Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 Review

By

Review posted 02/24/2011

Quick Take
Pros

  • Well-built, compact body
  • Comfortable control layout
  • Captures beautiful 10-megapixel photos
  • Sharp and fast Leica 3.8x optical zoom len
  • You have full use of the optical zoom option while recording video
  • 24mm wide angle extreme is one of the widest available in a camera of this size
  • Fast max. aperture (f/2.0) combined with great High ISO performance makes it a great camera for low-light shooting
  • High Quality AVCHD Lite 720p movie capture
  • Excellent shooting performance
  • One Touch Video Recording Button
  • Excellent Battery Life
  • Competitive price tag
  • Loads of option accessories
Cons
  • ISO 6400 and 12,800 are not settings we recommend using unless extremely necessary
  • No full 1080 HD option like found on other Lumix models
Bottom Line
Panasonic has created a worthy competitor in a tough category that has several great cameras competing in it. With excellent image quality, speedy performance, awesome High ISO capabilities (for a compact), and all of the Panasonic bells and whistles we've come to love, the Lumix DMC-LX5 is an awesome prosumer camera. Read more in our Full Conclusion.
LX5k_slant.jpg
Nearly two years after Panasonic rolled out the LX3, the LUMIX DMC-LX5 is entering their lineup of digital cameras this fall. This powerful compact model has a classy "retro" look and feel, and offers loads of exposure options for advanced to novice users. The LX5 has an increased optical zoom range from 2.5x on the LX3 to 3.8x. While sensor size and resolution remains identical to the previous model, the maximum ISO has increased to 12800 and this new model utilizes Panasonic's POWER O.I.S system. 

The LX5 also boasts a 3.0-inch LCD screen, Face Recognition / Detection, 720 high definition video capture and and the new Venus Engine FHD image processor. The LUMIX DMC-LX5 comes in either black or white colors and it's slightly larger than the LX3 in width and depth.  

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX5 key features include:

  • 10.1 megapixel, 1/1.63-inch CCD image sensor
  • F2.0 Leica DC-Vario-Summicron 3.8x optical zoom wide-angle with 24-90mm (equivalent) focal range
  • ISO 80-3200 at full resolution (up to12800 high sensitivity at lower resolution)
  • 3.0-inch TFT LCD with 460K pixels  (backlight LED)
  • 720p HD video capture (AVCHD lite)
  • Face Recognition and Detection technologies
  • Venus Engine FHD image processor 
  • POWER Optical Image Stabilization (O.I.S.)
  • SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot
  • A/V, USB 2.0, HDMI outputs  
  • Stereo Microphone with Dolby® Digital Stereo Creator
  • Powered by a Li-ion battery pack (rated up to 400 shots per charge)
  • Accessories include External Optical View Finder, Wide Conversion Lens, Live View Finder, ND Filter, MC Protector, External Flashes and Leather Case
The Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX5 comes in black or white with a suggested retail price of $399.99 US. 

Additional Views

LX5k_front.jpg
LX5k_side.jpg
LX5k_front_PopUp.jpg
LX5w_slant.jpg
LX5w_back.jpg
LX5w_top.jpg

Visitors of Steves can visit the stores below for real-time pricing and availability. You can also find hot, soon to expire online offers on a variety of cameras and accessories at our very own Camera Deals page.

PANASONIC LUMIX DMC-LX5 NEW ORIGINAL BLACK LENS CAP
ProductPriceInformationSeller Rating

Seller: eBay

$18

Condition: New

In Stock: Yes

No seller reviews
Buy related cameras and accessories from Amazon.com
Related Product Description Price
Canon EOS-1D 4.15MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only) Canon EOS-1D 4.15MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only) $4,999.99
Olympus XZ-1 10 MP Digital Camera with f1.8 Lens and 3-Inch OLED Monitor (White) + Extended Life Battery + 8GB SDHC Class 10 Memory Card + USB Card Reader + Memory Card Wallet + Deluxe Case w/Strap + Shock Proof Deluxe Case + Mini HDMI to HDMI Cable + Professional Full Size Tripod + Accessory Saver Bundle! Olympus XZ-1 10 MP Digital Camera with f1.8 Lens and 3-Inch OLED Monitor (White) + Extended Life Battery + 8GB SDHC Class 10 Memory Card + USB Card Reader + Memory Card Wallet + Deluxe Case w/Strap + Shock Proof Deluxe Case + Mini HDMI to HDMI Cable + Professional Full Size Tripod + Accessory Saver Bundle! $649.95
Samsung NX1000 Pink ~ 20.3MP Digital Camera Body Only Samsung NX1000 Pink ~ 20.3MP Digital Camera Body Only $599.99
Olympus Stylus TG-2 iHS Digital Camera with 4x Optical Zoom and 3-Inch LCD (Red) + 32GB SDHC Class 10 Memory Card + External Rapid Charger + LI-90B Lithium-Ion Battery Pack + Carrying Case + Durable Float Strap for Digital Cameras + Mini Tripod Kit + USB SDHC Reader Olympus Stylus TG-2 iHS Digital Camera with 4x Optical Zoom and 3-Inch LCD (Red) + 32GB SDHC Class 10 Memory Card + External Rapid Charger + LI-90B Lithium-Ion Battery Pack + Carrying Case + Durable Float Strap for Digital Cameras + Mini Tripod Kit + USB SDHC Reader $377.29
Olympus TG-1iHS 12 MP Waterproof Digital Camera with 4x Optical Zoom + 32GB SDHC Class 10 Memory Card + External Rapid Charger + LI-90B Lithium-Ion Battery Pack + Carrying Case + Durable Float Strap for Digital Cameras + Mini Tripod Kit + USB SDHC Reader Olympus TG-1iHS 12 MP Waterproof Digital Camera with 4x Optical Zoom + 32GB SDHC Class 10 Memory Card + External Rapid Charger + LI-90B Lithium-Ion Battery Pack + Carrying Case + Durable Float Strap for Digital Cameras + Mini Tripod Kit + USB SDHC Reader $377.19
COSMOS Black Leather Case Cover Bag For Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 Camera + Cosmos cable tie COSMOS Black Leather Case Cover Bag For Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 Camera + Cosmos cable tie $59.99
Panasonic DMW-BCJ13 Battery for DMC-LX5 Panasonic DMW-BCJ13 Battery for DMC-LX5 $49.95