Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Best Selling in Digital Cameras
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Save on Digital Cameras
I do some serious video production work and occasionally some commercial web photography. I have used micro 4/3 cameras such as the GH2, G6 and GH4 and was looking for something compact I'm flexible enough to use for occasional quick and dirty shoots. I looked at the Sony a 6300 but by the time I buy the body and one or two lenses it's several times the cost of the LX 100. Plus the A 6300's we're rolling shutter, overheating issues and much larger size in the end made it a non-option. What sets this camera apart from the rest is that it's incredibly compact, ruggedly built, and for serious photographers the fast and intuitive old school controls make it a fast and easy to shoot in the way many professionals like to shoot stills. The fast F1.7 Leica Summlux zoom lens what is for the most part super sharp and outrageously contrasty. If this lens were available as a removable option it would likely cost more than the camera itself. Detail this lens affords even wide open often produces images with 13mp that rival 16 to 24mp DSLRs. I don't have to pack around two or three lenses and the camera comes complete with and exceptional Leica optical system built-in for less than the cost of comparable camera body or lens alone! 4K video is excellent and I prefer what I get straight out of the camera then the what I end up with after grading 8-bit flat Log footage from the GH4. Not having a mic input or headphone monitor makes it a challenge if you're shooting a lot of dialogue, but I typically use an external recorder and sleep most of my stuff anyway. Otherwise, for B roll or random scenic shots the building audio is fine. Recording time is limited to 15 minutes per clip in 4K and 30 minutes. In 1080P frame rates of 24p, 30p and 60P are available as well as 1080i and 480p. 1080p video is pretty clean and is very close to down-sampled 4K footage. Dynamic range for stills and video is pretty respectable and it does feature a modest highlight and shadow curve just meant feature that can provide a sort of mild 'S-Curve' reduction that helps to fit the camera is good dynamic range into the 8-bit video files and JPEG's Battery life is pretty respectable for a compact camera can squeeze about an hour video out of a battery and typically a couple of hundred Stills. Extra batteries are relatively inexpensive. My few Grips are: - Being so compact it doesn't have a built-in ND filters and unless you remove the twist-off trim ring around the Front of the lens larger filters, adapter rings and lens hoods tend to bind against the removable trim ring when the lens retracts. - Electronic viewfinder is pretty good but smaller and lower resolution then what you typically find on other mirror list cameras. - no external mic input. - compact, noisy, clicky camera controls that interfere with manual adjustments while shooting video. - Lens focus/function ring is generally pretty useful but seems to feature Panasonic's annoying Focus-by-wire variable-speed design that I find counter-intuitive and can actually make focusing more difficult. Also, when shooting video in Auto Focus mode, the focus ring turns into either a shutter speed or ISO dial. I would rather it just disable the function ring completely it's too easy to in advertently change while shooting and I don't see an option for that. Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Refurbished
What it does well - -It has a wonderfully sharp, extremely fast lens. Where else are you going to find a 24mm f/1.7? -It's nearly silent. After shooting with full frame DSLRs, it's a pleasure to take photos without the sound of my camera causing people to notice that I'm taking photos. -Wifi is actually a nice feature even if it is clunky. -Manual aperture, shutter speed, and focus. -VERY close macro focusing at 24mm. What it does not do well- -4k? Yes, but only 15min at a time. 1080p? Yes, but only 30min at a time. -The LX100 defaults to the last used custom setting each time it is turned on. That means if you make changes to the way you're using your camera, ( white balance, autofocus mode, drive mode, image quality, etc... Basically anything except aperture, shutter speed, af/mf, and aspect ratio. ) you have to commit those changes to one of three possible custom setting modes or the changes are lost the next time you turn on the camera. That's just a pain in the ass. -Don't fool yourself into thinking you'll get the benefits of a leaf shutter flash sync speed. Unless you use the little Panasonic flash that comes in the box, 1/500th is all you'll get....if that! I found my pocket wizard wouldn't sync with the LX100 at faster than 1/250th! -Manual focus feels really odd. It feels as if the "in focus" point as you turn the focus ring changes depending on how quickly you turn the ring. This is probably intended as a feature but is very counterintuitive.Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
This is one of the most amazing cameras I have ever used. It has tons of manual controls for the creative enthusiast, but if you just want the freedom to take everything auto, you can do so at the click of a button - then return back to the creative mode just as quickly. The large 4/3 sensor reminds me of the high quality sensors in the Olympus pen and the OMD line of cameras. Sparkling detail, sharp images, and brilliant colors are on demand. There are speedy switches for almost everything you like to do with a camera and without having to dive into complex menus. With the flick of a dedicated switch or dial, you can change the aspect ratio, exposure compensation, shutter speed, or f-stop. It's super intuitive. Push a button and you're back to auto in 2-3 seconds; push it again and you're back to full program mode and ready to do whatever you like to do with a top of the line photo instrument. And if you're into ultra high def 4k video, well, here's your toy! Read full review
Verified purchase: No
Awesome camera to take on a trip. Lots of manual settings. Very sharp Leica lens. It's a few years old, but the price is right for the features. Newer model are at least 3 times as much.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
The Camera is loaded with plenty of features, yet you can set it on AUTO and anyone can use it. Captures great images.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned