Panasonic LX7 Comparison Review
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7 is a fixed lens compact camera that was revealed to the public in July 2012 and is equipped with a 1/1.7-inch sensor. It offers a resolution of 10 megapixel.
Is the Panasonic LX7 a good camera? The LX7 has a Camera Elo of 1671. This rating puts the LX7 below average of all travel zoom compact cameras. In terms of its sensor size category (small sensor cameras), the LX7 ranks among the top 50 percent. Based on its within category standings, the camera earns a 3-star performance rating.
Panasonic LX7 |
---|
Fixed lens compact camera |
24-90mm f/1.4-2.3 |
10 MP, 1/1.7" Sensor |
1080/60p Video |
ISO 80 - 6 400 (80 - 12 800) |
Viewfinder optional |
3.0 LCD, 920k dots |
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive) |
11 shutter flaps per second |
330 shots per battery charge |
111 x 68 x 46 mm, 298 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 LX7 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 LX7 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 |
Weather Sealing |
Camera Launch |
Launch Price (USD) | Street Price |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Panasonic LX7 | 4.4 in | 2.7 in | 1.8 in | 10.5 oz | 330 | n | Jul 2012 | 499 | ||
Canon G16 | 4.3 in | 3.0 in | 1.6 in | 12.6 oz | 360 | n | Aug 2013 | 549 | ||
Canon G15 | 4.2 in | 3.0 in | 1.6 in | 12.4 oz | 350 | n | Sep 2012 | 499 | ||
Fujifilm X20 | 4.6 in | 2.8 in | 2.2 in | 12.5 oz | 270 | n | Jan 2013 | 599 | ||
Fujifilm X10 | 4.6 in | 2.8 in | 2.2 in | 12.3 oz | 270 | n | Sep 2011 | 599 | ||
Panasonic LF1 | 4.1 in | 2.4 in | 1.1 in | 6.8 oz | 250 | n | Apr 2013 | 499 | ||
Panasonic FZ200 | 4.9 in | 3.4 in | 4.3 in | 20.7 oz | 540 | n | Jul 2012 | 599 | ||
Panasonic GF5 | 4.3 in | 2.6 in | 1.5 in | 9.4 oz | 360 | n | Apr 2012 | 499 | ||
Panasonic G3 | 4.5 in | 3.3 in | 1.9 in | 11.9 oz | 270 | n | May 2011 | 599 | ||
Panasonic GF3 | 4.3 in | 2.6 in | 1.3 in | 9.3 oz | 300 | n | Jun 2011 | 549 | ||
Panasonic LX5 | 4.3 in | 2.6 in | 1.7 in | 9.6 oz | 400 | n | Jul 2010 | 499 | ||
Notes: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders. | ||||||||||
The listed prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The Panasonic LX7 was launched in the US market at a price of $499. 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 offers at ebay
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. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow depth-of-field to isolate a subject from its background. On the downside, larger sensors are more costly to manufacture and tent to lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.
The Panasonic LX7 features a 1/1.7-inch sensor and has a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 4.65. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the Panasonic LX7 among the smaller-sensor digicams that favor affordability and compact design.

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for most cameras. 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 following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.
Camera Model |
Sensor Class |
Resolution (MP) |
Horiz. Pixels |
Vert. Pixels |
Video Format |
DXO Portrait |
DXO Landscape |
DXO Sports | DXO Overall |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Panasonic LX7 | 1/1.7 | 10.0 | 3648 | 2736 | 1080/60p | 20.7 | 11.7 | 147 | 50 | |
Canon G16 | 1/1.7 | 12.0 | 4000 | 3000 | 1080/60p | 21.0 | 11.7 | 230 | 54 | |
Canon G15 | 1/1.7 | 12.0 | 4000 | 3000 | 1080/24p | 19.9 | 11.5 | 165 | 46 | |
Fujifilm X20 | 2/3 | 12.0 | 4000 | 3000 | 1080/60p | .. | .. | .. | .. | |
Fujifilm X10 | 2/3 | 12.0 | 4000 | 3000 | 1080/30p | 20.5 | 11.3 | 245 | 50 | |
Panasonic LF1 | 1/1.7 | 12.0 | 4000 | 3000 | 1080/60i | 20.8 | 11.6 | 211 | 52 | |
Panasonic FZ200 | 1/2.3 | 12.0 | 4000 | 3000 | 1080/60p | 19.1 | 10.8 | 114 | 37 | |
Panasonic GF5 | Four Thirds | 12.0 | 4000 | 3000 | 1080/60i | 21.4 | 11.6 | 618 | 61 | |
Panasonic G3 | Four Thirds | 15.8 | 4592 | 3448 | 1080/60i | 21.0 | 10.6 | 667 | 56 | |
Panasonic GF3 | Four Thirds | 12.0 | 4000 | 3000 | 1080/60i | 20.6 | 10.0 | 458 | 49 | |
Panasonic LX5 | 1/1.7 | 10.0 | 3648 | 2736 | 720/60p | 19.6 | 10.8 | 132 | 41 |
Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. The LX7 indeed provides movie recording capabilities. The highest resolution format that the LX7 can use is 1080/60p.
Feature comparison
Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. The following tables report on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Panasonic LX7 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 LX7 | optional | n | 3.0 | 920 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 11.0 | Y | Y | |
Canon G16 | optical | n | 3.0 | 922 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 2.2 | Y | Y | |
Canon G15 | optical | n | 3.0 | 922 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 2.1 | Y | Y | |
Fujifilm X20 | optical | n | 2.8 | 460 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 12.0 | Y | Y | |
Fujifilm X10 | optical | n | 2.8 | 460 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 10.0 | Y | Y | |
Panasonic LF1 | 200 | n | 3.0 | 920 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 10.0 | Y | Y | |
Panasonic FZ200 | 1312 | n | 3.0 | 460 | swivel | n | 1/4000s | 12.0 | Y | Y | |
Panasonic GF5 | none | n | 3.0 | 920 | fixed | Y | 1/4000s | 4.0 | Y | n | |
Panasonic G3 | 1440 | n | 3.0 | 460 | swivel | Y | 1/4000s | 4.0 | Y | n | |
Panasonic GF3 | none | n | 3.0 | 460 | fixed | Y | 1/4000s | 3.2 | Y | n | |
Panasonic LX5 | optional | n | 3.0 | 460 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 2.5 | Y | Y |
One convenient feature of the LX7 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-LX7 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 LX7 | Y | stereo | mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
Canon G16 | Y | stereo | mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | Y | - | - | |
Canon G15 | Y | stereo | mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
Fujifilm X20 | Y | stereo | mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
Fujifilm X10 | Y | stereo | mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
Panasonic LF1 | - | stereo | mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | Y | Y | - | |
Panasonic FZ200 | Y | stereo | mono | Y | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
Panasonic GF5 | - | stereo | mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
Panasonic G3 | Y | stereo | mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
Panasonic GF3 | - | stereo | mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
Panasonic LX5 | Y | mono | mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - |
The LX7 has a zoom lens built in (4.7-17.7mm f/1.4-2.3), which, in full frame equivalent terms, provides a focal length range from 24 to 90mm. 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 the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the handling experience and imaging performance when actually working with the LX7. At times, user reviews, such as those published at amazon, address these issues in a useful manner, but such feedback is on many occasions incomplete, inconsistent, and unreliable. This is where reviews by experts come in. The following table reports the overall rankings of the cameras as published by some of the major 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 LX7 | + + | 75/100 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 4.5/5 | Jul 2012 | 499 | ||
Canon G16 | + | .. | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Aug 2013 | 549 | ||
Canon G15 | + | 76/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Sep 2012 | 499 | ||
Fujifilm X20 | + + | 77/100 | 4.5/5 | .. | 5/5 | Jan 2013 | 599 | ||
Fujifilm X10 | .. | 76/100 | 4/5 | 3.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Sep 2011 | 599 | ||
Panasonic LF1 | + | .. | 4/5 | .. | 4.5/5 | Apr 2013 | 499 | ||
Panasonic FZ200 | + + | 80/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Jul 2012 | 599 | ||
Panasonic GF5 | .. | .. | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | Apr 2012 | 499 | ||
Panasonic G3 | + + | 75/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | 5/5 | May 2011 | 599 | ||
Panasonic GF3 | 82/100 | 71/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | Jun 2011 | 549 | ||
Panasonic LX5 | + | 73/100 | 4.5/5 | 5/5 | 4.5/5 | Jul 2010 | 499 | ||
Notes: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available. |
The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.
Panasonic LX7 FAQ
Below are some additional questions and answers concerning some particular features of the LX7.
What is the technology behind the imaging sensor in the LX7?
The camera has a CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensor at its core.
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 LX7 with the Venus image processor.
What is the ISO sensitivity range of the LX7?
The camera has a native sensitivity range from ISO 80 to ISO 6400.
Can the camera be equipped with an optional viewfinder?
Yes, Panasonic provides the DMW-LVF2 as an accessory (here on amazon) that can be mounted on the hotshoe.
Do I need to purchase an external camera trigger to shoot time-lapse sequences?
No, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7 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.
Does the Panasonic LX7 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.
Which battery does the LX7 use?
The camera gets its power from the DMW-BCJ13 (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 your choice using the following search menu. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting.
Camera Model | Panasonic LX7 | |
---|---|---|
Camera Type | Fixed lens compact camera | |
Camera Lens | 24-90mm f/1.4-2.3 | |
Launch Date | July 2012 | |
Launch Price | USD 499 | |
Sensor Specs | ||
Sensor Technology | CMOS | |
Sensor Format | 1/1.7" Sensor | |
Sensor Size | 7.44 x 5.58 mm | |
Sensor Area | 42 mm2 | |
Sensor Diagonal | 9.3 mm | |
Crop Factor | 4.65x | |
Sensor Resolution | 10 Megapixels | |
Image Resolution | 3 648 x 2 736 pixels | |
Pixel Pitch | 2.05 μm | |
Pixel Density | 24.04 MP/cm2 | |
Moiré control | Anti-Alias filter | |
Movie Capability | 1080/60p Video | |
ISO Setting | 80 - 6 400 ISO | |
ISO Boost | 80 - 12 800 ISO | |
Image Processor | Venus | |
DXO Sensor Quality (score) | 50 | |
DXO Color Depth (bits) | 20.7 | |
DXO Dynamic Range (EV) | 11.7 | |
DXO Low Light (ISO) | 147 | |
Screen Specs | ||
Viewfinder Type | Viewfinder optional | |
LCD Framing | Live View | |
LCD Size | 920k dots | |
LCD Attachment | Fixed screen | |
Shooting Specs | ||
Focus System | Contrast-detect AF | |
Manual Focusing Aid | no Peaking Feature | |
Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/4000s | |
Continuous Shooting | 11 shutter flaps/s | |
Silent Shooting | no E-Shutter | |
Time Lapse Photography | Intervalometer Built-in | |
Fill Flash | Build-in Flash | |
Storage Medium | SDXC cards | |
Second Storage Option | Single card slot | |
UHS card support | no | |
Connectivity Specs | ||
External Flash | Hotshoe | |
USB Connector | USB 2.0 | |
HDMI Port | mini HDMI | |
Wifi Support | no Wifi | |
Body Specs | ||
Battery Type | DMW-BCJ13 power pack | |
Battery Life (CIPA) | 330 shots per charge | |
Body Dimensions |
111 x 68 x 46 mm (4.4 x 2.7 x 1.8 in) |
|
Camera Weight | 298 g (10.5 oz) |
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