panasonic lx3 reviews

• 10.1-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality poster-size prints
• 2.5x wide-angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized zoom lens
• 3.0-inch high-resolution LCD screen; HD video capture
• Classic SLR-like manual operations include selectable AF spot/multi AF area, customization button, aperture, shutter, program and full manual modes
• Capture images to SD/SDHC memory cards (not included)

Designed for easy, creative shooting, and high-performance in low-light conditions, the DMC-LX3 features a F2.0 24mm LEICA DC VARIO-SUMMICRON lens, 10.1 megapixels and an ultra-sensitive 1/1.63-inch CCD developed specifically for this model. By combining a high-quality lens and sensor ready for a variety of shooting conditions with a wide-range of accessories and manual controls, the DMC-LX3 is ideal for professional photographers and serious amateurs looking for a compact digital camera that furthers their creative photography.

CUSTOMER REVIEW -

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.

CUSTOMER REVIEW -

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.

CUSTOMER REVIEW -

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.

CUSTOMER REVIEW -

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

CUSTOMER REVIEW -

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.