Panasonic 10.1 Megapixels Lumix DMC-LX5 Compact Review by DCI With Rating 8.2/10

On July 21 2010, Panasonic announced the Lumix LX5 which is the successor to the popular premium compact LX3. Boasting an improved set of features including a redesigned Leica lens with a longer zoom range, the LX5 also comes complete with redesigns to the sensor and processor, new 1:1 square aspect ratio, improved handling and several smaller changes. 

The newly developed super bright F2.0 ultra wide angle 24mm LEICA DC VARIO-SUMMICRON lens minimizes distortion for stunning, true-to-life images with outstanding resolution and detail. The 24mm of wide angle offers extraordinarily large viewing space and now the optical zoom is extended to 3.8x (90mm) making the LX5 even more versatile. 

"The Panasonic DMC-LX5 fared well in our noise testing, boasting an average noise level of just 1.16% across all ISO levels in bright light. There was certainly an increase in noise during our low light testing, but the change was impressively little. We usually see a large jump in noise at 60 lux, but the jump was quite minor for the LX5. Average noise in low light was just 1.25%. The Panasonic DMC-LX5 has a healthy range of ISO options from ISO 80 to ISO 3200. As it turns out, this is pretty much exactly what we expect from a camera in this price range. The simpler and more affordable Panasonic DMC-ZS3 does not offer the ISO 3200 option, but most comparable cameras do. The LX5 also offers a great deal of flexibility for those wishing to shoot in Auto ISO mode: an ISO limit option allows you to cap the ISO at 200, 400, 800, 1600, or 3200. For even more versatility, you can choose to tweak the ISO in 1/3-stop increments instead of regular full ISO increments. For those that are looking for extended ISO options, the LX5 does have ISO 6400 and ISO 12800, but these are only available at reduced resolution. (Pictures taken with this sensitivity setting have a maximum resolution of 3MP.) We can't really recommend these settings, as the pictures are so low resolution and full of noise that their best use is taking controversial UFO photos.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 (MSRP $499.95) is a smart camera, packed full of features that most aficionados dream of in a compact point-and-shoot. However, the rich feature set and versatile controls can't hide the fact that the LX5 slips in some key areas of performance. We were especially disappointed by the sharpness and stabilization scores, as well as the relatively high noise levels in bright light testing. The camera's greatest strength was in low light performance, where color and noise were spectacularly preserved. All in all, the LX5 is a solid camera for those craving something meaty in a compact form factor. However, there are better models out there for the same price... we suggest you shop around."

it's fine, high ISO is good. not so good for human figure, youyi zhang - May 15 2013
it's fine, high ISO is good. not so good for human figure, Despite its shortcomings, notably its weak JPEG processing, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 delivers an excellent all-around shooting experience--fastest in its class, full featured, and capable of shooting some very nice photos....

I have wanted this camera for a while, Kiwi - May 04 2013
I am a little challenged by the bells and whistles, but even still, I take great pics. I got it in white and it is beautiful and classy looking, not a a reason to buy a camera, but still, it is. All I can say is every picture I have taken turned out great. This is a quality camera....

Good product, yweiyu - Apr 24 2013
I give it to my Mom as a gift. She likes to take pictures, and she said she likes it....

Loving my Lumix DMC-LX5, Glenda Lane Walker - Apr 21 2013
The resulting pictures taken with this camera are great. I have not yet printed pictures but the digital ones are sharp and clear with fine details in the close ups. I garden so I take lots of close ups of plants and flowers. The controls on the ring around the lens makes it easy to choose distance and aspect with my left while holding the camera with my right hand. So f...