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Will a LX-5 be a mistake?

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Baysider3

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Very happy with my Olympus E-3 kit but I am in need for something more compact for a trip to Italy next month. Narrowed down my choice to the Panasonic GF2 and the LX-5 and the Olympus XZ-1 and the E-PL2. Now I am down to feeling the LX-5 is going to be my best choice but am a bit unsure about the smaller sensor size. For a second camera will the LX-5 satisfy my expectations of what I get with my E-3 or should I go for the E-PL2 even though it will not be nearly as compact.
 
I currently own both an LX5 and an XZ-1. They overlap quite a bit. The sensor is the same size in both cameras, and it may even be the same sensor. Image quality is great on both, with the lens on the XZ-1 giving it the slight edge. The F1.8 Zuiko gives a slightly shallower DOF, but don't expect any miracles, these are still compacts. The controls on the XZ-1 make it easier to use in Priority or Manual shooting modes. The control ring around the lens is a joy to use. I find myself shooting the LX5 more in Program mode. The build quality and ergonomics on the LX5 takes the cake, however. It has a heavier and studier case, and the grip on the front makes it feel more substantial in the hand. The lens cap design on the Panny is much better as well, as it clips into place. The camera will not turn on until it has been removed. On the XZ-1, the lens cap simply fits over the lens, and pops off when the camera is turned on. Direct access to the aspect ratio on the lens barrel of the LX5 has me thinking about framing a bit more and the 24mm wide-angle lens makes it a bit better for land and city-scape shots. I don't find myself taking too many photos at full telescopic. I could continue to go on about the strengths of each camera, but the fact remains the neither has all that many weaknesses (in terms of compact cameras). Neither would be a mistake.
 
Line_of_Sight said:
I currently own both an LX5 and an XZ-1. They overlap quite a bit. The sensor is the same size in both cameras, and it may even be the same sensor. Image quality is great on both, with the lens on the XZ-1 giving it the slight edge. The F1.8 Zuiko gives a slightly shallower DOF, but don't expect any miracles, these are still compacts. The controls on the XZ-1 make it easier to use in Priority or Manual shooting modes. The control ring around the lens is a joy to use. I find myself shooting the LX5 more in Program mode. The build quality and ergonomics on the LX5 takes the cake, however. It has a heavier and studier case, and the grip on the front makes it feel more substantial in the hand. The lens cap design on the Panny is much better as well, as it clips into place. The camera will not turn on until it has been removed. On the XZ-1, the lens cap simply fits over the lens, and pops off when the camera is turned on. Direct access to the aspect ratio on the lens barrel of the LX5 has me thinking about framing a bit more and the 24mm wide-angle lens makes it a bit better for land and city-scape shots. I don't find myself taking too many photos at full telescopic. I could continue to go on about the strengths of each camera, but the fact remains the neither has all that many weaknesses (in terms of compact cameras). Neither would be a mistake.
Click to expand...
Good write up. I have the LX5 but the XZ-1 is interesting.
--
Dez

http://dezsantana.com

 
Do you make prints from your images, or relagate them to the internet, email, or digital frames? If prints, how large do you print to? Do you display on your TV? Answers to these questions and others will help you decide on the importance of sensor size to you.

My largest image produced is the size of my computer screen, and the images from my LX5 more than suffice. I haven't used my DSLR since getting the LX5 (not that I won't in the future, I just don't care to schelp DSLR gear everywhere I go). It's a great camera, and if you go this route, I recommend that you get the JJC ALC-5B screw-on hinged lens cover (Amazon). Since getting it, it's paid back its $15 expense many times over with its convenience.
 
Thanks for sharing your experience with both cameras. In researching them the comments on the video quality of the XZ-1 was my deciding factor in ruling it out. Too bad as I prefer the brighter lens. By chance what made you decide to buy both cameras.
 
Always good intentions to print out lots of images but they usually stay in digital form. When I do get the chance to print some out I never go above 8X10 and usually I am at 5X7
 
Baysider3 said:
Thanks for sharing your experience with both cameras. In researching them the comments on the video quality of the XZ-1 was my deciding factor in ruling it out. Too bad as I prefer the brighter lens. By chance what made you decide to buy both cameras.
Click to expand...
I got a great deal on the XZ-1 and figured I could sell whichever camera I decided I could live without (though it might take me a while to pick... :) ) You're right about the movie mode on the LX5 being superior, but I've only used it a handful of time since buying the camera months ago, so to me it isn't a major consideration.
 
Hi,

As a working photographer who lugs around a D3s kit with all the bits and pieces that goes along with it on a daily basis, I have the LX5 for a family snappy camera.

I also have used the GF1 quite a bit which is similar in many aspects to the GF2.

The LX5 has a much smaller sensor than I am used to, as as a result, many of the shots I have in my head don't necessarilly equate. But mind you it is tiny tiny camera and for convenience it is pretty nice.

Noise can become an issue quite quickly, I find that 640 is my personal limit, but of course you can set it much higher.
the video is really lovely. 720p out of this tiny thing is pretty amazing!

The GF1 i liked a lot more. the bigger sensor gave a much nicer look to pics (both DOF considerations and noise). everything else Image Quality wise as great as to be expected from a bigger sibling of LX5.

nowhere near as compact, but I think for the extra sensor size, is probably worth the trade off.

Also a big thing is the operational noise. The LX5 (with the "fake" shutter noises set to OFF), is silent. The GF1, with it's mirrorless system, does emit a noticeable noise. But of course, nothing like a clunk of a DSLR with it's mirror slap and springs and aperture blades and shutter curtains....(if this actually matters to you at all....)

but coming from full frame to these little things I am probably being a bit harsh.

I love the little LX5, it gives me the ease of snapping pics while still allowing a lot of the professional options such as RAW and controls, but the GF series just offers that little bit extra that you may find useful.

The other cameras I have no real hands on experience except a few snaps on friends' ones, so I won't pass comment here.

good luck with your purchase!
 
Lx5 has poor skin tones as mentioned in reviews . That Olympus xz-1 has good skin tones in it's jpegs
 
Hi Bay,

I have an LX-5 and a lot of Nikon DSLR gear. I am happy with the LX-5, and it's usually the camera that I reach for.

That said, the responses in this thread seem to be ignoring the gorilla in the room: The Panasonic JPEG conversion is godawful, and is justifiably the obstacle to "Gold" review ratings for Panasonics.

So if you're a JPEG shooter, RUN, do not walk, to the XZ-1. But if you like shooting Raw, or at least don't mind shooting Raw, then the balance tips tips to the LX-5 because of "24mm" WA, AE/AF lock button, and more capable video. (BTW, I use Adobe ACR for RAW conversion; and I recommend that you don't waste your time trying to learn the POS SilkyPix that comes with the LX5.

Good luck, Ed
Baysider3 said:
Very happy with my Olympus E-3 kit but I am in need for something more compact for a trip to Italy next month. Narrowed down my choice to the Panasonic GF2 and the LX-5 and the Olympus XZ-1 and the E-PL2. Now I am down to feeling the LX-5 is going to be my best choice but am a bit unsure about the smaller sensor size. For a second camera will the LX-5 satisfy my expectations of what I get with my E-3 or should I go for the E-PL2 even though it will not be nearly as compact.
Click to expand...
 
Olympus e-pl1 = panny gf with good jpeg skin tones
Olympus xz-1 = panny lx5 with good jpeg skin tones

Good Skin tones means people don't look yellow
tmy said:
Hi,

As a working photographer who lugs around a D3s kit with all the bits and pieces that goes along with it on a daily basis, I have the LX5 for a family snappy camera.

I also have used the GF1 quite a bit which is similar in many aspects to the GF2.

The LX5 has a much smaller sensor than I am used to, as as a result, many of the shots I have in my head don't necessarilly equate. But mind you it is tiny tiny camera and for convenience it is pretty nice.

Noise can become an issue quite quickly, I find that 640 is my personal limit, but of course you can set it much higher.
the video is really lovely. 720p out of this tiny thing is pretty amazing!

The GF1 i liked a lot more. the bigger sensor gave a much nicer look to pics (both DOF considerations and noise). everything else Image Quality wise as great as to be expected from a bigger sibling of LX5.

nowhere near as compact, but I think for the extra sensor size, is probably worth the trade off.

Also a big thing is the operational noise. The LX5 (with the "fake" shutter noises set to OFF), is silent. The GF1, with it's mirrorless system, does emit a noticeable noise. But of course, nothing like a clunk of a DSLR with it's mirror slap and springs and aperture blades and shutter curtains....(if this actually matters to you at all....)

but coming from full frame to these little things I am probably being a bit harsh.

I love the little LX5, it gives me the ease of snapping pics while still allowing a lot of the professional options such as RAW and controls, but the GF series just offers that little bit extra that you may find useful.

The other cameras I have no real hands on experience except a few snaps on friends' ones, so I won't pass comment here.

good luck with your purchase!
Click to expand...
 
IMHO the Q to ask is not whether the sensor size would be a problem , its whether you can live with fix focals ( on GF2 ) and if you expect to encounter low light / avaiulable light situations. Now though the 4/3 sensor is no where near performing great at low light, its still way better than the small one inside the XZ-1 or LX-5.

of course there is the issue of cost and that is something you had to ponder.

---
  • Franka -
 
Consider the days of film.

It ranged from the truly limited 110, through 35mm, to 120 medium format, up to large format.
  • 110 was poor for two reasons : 1. the cartridge system never held the film as firmly as other transport systems 2. there was a law of diminishing returns on film grain, and the 110 was too small to beat it
  • 35mm was the smallest usable format, always a compromise but once it became a journalists' de facto industry standard, some truly great emulsions were produced, and equally some classic cameras of staggeringly good performance
  • medium and large format were the choice of portrait pros and some wedding photographers. Compared to their 35mm brethren, the pictures were always of superior IQ, providing you compared like-for-like in terms of emulsions, lenses, etc
Nowadays, you can compare sensors to film, but without having to bring transport systems into the equation. Full frame sensors - though the same size as 35mm - can actually be compared with medium- or large-format for IQ. Smaller sensors are nearer to 35mm in terms of IQ (they blow up much larger, but noise can be an issue), and no-one will sneer at the best 35mm work.

Bottom line : the sensor in the LX5 is not the smallest, but will give results superior to what 35mm used to give from all but the very best cameras. It will not be a mistake, and indeed I know one very serious amateur photographer who uses her DSLR very much less but takes her newer LX5 everywhere.

Some thoughts.
--
Panas0n!c Lum!x FZ-38
 
Hi, I have been using an LX2 for about 3+ years as a sole digital camera. I have just bought a GF1 (after much procrastination! GH1, GF2 or GF1). The results from the LX2 are surprisingly good given the GF1 has 4X the sensor area, but LX5 has bigger zoom range than GF1 (14-45mm) this can compensate for avoiding cropping later. Also, spending some time tweeking of the settings from the default can result in a significant gain in quality. Fooled about with raw - couldn't be bothered in the end. I regularly print A3+ from LX2 and results can be really good. I have printed FF Canon images from RAW and LX2 results are not at all shabby. LX2 and GF1 are different in low light, but on LX2 I often use night scene, self-timer and a wall/bench etc as tripod, again results can be very crisp. Should I have gone LX5? Well, I like to use filters and found LX a bit limited, still, if I had the cash - yes, love the 24mm W/angle which GF1 has not got. Want a 12-50mm from Lumix then I'd never need another lens! I will still be using LX2 though.
 
After lots of research and some great advice from the posts I made over the last week I purchased the LX-5 this evening. I was fortunate to be able to handle the LX-5 as well as the GF2 and the Olympus XZ-1 and the E-PL2 at the dealer I went to. Paid a bit more then buying it online but between being able to handle the cameras and support a local business I am happy with my purchase. The main deciding factors were that the LX-5 just felt perfectly balanced in my hands and it actually fit easily into my jean pocket. It should work out perfect as a travel camera. Now I have a few weeks to play with it before we leave for italy.
 
From your original criteria, I think you made a good choice, though the other options all have their virtues too.

One thing that didn't get mentioned is that the lenses on the LX5 and XZ-1 are bright enough to give most m43 bodies with an f3.5-5.6 kit lens a run for their money. Obviously the m43 body has the advantage of swapping lenses, and even using your Four Thirds lenses via adapter, but folks who don't expect to use anything but the kit lens are almost certainly going to be better off with an advanced compact camera.
 
Looking forward to sharing my experiences with using the LX-5 as well as posting some photos when we return from Italy. It will be intersting to see how close I come to the results I get with my Olympus E-3
 
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