Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5: A Point-and-Shoot With Strong Manual Controls

The 10-megapixel Lumix LX5 backs up its F2.0 ultra-wide-angle zoom lens (three.8X optical zoom, 24mm to 95mm) with manual controls for each still shots and movie, an incredible macro mode that virtually lets you touch the lens for your subject, fast access to concentrate controls, and a button layout that supplies easy use of in-camera configurations. Around the again is a 3-inch LCD screen for framing your shots, but there's no optical viewfinder; rather, a proprietary hot-shoe connection lets you connect an eye-level digital viewfinder (EVF) that's suitable with Panasonic's G-series interchangeable-lens cameras.

Priced at $400 as of January three, 2011, the Lumix LX5 resembles a miniaturized, fixed-lens version of Panasonic's interchangeable-lens Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1, correct down for the boxy, classic-looking frame, the pop-up flash, and also the stand-alone lens cap. The LX5 is really a larger-than-average point-and-shoot camera and won't match within your pants pocket, but it is compact enough to slip right into a jacket pocket or a purse.

Quick autofocus has become Panasonic's specialty above the previous few a long time, and the LX5 continues the pattern. It is possible to energy up the digital camera and snap a sharp shot within 1 2nd (assuming that you keep in mind to remove the lens cap), as well as the camera seldom searches in and out because it locks concentrate on the topic.

A basic change about the aspect with the lens allows you to transfer speedily between autofocus, macro focus, and manual focus controls, and the LX5 delivers gorgeous macro performance. With a minimal concentrate distance of 0.four inch, this camera shines at severe close-ups; it is possible to practically touch the lens for your subject and get a crisp shot having a dramatically shallow depth of discipline.

You'll be glad you've got a lot of manual alternatives to choose from, because the LX5 is not a fantastic performer when it is set to Intelligent Auto mode. In PCWorld Labs' evaluations of image and video clip top quality, which involved appraisals of check shots taken in Intelligent Auto mode, the Lumix LX5 turned in disappointing results in all 4 image-quality categories--exposure, color accuracy, sharpness, and distortion. The LX5 earned an overall image-quality rating of Fair, as most shots looked underexposed in comparison with the other cameras within our roundup of five superior point-and-shoot cameras. The LX5 did considerably greater once we adjusted and used manual settings.

Video clip top quality, on the other hand, was excellent in the camera's automated configurations. Indeed, the LX5 was among the top video clip shooters we noticed in 2010. Our check footage captured in brilliant light looked sharp and sleek, and audio snagged through the LX5's on-board mono mic sounded crisp. Low-light movie was much less impressive at the camera's automated settings, however the LX5 does have adjustable ISO, white harmony, and shutter settings to assist you seize far better footage in low-light scenarios. Overall, the LX5's video clip high quality was judged exceptional, as well as the in-camera changes that it supports for shooting movie certainly are a significant action beyond anything else in its class.

Battery lifestyle is an additional strong match. The Lumix LX5 includes a CIPA rating of 400 shots per charge of its battery, the top range in our roundup (not counting shooting with the screen turned off within the Canon PowerShot G12 or even the Nikon Coolpix P7000).

Just like the Coolpix P7000, the Lumix LX5 makes use of a great deal of physical buttons to offer instant access to controls. Two sliding switches reside around the ring in the lens itself: the autofocus/macro/manual concentrate selector, plus a slider on top for altering the facet ratio (choices are 16:nine, four:3, three:2, and one:1).

The leading right from the digital camera hosts a ten-selection mode dial, exactly where your options consist of Intelligent Auto mode, coloration filters, scene modes, video mode, manual mode, aperture priority mode, shutter priority mode, program auto mode, and two user-defined customized settings. The shutter button, zoom controls, a committed record button, plus a physical on/off toggle change spherical out the controls about the leading with the camera.

Around the back again, you obtain a thumb-operated scroll wheel, an autofocus/auto-exposure lock button, a playback button, as well as the regular show, menu, and directional-pad buttons. In some way, regardless of so many buttons, the layout feels uncluttered and well spaced.

For pure manual operation with out the intimidation factor with the Nikon Coolpix P7000, the Lumix LX5 is tops. Its fine-tunable configurations, macro mode, concentrate functions, movie possibilities, strong low-light performance, and classic aesthetics are certain to create photography geeks freak (in a quite very good way).

 

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