Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 is a DSLR grade compact camera. LX3 comes with a fast F2.0-F2.8 24-60mm (35mm equivalent) Leica DC Vario-Summicron lens, with comprehensive manual controls and a 1/1.63-inch 10.1 million pixels 16:9 CCD sensor.

Panasonic has upgraded every component of the Panasonic LX3 to achieve a camera whose performance surpasses that of any compact camera that has come before.

Photo Quality comes first

DMC-LX3 comes with a completely new sensor that balance pixel count and ISO sensitivity nicely, 1/1.63-inch CCD to 10.1 mega-pixels; the result is a CCD that provides a generous amount of space for each pixel while offering superb sensitivity and a wide dynamic range made possible by maximizing the size of the photodiode.

Panasonic also redesigned the peripheral circuits and other components to greatly improve imaging performance, boosting sensitivity by around 40% and saturation by around 35% compared with ordinary 10-mexapixel compact cameras.

Panasonic DMC-LX3’s ultra-wide-angle 24mm Leica DC VARIO-SUMMICRON lens is a major step up from the LX2. The bright F2.0 lens is about twice as bright as the previous F2.8 lens, enable DMC-LX3 shooting stunningly clear, sharp, blur-free images at higher shutter speeds, even in lower lighting conditions.

The super-high-quality Leica DC VARIO-SUMMICRON lens is rare on a compact camera, users can get stunning beautiful photos with pleasing soft-focused background, true-to-life images with outstanding resolution and detail.

DMC-LX3 also comes with a optical Image stabilizer (MEGA O.I.S.), which employ lens shifting to compensate hand-shake movement and produce sharp, clear images.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 Sample Photos

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 Photo Quality Test

ISO 100	ISO 200	ISO 400
ISO 800	ISO 1600	ISO 3200

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ISO 100	ISO 200	ISO 400
ISO 800	ISO 1600	ISO 3200

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ISO 100	ISO 200	ISO 400
ISO 800	ISO 1600	ISO 3200

Why 24 – 60mm F2.0 – F2.8 Leica lens on DCM-LX3 ?

Some friends ask this question, and they are disappointed with DCM-LX3 because of limited zoom range. The answer is “photo quality comes first”. In DLSR world, 24 – 70mm F2.8 means “superior photo quality” and also means “very expensive”!

Here some examples:

• Canon 24 – 70mm f2.8L = US$1,200
• Nikon Nikkor 24-70mm f2.8G = US$1,700
• Sony SAL-2470Z 24-70mm f2.8 = US$1,750

So, you should be very happy that DCM-LX3 comes with a 24 – 60mm F2.0 – F2.8 Leica lens!

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 Sample Photos around the world

Here are some more Lumix DMC-LX3 sample photos that we find on asia websites.

Conclusion

I am impressed by the Lumix DMC-LX3 sample photos, the Leica f/2.0 lens is superb, the sensor is a big improvement over LX2. Lumix LX3 photo quality and high ISO noise control is as good as entry level DSLRs!

If you are choosing between entry level DSLR and Lumix DMC-LX3, you may find it is not easy to make a decision. The 24 – 60 mm f/2.0 – f/2.8 lens on LX3 is much better than any entry level DSLR kit lens, meanwhile sensors on entry level DSLRs are still better the one on LX3.

If you have DSLR already and looking for a daily carry-around compact DSLR-replacement, Lumix DMC-LX3 is a very suitable choice! Superb lens, good color reproduction, good dynamic range, good ISO 800 preformance … etc.

DMC-LX3 is one of the hottest digital camera! If you are planning to get one, better act fast, before it run out of stock.

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