Camera Labs

Check out my Panasonic LX7 review, where we've compared it against big sensor compacts like the Sony RX100. You may be surprised by the results!

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7 is a high-end compact aimed at enthusiasts. It replaces the classic LX5 and while it shares the same 24-90mm equivalent range the focal ratio is now brightened from f2-3.3 to f1.4-2.3. This makes it the brightest overall compact, just pipping the Samsung EX2F at the tele end. Other upgrades include 1080p video, 11fps shooting and a 920k dot screen. In a world of system cameras and large sensor compacts the LX7 remains relevant by going bright.

Anyone know how the focus speed is on the LX7? They say it's got lightning speed.....but is it compact fast og more like MFT GF5 fast focus?

I'm thinking of getting this camera for family/baby/children pictures and video. What do you think?

btw nice to see a "on the spot" preview of the panasonic cameras.

Jákup

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Equipment: Canon 20D, Sigma 15-30mm EX, Tamron 17-50mm 2.8 VC. Flickr page: www.flickr.com/jakupfr

Looking forward to the review on the LX7. It would nice to get a comparison with the Canon S100 and the Sony RX100.

Me too!!!

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Olympus OM-D E-M5, Panasonic GF-3, Canon SX40HS

Panasonic Pancake 14mm f2.5, Panasonic Leica 25mm f1.4, Olympus Zuiko 75mm f1.8
Panasonic 14-42mm

Hopefully we'll get to test it soon and I'm hoping to also get hold of an RX100 or a G1 X at the same time, but as always it's down to supply and availability!

Just picked up this camera to replace my zs3. I know they are different beasts, but the features of the Lx7 wowed me.. Would have opted for the canon s100 if it wasn't for the video features on the lx-7. Full HD @ 60 fps, vs 24fps..

A few notes of slight disappointment.
1. The time lapse mode is USELESS.. Completely.. 1 minute min interval, 60 max shot.. Useless.. That will give 60 frames so at 30fps that is 2 seconds.. I really hope they fix this with firmware or a hack.. Its just embarrassing for panny.. My go pro has a better time lapse function..

2. High speed movie 1280x720 120fps, no zoom during video (not a big deal)

So far just playing around with it im very impressed. Its FAST.. Love the full control, and since I have a GH2, took no time to navigate around the menu's.. Looks like Iso up to 800 is ok.. 1600 and up not very usable..

Have ?'s just ask..

Thanks for the short review. How does it perform indoors? Do you usually set max iso to 800 and use flash?

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Olympus OM-D E-M5, Panasonic GF-3, Canon SX40HS

Panasonic Pancake 14mm f2.5, Panasonic Leica 25mm f1.4, Olympus Zuiko 75mm f1.8
Panasonic 14-42mm

One thing I noticed is you can use the flash at any shutter speed I THINK... That caught me by surprize.. My GH2 will only do 1/160th..
Really impressed with this so far. Ill try and do some iso 800 test with flash and see how they look.
J

Hi everyone!

Check out my Panasonic LX7 review, where we've compared it against big sensor compacts like the Sony RX100. You may be surprised by the results!

Very interesting review. Particularly liked the comparison with the Sony RX100 and Canon G1X because, as you suspected, I did think they would take more dynamic, shallower depth-of-field, macros and portraits with their larger sensors but your examples show that that is not necessarily so. Very helpful, thank you.

I agree with SGNZ, really nice review Gordon, thanks!

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Gear: Canon SX20 IS, Canon Rebel T3i, Canon EF-S 18-55mm
Wishlist: Canon 50mm f/1.8 II, Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II
Visit me and leave me a comment in My Flickr

Hi Gordon, thanks a lot for the wonderful review of LX7, helps understanding the camera quite a bit.

Based on the information on the results page and also on the image noise test page it is quite clear that during actual use, direct comparison of the ISOs may never happen. As the market for compact cameras is now giving more and more importance to the apertures I have a suggestion - Could you also put a page with a comparison of ISOs taking into account actual use? for example you could show LX7 images of ISO 80, 100, 200, 400, 800 and show the corresponding ISOs of sony and canon based on the f-stop differences? (Perhaps only at a certain focal length like 50 mm?)

Cheers,

Prakalp.

Thumbs up to the above, it's a really nice idea

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Gear: Canon SX20 IS, Canon Rebel T3i, Canon EF-S 18-55mm
Wishlist: Canon 50mm f/1.8 II, Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II
Visit me and leave me a comment in My Flickr

It's not a bad idea for this kind of review, but once you make the calculation, you can easily see the same thing by just opening the same page twice and scrolling it up and down until you see one set of results against another... if you know what I mean!

PS - now the LX7 is supported by ACR, you can see a new set of RAW results for it against the RX100 and G1 X in our Sony RX100 review...