The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 10.1 MP Digital Camera (that comes with 3.8x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 3.0-Inch LCD and in a very sexy black, or more minimalistic white) is the perfect camera for casual photography enthusiasts like me who enjoy the thrill of composing high quality photos but don’t want the bulky baggage of a DSLR.

Click here to save almost 30% on Amazon for the Panasonic Lumix LX5

The Good

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 is known as a “bridge camera” as it bridges the gap between professional, high quality DSLRs and simple foolproof point-and-shoot cameras. Not only is it more affordable than your run-of-the-mill DSLR, but it also comes with all the customizable options regarding aperture, shutter speed, ISO etc.

What I liked most about the Panasonic Lumix LX5 was the vast array of creative options at my disposal. I am an avid participant in the recent “lomo” craze, which for those not in the know is a throwback to the days of film cameras where slide films could produce unpredictable and exciting results. However, film cameras are bulky and expensive to maintain. The Lumix LX5 solved all my headaches because it comes with many creative effects such as “black and white” and “saturated” which can be further customized in terms of contrast and saturation. For those seeking even greater freedom of self-expression, the Lumix LX5 offers a “My Color Mode” where customization is almost completely unencumbered.

Another thing I loved was the wide-angle lens. Leica is famous for manufacturing high-end cameras costing thousands of dollars and I was very fortunate to get a premium Leica lens with my distinctly more affordable LX5. Image quality is sharp, with no distortions, and the 24mm (35mm equivalent) lens allowed me to capture sweeping vistas and stunning sunsets with lifelike accuracy on my travels. The holiday shots I produced never failed to make my friends and family gasp in awe. This is bolstered by the improved zoom range of 24mm to 90mm. When I photographed a bald eagle in Alaska, I could make out its individual feathers in the photo even though the eagle was quite some distance away.

The LX5 also shoots great pictures in low-light conditions (check out some of these excellent Lumix LX5 sample shots). If you’ve ever been skiing, or participated in other winter sports, you’ll know how difficult it is to get a good shot of a snowy landscape when there isn’t much sunlight. The snow appears grey, coarse and dull. By raising the ISO to 1200, I was able to get consistently reproducible high-quality results even in gloomy weather, without compromising image quality. This makes the LX5 a truly all-weather camera, especially if you invest in a solid waterproof case.

The Bad (only a quibble)

The only quibble I have to mention in this Lumix LX5 review is a minor one. I believe I concur with many other Lumix LX5 reviews when I say that I don’t like the removable lens cap. If you see a hawk flying over or a sports car racing past, the time delay in fishing out the lens cap can cause you to miss the shot entirely. Also, it’s easy to lose. However, in light of all the awesome features at such a low price, I’m clearly nitpicking.

Value for Money

With the two-year warranty, the Panasonic Lumix LX5 will offer you great photography for years. Frankly, I haven’t used my DSLR in months – and it was three times the price! And with Amazon offering nearly 30% off right now, this could save you some Christmas money to spend elsewhere…

Customer Reviews

There are many very satisfied customers on sites like Amazon. Below are two happy customers – click here to read more great reviews. And don’t forget to check our top 10 reasons to buy the Lumix LX5, if you still need convincing…

Photo Guy – Wow, I am so impressed by this camera! I am a professional photographer and have been searching for a quality point & shoot for casual use when I don’t want to lug around my DSLR (Nikon D700 at the moment) but have never been happy with the compromises of a P&S.

Carl Deutsch - This camera met my expectations of high quality images, high ISO capability, and having control over all aspects (but I found automatic mode produces outstanding images also, so it’s a win-win on this camera). This camera is the first compact I ever owned that produces superb images which I don’t find myself complaining about.

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Filed under: Lumix LX5 • Lumix LX5 review

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