Thread: LX7 down to $275 directly from Panasonic.

Originally Posted by Crsnydertx

Obviously, I still have my LX3, but I rarely use it. I never got comfortable with the joystick controller; is that still a feature of the LX series?

No, that was gone with the LX5, replaced by the single clickable scroll wheel that could be clicked to move between functions and then turned to control the selected function. This is the same type of wheel that Pany has used on all of its m43 models that I've used. The LX7 goes that two better. It adds an aperture ring on the lens so you don't need to use the scroll wheel for aperture and it adds another jog dial that's used to adjust manual focus and to turn on the ND filter. So the scroll wheel is still clickable to move between functions, but with the other controls, the only thing I tend to change with that while shooting is exposure compensation, so I can just keep it armed for that and turn it when I need to. And then when you go in to adjust ISO or WB or something, it comes into play there too. Meanwhile it still has the same external controls on the lens ring for focus mode and for aspect ratio. The LX7 controls make for one of the best handling cameras I've ever used, of any size or strength. Just incredibly quick and intuitive.

That joystick seemed to be really popular with some LX3 owners and really unpopular with others. I remember when the LX5 first came out it was the subject of many happy and angry posts once the change became apparent...

-Ray

I'm fairly neutral on the LX3's joystick. It's okay but not 100% intuitive to my way of thinking. I'd like the clickable scroll wheel better.

I almost succumbed to the offer. Remarkable self-control....for once!

Oh c'mon Chuck ... just give in!

The black version is still/again $299 at B&H, so it would appear there's still an opportunity to succumb....

-Ray

I picked up a $299 LX7 up too, but being a long time Oly user, I find it's menu agonizingly complicated. Just changing the exposure compensation requires memorizing several button pushing sequences. And each day I forget them. "Point & Shoot simplicity? Not exactly.

Originally Posted by M4/3

I picked up a $299 LX7 up too, but being a long time Oly user, I find it's menu agonizingly complicated. Just changing the exposure compensation requires memorizing several button pushing sequences. And each day I forget them. "Point & Shoot simplicity? Not exactly.

What mode are you in? I shoot the vast majority of the time in aperture priority mode and exposure compensation is the primary job of the main dial by the thumb position. If the exposure compensation info at the bottom of the screen is highlighted in yellow, all you have to do is turn the dial and it controls exposure comp. if its not showing in yellow, you just push/click the same dial once or twice until it is yellow - that means its armed and then you turn to adjust. It's basically the same in every mode where exposure comp is available.

BTW, the charm of the LX7 isn't about "point and shoot simplicity" - its more like "near DSLR level of external controls in a very compact camera". I was out shooting with mine for a couple of hours this morning and I don't think I had to go to the menu once - everything is already at your fingertips.

-Ray