Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 Review

July 5, 2009

What’s the best thing about a compact digital camera? Obviously, the small size which enables you to carry it anywhere weather it is a vacation on a hill station or your camping trip with friends. But what’s the best thing about a Panasonic compact digital camera? Well! For Panasonic, customer convenience is as important as the quality of the product. Once again, proving its excellence, Panasonic has come up with the exciting new compact digicam, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3.

Following the footsteps of its predecessor Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2, and upgrading its features, LX3 offers the ultra sensitive CCD sensor i.e., 1/1.63 inch bearing a lower pixel count of 10.1 mega pixel. Reason for this “downsizing” is the fact that maximizing the pixel count results in higher picture noise; a problem frequently faced by compact digicam users. Moreover, LX3 consists of modified peripheral circuits that further support noise reduction.

The second upgraded feature in LX3, is the F 2.0 LEICA DC VARIO- SUMMI-CRON ultra wide angle lens (24mm-60mm focal length) that produces sharp and clear images with three sets of Aspect ratios available; 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9. The additional option of Multi-Aspect allows the photographer to take a shot with all three aspect ratios and then choose the one that is the best. Though LX2 had F 2.8 lens, Lx3 has the lens which is twice as bright as the older one. And it also gives better image quality with faster shutter speeds up to 60 seconds even in low lighting situations.

Another magnificent feature in LX3 is the 3.0 inch LCD screen that makes both viewing and shooting easier and better than before. The advanced LCD panel and the intelligent LCD mode provides brighter and wider angle of viewing plus, it adjusts the LCD backlight according to the surrounding conditions, making it feasible for the user to view the images.

The 2.5X optical zoom lens, 720p HD movies and ISO 3200 sensitivity are the usual options that any compact camera would have but what makes Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 stand out is the command it gives the user over the various technical features of the camera. The manual mode gives you full freedom to shoot with different settings while exploring the features of camera whereas the Auto Focus function will mark a number of focus points in the image and after the image capturing the same button will allow you to view the focused area in the imaged more closely so as to check its precision. The customized setting function enables the user to assign a set of features to an independent button provided at the back of the camera.

For a quick retrieval of any of the settings that you have selected, the Mode dial comes to help. By the way, you can store up to 4 sets of functions in the memory. So, now you don’t have to go through all the settings in order to select the one you want.
Just a click and shoot! An efficient Venus Engine IV (in contrast to Venus Engine III in LX2) present in LX3, offers the faster continuous shooting feature of 2.5fps for 8 frames, and 2fps for 5 frames. The improved battery life and a boost up 50 MB internal memory just adds to the overall package. With a flash hot-shoe to provide for illumination and a USB 2.0 Hi Speed interface, Lumix DMC-LX3 has only the best to offer.

The advancements don’t end up here, Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 has the optional wide conversion lens, and ND filter and a PL Filter which makes photo shooting more creative and something to be amazed of! The optical viewfinder and the mega O.I.S (optical image stabilizer) makes imaging simple, easy and fun.

Bringing the colors to life, the LX3 model offers you the freedom to capture the beauty around you at a mere price of just UK £330. Available in cool silver and black colors, Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 is a piece of art; classy and technically chic. You must own one!