Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2

[_Batty_]

opinions please?
anthing offer anything better?
im after a digital compact, with semi slr features for a have-a-go photographer.

any recommendations?

[GetCarter]

Several of us in here considered this... having read all the reviews, the digital noise on anything other than it's lowest ISO was the main problem (and the reason I didn't buy it). Lens and build quality are apparently superb.

www.DPReview.com did a comprehensive review IIRC

I'll wait for Mk 3 I think.

ETA... yep... they did... here: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasoniclx2/

Edited by GetCarter on Friday 5th October 14:21

[G20RG B]

It has a unique 16:9 CCD and coupled with superb build quality and Leica lens its well worth considering.
You can also get the Panasonic FX100 12.2mp for the same money but doesnt have the 16:9 option unles cropped but seems like a cracking camera and my local camera shop tells me it's coming down to £299!!

[mcgus]

have got it. Love it, quality of the Leica lens is superb........but only, as Steve says, at anything less than 200ASA>

I'm in San Francisco at the moment on business and it is a great camera to carry when you are away from home and don't want/can't take the digi SLR or whatever. I use a 20D and 5D but do like this as a back up.

Side bar comment - some nice motors here! Beaut black Gallardo Spyder. some very "trick" -as our brethren over here might say - Caymans/911s.

[fluffnik]

The Ricoh Caplio R6 looks like it might suit you.

I've been half looking for a shirt pocket camera with a decently wide wide-angle and the R6 is looking tempting with its 28-200 zoom and mostly positive reviews.

I can't help feeling a 16:9 sensor is going to feel more horribly narrow for portraits than it feels gloriously wide for landscapes - and panorama software can be both free and fun...

[lowdrag]

I'm torn between the R6 and the Caplio GX100. The R6 has the reach but this one is 24mm wide. A rarity.

[GetCarter]

lowdrag said:

I'm torn between the R6 and the Caplio GX100. The R6 has the reach but this one is 24mm wide. A rarity.

R7 out shortly (In case you didn't know)

[John57]

The wife's got one of these ..... she looked at a G7 and numerous other compacts but wanted the 16:9 sensor.

The pictures she has taken with it are great ... but as has been mentioned noise is an issue over ISO 200. Still, doesn't appear worse than any others I have tried.

We have just got back from the States - FWIW her pictures seemed noticeably sharper than mine on base settings straight from the camera. (I was using a little Ixus 70). We have the choice of using big DSLR's or these little compacts and certainly the quality was good enough that the big cameras never got used !!

[Mr Noble]

Ricoh Caplio R7


Looks like a goodun to me! Maybe i'll actually bite the bullit this time and replace my Pentax Optio S4 which muct be 5 years old and has a 1.5" screen!!

[GetCarter]

Geag

Buy one and then tell me whether to buy one also

[Mr Noble]

who the hell is geag?

[GetCarter]

Mr Noble said:

who the hell is geag?

Sorry 'twas a trypo.

I meant Grog.

[190Evoluzione]

fluffnik said:

I can't help feeling a 16:9 sensor is going to feel more horribly narrow for portraits than it feels gloriously wide for landscapes

The sensor mode can be switched between 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 - the full sensor is 16:9 format and it crops in accordingly, so on my LX1;
16:9 = 8.4MP
3:2=7MP
4:3=6MP
The camera can also produce Quicktime movies (up to 30fps, limited in duration only by your SD card capacity) in 4:3 and 16:9 formats.

[fluffnik]

190Evoluzione said:

fluffnik said:

I can't help feeling a 16:9 sensor is going to feel more horribly narrow for portraits than it feels gloriously wide for landscapes

The sensor mode can be switched between 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 - the full sensor is 16:9 format and it crops in accordingly, so on my LX1;
16:9 = 8.4MP
3:2=7MP
4:3=6MP

In camera cropping always seems a waste to me...

It's a pity they can't offer a choice of aspect ratios all of which fully exploit the lens's coverage - ie the sensor area used gets taller as it gets narrower. That's not going to be cheap though.

190Evoluzione said:

The camera can also produce Quicktime movies (up to 30fps, limited in duration only by your SD card capacity) in 4:3 and 16:9 formats.

Handy.

Can you still zoom and focus while shooting?

[190Evoluzione]

Not on my LX1, but hey I'd buy a camcorder if I made more than 1 little movie a month!
Rode into town with the camera super-clamped to my bike one day, a 25-30min ride.
I think the movie at 30fps came in at over 450MB.
Planning to attach it to the car at some point.

[GetCarter]

Mr Noble said:

Ricoh Caplio R7


Looks like a goodun to me! Maybe i'll actually bite the bullit this time and replace my Pentax Optio S4 which muct be 5 years old and has a 1.5" screen!!

OK guys, I've ordered one... I'll let you know what I think.

Edited by GetCarter on Tuesday 9th October 12:16

[_Batty_]

please do.
im still alittle unsure as to what to get

[Mr Noble]

GetCarter said:

Mr Noble said:

Ricoh Caplio R7


Looks like a goodun to me! Maybe i'll actually bite the bullit this time and replace my Pentax Optio S4 which muct be 5 years old and has a 1.5" screen!!

OK guys, I've ordered one... I'll let you know what I think.

Edited by GetCarter on Tuesday 9th October 12:16

Really? I was going to wait for a full review. Now I can just wait for yours Stove Cater.

I'm def getting one if you think its good.

I thought you werer very happy with yr Canon S80 jobbie.?

Grig.

[GetCarter]

Mr Noble said:

I thought you werer very happy with yr Canon S80 jobbie.?

Grig.

I was till Mrs Git nicked it.

[Mr Noble]

GetCarter said:

Mr Noble said:

I thought you werer very happy with yr Canon S80 jobbie.?

Grig.

I was till Mrs Git nicked it.

Have you reported her to the Police?