LX3 Review – Comments
30 August 2008
15 Comments
Thanks to everyone who emailed / commented on the review. Been a busy week so only now just getting a chance to respond to them. Check the relevant comments section for my thoughts on any items that were brought up. In addition, if I get a chance to get out with the camera this weekend and do something creative, I'll post a few more samples.
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading ...
Lawrence, Thanks for a comprehensive review of the new DMC-LX3. The review was made-to-order for me as I was just about to purchase a Canon G9 until I discovered the new LX3. None of the stores in Minneapolis have it yet, but I was able to order directly from Panasonic. Thanks again,
Regards,
Jim Miller
I would like to see video samples, and be told what kind of manual controls you can use while in video mode (e.g. shutter speed, aperture, manual focus, WB, etc). Thanks. The LX3 is popular among enthusiastic videographers too you see, because of its 24p mode.
Thanks much for the detailed review on the LX3. It made me feel more confident on my pre-order of the camera.
Jim Miller – I am also in Minneapolis… I picked up the camera on JR.Com as they have it for $100 off list.
Lawrence,
Very nice review.
Are you going to be able to test the new G10 and do a comparison?
Thanks again !
I love your photos!
Will the LX3 be able to take photos like the ones you took for the Singapore Wakeboard/Skate Championship? Also babies who like to move around a lot?
I have a TZ1 and while I'm really happy with the day shots, I find action, low-light/indoor shots disappointing. Hate using flash. LCD also often doesn't reflect how the picture will turn out (a lot darker).
But if I get the LX3 I will miss the 10x zoom I get with TZ1. I know I can crop photos but it's very handy for movie mode. I've captured some memorable moments just because I had the TZ1 handy. Is there no way to add zoom features to LX3 without fiddly equipment and extra bulk?
Hope to hear from you soon! Thanks!
I discovered your work and I like it very much. Your review helped me to order the LX3 because it is photographer and imaging oriented and does not focus on figures only. Since I use a Canon 20D with the 10-22mm most of the time (except for astrophotography for which I use a takahashi refractor), the LX3 should help me to take a digicam almost everytime in my pocket.
Thanks again,
Thomas
I stumbled onto your blog while looking for reviews of the LX3. What a great site! And thanks for the fabulous, informative review of the LX3.
-Ray
Found your review looking for more coverage of the LX3. A well balanced and original review without all the technical gibberish; only what matters in practice. Well done.
I just wanted to say thank you for your review on the LX3, and pointing out what is important. You get a headache reading all the really detailed reviews. Your review, comments and other articles on your site inspired me to buy one. I did wait gor the G10 to come out, but was not impressed with the spec – more megapixles again!!I am very pleased with the LX3, but have a lot to learn, as I just used the point an shoot method with my old compact. However I have taken your advice to shoot in aperture mode most of the time, and have had some good results. All I need now is more practice and to find a reasonably priced case for it.
Ron
Hi, may i know where you sold your G9 at? I'm staying in Singapore too. I currently own an LX2 and is considering replacing it with an LX3. Would you advise making the switch? The noise at ISO above 400 with LX2 really bugs me. On the other hand, i'm not sure if the 2.5x zoom of LX3 will cripple its usefulness.
Thanks in advance!
On your LX3 review, (part 3) i have some questions. You have a photo of your dog, and you mentioned
You mention in the caption:
Aperture: f/2.0
ISO: 400
Speed: 1/3s
For this shot, isn’t handheld supposed to be 1/focal length, so
1/f2.0 = 1/20th second?
Similarly, you mention if you shot f/2.8:
ISO: 800
Speed 1/3s
If you doubled the ISO to 800, wouldn’t the speed decrease to 1/6th ?
(half of 1/3)
I’m asking these questions because i’d like to understand what is the
slowest shutter i can hand-hold at f/2.0 and also at f/2.8
Hi Ki.
So for some context for others reading this, the generally accepted rule of thumb for the shutter speed at which you can avoid blurry shots is 1 / focal length. So for example, on a 200mm lens, you need to have at least 1/200s shutter speed or faster. Of course, many things can change this in the real world (IS, subject movement, etc), but it’s a good indicator.
Now coming back to the min shutter speed on the LX3, Image Stabilisation needs to be taken into account. If I recall, Panasonic claim a 3 stop advantage (2^3 = 8x) improvement in shutter speed. So given the wide angle on the camera is 24mm, that gives an approx 1/20s shutter speed without IS. Add IS to the mix however and then you get 1/20s -> 1/10s (1 stop) -> 1/5s (2 stop)-> 1/2.5s (3 stops)… And that’s about where I ended up (1/3s). That sounds somewhat acccurate too – at the wide angle, if you’re careful and the subject is still, then handholding at 1/3s sounds about right.
Lawrence
Thanks for the LX3 review. Regarding custom settings, do you have any presets which you use for Contrast, Sharpen, Saturation and NR which you could recommend. For example, if setting Contrast to: -2 and NR -3, would that help improve the dynamic range? What are the settings you typically set the LX3 to?
Hi Ki – I leave all the settings as default on the LX3. I do however shoot in aperture mode almost exclusively (which is the case with any camera I use). I don’t have any solid data, but personally I don’t think you’ll see much / any improvement with dynamic range by reducing the contrast. NR always helps a bit with respect to preservation of colours, contrast, sharpness – but leaves you with a noisier image. If you think you can process more effectively (e.g. in photoshop) than the camera, then I guess it’s worth it but the since Panasonic stopped their heavy handed in-camera NR, I feel more comfortable letting the camera handle it. At the end of the day, the best thing you can do for DR is to shoot in as a low an ISO as you can. That and make sure you expose correctly.
Lawrence
Thank-you for responding and looking forward to your review of the GF-1!
-ki
Leave your response!
Stay Connected
Tags
Twitter Feed
Recent Comments
Archives
Admin
Best of the Best
Most Commented