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

This is just ridiculous. I get the impression this camera isn't selling much and I can sort of understand why given the recent competition, but this is way too nice a camera to sell for $300 just a couple of months after release. Waaaaaay too nice.

-Ray
 
You still have both Ray? Can the LX7 compete with RX100 (or X10) at ISO 1600+?

Don't have either. Returned the LX7 after a couple of days and never warmed up to the RX100, so I gave it to my wife who shoots it on full auto and loves it. I haven't taken a shot with it since I gave it to her, so it's not a dodge - that camera is not part of my kit even though I still see it on occasion. I bought a de-orbed X10 and concluded then and now that its the best set of compromises for me among compacts.

But I formed some really strong impressions of the LX7 while I had it. I was VERY impressed with it in all regards except the sensor, which is a very slight improvement over the LX5 but not in the same class as the X10 or close to the RX100. The AF is very fast on both - both the LX7 and RX100 are a good deal faster than the X10. If either is faster than the other, it's not by enough to matter or notice. The lens is great, the controls are a definite step up from the LX5 and way better than the RX100 (and even notably better than the X10, but the X10 is just fine).

But no, the LX7 is not near as good as the X10 at 1600 - the X10 is easily useable there and OK up to about 2500 in my experience. The RX100 is incredible at 1600 and still very very good at 3200 and even pretty useable at 6400. I generally wouldn't use the LX7 much above 800, maybe 1000-1200 or so tops. The good news is that with the fast lens, you don't often need to, but in low light at the wide end the RX100 is way better and the X10 is notably better.

I may buy another LX7 today at $300 - I've been flirting with it all weekend. I don't end up using my compacts enough to matter in low light and for good light shooting, the LX7 would be my favorite of the bunch. I'm really pretty set with the main cameras (which are both soooooo good in low light I don't know why I'd even think about needing a compact to be). And we're taking a trip this summer where I'd probably rather take the LX7 out on day trips / hikes than the X10, with its wider angle and multi-aspect sensor. But I may hold off - I don't have any need for it at the moment, and I'd probably be able to find it at pretty close to the same price by summer. But it's a really nice little camera and a screaming deal at that price.

Hey, congratulations on the wedding - I hope it all went well!

-Ray
 
This is incredible, I would get if the price would be similar in Spain, but I think it is imposible. I will get one in a couple of years, the fast lens is amazing
 
Yep. I managed to hold off the impulse. Had it in the cart at one point, but never pulled the trigger.

-Ray

I almost did it. Now regret I didn't. But if I had, I'd probably regret that I did. LOL!! I gifted my orbed X10 to my old man. So having also gifted my GF2 to my sister, I now have no "small" cameras.

Wedding went well. She said yes! That was an important part. :) I'll fill you in with the details in our next pre-podcast banter! Thanks for asking!!
 
I almost did it. Now regret I didn't. But if I had, I'd probably regret that I did. LOL!!
That pretty much sums it up! We live in very good times for small(ish) cameras. There aren't any bad choices. That an LX7, even at $299, might not be the obvious choice, tells us how good things are. I have an orb-less X10. And aside from the wider wide end and slightly nicer controls, I can't think of any place where the LX7 beats it, so I couldn't rationalize it to myself, as hard as I tried.

I shot a lot over Thanksgiving, but all with the OMD and X-Pro - didn't even bring he X10 along. So my compacts don't get a LOT of use with such good other cameras around. But I still like having a decent one available for bike rides, light hikes, etc. But no need for two!

Glad to hear the wedding/honeymoon went well. I hope married life is even half as good for you as its been for me!

-Ray
 
How does the LX7 compare with the Canon S110, I haven't heard much about it on SC. Is it out of contention, spec-wise + IQ?

Its very similar to the S110 spec wise and IQ, but with a totally different emphasis. The S110 is primarily concerned with being small enough for a pants pocket. The LX7 is more of a jacket pocket or very loose pants pocket camera. They have similar sensors, but the LX7 has a much faster lens and a wider zoom range (24-90), so its probably got more low light potential. And one of the tradeoffs with really small cameras tends to be the controls and UI, which are areas the LX7 simply excels. There are a number of threads on it here:

Panasonic/Leica Forum

-Ray
 
Thanks very much Ray. the reason I ask is because the LX7 doesn't have 24fps video function which is important to me, whereas the S110 does. That, plus the fact that the S110 is a little more pocketable than the LX7.

I remember when I first started coming to SC, the LX3 and LX5, and the S90 and S95 were the serious compacts of choice back then. How things have changed. My main camera back then was the LX5 which I still have.
 
Thanks very much Ray. the reason I ask is because the LX7 doesn't have 24fps video function which is important to me, whereas the S110 does. That, plus the fact that the S110 is a little more pocketable than the LX7.

I remember when I first started coming to SC, the LX3 and LX5, and the S90 and S95 were the serious compacts of choice back then. How things have changed. My main camera back then was the LX5 which I still have.

If you have the LX5, you'd be right at home with the LX7. The sensor is slightly better, but also slightly smaller - and still multi-aspect. The controls are better, adding an aperture ring and a new rocker switch for manual focus control. The lens is faster. They took a great little camera and made it better.

But, yeah, the terrain has changed. The X10, RX100, and XZ2 have really made this segment competitive, which is pretty clearly why the LX7 has already been so heavily discounted.

-Ray
 
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