Panasonic LX15 Comparison Review
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX15 (called Panasonic LX10 in some regions) is a fixed lens compact camera that was revealed to the public in September 2016 and is equipped with an one-inch sensor. It offers a resolution of 20 megapixel.
Is the Panasonic LX15 a good camera? The LX15 has a Camera Elo of 2424. This rating puts the LX15 among the top 20 percent of all travel zoom compact cameras. In terms of its sensor size category (one inch cameras), the LX15 ranks among the top 40 percent. Based on its within category standings, the camera earns a 4-star performance rating.
| Panasonic LX15 |
|---|
| Fixed lens compact camera |
| 24-72mm f/1.4-2.8 |
| 20 MP, 1" Sensor |
| 4K/30p Video |
| ISO 125 - 12 800 (80 - 25 600) |
| no viewfinder, LCD framing |
| 3.0 LCD, 1040k dots |
| Tilting touchscreen |
| 10 shutter flaps per second |
| In-body stabilization |
| 260 shots per battery charge |
| 106 x 60 x 42 mm, 310 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.
Body comparison with a credit card
The physical dimensions of the Panasonic LX15 relative to a credit card are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.
The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the Panasonic LX15 alongside a set of comparators. If you want to review a camera pair side-by-side, just select a right-side comparator from among the camera models in the table. Alternatively, you can also move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible comparisons there.
| Camera Model |
Camera Width |
Camera Height |
Camera Depth |
Camera Weight |
Battery Life 1 |
Weather Sealing |
Camera Launch 2 |
Launch Price (USD) |
Street Price |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Panasonic LX15 | 4.2 in | 2.4 in | 1.7 in | 10.9 oz | 260 | n | Sep 2016 | 699 |  | |
| Canon G7 X Mark II | 4.2 in | 2.4 in | 1.7 in | 11.3 oz | 265 | n | Feb 2016 | 699 | | |
| Canon G5 X | 4.4 in | 3.0 in | 1.7 in | 12.5 oz | 210 | n | Oct 2015 | 799 | | |
| Fujifilm X70 | 4.4 in | 2.5 in | 1.7 in | 12.0 oz | 330 | n | Jan 2016 | 799 | | |
| Panasonic TZ200 | 4.4 in | 2.6 in | 1.8 in | 12.0 oz | 370 | n | Feb 2018 | 799 | | |
| Panasonic TZ90 | 4.4 in | 2.6 in | 1.6 in | 11.4 oz | 380 | n | Apr 2017 | 449 | | |
| Panasonic FZ2000 | 5.4 in | 4.0 in | 5.3 in | 32.3 oz | 350 | n | Sep 2016 | 1,199 | | |
| Panasonic GX80 | 4.8 in | 2.8 in | 1.7 in | 15.0 oz | 290 | n | Apr 2016 | 799 | | |
| Panasonic TZ100 | 4.4 in | 2.6 in | 1.7 in | 11.0 oz | 300 | n | Jan 2016 | 699 | | |
| Panasonic LX7 | 4.4 in | 2.7 in | 1.8 in | 10.5 oz | 330 | n | Jul 2012 | 499 | | |
| Sony RX100 V | 4.0 in | 2.3 in | 1.6 in | 10.5 oz | 220 | n | Oct 2016 | 999 | | |
|
Notes: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders. (1) Number of images that can be taken on a full battery charge according to the CIPA-standard; (2) Official announcement. |
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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 LX15 was launched in the US market at a price of $699. 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.
Check Amazon price
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 tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units 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 tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.
The Panasonic LX15 features an one-inch sensor and has a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 2.7. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the Panasonic LX15 among the medium-sized sensor cameras that aim to strike a balance between image quality and portability.
For most cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service determines an overall sensor rating, as well as sub-scores for low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and color depth ("DXO Portrait"). The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.
| Camera Model |
Sensor Class |
Resolution (MP) |
Horiz. Pixels |
Vert. Pixels |
Video Format |
DXO Portrait |
DXO Landscape |
DXO Sports |
DXO Overall |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Panasonic LX15 | 1-inch | 20.0 | 5472 | 3648 | 4K/30p | .. | .. | .. | .. | |
| Canon G7 X Mark II | 1-inch | 20.0 | 5472 | 3648 | 1080/60p | .. | .. | .. | .. | |
| Canon G5 X | 1-inch | 20.0 | 5472 | 3648 | 1080/60p | .. | .. | .. | .. | |
| Fujifilm X70 | APS-C | 16.0 | 4896 | 3264 | 1080/60p | .. | .. | .. | .. | |
| Panasonic TZ200 | 1-inch | 20.0 | 5472 | 3648 | 4K/30p | .. | .. | .. | .. | |
| Panasonic TZ90 | 1/2.3 | 20.2 | 5184 | 3888 | 4K/30p | 19.1 | 10.6 | 106 | 36 | |
| Panasonic FZ2000 | 1-inch | 20.0 | 5472 | 3648 | 4K/30p | .. | .. | .. | .. | |
| Panasonic GX80 | Four Thirds | 15.8 | 4592 | 3448 | 4K/30p | 22.9 | 12.6 | 662 | 71 | |
| Panasonic TZ100 | 1-inch | 20.0 | 5472 | 3648 | 4K/30p | 22.8 | 12.5 | 559 | 70 | |
| Panasonic LX7 | 1/1.7 | 10.0 | 3648 | 2736 | 1080/60p | 20.7 | 11.7 | 147 | 50 | |
| Sony RX100 V | 1-inch | 20.0 | 5472 | 3648 | 4K/30p | 22.8 | 12.4 | 586 | 70 |
Many modern cameras cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. The LX15 indeed provides movie recording capabilities. The highest resolution format that the LX15 can use is 4K/30p.
Feature comparison
Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The following tables report on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Panasonic LX15 and comparable cameras.
| Camera Model |
Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots) |
Control Panel (yes/no) |
LCD Size (inch) |
LCD Resolution (000 dots) |
LCD Attach- ment |
Touch Screen (yes/no) |
Mech Shutter Speed |
Shutter Flaps (1/sec) | Built-in Flash (yes/no) |
Built-in Image Stab |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Panasonic LX15 | none | n | 3.0 | 1040 | tilting | Y | 1/4000s | 10.0 | Y | Y | |
| Canon G7 X Mark II | none | n | 3.0 | 1040 | tilting | Y | 1/2000s | 8.0 | Y | Y | |
| Canon G5 X | 2360 | n | 3.0 | 1040 | swivel | Y | 1/2000s | 5.9 | Y | Y | |
| Fujifilm X70 | optional | n | 3.0 | 1040 | tilting | Y | 1/4000s | 8.0 | Y | n | |
| Panasonic TZ200 | 2330 | n | 3.0 | 1240 | fixed | Y | 1/2000s | 10.0 | Y | Y | |
| Panasonic TZ90 | 1166 | n | 3.0 | 1040 | tilting | Y | 1/2000s | 10.0 | Y | Y | |
| Panasonic FZ2000 | 2360 | n | 3.0 | 1040 | swivel | Y | 1/4000s | 12.0 | Y | Y | |
| Panasonic GX80 | 2765 | n | 3.0 | 1040 | tilting | Y | 1/4000s | 8.0 | Y | Y | |
| Panasonic TZ100 | 1166 | n | 3.0 | 1040 | fixed | Y | 1/2000s | 10.0 | Y | Y | |
| Panasonic LX7 | optional | n | 3.0 | 920 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 11.0 | Y | Y | |
| Sony RX100 V | 2359 | n | 3.0 | 1229 | tilting | n | 1/2000s | 24.0 | Y | Y |
One convenient feature of the LX15 is the presence of an on-board flash. While this built-in flash is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light to brighten deep shadow areas.
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-LX15 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.
| Camera Model |
Hotshoe Port |
Internal Microphone |
Internal Speaker |
Microphone Port |
Headphone Port |
HDMI Port |
USB Port |
WiFi Support | NFC Support |
Bluetooth Support |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Panasonic LX15 | - | stereo | mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | - | - | |
| Canon G7 X Mark II | - | stereo | mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | Y | - | |
| Canon G5 X | Y | stereo | mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | Y | Y | - | |
| Fujifilm X70 | Y | stereo | mono | Y | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | - | - | |
| Panasonic TZ200 | - | stereo | mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | - | Y | |
| Panasonic TZ90 | - | stereo | mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | - | - | |
| Panasonic FZ2000 | Y | stereo | mono | Y | Y | micro | 2.0 | Y | - | - | |
| Panasonic GX80 | Y | stereo | mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | - | - | |
| Panasonic TZ100 | - | stereo | mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | - | - | |
| Panasonic LX7 | Y | stereo | mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
| Sony RX100 V | - | stereo | mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | Y | - |
It is notable that the LX15 offers wifi support. Wifi can be a very convenient means to transfer image data to an off-camera location.
The LX15 has a zoom lens built in (8.8-26.4mm f/1.4-2.8), which, in full frame equivalent terms, provides a focal length range from 24 to 72mm. 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.
Expert reviews
While the comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it says nothing about, for example, the handling, responsiveness, and overall imaging quality of the LX15 in practical situations. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate. This is why expert reviews are important. The adjacent table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular camera review sites (cameralabs, dpreview, ephotozine, imaging-resource, photographyblog).
| Camera Model |
camera labs |
dp review |
ephoto zine |
imaging resource |
photography blog |
Camera Launch |
Launch Price (USD) |
Street Price |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Panasonic LX15 | + + | 81/100 | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Sep 2016 | 699 | |
|
| Canon G7 X Mark II | + + | 81/100 | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | Feb 2016 | 699 | |
|
| Canon G5 X | + + | 78/100 | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | Oct 2015 | 799 | |
|
| Fujifilm X70 | .. | 76/100 | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | Jan 2016 | 799 | |
|
| Panasonic TZ200 | + + | 81/100 | 4.5/5 | .. | 4.5/5 | Feb 2018 | 799 | |
|
| Panasonic TZ90 | + + | .. | 4/5 | .. | 4/5 | Apr 2017 | 449 | |
|
| Panasonic FZ2000 | + | 82/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | 5/5 | Sep 2016 | 1,199 | |
|
| Panasonic GX80 | + + | 82/100 | 5/5 | 4.5/5 | 5/5 | Apr 2016 | 799 | |
|
| Panasonic TZ100 | + + | 82/100 | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | Jan 2016 | 699 | |
|
| Panasonic LX7 | + + | 75/100 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 4.5/5 | Jul 2012 | 499 | |
|
| Sony RX100 V | + + | 83/100 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 4.5/5 | Oct 2016 | 999 | |
|
| Notes: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available. | |||||||||
The above review scores should be interpreted with care, though. The assessments were made in relation to similar cameras of the same technological generation. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.
Panasonic LX15 FAQ
Below are some additional questions and answers concerning some particular features of the LX15.
What technology is the imaging sensor in the LX15 based on?
The camera is build around a BSI-CMOS (Backside Illuminated Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensor.
Which image processing chip is used to convert the raw signal into an image file and perform noise reduction and image sharpening?
Panasonic equipped the LX15 with the Venus image processor.
What is the ISO sensitivity range of the LX15?
The camera has a native sensitivity range from ISO 125 to ISO 12800, which can be extended to ISO 80-25600.
Does the camera have a selfie-friendly screen?
Yes, the LCD-screen of the LX15 is flexible and can be turned to be front-facing for capturing selfies.
Is completely silent shooting possible with the Panasonic LX15?
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?
No, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX15 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 LX15?
The LX15 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 LX15 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.
Does the Panasonic LX15 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 LX15 use?
The camera gets its power from the DMW-BLH7 (here at amazon), which is a rechargeable Lithium-Ion power pack.
Camera to camera comparisons
In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities with other camera models, just make a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. An an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.
- Canon 7D II vs Panasonic LX15
- Canon G5 X vs Panasonic LX15
- Canon SX720 vs Panasonic LX15
- Fujifilm XP140 vs Panasonic LX15
- Leica V-LUX 5 vs Panasonic LX15
- Nikon D2X vs Panasonic LX15
- Nikon D50 vs Panasonic LX15
- Nikon D500 vs Panasonic LX15
- Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic LX15
- Panasonic GF1 vs Panasonic LX15
- Panasonic LX15 vs Sony A7 II
- Panasonic LX15 vs Sony NEX-C3
| Camera Model | Panasonic LX15 | |
| Camera Type | Fixed lens compact camera | |
| Camera Lens | 24-72mm f/1.4-2.8 | |
| Launch Date | September 2016 | |
| Launch Price | USD 699 | |
| Sensor Specs | ||
| Sensor Technology | BSI-CMOS | |
| Sensor Format | 1" Sensor | |
| Sensor Size | 13.2 x 8.8 mm | |
| Sensor Area | 116 mm2 | |
| Sensor Diagonal | 15.9 mm | |
| Crop Factor | 2.7x | |
| Sensor Resolution | 20 Megapixels | |
| Image Resolution | 5 472 x 3 648 pixels | |
| Pixel Pitch | 2.41 μm | |
| Pixel Density | 17.18 MP/cm2 | |
| Moiré control | Anti-Alias filter | |
| Movie Capability | 4K/30p Video | |
| ISO Setting | 125 - 12 800 ISO | |
| ISO Boost | 80 - 25 600 ISO | |
| Image Processor | Venus | |
| Screen Specs | ||
| Viewfinder Type | No viewfinder | |
| LCD Framing | Live View | |
| LCD Size | 1040k dots | |
| LCD Attachment | Tilting screen | |
| Touch Input | Touchscreen | |
| Shooting Specs | ||
| Focus System | Contrast-detect AF | |
| Manual Focusing Aid | Focus Peaking | |
| Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/4000s | |
| Continuous Shooting | 10 shutter flaps/s | |
| Silent Shooting | Electronic Shutter | |
| Time Lapse Photography | Intervalometer Built-in | |
| Image Stabilization | In-body stabilization | |
| Fill Flash | Build-in Flash | |
| Storage Medium | SDXC cards | |
| Second Storage Option | Single card slot | |
| UHS card support | UHS-I | |
| Connectivity Specs | ||
| External Flash | no Hotshoe | |
| USB Connector | USB 2.0 | |
| HDMI Port | micro HDMI | |
| Wifi Support | Wifi built-in | |
| Body Specs | ||
| Battery Type | DMW-BLH7 power pack | |
| Battery Life (CIPA) | 260 shots per charge | |
| In-Camera Charging | USB charging | |
| Body Dimensions |
106 x 60 x 42 mm (4.2 x 2.4 x 1.7 in) |
|
| Camera Weight | 310 g (10.9 oz) |
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