Best Pocket Camera:
Shootout of FiveTop Models

Dick De Jong, April 22, 2012

Contents

Panasonic Lumix LX5

For a number of very good reasons, the Panasonic LX5 does not deserve to be this far down the list.

With its second birthday fast approaching, its fair to call this Lumix an old workhorse, solid and dependable.

Newer models in this shootout may seem flashier, but the combination of the biggest image sensor (along with the Olympus XZ-1) and a top notch Leica lens produces very good quality images.

Therefore, the LX5 still demands serious consideration.

The Good, the Bad and the So-so

I confess. I have a history with Lumix cameras. I bought the LX3 when it first was released. It was a second camera to much larger DSLRs. The Lumix was the one that you carry around with you everyday.

It was reliable, always within reach to catch a shot before the opportunity passed by. The images were very good, not usually up to the DSLR standard, but never expected to be.

For Panasonic LX5 memory cards, see Camera Accessories

One day, the camera just disappeared. Gone but not forgotten. Excuse me, I'm misting up.

From my brief time with the LX5, I feel the same about it, comfortable and trustworthy.

The LX5 is one of the larger cameras in this group, which allows the grip on the front to be big enough to accommodate three fingers, making it feel more secure in my hand.

The layout of the mode wheel and most of the other buttons are very similar to the other models in this shootout. And like them, most of the functions are accessed from an on-screen menu. Some settings, like ISO, have dedicated buttons on the back.

The three inch screen has the lowest resolution of the five models, though the Canon S100 is only slightly higher. Panasonic does sell the LVF1, External Live View Finder, ($179), which attaches to the hot shoe and makes using the camera in bright sunlight a pleasure rather than a pain.

The Panasonic LX5 with the optional LVF1 attached.

The LX5 does show its age when it comes to video recording. Its max resolution is 720p and it captures in either the cumbersome Motion JPEG format or the more efficient AVCHD Lite. If you are serious about shooting video, pass the LX5 by.