Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 is a high-end compact camera aimed at enthusiasts. Announced in July 2010, exactly two years after the classic LX3, the new LX5 takes the same concept of packing a high-sensitivity sensor, bright and wide lens, flash hotshoe and a wealth of manual control into a small and light body. Note there wasn't an LX4, so the LX5 is the direct successor to the LX3. Externally, the LX5 shares essentially the same appearance as its predecessor, although the new model enjoys a more generous grip along with a handful of control tweaks. The hotshoe has also been raised to accommodate an accessory port which supports the optional electronic viewfinder first seen for the Lumix GF1.
The biggest difference concerns the lens, with Panasonic upgrading the basic 2.5x range of the LX3 to a broader 3.8x. Crucially the new LX5 maintains the wide 24mm equivalent coverage of its predecessor, along with its bright f2.0 aperture, but instead of topping-out at a modest 60mm, it zooms 50% longer to 90mm. While many lenses suffer from much slower apertures when zoomed-in, the LX5 boasts an impressive f3.3 at its longest focal length. Panasonic also claims to have improved the AF speed with its new Sonic Speed system boasting gains of up to 40% in certain conditions.
Internally there's been a number of enhancements. The CCD sensor remains 10 Megapixels, but Panasonic claims improved dynamic range, saturation and sensitivity. Alongside is a new Venus FHD processor which allows quicker startup times and image processing, along with extending the battery life by over one third – although this is in conjunction with a new battery pack.
The best quality movie mode remains 720p, but like most current Panasonic models, the existing Motion JPEG mode is now complemented by an AVCHD option which allows smaller files and longer recording times. The LX5's movie mode also now allows manual control over exposures along with optical zooming while filming – neither of which were possible on the LX3.
Other additions over the old model include an HDMI port, thumb wheel, 1:1 aspect ratio option and a play button instead of a switch, which means you can go directly from playback to shooting with a half-press of a shutter release.
The enhancements of the LX5 over its predecessor may not be revolutionary, but bring a popular classic up-to-date while addressing a number of concerns. The digital camera market has however moved-on significantly in the two years since the LX3, with a number of mirror-less compacts packing DSLR sensors and interchangeable lens mounts into small bodies, including Panasonic's own Lumix GF1. These may be pricier than the Lumix LX5, but many enthusiasts are willing to pay the extra for their performance and flexibility.
The question then is not only how well the LX5 performs against other small-sensor premium compacts, like Canon's PowerShot S95 and G12, but whether it's still relevant in today's market. Is there still room for a high-end enthusiast's compact with a small sensor and fixed lens? Find out in our Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 full review where we'll pitch it against both types of cameras to see how it measures-up. If you're shopping for a premium compact, you've come to the right place.

See full review