Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX1

I'm really taken aback by the naïv negative opinions about this camera. (I acually have the Leica, and not the Panasonic version, but it's the same thing) Yes, it is noisy above 100 iso (like all cameras I ever had). So what? I only shoot raw, and this little jewel stays in my pockets all the time and delivers images that are as good (if not better thanks to the 16/9 cadrage) as my Canon 200, which I almost don't use any more (too bulky). I never had a camera like this, a real pleasure of ...

Had this about a month now - was stuck between getting a DSLR or this and am happy with my choice. Comments about noise are valid, but if you take into account the price and add the price for noiseninja you'll appreciate your results better than automatic noise reduction ever could. ISO80-200 is perfectly usable in Jpeg mode, but shooting in raw is where it's at. The Lens is excellent. Shutter lag is almost undetectable once focussed, write times are great on a fast 1 gig sandisk, not so ...

The lens on this camera is excellent, not quite up to the M series lenses I use on my M7 but far above the quality of most digital compacts. The 16:9 ratio really is worth having - other manufacturers should take note. Build quality and layout is excellent. RAW format was what sold this camera to me. Update: I have now been using this camera for aboiut 1 year. The fast start and excellent lens along with considerable manual control are excellent. I frequently produce high quality A3 prints ...

Camera is packed with lots of features. Elegant eye-catching body. Lightweight considering all the features. Excellent display and burst mode. Problems: Discovered three distinct bagel-shaped dark spots in the display's central area in the 4x optical zoom mode, the same spots were transfered into file. Frequent focusing defects in the 4x optical zoom mode, image stabilizer not too efficient. Color reproduction was definitely pinkish, could not correct using camera's features. Lenz cover hangs ...

I purchased this camera approx 10 days ago and have been very pleased with the photo quality - sharp and good colours to my eye. I also have a Nikon D70 and the LX1 images are just about as good even after very significant cropping - I've done side by side comparisons @ ISO 200 (lowest setting) on the D70 vs ISO 100 on the LX1. At higher ISOs the LX1 is noisier than the D70 but the noise is easy to correct in PS. The features make it a good fun camera to use and along with good image ...

A wonderfull little camera, capable of results as good as the photographer using it is. A very good automatic WB, a VERY sharp lens, even wideopen, an effective IS system, a very good exposure metering system. And it has RAW! As a DSLR user, I always shoot RAW - when converted in ACR 3.2 or SilkyPix, the images in more difficult light situations or at higher ISO settings are much better. Even at ISO 400 - fully usable for prints A4-A3. Usable on paper, if you know what you want and how to do ...

As of September 2005, the LX1 might be the smallest & most fully featured 'pocketable' digicam. It is also the only 16:9 aspect 28mm wide digicam out there. The Leica Vario Elmarit lens is tack sharp. You can expect good colors, and minimal barrel distortion at the wide end. Constructionw wise, you've to hold it in your hands to know. Full metal body (aluminium I think . . .) White Balance isn't so good, auto mode is eratic. Control in M-mode isn't ideal. Panny should have used dials instead ...

This is the best camera, if you need professional features in a really small body. Some compromise with a little bit of noise (in this case I prefer to call it grain)....but this is not a Canon 1D and you can put it in a pocket. Remember that developing raw you can obtain a great results even at 400 ISO. Great lens, easy to use, lovely design... it's my camera! Problems: Some noise over 100 ISO, but not more than other ultra compact cameras.

Can douin please provide more detail about the review in Chasseur d'Images for thosse of us who have no access to the magazine

a good camera. nice combination of 16/9 aspect ratio and 28 mm wide zoom, very easy to use and complete manual controls (manual focus as well), good construction quality and compactness, despite the wide zoom. good photo at low shutter speeds with the stabilizer, though sometimes in low light areas or when in difficult light conditions the quality of the image is far away what you could expect (some visible noise and a little chromatic aberrations...). Problems: sometimes in low light areas ...