DPReview TV: Panasonic LX100 II review

M2's photos are slightly better then the Leica version, and the enhanced grip on the front is nearly good.
The camera has a weird hesitation when its showing you on the screen that its focused. the moment where it locks into focus ( on the screen) it sort of jerks into focus, and, it does not handle macro shots as well as the LX100.
I think the issue is that the processor taken from the G model, does not work as well in some ways as the original LX100's processor, yet, the IQ is better.
However, a fixed screen?
Its this acceptable in the age of selfies, ?
So where is that articulation in the screenorama.
Its found about 4. yrs from now, and for about $299 added to the price.
Sha ZAM.
What a deal.
Here is the sad thing.
Pany's LX85, slays the Olympus Pen-F.
The photos, the quick focus, the handling, its got it all.
The Pen-F handles like the Sony RX100's. Think "wet soap".
Get a used GX85, and a few used Prime lenses, like the 14, 17 and the 45, and that big tele one the 12-40.

It can be an amazing camera if the viewfinder was OLED and it had some screen articulation.

The dust issue is a complete deal breaker though. To drop $1000 on a camera that you know will likely eventually succumb to that problem is a mistake.

Olympus introduced Sensor Dust Removal System 10 years ago:

https://www.whatdigitalcamera.com/technical-guides/technology-guides/dust-removal-systems-13406

Excellent review. My G7x will see more action.

LX100.M3 mabe an real upgrade as seen from FZ200 to FZ300:

"...The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300 is the update to the very popular FZ200. It maintains the same 12MP sensor and fast 25-600mm equivalent F2.8 lens but adds:
- a new image processor,
- weather-sealing <----<<<<
- 3" tilting OLED display
- higher resolution (2.36M dot) OLED EVF.
- uses Panasonic's latest autofocus system and
- ..."

That's called an REAL update, and users can wait for 4 more years to see the same update for LX100.M2 if ever...

I have and love my LX100, and am considering the LX100 II as an upgrade. That said, I did get dust on the sensor of the LX100 (after a trip to the desert - which is challenging), and had to send it in to be serviced.

Is there any chance that DPReview can ask Panasonic about improved dust sealing on the lens? ePhotozine asked and was apparently told by Panasonic that the LX100 II has urethane in the lens gap, to try and address this issue . Further confirmation would be great, if it is true...

Still waiting for that Studio Comparison Scene Tool to be updated :( (Update: NVM Its Up!)

I have been asking for an exchangeable lens Panasonic camera with the same body size as the LX100 to no avail. A better size for me than the GM5 (my choice for travelling light), and handier than the GX9, I want a GX8 replacement with this size of body. Yes I want a tilting view finder something like the GX8 (a lovely VF), water proofing, and a tilting screen too.
I am sure all the amateur marketing and technical specialists will tell me why I can't have what I want, but I am letting Panasonic know (hopefully) anyway.
F.

It does remind me so much of Fuji with a focus on user experience. Touchscreen and dedicated dials is really quite a joy.

I think you hit the nail on the head though when you mentioned the T20 with the 18-55 f2.8-f4.0. It's bigger, but it's really the same cost and it's so much more flexible a system.

Panasonic needs the LX100 to be ~$800 and with a better viewfinder.

... though I do love the pre capture 4K photo mode. Why can't anybody else make that feature?

I just bought the LX100 (version 1). It costs $400 less than version II. The major improvement of version II, the touch screen, was not an improvement for me. I find touch screens annoying because I inevitably accidentally change a setting by touching the screen.

The LX100 feels great in my hands. I like the certainty of the controls, easy access for exposure compensation, shutter speed and aperture settings.

I've never liked multi-point focus setting...I just use the center point for focus; focus on the object,, half press, re-frame and shoot. It works like a charm.

I like the photo quality of the LX100 I. The colors are great and the pictures are sharp. For sheer usability as well as capability I rate the LX100 among the very top. It is the perfect Travel camera with absolutely no irritating qualities.

P.S. - My LX100 came with a nice charger.

Chris Nichols complains (gently) about the slow zooming on the LX100 II. The LX3 and LX5 I owned were like that too, but I was often glad of that. The slowness allows for precise setting of focal length, which is useful for careful compositions.

I do hope, that a LX-100 Mark III someday would bring a fully articulated Touchscreen, at least a tilt-able screen, something, that the 1st NEX-3/5 from 2010 already featured - and a manual focus Zoom lens, means, Autofocus of course, but focal length change by hand, not by some motor drive, and a matching Lens Hood with filterthread for protector/UV or ND/Polarizer filters, Panasonic.

Btw, i am still shooting my original NEX-5, and it's fine.

Good Light!

Guys, check out this review of the new LX100 II. On the comment section someone said the sensor dust issue (seen on the LX100) has been improved as Panasonic engineers put urethane in the lens gap.

https://www.ephotozine.com/article/panasonic-lumix-lx100-ii-full-review-32609

Hope it helps :)

Gotta say DPReview made a very smart move by getting Chris and Jordan. I was curious about the LX100 II as I never upgraded from my LX5 up to the original LX100.
All my questions about the camera were answered in one easy to view and entertaining video.

They do seem to be a tad reluctant to diss the camera being reviewed, you have to be quick and notice the innuendos.

Personally I have found zoom lenses that extend are too slow for the type of photography I shoot. I prefer a fixed lens compact like the Sony RX1 where I don't have to deploy and de-deploy the lens.

fiield seq EVF... is unfortunate like mark 1....dust issue,...this is not cheap

as always these video reviews are superb accompaniments to your written reviews ... thanks, guys

Would be interesting if Dpreview ever interview with Panasonic exec, and ask if they listened to photographers in developing the LX100 II.

stopped watching as soon as they mentioned the crappy evf.

The dust issue with the LX100 has more to do with the zoom lens excessive extension/retraction cycles (a simple firmware issue) rather than the lack of weather sealing which makes it even more irritating,
Roger Cicala from Lensrentals wrote a good piece about this fact of life about ANY zoom lens.
However, Panasonic seem to be aloof and never paid attention to this important detail, despite numerous users complaints. For instance, the LX100 even extend the lens when the user only wants to play some pictures.
On top of that when in shooting mode the inactivity timer is so short causing the lens to retract prematurely, having the user to initiate another lens extension and there is no way for the user to change this.
https://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2011/08/the-apocalypse-of-lens-dust/

My dream LX II would have been the same ergonomics, a little bit bigger, articulating screen, IBIS, a manual zoom so as to not have to worry about lens errors, better sealing for dust, a focus on quality of image vs length of zoom. They’ve had years to make the Mark II, yet it doesn’t seem years ahead of the last one. The difference between the XT2 and 3 is what consumers wanted to see with the LX II and would have been happy to pay for.

Most entertaining and comprehensive reviews on the Internet. Good points always.
Gold medal for Chris and Jordan.

According to comments this video review was very well done, but I just wonder about review consistency. Are some cameras being done the old way with a comprehensive written review, and some being done with video, and if so why? I'm not that keen to visit DPR, and then being navigated to YouTube for a video. Also, if I want to check some fact, it is easily done with a written review, but almost impossible with a video review.

"photographers will really enjoy shooting this camera"
---
Pun intended?

"throwing this camera in your pocket is the best selling feature of this camera but since it has a history of dust entering the sensor at least make sure your pockets are clean" AHAHAHAHHA

You guys have been my favorite camera reviewers since the early days of the camerastore. Love those lines and all the goofy moments. You are always focused attentively on what matters and never been too formal. I am really happy you joined the dpreview. It was a great place that became even better!

I have an LX100 for about 4 years. Yes, I miss a tilting screen, but I never had a problem with dust on the sensor. I did have problems with sand in the lens mechanism.

The shooting experience is unique, reminds me of my film cameras. Adding a touchscreen and higher resolution arengreat. I hope that the price of the MK2 will soon go down to its real value. The Sony RX100 cameras are great, but don't have a hotshoe, and I bounce an external flash a lot.

So: If you cal live with a fixed screen, you like using the viewfinder like in the old time, and you add a lightweight external flash like the Godox 350, you will have an enjoying camera that will go with you everywhere.

This seems like a great camera that has a lot going for it.... but is just priced a bit too high. At the $1,000 price point there should be some sort of articulating screen. And the omission of a battery charger is a real insult at this price (yes, I know Sony does it too.)

This camera just isn't worth the price of a GX9 plus 12-60mm lens. And that cameras isn't very much larger, although that particular lens certainly is larger. In terms of features and performance the GX9 is a much better deal for $1,000. It just isn't as nice looking, and doesn't have those nice manual dials.

Panasonic should market this LX100 II for $699 and they would have a real hit on their hands. I suppose if you wait around 6 months, it will be down to that price anyway. So I will wait. Or perhaps find a nice used one by then.

You guys are so good at calling this camera cr@pp in a very polite and diplomatic way.

It seems Sony and Panasonic are trying to do different things. Sony is trying to cram as many features and specs into the smallest space, which they have always been very good at. Panasonic is trying to make a camera that feels familiar and ergonomic.

Sadly, the review doesn't explain the tremendous artistic and practical advantages of the multi-aspect ratio sensor that only this camera now has, except for Panasonic's micro-4/3rds camera that is tweaked for video.

Dust.

No sensible person will buy this camera unless Panasonic acknowledge the dust issue in the LX100 Mk 1 and explain how it's been solved in the Mk2 2.

Thanks Chris & Jordan for joining DPReview! I apprichiate your video reviews! I've been following DPreview from Sweden (yes in Europe, in the northern and really cold part where we have ice-hotels! :) ) for 15+ years (being a professional photographer for some time) and your reviews really adds the practical part of photography added to the technical part of DPReview. Thanks.

Nice camera. $300 overpriced.