to switch to 16 : 9 aspect ( it can't shoot video in 3 : 2 ) . Ok , so I switch to 16 : 9 mode no problem . When I go from video ( 16 : 9 ) back to still photo mode , I have to remember to switch back to 3 : 2 mode or it will take all my pictures in 16 : 9 aspect . This is no big deal for me b / c I know to do this . The problem is that my wife and other people taking pics really doesn't understand this so I get a lot of pics in 16 : 9 mode . It's not a deal breaker but it is annoying to have some shots in 3 : 2 and some in 16 : 9 . While this is a problem for me , the fact that there is a manual switch for aspect mode is probably something desired by a lot of people b / c they might have it for different uses than me .
    • 146 4  I was one of the lucky ones that got the camera directly from Amazon a couple of weeks ago . The camera is still sold out in the entire U.S . and all the stores that have it in stock are selling it for an insane price ( more expensive than the Leica version ) . It was already part of my routine to refresh the Amazon page to see if it was in stock . One morning I was lucky , 4 items in stock . After I placed my order there was none left . The camera is amazing , it's excellent in low light conditions ( which was one of the main reasons to buy it ) and everything else . You have a lot of control on the camera , but you can also set it in the automatic intelligent mode ( iA ) and it does a really good job doing everything for you . The macro mode is excellent and it's set automatically when on iA mode . You can take a picture of something that is as close as 1cm . The video is HD when the camera is set to record in 16 : 9 . It saves a . mov file that you can read directly with Quicktime for example . The only thing I don't like is that you can't zoom in / out when recording a movie .
    • 147 4  This review is from : Panasonic DMC-LX3 10.1MP Digital Camera with 24mm Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Black ) ( Electronics ) Camera is excellent . Best digital I've ever had . Leica licensed lens is sharp , very sharp . 24mm equivalent is the main reason why I bought it , and it does not disappoint . I was able to buy a 25mm Voigtlander finder for it , to use as a normal optical viewer , as the camera does not come with an optical finder , the one principal fault I find with the camera . The Voigtlander finder was $159 at B & H Photo , in NYC , versus the hard to source Panasonic finder at almost $300 . Get the Voigtlander . Taking night photos either hand held or with a tripod is easy , and they usually come out great . Very impressive in Manhattan . Thank you , Panasonic , and Leica .
    • 149 4  This review is from : Panasonic DMC-LX3S 10.1MP Digital Camera with 2.5x Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Silver ) ( Electronics ) Most impressive small compact digital that have ever used . The photos are sharp and gorgeous color as well as beautiful black & white when needed . The only slight shortcoming is the built in flash . It is too hot and have yet to find a way to turn it down . Have not seen anything this good in a number of years . Why pay the extra premium for the Leica ?
    • 152 4  I've owned the LX2 for a year and a half now and decided to try an LX3 to see if any of the LX2 shortcomings were remedied . Long story to short , don't bother . Yes the lens on the LX3 is slightly faster and goes a little wider and yes the noise has been reduced a bit but in reality you will rarely notice the improvements in noise over the LX2 . Unfortunately none of it makes up for the big detraction from the new LX3 which is the radically shortened Zoom range which I miss a lot.You just can't move in on a subject like you could with the LX2 and therefore must do it with software after you have taken the picture.Of course when you have to blow up and crop a photo is when the noise in the photo can become a more noticeable problem . The camera is also slightly larger than an LX2 and unfortunately Panasonic decided to continue with the very annoying lens cap design for lens protection.If they are going to make us use a lens cap why then would they make us buy a special adapter just to add a filter to the end of the lens.The lens sticks out anyway so let us screw a filter on it without adding even more length of an extra adapter barrel . Another annoying carryover is if you decide to use the video recording mode you still cannot zoom the lens while shooting video.And why are video clips limited to ten minutes when you use a multi-gigabyte card that could record for much longer ? So I'm not finding the improvements to the LX3 and the continued glaring lack of other improvements all that useful in the real world .
    • 153 4  This review is from : Panasonic DMC-LX3 10.1MP Digital Camera with 24mm Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Black ) ( Electronics ) Had this camera for 2 days now and I'm amazed by it's set of manual exposure . I was deciding between the LX3 or Canon G10 , but the wide lens on the LX3 really got my attention . Although this is not a DSLR , I expected less noise on high iso shots . Better than it's competitors though , including the G10
    • 159 4  This review is from : Panasonic DMC-LX3S 10.1MP Digital Camera with 2.5x Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Silver ) ( Electronics ) At least when I bought it , this was definitely the best digital camera available . I have printed up to around 16x20 with excellent clarity . A great camera . Lots of great features .
    • 161 4  I have been looking for a small camera for social events . . . something other than carrying around my big DSLR . Perhaps my expectations are too high , but I'm just not satisfied with the quality of the photos . At a glance , some look quite stunning . But if you plan to do any cropping on your computer , the detail is lost . I do have several DSLR's and am very familiar with how they function , but for some reason , I never seem to get it just right on this camera . This camera has all the parts to make a great P & S and I do plan to keep working with it . * * * This is an update , a month later . I have been studying the manual and slowly but surely , the photo quality is improving . Seems to be an operator problem ! Not a camera issue . So I have upgraded my rating to 4 star , from 3 star . It really is a nice little camera with a medium learning curve .
    • 162 4  This review is from : Panasonic DMC-LX3S 10.1MP Digital Camera with 2.5x Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Silver ) ( Electronics ) This is a wonderful small camera that lets you do some things that only the big DSLRs permit , like vary your f-stops and exposure times . You can , of course , shoot completely automatic if that's what to want to do , but having the flexibility to shoot manually is great . It has one major flaw : no optical viewfinder . Also , you can't zoom when shooting video , and speaking of zoom , it could be a tad longer . But the important thing is that the picture quality is outstanding . It might be a little overpriced since it is so much in demand .
    • 167 4  I really want to keep this camera , because the image quality is so good , and wide angle is heavenly . However , after some use , I found that I need a little bit more reach too often . For a general purpose pocket camera , 24mm X 2.5 zoom is way too little . 3.5X could have been acceptable . And I was very disappointed by the huge video file size . It uses Quick Time JPEG motion , which is an outdated technology . And when you take HD video , the file size is ridiculously immense . Panasonic should have used H264 mpeg , which will reduce the file size at least by quarter . When I pay almost $500 , I don't want to pay for the outdated technology . I am looking forward to the next version , LX4 which will fix these two problems . But I praise Panasonic for its first try to Image quality , not mega pixel war . Good work ! Edit - Feb , 2010 . Instead of LX4 , Samsung came up with TL500 / EX1 . [ . . . ] . I should have been a little more patient and waited for this camera .
    • 168 4  This review is from : Panasonic DMC-LX3 10.1MP Digital Camera with 24mm Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Black ) ( Electronics ) Panasonic is a good consumer products company but not a great consumer products company ; they tend to be uneven , producing very nice hardware but falling down on convenience and ease of use . This camera is an example . Some photographers prefer wide angle and others prefer telephoto ways of seeing . I'm a wide angle guy and so the 24 mm equiv lens on this LX3 is wonderfully appealing in a pocket cam . Also the f2 . Also the very close focus down to 1 cm . Together , these enable some photos you just could not capture with any other pocket camera . The lens is the result of a fruitful collaboration between Leica design and Panasonic whiz-bang manufacturing . Unfortunately , Panasonic did not go far enough in learning from Leica , who are famous for their simple , clean control layouts . The user interface is not well designed , busy and fussy . Far too many little levers and buttons - some actually redundant - the joystick does almost the same thing as the multi-controller , so why have both ? Also , a pet peeve of mine ; perhaps the worst owner's manual ever . 150 pages and almost incomprehensible in parts . Be prepared to spend hours puzzling over it if you want to take advantage of all features . And the Scene Modes . Hasn't the Scene Mode thing gotten a bit out of hand ? We used to adjust the shutter and aperture and focus and that was thought too difficult for the public to master - so now we have Fifty Scene Modes instead ? This camera , believe it or not , offers a Food Scene Mode to take photos of your sushi plate in a restaurant ! Absurd and useless - but some of the high price you paid for this camera went to develop the Scene Modes you don't use and the manual you can't read . There are other small but annoying examples of thoughtless design choices . Instead of the universal USB cable that almost all cameras use , the LX3 has a different cable with a teeny tiny plug . Why do they need this ? The space saved is insignificant , but it means you must search for this oddball cable which none of your other gadgets use . There are two aspects to a good product , the technical performance and the user interface . Both are necessary to get good results quickly . The LX3 is much better on the former than the latter . Panasonic is clueless about this sort of thing throughout their product line . I have a Panasonic portable phone for example which takes six button clicks through three menus to check for missed calls .
    • 169 4  Panasonic is a good consumer products company but not a great consumer products company ; they tend to be uneven , producing very nice hardware but falling down on convenience and ease of use . This camera is an example . Some photographers prefer wide angle and others prefer telephoto ways of seeing . I'm a wide angle guy and so the 24 mm equiv lens on this LX3 is wonderfully appealing in a pocket cam . Also the f2 . Also the very close focus down to 1 cm . Together , these enable some photos you just could not capture with any other pocket camera . The lens is the result of a fruitful collaboration between Leica design and Panasonic whiz-bang manufacturing . Unfortunately , Panasonic did not go far enough in learning from Leica , who are famous for their simple , clean control layouts . The user interface is not well designed , busy and fussy . Far too many little levers and buttons - some actually redundant - the joystick does almost the same thing as the multi-controller , so why have both ? Also , a pet peeve of mine ; perhaps the worst owner's manual ever . 150 pages and almost incomprehensible in parts . Be prepared to spend hours puzzling over it if you want to take advantage of all features . And the Scene Modes . Hasn't the Scene Mode thing gotten a bit out of hand ? We used to adjust the shutter and aperture and focus and that was thought too difficult for the public to master - so now we have Fifty Scene Modes instead ? This camera , believe it or not , offers a Food Scene Mode to take photos of your sushi plate in a restaurant ! Absurd and useless - but some of the high price you paid for this camera went to develop the Scene Modes you don't use and the manual you can't read . There are other small but annoying examples of thoughtless design choices . Instead of the universal USB cable that almost all cameras use , the LX3 has a different cable with a teeny tiny plug . Why do they need this ? The space saved is insignificant , but it means you must search for this oddball cable which none of your other gadgets use . There are two aspects to a good product , the technical performance and the user interface . Both are necessary to get good results quickly . The LX3 is much better on the former than the latter . Panasonic is clueless about this sort of thing throughout their product line . I have a Panasonic portable phone for example which takes six button clicks through three menus to check for missed calls .
    • 173 4  This review is from : Panasonic DMC-LX3 10.1MP Digital Camera with 24mm Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Black ) ( Electronics ) Perfect point & click for anyone , wide angle is wonderful . Added grip is nice too , not featured on the original LUMIX camera body .
    • 175 4  I have been using this camera as my carry-around since December and I have absolutely no complaints . Fast start-up time . Small form factor . Beautifully designed body . Great image quality .
    • 176 4  Quick review . I have large hands and not-very-good close vision . This camera is perfect for me . Fits in my pocket . Excellent quality lens . Long battery life . Enough features to satisfy a curious photographer for months of use . If you are thinking of spending in this range , or up to $700 , this camera is a sure thing .
    • 179 4  Panasonic DMC-LX3K 10.1MP Digital Camera with 2.5x Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Black ) This is the best low light point and shoot available . A 24mm to 60mm F 2 Lieca lens is what makes this camera shine . Not exactly pocketable , but still easy enough to carry in a camera pouch on your belt .
    • 180 4  This review is from : Panasonic DMC-LX3S 10.1MP Digital Camera with 2.5x Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Silver ) ( Electronics ) I'm an amateur so I haven't learned how to use all of the features yet but it takes a nice picture on the automatic setting . Nice big screen yet small enough to fit in my small saddlebag or in my purse . I can finally take pictures of my horses that aren't blurred .
    • 182 4  This camera is small but not necessarily easy to put in your pocket . The lens do not retract fully . The Panasonic case ( leather ) costs an extra $100 . Takes great pictures , though not at the DSLR level ( getting closer ) . Low light performance is great . Contrast-based focus is ok . Controls are ok ( Canon is much better here ) . The lens cap is a pain the rear now that we are all accustomed to automatic lens capping in point and shoots . RAW performance is in court , jury not in . The provide software does so so , the raw converter has taken longer than typical to come out . The camera had a white balance issue at the beginning , firmware fix appears to have cured some of it , not all . I would take this camera over the G10 easy , but I wonder if the G9 ( ironically ) is superior for stills . HD videos in this cam are great - as good as I have seen in point-and-shoots .
    • 183 4  The options available in-camera are substantial . If you're faithful to learn them , you'll be taking some amazing pictures . The Leica lens does not disappoint . This is not a distance camera . The quality of Macro far exceeds that of anything out of portrait range . I'm using this as my primary camera , and have been satisfied , but would like to purchase an SLR in the future . Bear in mind that this camera uses a lens cap , which for some point and shoot users will seem cumbersome . If that really bothers you , I can recommend the Canon G10 , just keep in mind that your macro shots will take a hit ( you won't be able to shoot as close ) .
    • 186 4  This review is from : Panasonic DMC-LX3 10.1MP Digital Camera with 24mm Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Black ) ( Electronics ) This is a beatyful little digital camera with more features I will ever use in my life . Easy to use , offers yet a wide variety of settings for high quality pictures . I was a bit disappointed to discover that the camera body is made of plastic and not light metal . I believe it should come with a case to better protect the obiective which protrudes from the body . All in all I am very pleased with my new toy .
    • 188 4  This review is from : Panasonic DMC-LX3 10.1MP Digital Camera with 24mm Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Black ) ( Electronics ) Great camera for low light ( f2 lens ) and landscape ( 24mm wide-angle lens ) . HD video recording . I used it for street and travel photography also . Highly recommended .
    • 190 4  I simply love it , it still has its cons , but still I was fully aware of them before deciding to buy it Pros : too many to list Cons : 2.5x Zoom only , and it has Lens Cap , I don't like it at all , but if you think about it , all DSLR has lens cap , and If I'm thinking of upgrading later to a DSLR , then I better get used to it
    • 191 4  This review is from : Panasonic DMC-LX3S 10.1MP Digital Camera with 2.5x Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Silver ) ( Electronics ) Takes great pictures - just wish the downloading software gave option to choose which photos to download .
    • 193 4  This review is from : Panasonic DMC-LX3 10.1MP Digital Camera with 24mm Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Black ) ( Electronics ) its great . would like a telephoto version . also , i can't see well enough to see if it will take lense filter . use uv filter on all my real cameras . this works like a real camera t
    • 194 4  its great . would like a telephoto version . also , i can't see well enough to see if it will take lense filter . use uv filter on all my real cameras . this works like a real camera t
    • 197 4  This review is from : Panasonic DMC-LX3 10.1MP Digital Camera with 24mm Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Black ) ( Electronics ) I'm a professional and I bought the LX3 as a travel / take everywhere camera . Unfortunately , I was not satisfied with the noise in the shadows even at ISO 100 and 50 . It wasn't just noise either , it was bad or lack of data . I don't mind a little noise - - - - in fact I like it in black and white and that's what I shot mostly . But the color shifts in the shadows , and the noise were unattractive and simply not up to snuff . My ideal camera of this size would have at least a sensor the size of a 35mm dslr ( like the Rebel ) , and a fixed lens the equivalent of 28mm or 35mm . Unfortunately , this just isn't the one . I will say the optics are superb . It's just that the dinky little sensor can't do it justice .
    • 198 4  I'm a professional and I bought the LX3 as a travel / take everywhere camera . Unfortunately , I was not satisfied with the noise in the shadows even at ISO 100 and 50 . It wasn't just noise either , it was bad or lack of data . I don't mind a little noise - - - - in fact I like it in black and white and that's what I shot mostly . But the color shifts in the shadows , and the noise were unattractive and simply not up to snuff . My ideal camera of this size would have at least a sensor the size of a 35mm dslr ( like the Rebel ) , and a fixed lens the equivalent of 28mm or 35mm . Unfortunately , this just isn't the one . I will say the optics are superb . It's just that the dinky little sensor can't do it justice .
    • 199 4  The wide angle lens is wonderful . The field of view and the speed ( light gathering ability ) of the lens can only be rivaled by high end camera and lens combinations costing six to ten times as much ( admittedly those are superior in many other ways as well ) . Still , the point is that no other compact point and shoot camera can rival the field of view and speed of this one . Nevertheless , some things come up short of fair on the LX3 . The shutter lag is terrible . I am a very instinctive shooter that is quite capable in photojournalist style candids but I am almost always defeated by this camera . I am not a photophile or electronic gadget spec sheet bench racer . I've done wonderful 8x10 prints with a 6MP camera and 10MP is enough to get prints after substantial cropping . I have huge film scans when I need them but I cannot realistically show dozens of megapixels on screen or in print for more than a handful of images . I also shoot in . jpg and it's great . I can't imagine the agony of terabytes of raw data jamming my PC . I love the LX3 video quality for movies . It's ideal for Youtube and even Youtube HD . I do not like the Quicktime . MOV format or the weak compression algorithm . I wish it had H .264 and wrote an . MPG type format . It still beats the data format from a DVD camcorder though . The audio quality for movies is terrible . Again , I'm not talking audiophile critique here . For comparison , my Sony DSC T9 ( ultra compact point and shoot ) has far better sound . I hate the manual aspect ratio slider . If I shoot movies I want 16 : 9 but for stills I want 3 : 2 ( of course ) . The LX3 requires that I remember to both turn the dial and slide the switch or I will end up shooting 16 : 9 stills . Overall , it's a great camera . I hope they get the rest sorted out by the time I expect to buy another one in about 3 or 4 years .
    • 200 4  This review is from : Panasonic DMC-LX3 10.1MP Digital Camera with 24mm Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Black ) ( Electronics ) My Lumix LX3K just arrived and I took my first pictures this afternoon . Wow ! I've never shot anything quite like it before . You obviously can't compare this camera to either my Canham with Schneider lens or my Mamiya 7II , but , it does come darn close to my Nikon D200 . The lens is fabulous . Again , it can't compare to my father's 1953 Leica and Leitz lenses , but , for the price , I can't imagine a better point and shoot on the market .
    • 204 4  This review is from : Panasonic DMC-LX3 10.1MP Digital Camera with 24mm Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Black ) ( Electronics ) The product is as good as I knew before . and the shipping is also so fast .
    • 207 4  This review is from : Panasonic DMC-LX3 10.1MP Digital Camera with 24mm Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Black ) ( Electronics ) good camera but 2.5 optical zoom is not enough . perfect for the view but for the object faraway , it's kind of hard to shoot .
    • 210 4  This review is from : Panasonic DMC-LX3 10.1MP Digital Camera with 24mm Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ( Black ) ( Electronics ) I got this camera a week ago and took alot of pictures with it , many of the pictures are quite nice , when I had set the camera properly and took the shots right , but overall it is not portable and fast enough on the draw for me , for instance a flock of birds flew just feet over head at the beach , and by the time I got this bulbus thing out of my jacket only place it can fit > , and took the lens cap off , turned it on , set to a setting , and shot , the birds were gone , not to mention there is such a small zoom range it may as well not have a zoom , again the pictures the camera takes are fine , but it is definitely somewhat complicated and ment more for professional users , which I am not . I couldn't picture myself trying to take this with me on a hike in the summertime in shorts and a tshirt as it would have to hang around my neck the whole time . Bottom line nice pictures , but not pocket portable , not really user friendly , annoying lens cap you have to put on and off every time you shoot , slow start up , I'm going to exchange for the cannon S90 , I like the pictures I've seen from the LX3 better than the ones Ive seen from the S90 but the best picture is the one you take , and I know Ill be able to take a lot more with a more portable faster on the draw camera .
    • 213 4  It is a great camera ( for compact ) . But I just do not understand Amazon's price policy . Most of cameras are slightly cheeper than MSRP , this one - substantially more expensive - you can buy it on Panasonnic.com for 200 $ cheeper , and some other websellers even for 420 $ . So , what's the Amazon's idea - to cheet their customers or smth . else ? ? ?

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