Stan
Regular
- Location
- California
- Name
- Stan
Hi all! Here's a little mini user review of a fine compact camera, the LX7. I'm sharing some images from the incomparable Yosemite from a trip I made last winter, where all the photos were taken with the Panasonic LX7. I also brought along a Canon FF camera, but that kit is certainly not a serious compact. More like seriously non-compact!
The LX7 is a camera I like very much. It's not a camera that can replace a larger sensor (m43 or larger) camera for my purposes, because sometimes I print large, need high ISO, or need DOF control. The current 16MP Oly Pens are my favorite cameras at the moment. It's just the right size, feature set, and IQ for most of what I do. What's useful about the LX is the size and the lens. The 24-90mm zoom range is fantastic, OIS works, the lens is sharp, and the multi-aspect sensor encourages different compositions. In the cold, I keep the LX7 it in my outer jacket shell, and take it out for when opportunities arise.
Snow, Cook's Meadow and Half Dome. In this scene I was in a long, long snowball fight with my son. It was mostly cloudy, but I kept my eye on the tree. While dodging flying spheres of wet snow, I saw from the corner of my eye the light break through. I called time, took a few frames, and then resumed the snowball fight.
Earlier that same day, I made it out before sunrise. Fresh snow made the hike around the meadows a challenge, and it was very cold. But Yosemite always brings you gifts if you go out when the light is good. Below is the Merced River on a cold winter morning. The lowest of the Three Brothers is on the right side.
As the daylight started to makes itself seen on the granite monoliths, I found myself in a commonly visited area near Swinging Bridge. The image below was a tough exposure, with the light hitting Yosemite Falls in the background and the trees and snow in shade. The LX7 handles fairly well lifting of shadows. (Highlights are a not nearly as malleable as shadows in my experience.)
At the end of this wonderful day, I made it up to Tunnel View. It's a spot that is one of the most visited in the park. Millions of photos from this exact spot are taken each year. My goal when I go here is really more like a pilgrimage or paying homage to Yosemite, as a person and as a photographer. I don't think of it as a place to really do something new, different, or whatever. I go to Tunnel View to feel Yosemite. When the light is good, it's a special place to be. The LX7 handled this scene well. The highlights are delicate -- that's the best way to describe the files, which is expected given the sensor size. If you push the highlights much it falls apart. Luckily the clouds seemed to have helped soften and spread the light so dynamic range wasn't an issue. In many ways, this is an easy shot to get. There aren't many photographic choices, it's obvious where your subjects are, and technically it's wasn't challenging since the light was good. Literally point and shoot. It just goes to show that being there when the light is good is such a huge part of it.
You're never alone in a place like Yosemite. I knew the light would be good when the pros came up from the valley with their FF, MF, and LF gear. I also am guilty as charged, and had a serious non-compact on a tripod. Why not if it's in the trunk?
The previous day, when most all the snow fell, I went out for an afternoon walk. It was just turning from rain to snow, so the ground was wet. I left my FF gear in the room, since I planned to only go out for a walk and just enjoy some fresh air. Then I happened to see a couple getting married and their wedding photographer, heading towards Lower Yosemite Falls. Rain or shine, they're going to get their photos. A special moment for them indeed. I was able to get out my LX7, jog to get the falls into the frame, boost my ISO (it was fairly dim and fading), zoom in, and grab a few frames. OIS helped here for sure.
Overall the LX7 is a fine camera. It works for deliberate landscape photography, although I still lean on larger sensors most of the time. Two thumbs up.
Yosemite is one of my favorite places. If you have not been yet, then I recommend winter or spring, ideally being there the day after a snow storm.
Thanks for reading and looking!
The LX7 is a camera I like very much. It's not a camera that can replace a larger sensor (m43 or larger) camera for my purposes, because sometimes I print large, need high ISO, or need DOF control. The current 16MP Oly Pens are my favorite cameras at the moment. It's just the right size, feature set, and IQ for most of what I do. What's useful about the LX is the size and the lens. The 24-90mm zoom range is fantastic, OIS works, the lens is sharp, and the multi-aspect sensor encourages different compositions. In the cold, I keep the LX7 it in my outer jacket shell, and take it out for when opportunities arise.
Snow, Cook's Meadow and Half Dome. In this scene I was in a long, long snowball fight with my son. It was mostly cloudy, but I kept my eye on the tree. While dodging flying spheres of wet snow, I saw from the corner of my eye the light break through. I called time, took a few frames, and then resumed the snowball fight.
Earlier that same day, I made it out before sunrise. Fresh snow made the hike around the meadows a challenge, and it was very cold. But Yosemite always brings you gifts if you go out when the light is good. Below is the Merced River on a cold winter morning. The lowest of the Three Brothers is on the right side.
As the daylight started to makes itself seen on the granite monoliths, I found myself in a commonly visited area near Swinging Bridge. The image below was a tough exposure, with the light hitting Yosemite Falls in the background and the trees and snow in shade. The LX7 handles fairly well lifting of shadows. (Highlights are a not nearly as malleable as shadows in my experience.)
At the end of this wonderful day, I made it up to Tunnel View. It's a spot that is one of the most visited in the park. Millions of photos from this exact spot are taken each year. My goal when I go here is really more like a pilgrimage or paying homage to Yosemite, as a person and as a photographer. I don't think of it as a place to really do something new, different, or whatever. I go to Tunnel View to feel Yosemite. When the light is good, it's a special place to be. The LX7 handled this scene well. The highlights are delicate -- that's the best way to describe the files, which is expected given the sensor size. If you push the highlights much it falls apart. Luckily the clouds seemed to have helped soften and spread the light so dynamic range wasn't an issue. In many ways, this is an easy shot to get. There aren't many photographic choices, it's obvious where your subjects are, and technically it's wasn't challenging since the light was good. Literally point and shoot. It just goes to show that being there when the light is good is such a huge part of it.
You're never alone in a place like Yosemite. I knew the light would be good when the pros came up from the valley with their FF, MF, and LF gear. I also am guilty as charged, and had a serious non-compact on a tripod. Why not if it's in the trunk?
The previous day, when most all the snow fell, I went out for an afternoon walk. It was just turning from rain to snow, so the ground was wet. I left my FF gear in the room, since I planned to only go out for a walk and just enjoy some fresh air. Then I happened to see a couple getting married and their wedding photographer, heading towards Lower Yosemite Falls. Rain or shine, they're going to get their photos. A special moment for them indeed. I was able to get out my LX7, jog to get the falls into the frame, boost my ISO (it was fairly dim and fading), zoom in, and grab a few frames. OIS helped here for sure.
Overall the LX7 is a fine camera. It works for deliberate landscape photography, although I still lean on larger sensors most of the time. Two thumbs up.
Yosemite is one of my favorite places. If you have not been yet, then I recommend winter or spring, ideally being there the day after a snow storm.
Thanks for reading and looking!