[Closed] Panasonic LX3 - anyone got one?

From the images i've seen, I'd be very tempted,looks like the best compact you can get. I'd much rather have that in my pocket for holiday snaps and just being out and about than lugging my d40 about.

The other camera I'd look at is the canon s90.

[url= http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/panasonic-gf1-thoughts/page/2 ]Get a GF1 instead[/url] 😀

How much!! 😯

If you need something very compact that retains most features of a DSLR with a high quality lens and great images then LX3 is your best bet by far.

It will be slower to focus and respond than a DSLR and it will produce more noise at higher ISOs and obviously you wont be able to change lenses. Also it does not have much zoom or I should say it is more wide than it is tele. If you can live with those limitations, it is the best compact money can buy at the moment.

Two more things: You will find yourself carrying the LX3 a lot more around you thus taking a lot more pictures than even the smallest DSLR.

The GF1 is very tempting BUT to bring it anywhere near the ballpark sizewise to the LX3 you need to stick with the 20mm fixed lense and even then it is quite bulky and twice the price. The moment you attempt to get the reach you would have on the LX3 wit hthe 14-45 lense then you just lost any advantage on the size because no matter how much smaller it might look than a D5000 for example the fact remains there are a good few inches of protruding lense on the front. Haven't taken my D40 on any cycling can't see taking a GF1 with a 14-45 either.

I've got an LX3. Image quality is so much better then most other compacts I've seen but it still isn't up my "ancient" Nikon D70 for noise control or focus speed/shutter lag

Occasionally, the lack of telephoto range is frustrating but the nice, wide, fast lens makes up for that 99% of the time (for me)

If you are in no rush then hold on a bit, there are all sorts of rumours of interesting compacts due later this year 🙂 Including (possibly) an LX4 - the big photography trade show (PMA) is in late February.

Even if you aren't interested in the new versions, it may lead to prices coming down on the older models.

I've got one too, a little bit of shutter lag compared to my old SLR and the lack of telephoto length can be a bit constraining, but other than that a great camera capable of some beautiful pics. It gets taken out with me far more than my SLR because of it's compact size, something I think you would find more difficult with the GF1 option.

Yep.
I love it. It comes everywhere with me.
[url= http://www.charliewaite.com/home.asp ]Charlie Waite loves his too. His lecture 2 weeks ago was on his LX3 images.[/url]

brilliant!

I have the Leica D-Luxe 4 which is essentially the same camera with different firmware, some say its beter, I think probably not but love the retro look. Never failed to take a fantastic shot. Miles better than any digi compact and gives my old Nikon D100 a run for its money 9 times out of 10.

I've had my LX3 for a month or 2 now and I'd echo what people have said.

It's an absolutley brilliant camera, but yes there are limitations. As a photographer, with any gear you have get used to understanding the limitations and your photography will improve dramatically.

If you need long telephoto, low noise at high iso then perhaps this isn't the best choice.... but then you'd have to ask the question, what else can do this? There are cameras/lense options out there that manage all of these but I suspect you might be spending a lot and end up with a 4kg camera/lens around your neck!

I use it as my "keep on my person at all times" camera and love it. I really like the way it handles and even in the short time I have had it it's the perfect.

Let's not forget the advantages of this camera? Incredible macro (have a play with this), good panoramic mode, HUGE depth of field, extremely fast flash sync.

Yes it has its limitations but there are somethings that this camera does that no present SLR can do.

Have a play. It might be for you but it might not.It's the first compact camera that I'm keeping!