Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2 Review


Record Modes & Screens
For beginners or anyone that just wants to "point-n-shoot" there's your typical Auto exposure
mode (camera icon with an A on mode dial.)
Auto menu options:
3:2 - 8.5M, 7M, 4.5M, 2.5M 4:3 - 7.5M, 6M, 4M, 3M, 2M, 1M Quality - Fine, Normal, and RAW Clock Set - Set the time and date
Program AE mode is also an automatic exposure mode, but the user has a wide array of menu
settings available (see Normal menu options below.) The screen here shows the flash is set to
Forced off, image size is 10M, image quality is Fine, the battery level is at 2/3,
there's room on the SD card for another 281 shots, and the image stabilizer is set to Mode 1
(shaking hand icon.)
When the shutter is half-pressed and the auto focus is achieved, the AF target brackets
in the center turn green (red if AF fails) and a focus confirmation "green dot" is
displayed. The shutter speed and aperture will also be displayed.
Pressing the Stabilizer button located on the top of the camera will briefly display this menu of options.
Aperture priority mode (A icon on the mode dial), allows you to select a specific aperture value
to control depth of field (range of focus). A small aperture number gives you a shallower depth
of field to put the background out of focus.
Shutter-speed priority is the direct opposite of aperture priority, it allows you to select the
desired shutter speed and the camera matches the proper aperture. Fast shutter speeds allow you
to "freeze" rapid moving subjects or "blur" them with a slower shutter speed.
In Manual exposure mode you select both the shutter speed and aperture value - you must also
select the right combination to get the proper exposure level. An on-screen meter will display
the exposure value when you half-press the shutter release.
Normal menu options:
WB Adjust. - Make fine adjustments to the current white balance setting being used Sensitivity - Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600 ISO equivalent Pict. Size - depends on what aspect ratio you are using
3:2 - 8.5M, 7M, 4.5M, 2.5M 4:3 - 7.5M, 6M, 4M, 3M, 2M, 1M Quality - Fine, Normal, and RAW Audio Rec. - Record 10 sec audio note with still image, On or Off Metering Mode - Multiple, Center-weighted or Spot AF Mode - Select the desired AF-area sensor combination (9-area, 3-area High speed, 1-area High speed, 1-area or Spot) Continuous AF - Continuous auto focus, On or Off AF Assist Lamp - On or Off AF/AE Lock - Choose settings for AF/AE lock button (AF, AE, AF/AE) D. Zoom - Digital zoom option, On or Off Color Effect - Off, Cool (bluer), Warm (redder), B/W (monochrome),Sepia Picture Adjust - Natural (softer), Standard, Vivid (sharper) Flip Animation - Create small in-camera animations Clock Set - Set the time and date
Rotating the Mode Dial to the SCN1 or SCN2 position gives access to 14 scene specific modes that
are optimized for variety of shooting environments and subjects. You can choose from Portrait,
Soft Skin, Scenery, Sports, Night Portrait, Night Scenery, Food, Party, Candle Light, Fireworks,
Starry Sky, Beach, Aerial Photo, High Sensitivity, Baby 1 & 2. While scrolling through the Scene
menu, pressing "Right" on the 4-way controller will give a brief description of the Scene modes
intended use.
Press the 4-way controller "Down" to enable the Quick Review function to view or
delete the last image taken.
Macro (close up) focus mode lets you get as close as 1.97 in. (5cm) Wide or 11.8 in. (30cm) Telephoto.
Movie mode captures QucikTime video at either 4:3 (640x480 or 320 x 240, 30/10fps) or 16:9
(848x480, 30/10fps; 1280 x 720 15 fps) aspect ratios, with audio. The length of capture is
limited only by the amount of available memory. Because sound is recorded, the zoom may be
preset before recording, but it can not be used during. 4:3 mode gives a normal view, while 16:9
gives you a more wide screen or letterbox effect.
Movie Capture Capacities![]()
Movie mode recording options:
WB Adjust. - Make fine adjustments to the current white balance setting being used Picture Mode - VGA (30 or 10fps), QVGA (30 or 10fps), 16:9L (30 or 10fps), 16:9H (15fps) Metering Mode - Multiple, Center-weighted or Spot AF Mode - Select the desired AF-area sensor combination desired Continuous AF - Continuous auto focus, On or Off AF Assist Lamp - On or Off Digital Zoom - Digital zoom option, On or Off Color Effect - Off, Cool, Warm, Black/White, Sepia Clock Set - Set the time and date |
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Playback Features
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