| User Review: Panasonic Lumix LX1 By Ian Lind, Kaaawa, Hawaii New LX1 user, June 2006 |
| Summary: Solid build, excellent feel, not too small, capable of very sharp images, appealing wide screen format, but definitely a learning curve for this former Canon devotee to find and learn all the features and options. The manual could use a good rewrite. And I have experienced some problems with auto focus in bright and high contrast light on the beach at dawn. |
| I decided recently that it was time to search for a replacement for the little Canon S410 that I've been using for travel and everyday carrying. It is a good camera and turns out very good photos, but I've been unhappy with Canon's elimination of raw capture capability from its small cameras. I still use an old G2 from time to time for that reason, but none of the current generation of digitals from Canon offers raw until you get up to their DSLR range.
I thought my wish list was simple--raw, wide (28mm equivalent), manual control, and relatively small, but the combo turned out to be very hard to find. The Lumix LX1 has all the features I was looking for, and adds image stabilization and a unique 16x9 wide screen format at full 8.4 resolution. After much hemming and hawing, and lurking a round varous online forums, I took the plunge. This is only my second weekend with the camera, so I can only offer my initial impressions, which are overwhelmingly but not uniformly positive. To the right are a series of photos of the LX1 alongside the older Canon S410 (click on any photo for a larger version). The LX1 body is actually a bit thinner than the S410, but longer, and the lens adds some additional bulk. The camera is about the same size and weight as my Treo 650 cell phone, a bit bulky when carried in a shirt pocket but otherwise an excellent size, not too tiny, with a nice heft in the hand. It's design is very clean and uncluttered. A pleasure to look at and hold. The small SD card fits in a slot hidden within the battery compartment. It took me a few seconds to figure that out. To remove the card, just press it and the card springs out. A 2 GB card holds 106 images at the maximum 8.4 megapixel resolution. The camera comes with a lens cap that tethers to the body with a thin cord. Some people seem to dislike the dangling cap. I like having a lens cap, which feels sturdier than the built-in retracting cover of the Canon. |
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