AnisJ
Forum Enthusiast
Panasonic has some of the best point and shoot offerings, LX-5 is a gem in their line-up. Takes excellent pictures and is extremely compact without compromising in any way. I have been a DSLR user for few decades and wanted a second camera for those casual shooting sessions without having to carry the bag around and this camera fit the bill perfectly.
My criteria for the decision to go for this one was.
Highest possible quality lens in a compact
Fastest lens possible
Fastest shutter speed in a compact
Largest sensor possible
RAW+Jpeg option
Full manual control for creativity and freedom
Bulb option (it does not have it but with new firmware 2.0 it can do 250 second exposures which is OK with me)
A great back up camera for a DSLR
Low noise at high ISO
Having prepared the list based on what I wanted in a camera, Panasonic LX-5 was the answer and I could not find any better option for myself at the given price point.
Now after having used the camera on several shooting sessions since December 2011, I can safely say that the criteria I listed above in my initial selection has proven to be true about this unit. Nit picking aside, the only aspect which did not impress me a whole lot was the ISO noise once you get past 400. That being said it is very rare that one would need to push it any higher in the presence of the excellent f2.0 lens. or the slow shutter speeds available for held holding the camera with it's fantastic image stabilizer. The lens has excellent depth of field even when fully open at it widest.
I did not go straight to best settings as many have posted on the forums but tried to find out its limitations on my own based on my own style of photography. After getting used to how it processes the pictures I have set the camera on certain settings that I personally find acceptable.
I am from the 'old school' and prefer not to indulge in time consuming post processing. I do however shoot in both RAW+jpeg in case I may need to work on a picture which I really like and the Venus engine did not do full justice to processing the jpeg.
It is a great camera which is capable of exposing the creativity of the photographer, provided the camera and it's abundant features are put to good use.
I have no regrets going for it and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for great picture taking tool, be it an enthusiast or a student, it will please both types.
Problems:
LCD screen gets over saturated and produces streaks across the panel in extremely bright conditions, this is attributed to the CCD sensor and its behavior rather than a fault with the camera.
The other thing that I like to touch upon is that the LCD is barely visible for critical evaluation of the scene if in direct sunlight. the absence of an EVF my be sorely missed by some. However it is available as an accessory if one is willing to spend an additional 25% of the cost of camera.
Other than the above caveats (nit picking) everything is in favor of the LX5 - a fine camera indeed
The missing EVF robs this beauty of half a star! Therefore I would say the LX5 is worthy of 4-1/2 stars!
My criteria for the decision to go for this one was.
Highest possible quality lens in a compact
Fastest lens possible
Fastest shutter speed in a compact
Largest sensor possible
RAW+Jpeg option
Full manual control for creativity and freedom
Bulb option (it does not have it but with new firmware 2.0 it can do 250 second exposures which is OK with me)
A great back up camera for a DSLR
Low noise at high ISO
Having prepared the list based on what I wanted in a camera, Panasonic LX-5 was the answer and I could not find any better option for myself at the given price point.
Now after having used the camera on several shooting sessions since December 2011, I can safely say that the criteria I listed above in my initial selection has proven to be true about this unit. Nit picking aside, the only aspect which did not impress me a whole lot was the ISO noise once you get past 400. That being said it is very rare that one would need to push it any higher in the presence of the excellent f2.0 lens. or the slow shutter speeds available for held holding the camera with it's fantastic image stabilizer. The lens has excellent depth of field even when fully open at it widest.
I did not go straight to best settings as many have posted on the forums but tried to find out its limitations on my own based on my own style of photography. After getting used to how it processes the pictures I have set the camera on certain settings that I personally find acceptable.
I am from the 'old school' and prefer not to indulge in time consuming post processing. I do however shoot in both RAW+jpeg in case I may need to work on a picture which I really like and the Venus engine did not do full justice to processing the jpeg.
It is a great camera which is capable of exposing the creativity of the photographer, provided the camera and it's abundant features are put to good use.
I have no regrets going for it and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for great picture taking tool, be it an enthusiast or a student, it will please both types.
Problems:
LCD screen gets over saturated and produces streaks across the panel in extremely bright conditions, this is attributed to the CCD sensor and its behavior rather than a fault with the camera.
The other thing that I like to touch upon is that the LCD is barely visible for critical evaluation of the scene if in direct sunlight. the absence of an EVF my be sorely missed by some. However it is available as an accessory if one is willing to spend an additional 25% of the cost of camera.
Other than the above caveats (nit picking) everything is in favor of the LX5 - a fine camera indeed
The missing EVF robs this beauty of half a star! Therefore I would say the LX5 is worthy of 4-1/2 stars!