Introduction and features
Panasonic’s LX series of compact cameras, such as the Panasonic LX7 have found favour in the past because of their high quality build, extensive array of controls (for a compact camera) and impressive image quality. However, the arrival of cameras like the Fuji X100S and Sony RX100 III raised questions about the small size of the sensor inside the Panasonic camera.
Panasonic’s answer is the LX100, which features a Four Thirds-type sensor instead of the 1/1.7-inch device in the LX7. That’s going to give it an edge over the Fuji X30 announced recently.
Further good news is that the sensor is the same 16-million pixel device as is used in the Panasonic GX7. However, as the LX100 uses Panasonic’s Multi Aspect Ratio technology, images only ever use 12.8 million pixels. By comparison the LX7 (which continues in Panasonic’s range) has a 12Mp sensor, but images have 10.1million pixels.
The increase in pixel count is pleasing, but the fact that the pixels (or more correctly, the photo receptors) have increased in size by four times in comparison with the LX7 is more so, as this should mean a significant improvement in image quality. I suspect, however, that there will be some photographers who wish Panasonic had made it possible for 16Mp images to be captured.
Naturally Panasonic has coupled the sensor with a new Venus engine and this enables a native range of ISO 200-25,600 with expansion settings taking this to ISO 100-125,160. The processor also makes it possible to shoot 4K video – which effectively means that you can have 8Mp stills images captured at 30 frames per second.
The LX7 has a Leica DC Vario-Summilux 24-90mm (equivalent) f/1.4-2.3 lens and despite the increase in sensor size, the LX100 has a Leica DC Vario-Summilux 24-75mm (equivalent) f/1.7-2.8 optic that is only a little larger. Panasonic has managed this feat by using a new construction for the lens. The optic has six groups that can all be moved independently, and five aspherical lenses created from a ‘special material’ with extra dispersion properties.
The company has also used multiple lens centring technology to ensure that each element is precisely aligned. In addition, Panasonic has given the aperture nine blades – it would only normally use 7 in a compact camera lens – and this should ensure better bokeh (intentionally out of focus areas).
If the company had used the same design and materials to build the LX100’s lens, the change in the sensor size would have meant a ridiculously large optic on a compact camera.
To meet the demands of photographers who want to share images quickly, the LX100 has Wi-Fi and NFC technology built-in. There’s also a QR code display to enable quick Wi-Fi connections to be made with non-NFC devices.
Although the LX100 doesn’t have a built-in flash, it is supplied with a small external flash that can be slotted into the hot-shoe.
Build and handling
The LX100 is aimed at experienced photographers who want a small, high quality compact camera that affords plenty of control. These users are also likely to want a camera that feels good in the hand and the LX100 fits the bill nicely. It has a solid build and a comfortable, curved grip on the front, along with a small but effective thumb-ridge on the back.
Instead of the usual mode dial, Panasonic has opted for traditional controls, and in addition to the shutter speed dial there’s an aperture ring marked in whole stops (but 1/3 stop settings are possible) around the lens. This and the large sensor size may make the LX100 attractive to those disappointed that the Fuji X30 has a small sensor.
There’s also a sliding switch on the lens barrel that enables the image aspect ratio to be switched between 4:3, 1:1, 16:9, 3:2 and a manual focusing ring. Those who like to focus manually will appreciate the fact that the LX100 has focus peaking to highlight the areas of highest contrast (sharpness).
As with many compact cameras, the zoom control is a sprung lever around the shutter release.
Exposure compensation can also be set to +/-3EV via a traditional control as there’s a dedicated dial on the top-plate within easy reach of the right thumb and index finger. Helpfully, there’s also a Zebra display available for the EVF and screen to indicate areas close to burning out.
Not wishing to abandon inexperienced photographers who want a high quality camera (and experienced users who want an easy ride), there’s an iA button on the top-plate to activate Panasonic’s Intelligent Auto mode so exposure and white balance is handled by the camera.
There’s also an A for Automatic settings on the aperture ring and a shutter speed dial. Setting both to A sets the camera to Program mode and setting just one to A sets aperture or shutter priority mode. It’s a traditional approach and one that has gained new fans with the arrival of cameras such as the Fuji X-Pro1, Fuji X-E2, Fuji X-T1 and Nikon Df.
On the top of the camera there’s a button marked ‘Filter’, which provides a quick route to the 22 filter effects available.
As mentioned earlier, in addition to the 3-inch 921,000-dot screen on the back of the camera there’s a 2,764,000-dot electronic viewfinder (EVF) built-in for composing images. This provides a clear, detailed view and should make the LX100 much easier to use in bright ambient conditions than compact cameras without an EVF.
Performance
While we have seen the LX100’s sensor in action before in the GX7 and GM1, we haven’t seen it working as a 12million-pixel unit. I also haven’t been able to examine any images that I shot with a pre-production sample of the camera.
However, Panasonic’s Michiharu Uematsu showed me prints produced from images taken with the camera alongside some of the same scene produced from competing compact system cameras and SLRs, and the results are very impressive. The images taken in daylight conditions appear to have lots of detail, pleasant colour and a natural level of sharpening.
It will be interesting to use the camera in low light conditions and see how well noise is controlled at the higher sensitivity values.
Judging by the prints that I’ve seen, the LX100’s lens does a good job with controlling chromatic aberration, and detail is preserved into the corners well.
From past experience we can expect the LX100’s automatic white balance and exposure metering systems to perform well in most situations. In artificial light, however, it’s likely that a custom white balance value is required to get neutral results. Never fear though, we will investigate everything fully once we get a production sample in for testing.
Early verdict
I’ve been debating the issue of sensor size in a compact camera with Michiharu Uematsu for some considerable time now and I’m delighted that Panasonic has put a Four Thirds sensor in the LX100. It’s clear that the company has invested a lot of effort in creating a lens that will complement the sensor and produce high quality images without being too large.
Traditional controls have also been high on my request list for Panasonic and it’s great to see an aperture ring along with shutter speed and exposure compensation dials on the LX100 – they should make the camera quick and easy to use.
While I haven’t been able to examine any shots that I’ve taken with an LX100 yet, the images that I have been shown by Panasonic are very encouraging and I’m really looking forward to giving the camera a thorough test once it goes on sale in mid October.
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