Thread: Panasonic LX7 for $289 - 299 (2/10/13 Update. Price is back. Possibly down to $269)

Is that true that even the little TZ3 also had a multi-aspect sensor? I don't even remember that.

Did it? I never paid much attention to the TZ series. Megazoom and no RAW is two strikes against a camera for me.

It was in Bjorn's article.

Panasonic’s new LX3 doesn’t simply crop away bands of pixels along the edges of its sensor to achieve the various aspect ratios. Rather, the LX3 uses a relatively new technique first introduced in Panasonic’s TZ3. The sensor is larger than the imaging circle of the lens. For each aspect ratio, a slightly smaller central portion is cropped out of the sensor. In each case though, the diagonal equals the diameter of the lens’ imaging circle. Thus each aspect ratio offers the same angle of view: the LX3 features the same 24-60mm (35mm equivalent) zoom range at all 3 aspect ratios. As is evident in the diagram below, although the angle of view and focal length remain the same at each aspect ratio, the horizontal field of view increases as you move from 4:3 to 16:9, taking in more of the scene horizontally.

No big deal now, it just surprised me that it would have that technology.

EDIT: Looks like it did after all!

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonictz3

Very tempting at this price, but I just can't see it taking the place of my X10. It is smaller, but not small enough to make a significant difference for me. I need something the size of the S110 to make size really drive the purchase decision.

I would have thought the X10 was a step above the LX7 due to its larger sensor.

Originally Posted by TraamisVOS

I would have thought the X10 was a step above the LX7 due to its larger sensor.

I'd say it is - the X10 sensor is pretty nice and hopefully the X20 will be as good or better at higher resolution. The sensor is the LX7's relative weak point. It makes up for it somewhat with its faster lens and I like its features and control layout / UI even more than the X10, but the X10 is very good in those respects too. If I was trying to use a compact as an ONLY camera, it would probably be the X10 or X20 because they're a bit better in low light (as is the RX100, but I just don't enjoy that camera in use). But I have other cameras and don't ask my compact to do a lot of heavy lifting, so for my uses the LX7 sensor is more than adequate and everything else about the camera fits me like a glove.

-Ray

I know this is an old thread, but 2 months ago, the LX7 was down as low as $269? I'm getting ready to buy one maybe next month, and it's back up to $450. If you fight tooth and nail on eBay, you can get one $350 or a little lower. For the love of all things holy, why did it go back up so high?

Should I wait to see if it drops again? I'm pretty poor, and the money saved would go a looong way toward a fast card and a nice case. But I don't want another summer to be wasted with my craptacular ZS5... :(

Yes... wait until the price drops below $300 again. There's no doubt that it will do so. It's only a matter of time because it has done so a number of times already. Amazon.com is the most likely place. Good luck.

Kristen, welcome to SC! Not sure where you live, but if you live anywhere close to a Fry's Electronic, you may be able to find a Fuji X10 for $199. Definitely a super bargain for an excellent "serious compact." It's a good alternative to the LX7.

and the LX7 will be $300 again...maybe not $269. Also keep your eye on the classifieds. Some people around here change camera's like "normal" people change socks.