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Panasonic LX100 Comparison Review

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX100 is a fixed lens compact camera that was revealed to the public in September 2014 and is equipped with a Four Thirds sensor. It offers a resolution of 12.7 megapixel.

camera

Is the Panasonic LX100 a good camera? The LX100 has a Camera Elo of 1958. This rating puts the LX100 below average of all travel zoom compact cameras. In terms of its sensor size category (Four Thirds cameras), the LX100 ranks among the top 50 percent. Based on its within category standings, the camera earns a 3-star performance rating.

Headline Specifications
Panasonic LX100
Fixed lens compact camera
24-75mm f/1.7-2.8
12.7 MP, Four Thirds Sensor
4K/30p Video
ISO 200 - 25 600
Electronic viewfinder (2764k dots)
3.0 LCD, 921k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
11 shutter flaps per second
300 shots per battery charge
115 x 66 x 55 mm, 393 g

Read on to find out more about the camera's size, sensor, features, reception by expert reviewers, and how it compares to other digital cameras.

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Body comparison with a credit card

The side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size of the Panasonic LX100 vis-à-vis a credit card. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All width, height and depth dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Panasonic LX100 vs credit card front
LX100 versus credit card top view
LX100 and credit card rear side

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the Panasonic LX100 alongside a set of similar cameras. If you want to review a particular camera pair side-by-side, just move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible comparisons there.

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Body Specifications
#   Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Panasonic LX100 115 mm 66 mm 55 mm 393 g 300 n Sep 2014 899ebay.com
2.
 
Canon G5 X 112 mm 76 mm 44 mm 353 g 210 n Oct 2015 799ebay.com
3.
 
Canon G1 X Mark II 116 mm 74 mm 66 mm 553 g 240 n Feb 2014 799ebay.com
4.
 
Fujifilm X30 119 mm 72 mm 60 mm 423 g 470 n Aug 2014 599ebay.com
5.
 
Panasonic LX100 II 115 mm 66 mm 65 mm 392 g 300 n Aug 2018 999 amazon.com
6.
 
Panasonic FZ1000 137 mm 99 mm 131 mm 831 g 360 n Jun 2014 899ebay.com
7.
 
Panasonic GM5 99 mm 60 mm 36 mm 211 g 220 n Sep 2014 749ebay.com
8.
 
Panasonic G6 122 mm 85 mm 71 mm 390 g 340 n Apr 2013 599ebay.com
9.
 
Panasonic GH1 124 mm 90 mm 45 mm 385 g 300 n Mar 2009 899ebay.com
10.
 
Sony RX100 IV 102 mm 58 mm 41 mm 298 g 280 n Jun 2015 999ebay.com
11.
 
Sony RX100 III 102 mm 58 mm 41 mm 290 g 320 n May 2014 799ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
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The listed prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The Panasonic LX100 was launched in the US market at a price of $899. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

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Sensor comparison with a 35mm slide

The imaging sensor is at the core of digital cameras and its size is one of the main determining factors of image quality. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow depth-of-field in order to isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors are more costly to manufacture and tent to lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

The Panasonic LX100 features a Four Thirds sensor and has a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 2.2. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the Panasonic LX100 among the medium-sized sensor cameras that aim to strike a balance between image quality and portability.

Panasonic LX100 sensor measures

For most cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.

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Sensor Characteristics
#   Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Panasonic LX100 Four Thirds 12.7 4112 30884K/30p22.312.555367
2.
 
Canon G5 X 1-inch 20.0 5472 36481080/60p21.412.347162
3.
 
Canon G1 X Mark II 1.5-inch 13.0 4160 31201080/30p21.510.858158
4.
 
Fujifilm X30 2/3 12.0 4000 30001080/60p20.411.2-31249
5.
 
Panasonic LX100 II Four Thirds 16.8 4736 35524K/30p22.812.797972
6.
 
Panasonic FZ1000 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p22.111.751764
7.
 
Panasonic GM5 Four Thirds 15.8 4592 34481080/60p22.111.772166
8.
 
Panasonic G6 Four Thirds 15.9 4608 34561080/60p21.311.563961
9.
 
Panasonic GH1 Four Thirds 12.0 4000 30001080/24p21.611.677264
10.
 
Sony RX100 IV 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p22.812.659170
11.
 
Sony RX100 III 1-inch 20.0 5472 36481080/60p22.412.349567
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.
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Many modern cameras cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. The LX100 indeed provides movie recording capabilities. The highest resolution format that the LX100 can use is 4K/30p.

Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the LX100 has an electronic viewfinder with a resolution of 2764k dots. The viewfinder offers a field of view of 100% and a magnification of 0.70x. The adjacent tables list some of the other core features of the Panasonic LX100 along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

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Core Features
#   Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Panasonic LX1002764 n3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/4000s 11.0/s n Y
2.
 
Canon G5 X2360 n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/2000s 5.9/s Y Y
3.
 
Canon G1 X Mark IIoptional n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/4000s 5.2/s Y Y
4.
 
Fujifilm X302360 n3.0 / 920 tilting n 1/4000s 12.0/s Y Y
5.
 
Panasonic LX100 II2764 n3.0 / 1240 fixed Y 1/4000s 11.0/s n Y
6.
 
Panasonic FZ10002359 n3.0 / 921 swivel n 1/4000s 12.0/s Y Y
7.
 
Panasonic GM51166 n3.0 / 921 fixed Y 1/500s 5.8/s n n
8.
 
Panasonic G61440 n3.0 / 1036 swivel Y 1/4000s 7.0/s Y n
9.
 
Panasonic GH11440 n3.0 / 460 swivel n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
10.
 
Sony RX100 IV2359 n3.0 / 1228 tilting n 1/2000s 16.0/s Y Y
11.
 
Sony RX100 III1440 n3.0 / 1229 tilting n 1/2000s 10.0/s Y Y
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
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Connection comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX100 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
#   Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Panasonic LX100Ystereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
2.
 
Canon G5 XYstereo / mono--mini2.0YY-
3.
 
Canon G1 X Mark IIYstereo / mono--mini2.0YY-
4.
 
Fujifilm X30Ystereo / mono--micro2.0Y--
5.
 
Panasonic LX100 IIYstereo / mono--micro2.0Y-Y
6.
 
Panasonic FZ1000Ystereo / monoY-micro2.0YY-
7.
 
Panasonic GM5Ystereo / mono--micro2.0Y--
8.
 
Panasonic G6Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0YY-
9.
 
Panasonic GH1Ystereo / -Y-mini2.0---
10.
 
Sony RX100 IV-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
11.
 
Sony RX100 III-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
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It is notable that the LX100 offers wifi support. Wifi can be a very convenient means to transfer image data to an off-camera location.

The LX100 has a zoom lens built in (10.9-34mm f/1.7-2.8), which, in full frame equivalent terms, provides a focal length range from 24 to 75mm. The camera is, hence, ready to shoot, while remaining more compact in size than an interchangeable lens camera with an optic that offers similar focal length and aperture specifications.

Further information on the features and operation of the LX100 can be found in the free online Panasonic LX100 Manual or on the Panasonic support site.

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Expert reviews

While the specs-based evaluation of cameras is instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the handling experience and imaging performance when actually working with the LX100. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased. This is where reviews by experts come in. The table below summarizes the assessments of some of the best known camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]).

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Review Scores
#    Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Panasonic LX1005/5+ +..85/1005/55/5 Sep 2014 899ebay.com
2.
 
Canon G5 X5/5+ +..78/1004.5/54.5/5 Oct 2015 799ebay.com
3.
 
Canon G1 X Mark II3/5+..77/1004/54.5/5 Feb 2014 799ebay.com
4.
 
Fujifilm X304/5....76/1004.5/54.5/5 Aug 2014 599ebay.com
5.
 
Panasonic LX100 II4.5/5+4.2/582/1004.5/54.5/5 Aug 2018 999 amazon.com
6.
 
Panasonic FZ10004/5+ +..82/1004.5/54.5/5 Jun 2014 899ebay.com
7.
 
Panasonic GM53.5/5+..77/1005/54.5/5 Sep 2014 749ebay.com
8.
 
Panasonic G64/5+ +....5/54.5/5 Apr 2013 599ebay.com
9.
 
Panasonic GH1..+ +..72/1004.5/54.5/5 Mar 2009 899ebay.com
10.
 
Sony RX100 IV4.5/5+ +..85/1004/54.5/5 Jun 2015 999ebay.com
11.
 
Sony RX100 III5/5+ +..82/1004.5/55/5 May 2014 799ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
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Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and comparing ratings of very distinct cameras or ones that are far apart in terms of their release date have little meaning. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.

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Panasonic LX100 FAQ

Below are some additional questions and answers concerning some particular features of the LX100.

What technology is the imaging sensor in the Panasonic LX100 based on?

The camera features a CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensor.

Which image processing chip is used in the Panasonic LX100 to convert the raw signal into an image file and perform noise reduction and image sharpening?

Panasonic equipped the LX100 with the Venus image processor.

What is the ISO sensitivity range of the Panasonic LX100?

The camera has a native sensitivity range from ISO 200 to ISO 25600, which can be extended to ISO 100-25600.

How do I find the shutter count on my Panasonic LX100?

Panasonic embeds the number of shutter actuations in hidden menus. You can check the number of shots that your LX100 has taken up to now by carefully following the steps described on the Panasonic LX100 shutter count page.

Is completely silent shooting possible with the Panasonic LX100?

The camera has an electronic shutter option, so that it is indeed feasible to capture images without any shutter noise.

Do I need to purchase an external camera trigger to shoot time-lapse sequences with the Panasonic LX100?

No, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX100 has an intervalometer built-in, so that low frequency shooting (for example, flower blooming, sunset, moon rise) can be undertaken without the need to purchase a separate external intervalometer and related software.

Is it difficult to use manual focus lenses with the Panasonic LX100?

The LX100 offers focus peaking as a manual focus aid. This feature works by placing a colored highlight on in-focus zones within the image.

Does the Panasonic LX100 feature an autofocus assist light?

Yes, the camera has a lamp built-in that can illuminate the subject and improve autofocus in low-light settings.

What is the fastest shutter speed that can be used with the Panasonic LX100 for flash photography?

The LX100's flash sync speed is 1/4000 sec.

Does the Panasonic LX100 support the Ultra High Speed (UHS) bus interface for SD cards?

Yes, the camera can indeed use UHS-I cards (data transfer speed of up to 104 MB/s).

Which battery does the Panasonic LX100 use?

The camera gets its power from the DMW-BLG10 (here at amazon), which is a rechargeable Lithium-Ion power pack.

Camera to camera comparisons

In case you are interested in seeing how this camera compares to another one, just make a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting.

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    Specifications Summary
    Camera Model Panasonic LX100
    Camera Type Fixed lens compact camera
    Camera Lens 24-75mm f/1.7-2.8
    Launch Date September 2014
    Launch Price USD 899
    Sensor Specs
    Sensor Technology CMOS
    Sensor Format Four Thirds Sensor
    Sensor Size 15.7 x 11.8 mm
    Sensor Area 185 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 19.6 mm
    Crop Factor 2.2x
    Sensor Resolution 12.7 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 4 112 x 3 088 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 3.82 μm
    Pixel Density 6.85 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability 4K/30p Video
    ISO Setting 200 - 25 600 ISO
    ISO Boost 100 - 25 600 ISO
    Image Processor Venus
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 67
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 22.3
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 12.5
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 553
    Screen Specs
    Viewfinder Type Electronic viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 100%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.70x
    Viewfinder Resolution 2764k dots
    Top-Level Screen no Top Display
    LCD Framing Live View
    LCD Size 3.0 inch
    LCD Resolution 921k dots
    LCD Attachment Fixed screen
    Touch Input No touchscreen
    Shooting Specs
    Focus System Contrast-detect AF
    Manual Focusing AidFocus Peaking
    Maximum Shutter Speed 1/4000s
    Continuous Shooting 11 shutter flaps/s
    Silent ShootingElectronic Shutter
    Time Lapse PhotographyIntervalometer Built-in
    Fill Flash no On-Board Flash
    Storage Medium SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot
    UHS card support UHS-I
    Connectivity Specs
    External Flash Hotshoe
    USB Connector USB 2.0
    HDMI Port micro HDMI
    Wifi Support Wifi built-in
    Near-Field Communication NFC built-in
    Body Specs
    Battery Type DMW-BLG10 power pack
    Battery Life (CIPA)300 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 115 x 66 x 55 mm
    (4.5 x 2.6 x 2.2 in)
    Camera Weight 393 g (13.9 oz)

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