Thread: Panasonic DMC-LX7 Announced

Panasonic announced the LX7, a follow up to the well-regarded LX5.

Key changes from the LX5:

• New, slightly smaller (1/1.7" vs 1/1.63") 10MP MOS sensor
• New 24-90mm equivalent f/1.4-2.3 lens (fastest in class)
• Integrated 3-stop ND filter
• Dedicated aperture dial around the lens

According to the DPReview preview, the LX7 seems overall faster and more responsive in use when compared to the LX5. Sample images from the same preview look very good to me. It seems that they succeeded in producing a very fast zoom that performs quite well.

Despite all of this, I think the LX7 is going to struggle against a 1" sensor field heralded by the Sony RX100. The LX7 will not offer any substantial shallow DOF possibilities over the RX100. The Sony will allow more shallow DOF at wide angle, the Panasonic slightly more shallow DOF at full tele. Based on specs alone, the Sony will have about a stop better low light performance at wide angle while the LX7 will have a very modest advantage at tele. The most important difference, though, may be size (comparisons via CameraSize.com):






It would seem from this comparison that using a faster lens to compensate for a smaller sensor gets you a bigger camera. The Canon G1X (slightly greater than 4/3" sensor) is significantly larger than the RX100, though, so it isn't that straightforward. Time will tell how the image quality, especially lens performance, differs amongst these cameras.

My impression at the announcement, however, is that the LX7 likely represents the final generation of less-than-2/3" sensor, high-end, modest-zoom cameras. I'm sure it is a superb tool, but on screen I find the RX100 more compelling, and I'm already looking forward to the Panasonic L1X with 1" sensor in 2013.

Comprehensive coverage of the LX7 can be found at 1001 Noisy Cameras.

I don't know if we can make any judgement until images come out. While sizes are similar or the same, I think that price will determine what individuals buy. On paper, the RX100 looks great. But I've seen lots of images, and while the sensor quality looks good, I was dissappointed with some of the wide angle shots. Lots of corner blurriness from the lens. The lens also gets slow at the telephoto end.The jpegs are just average I think. There isn't a hot shoe either(some might not care).

The one nice thing is the added ND filter. This allows some DOF control in brighter light.

Well, gee, lookie here:


Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7 Camera Samples - Hands-On Preview

They've got images up. Looking at the ISO800 JPEG, it looks pretty good. Not all that blothy yellow mess. Not sure if this is a RAW+JPEG shoot or processed RAW file. Still looks good.

Speaking about the rx100:

It seems that a lot of compromises have been taken to cram a CX sensor in such a small body, all I have seen up to now is that the focal length that interests me the most, being equiv 28mm is very soft in the corners, closed down it remains soft nevertheless, at least according to imaging ressource.

There is quite strong barrel distortion (3.8%) at 28mm and some chromatic aberrations that are corrected in the jpg mode, not sure how well it will be corrected in LR and what the effect on softness may be, but that could explain part of the corner softness mesured by imaging ressource. I have shot some pics at the local store but I that was before I found out that the corners are soft so my quick shots are not worthy to judge upon. I will go back tomorrow and shoot some more relevant subjects.

Coming back to the LX7:

I am disapointed that they have not used a CX sensor, I wouldn't care if the body got slightly bigger and keeps it's good resolution across the frame, it seems to me like an "easy" engineering task to have put a slightly smaller sensor and increase luminosity, I wonder what compromises they have made to kind of "strech" sensor one way and luminosity the other way. We'll have to see real world pics and thorough tests to find out, I'm probably judging too early.

I was tempted by the nikon 1 but the pics have not convinced me, something feels wrong for some odd reason, it is too expensive and not enough gain obtained from a 10mp 1 inch sensor, the little gain is wasted by the 10mm f2.8 lens. While hesitating with the RX100 (maybe as a family camera), me too am looking forward for other CX offerings and/or a L1X. I dare to hope for a GRD V with a CX sensor, I wouldn't bother if the body size increased slightly.

I am not in the market, however I think it's wonderful that they added a dedicated aperture ring around the lens.

Originally Posted by BBW

I am not in the market, however I think it's wonderful that they added a dedicated aperture ring around the lens.

And it feels quite good BTW so does the overall construction, it hasn't got the shaky feeling of the xz-1, which BTW I have regretted to have sold...

Interesting comparison with the Sony, Amin.

I wonder if Olympus will be able to source the Sony 1" sensor for their XZ-2?

Well i will deff be getting one when they are available on the retail site as it will be free. As soon as i have had a play i will post a report.

The rep from panasonic was insistant that sensor size is not everything and the LX7 sensor has been designed arround the lens. The fact that it is a new MOS sensor should see the IQ increase over the LX5. The RX100 does look good but leaves me cold. The LX7 looks much more classic and will look real nice in a proper leather case.

Bring it on!

Just to keep things into perspective, I think a larger sensor means higher price, and for Panasonic, that means they are eating away at their own sales in mFT. Keeping the sensor small and keeping a formula that works, I think they have something to offer thats still competitive.

That is true if they count on brand loyalty but otherwise another manufacturer will take the spot, but if they do release a L1X then they may well take that spot.

Originally Posted by Djarum

Just to keep things into perspective, I think a larger sensor means higher price, and for Panasonic, that means they are eating away at their own sales in mFT. Keeping the sensor small and keeping a formula that works, I think they have something to offer thats still competitive.