Panasonic Lumix DMC LX1 at DVinfo.net

Kin Kwan · July 24th, 2005, 12:58 PM

After saving up for some time now, I started looking for a new SLR camera to buy (was looking at the Digital Rebel XT) and I came across the new LX1 from Panasonic. It's a compact camera that offers a lot of manual controls (focus, exposure, shutter speed, aperture, etc) and true widescreen shooting in photo AND video mode (848x480) at 30fps!!! Since I do video work as well as photography, that widescreen video feature would be real nice. It also has OIS for the photo mode (not sure about video) and a live histogram display which is very helpful.

Check out here for more spec info and here for some actual pictures taken by the LX1.

I'm not sure when it's coming out but it's carrying a MSRP of $700.

Check it out and tell me what y'all think!

Tommy Haupfear · July 24th, 2005, 01:17 PM

Wow! Widescreen video on a digital camera. Now thats a first!

If it doesn't have an excessive problem with red-eye (I can tolerate a bit on compact cams) then I might have found my next pocket cam.

Ken Tanaka · July 27th, 2005, 10:11 AM

DPreview has posted some sample images with this camera: http://www.dpreview.com/gallery/?gal...iclx1_preview/

The images look very clean for a p&s. Particularly, ISO 400 seems quite quiet. The aspect ratio is rather gimmicky but it looks like a good camera.

Dylan Couper · August 3rd, 2005, 09:24 AM

I'm buying one the second they hit Ebay. One of the threads on dpreview suggested that they had serious noise problems at higher ISO's, but that may be from an early test model. The pics look good enough for my uses.

Ken, as far as the widescreen thing being gimmicky, it is the reason I would buy this camera over the Panny FX8 (or FX9 soon). It is one of the only two wide angle compact cameras out there, and the other is the Ricoh Caplio, which I tried out and hated. Plus the LX1 has a great movie mode, and its OIS, and 8mp at full widescreen. Being an ultra compact (or what I call a "party camera") most of what I want to shoot with it is friends and parties in indoor spaces, where 35mm isn't wide enough most of the time.
Still, I'll have to wait and see how big it actually feels with that lens sticking out the front. It has an external lens cap, not a built in one, which IMHO sucks for this type of camera. If it won't fit easily in my pocket, it is useless to me, and I'll live with an FX8/9.

Ken Tanaka · August 3rd, 2005, 10:06 AM

By "gimmicky" I meant mainly the camera's aspect ratio.

If you want a true wide-angle zoom lens on a compact camera today take a look at the Canon Powershot S70. I recently began using one as a casual carry-about camera and it's terrific. Its lens is the 35mm equivalent to a 28-100mm (the LX1's will be 28-112mm). But what really sets it apart from the crowd, and also from the upcoming LX1, is its ability to capture in true RAW mode as well as in Fine, Super-Fine and Normal JPG modes. The LX1 will only feature two JPG resolutions.

The S70 is also a real bargain with a price just under $450. It's blown me away. I think it's the best little camera available today for anyone who really takes photography seriously but doesn't always want to (or can't) carry a "serious" camera and lens.

EDIT: Here is the DPreview page on the Canon Powershot S70.

Kin Kwan · August 3rd, 2005, 10:30 AM

"But what really sets [the Powershot S70] apart from the crowd, and also from the upcoming LX1, is its ability to capture in true RAW mode as well as in Fine, Super-Fine and Normal JPG modes. The LX1 will only feature two JPG resolutions"

According to DPReview.com, the LX1 captures in RAW, TIFF, and JPEG formats. Did they make a mistake?

Ken Tanaka · August 3rd, 2005, 11:29 AM

Ah, indeed. One page indicates that it will capture RAW (http://www.dpreview.com/news/0507/05..._lx1.asp#specs)

while another omits it (http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/spec...ic_dmclx1.asp). This latter page also indicates that the LX1 will offer a TIF file format, but the previous page indicated "No" to "Uncompressed file". So there's some understandable confusion in the pre-production period.

I guess we'll have to wait and see, but my bet is that it will capture RAW to be competitive.

Thank you, Kin.

Jed Williamson · October 13th, 2005, 02:38 PM

Any updates ?

I dont see it available online till later in october.

A sample video would rock!

Jos Svendsen · October 14th, 2005, 06:32 AM

Dpreview has a review, that basicly says that the camera is so noisy, that is can only be used < 200 ISO. They like the optics, 16:9 posibilities and build, but the sensor is a lot more noisy than the competitions cameras.

I have seen some 400 iso pictures, and they are really baaad.

And it is even worse that Leica has based their new camera on this. They spoil their image doing this.

Kin Kwan · October 15th, 2005, 08:31 AM

Yea, that's a shame. You can grab the review here at Dpreview. There's also a sample video for you to check out also. It doesn't look all that impressive in my opinion. My Canon SD200 can take cleaner pictures and record the same quality of video compared to it.

Dylan Couper · October 16th, 2005, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kin Kwan

My Canon SD200 can take cleaner pictures and record the same quality of video compared to it.

The LX1 records 800x600 video in widescreen mode, I believe. ALthough I guess the quality is debateable.

Yeah, I hope the noise issue is adressed, as it looks fantastic.

Kin Kwan · October 16th, 2005, 07:28 PM

Nah it records widescreen video at 848 x 480, or at least that's what the Panasonic website says. The video I was talking about was based on a sample video [640x480] at Dpreview compared to some videos at the same resolution with my SD200.

Jed Williamson · October 16th, 2005, 07:53 PM

Nice! DPreview updated review after my post :)

Video sample at 848x480 looks nice. Now if someone can update firmware to do 24fps instead of 10 or 30.

Jozsef Szadai · December 31st, 2005, 12:47 PM

Hello
My questions about DMC-LX1:

1.) does it accept 4GB SD card and can handle?
2.) Is there any way to change frame rate to 20 or 24 or 25 fps instead of 30fps ?

The video is so BIG even with a 2GB SD card you can make only 15-16 minutes of video in 640x480/30fps

I need 640x480 video 19-25 fps with at least 1-1.5 hour capacity.
any idea?
Thanks
Joe

Jos Svendsen · January 1st, 2006, 07:30 AM

i do not know about 4gb combability, but since the video mode is considered a less important feature by the camera manufactures then you should have no hopes for any changes by Panasonic.

If you are in need af an solid state videocamera with still capcities then look for a JVC mc500.

July 24th, 2005, 12:58 PM	#1
Kin Kwan Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Plano, TX Posts: 120	Panasonic Lumix DMC LX1 After saving up for some time now, I started looking for a new SLR camera to buy (was looking at the Digital Rebel XT) and I came across the new LX1 from Panasonic. It's a compact camera that offers a lot of manual controls (focus, exposure, shutter speed, aperture, etc) and true widescreen shooting in photo AND video mode (848x480) at 30fps!!! Since I do video work as well as photography, that widescreen video feature would be real nice. It also has OIS for the photo mode (not sure about video) and a live histogram display which is very helpful. Check out here for more spec info and here for some actual pictures taken by the LX1. I'm not sure when it's coming out but it's carrying a MSRP of $700. Check it out and tell me what y'all think!

July 27th, 2005, 10:11 AM	#3
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	DPreview has posted some sample images with this camera: http://www.dpreview.com/gallery/?gal...iclx1_preview/ The images look very clean for a p&s. Particularly, ISO 400 seems quite quiet. The aspect ratio is rather gimmicky but it looks like a good camera. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

August 3rd, 2005, 09:24 AM	#4
Dylan Couper Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 8,314	I'm buying one the second they hit Ebay. One of the threads on dpreview suggested that they had serious noise problems at higher ISO's, but that may be from an early test model. The pics look good enough for my uses. Ken, as far as the widescreen thing being gimmicky, it is the reason I would buy this camera over the Panny FX8 (or FX9 soon). It is one of the only two wide angle compact cameras out there, and the other is the Ricoh Caplio, which I tried out and hated. Plus the LX1 has a great movie mode, and its OIS, and 8mp at full widescreen. Being an ultra compact (or what I call a "party camera") most of what I want to shoot with it is friends and parties in indoor spaces, where 35mm isn't wide enough most of the time. Still, I'll have to wait and see how big it actually feels with that lens sticking out the front. It has an external lens cap, not a built in one, which IMHO sucks for this type of camera. If it won't fit easily in my pocket, it is useless to me, and I'll live with an FX8/9. __________________ Need to rent camera gear in Vancouver BC? Check me out at camerarentalsvancouver.com

August 3rd, 2005, 10:06 AM	#5
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	By "gimmicky" I meant mainly the camera's aspect ratio. If you want a true wide-angle zoom lens on a compact camera today take a look at the Canon Powershot S70. I recently began using one as a casual carry-about camera and it's terrific. Its lens is the 35mm equivalent to a 28-100mm (the LX1's will be 28-112mm). But what really sets it apart from the crowd, and also from the upcoming LX1, is its ability to capture in true RAW mode as well as in Fine, Super-Fine and Normal JPG modes. The LX1 will only feature two JPG resolutions. The S70 is also a real bargain with a price just under $450. It's blown me away. I think it's the best little camera available today for anyone who really takes photography seriously but doesn't always want to (or can't) carry a "serious" camera and lens. EDIT: Here is the DPreview page on the Canon Powershot S70. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

August 3rd, 2005, 10:30 AM	#6
Kin Kwan Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Plano, TX Posts: 120	"But what really sets [the Powershot S70] apart from the crowd, and also from the upcoming LX1, is its ability to capture in true RAW mode as well as in Fine, Super-Fine and Normal JPG modes. The LX1 will only feature two JPG resolutions" According to DPReview.com, the LX1 captures in RAW, TIFF, and JPEG formats. Did they make a mistake? Last edited by Kin Kwan; August 3rd, 2005 at 10:30 AM. Reason: Typos

July 24th, 2005, 01:17 PM	#2
Tommy Haupfear Wrangler Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 1,415	Wow! Widescreen video on a digital camera. Now thats a first! If it doesn't have an excessive problem with red-eye (I can tolerate a bit on compact cams) then I might have found my next pocket cam.

August 3rd, 2005, 11:29 AM	#7
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Ah, indeed. One page indicates that it will capture RAW (http://www.dpreview.com/news/0507/05..._lx1.asp#specs) while another omits it (http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/spec...ic_dmclx1.asp). This latter page also indicates that the LX1 will offer a TIF file format, but the previous page indicated "No" to "Uncompressed file". So there's some understandable confusion in the pre-production period. I guess we'll have to wait and see, but my bet is that it will capture RAW to be competitive. Thank you, Kin. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

October 13th, 2005, 02:38 PM	#8
Jed Williamson Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 175	Any updates ? I dont see it available online till later in october. A sample video would rock!

October 14th, 2005, 06:32 AM	#9
Jos Svendsen Major Player Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark Posts: 221	Dpreview has a review, that basicly says that the camera is so noisy, that is can only be used < 200 ISO. They like the optics, 16:9 posibilities and build, but the sensor is a lot more noisy than the competitions cameras. I have seen some 400 iso pictures, and they are really baaad. And it is even worse that Leica has based their new camera on this. They spoil their image doing this.

October 15th, 2005, 08:31 AM	#10
Kin Kwan Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Plano, TX Posts: 120	Yea, that's a shame. You can grab the review here at Dpreview. There's also a sample video for you to check out also. It doesn't look all that impressive in my opinion. My Canon SD200 can take cleaner pictures and record the same quality of video compared to it.

October 16th, 2005, 07:28 PM	#12
Kin Kwan Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Plano, TX Posts: 120	Nah it records widescreen video at 848 x 480, or at least that's what the Panasonic website says. The video I was talking about was based on a sample video [640x480] at Dpreview compared to some videos at the same resolution with my SD200.

October 16th, 2005, 07:53 PM	#13
Jed Williamson Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 175	Nice! DPreview updated review after my post :) Video sample at 848x480 looks nice. Now if someone can update firmware to do 24fps instead of 10 or 30.

December 31st, 2005, 12:47 PM	#14
Jozsef Szadai Tourist Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: HUNGARY Posts: 4	DMC-LX1 and its video recording Hello My questions about DMC-LX1: 1.) does it accept 4GB SD card and can handle? 2.) Is there any way to change frame rate to 20 or 24 or 25 fps instead of 30fps ? The video is so BIG even with a 2GB SD card you can make only 15-16 minutes of video in 640x480/30fps I need 640x480 video 19-25 fps with at least 1-1.5 hour capacity. any idea? Thanks Joe

January 1st, 2006, 07:30 AM	#15
Jos Svendsen Major Player Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark Posts: 221	i do not know about 4gb combability, but since the video mode is considered a less important feature by the camera manufactures then you should have no hopes for any changes by Panasonic. If you are in need af an solid state videocamera with still capcities then look for a JVC mc500. __________________ ---------------------------- 12c41 JOS. Svendsen