Compact LX7 and D-Lux6: how have these cameras been upgraded

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So, I know there are at least a few on here who have the current iterations of this camera. I used to have the LX5, I think that was it...nice little camera, great wide angle...very small LCD screen and to my eyes there was always a yellow white balance cast...but I learned to deal with it.

How has this camera changed and what made you decide to buy it, either again...or for the first time?

I know I can go searching the reviews, but I'd love to hear it from one or two of you SC shooters.
 
The LX7 improvements over the LX5 mostly have to do with interface and speed of operation. And maybe a slightly better sensor for higher ISO, but not a lot better. The aperture ring and the separate manual focus / ND filter control on the back greatly limits the number of things you have to control with the little clickable control dial (still the same as on the LX5). I used to find that frustrating because I'd sometimes forget which function I'd clicked the little control wheel to adjust, I'd turn it and adjust the WRONG function, and then have to go back and readjust everything to where I wanted it. With the LX7, I mostly only use that wheel for exposure comp, since both aperture and manual focus have their own controls now. The camera is quicker too - most evident in AF speed and write speeds, but probably there in startup times and other stuff. And the sensor seems to handle ISO reasonably well and 1600 in a pinch, while I was never good with the LX5 above 400. Oh, and if you want the EVF, the new one that works with the LX7 (and GX1) is WAAAAAAY better than the one that worked with the LX5 (and GF1)...

Other than that, very similar. Great sharp lens, wonderful multi-aspect sensor with the aspect ratio selector right on the lens, along with the focus mode selector. I don't think it lost anything good that mattered, but it improved in a few ways. None dramatic, but for $300, pretty much worth it. That said, now that I have a Nikon A, which is a good deal more easily pocketable than the LX7 and has WAAAAAY better IQ, I don't ever seem to use mine. Too bad - a great camera, but I think its been superseded...

-Ray
 
Thanks Ray. I know you love that Nikon. I guess I should go over and practice the art of procrastination a bit longer today...and read about it. Maybe I should start my own G.A.S. vs need camera thread in Open Gear.;)
 
I used to have the LX3 before the LX7 so the newer camera was a big upgrade to me. My impressions generally mirror that of Ray. The LX7 can now be used reliably up to and including ISO 800 with 1600 available in a pinch. So that's about a solid one-stop gain over the LX3 and LX5. The LX7 is still a great camera, especially if you can pick it up for $300 or less. And you should be able to do that. Just keep scanning Amazon.com and B&H.
 
My LX3 replacement is nex-6+16-50mm, but a cheaper option with no viewfinder is nex-3n+16-50mm. B&H was selling nex-3n combo used for $300-350, new for $400-500 range. You can find nex-3n+16-50 at the local Bestbuy and Walmart stores if you want to check it physically. Lens distortion corrections are comparable btw 16-50mm and LX lenses... You can add older Sigma 19mm/30mm 2.8 lenses for $90-100/ea to 3n and they are sharp lenses. You can check Lucille's car shots with nex-3n and Sigma's:

Sigma 19mm f/2.8, Nex 3n, Chantilly Lace, and total darkness....
 
I had an LX7 and it was a fine little machine. But it was just a little too restricted with the very small sensor for me. I ended up going a completely different route for my carry-everywhere by getting the X100 and basically traded size and zoom flexibility off against image quality.

I agree with Ray on it's great value for the $$$ it costs. I didn't dump it for anything inherently wrong with the camera, it just wasn't *quite* what I wanted overall in daily companion. But if you handed me one and said, "This is all you can shoot with for the next week" or whatever, I'd be fine. It really is very good.

I did a blog review on the LX7 and you probably read it but I'd stand with everything I said in it. I loved that camera but though close to my ideal, it didn't quite make it particularly in low light even with the f/1.4 lens.
 
I think the LX7/D-Lux6 is as close to the perfect camera at that size and below as is possible to get. The lens is unequaled among any compacts I've tried (lots) including the $1100 Nikon Coolpix A. Both the LX7 and Coolpix A fit the best-ever carrycase - the Leica 18727, which carries hands-free with its shoulder strap and goes places where a camera bag would be out of place.

Short of bird photography, the D-Lux6 (in my favorite G-Star edition) or LX7 is the only camera I can think of that I would grab to take anywhere for all purposes when not carrying a large full-size camera. The sensor is perfectly populated for excellent image quality and lowest noise. That's improved since the LX3 I had. And the LX7/D-Lux6 seems to fit my hands better than the LX3.
 
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