The Panasonic LX100 is certainly one of the (few) stars of this years Photokina. And on the video on top Matt Frazer from Panasonic explains what’s special on the LX100. Matt says uses the LX100 uses the best Leica lens Panasonic ever made in this class. Lensvid posted that video showing how Panasonic Manufactures the Lenses at the Yamagata Plant.
Also Matt Granger posted a LX100 hands-on review on Youtube (Click here).
Panasonic photokina GM5, LX100, CM1 with Mark Baber from Panasonic UK by Personal View on Youtube.
The LX100 is really a great new product from Panasonic and opens one question….how will Olympus answer to this? 🙂
LX100 Preorders, specs and other info can be found at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto. In Europe at Panasonic Germany, WexUK, Panasonic Austria, Panasonic France, Panasonic Italy, Panasonic Spain, Panasonic Netherlands, Panasonic Belgium.
111 Responses
…how will Olympus answer to this?
Denial, denial,… Oly will build big humongous lenses see… and wack panny down with it. Amen.
Why are you concerned about Olympus? How’s the industry going to respond to this? This camera has the potential to impact not just other compacts but lenses from entire systems. At this price point and apertures do I need a 24-70 equiv lens on m43 or aps-c formats? And for those with dual systems like myself can I just have my uber full frame system and keep just this as my lightweight do it all where I never have to switch lenses? While this camera is already great for Panasonic (sales on Amazon show it’s selling well already) it’s to me a milestone camera. Hopefully the industry responds with more innovations like smaller system camera lenses following Panasonic’s logic with this (unless patented with no loopholes) and even better compacts for the future. How about applying how they shrunk this lens to a 1 inch sensored camera phone with optical zoom? CM2?
Yes, this is probably the first compact camera where people won’t feel like they’re “cheating” on their main system and compromising too much quality. Actually, because of its controls it might be even more fun to shoot with. No need to ever exchange lenses, nothing. I just want to see tilting screen and touch-to-focus feature in the next version. Still, this camera sets a new benchmark.
“No need to ever exchange lenses, nothing.” Unless you want to go longer than 75mm equiv, at which point you’re screwed. I can walk around with my 12-40 and have exactly the same need to never change lenses, assuming I’m happy with that range.
And size
And Price.
…And smaller aperture.
…and have no need for 4k unless you are shooting with the gh4.
🙂 I love the LX100. You’re preachin’ to the choir
What intrigues me is this:
Will the LX100 end up being Panasonic’s “Leica CL”?
In case that’s obscure, the Leica CL was the model that almost killed off the Leica M rangefinders. It was a small and light camera that could take M lenses and was very good — good enough that people soon opted to buy more CL cameras than the contemporary full sized M, the M5. The lower margin on the CL nearly killed Leica, so they stopped it and focused on SLRs instead. Which turned out to be another silly move as Leica was eventually left behind especially after AF came out. Luckily, there was a man named Walter Kluck and etc etc.
Moral of the story: don’t make cheap products with low profit margins that may just end up cannibalising sales of your own higher end product range.
Or cannibalize yourself because if you don’t, someone else will. Evolve or die.
Well, Apple can get away with doing such a strategy because they charge a premium for their products. We’ll have to wait and see if and how the LX100 impacts sales of the sub $600 m43 bodies.
Would love to see a m43 mount version of this camera.
Then buy the GM5.
My GM5 is already on pre-order, but missing 4K and better EVF.
And these awesome controls
Sounds like these manual dials are their new standard. I’ll also wait for the m43 mount version.
What does olympus have to do?… 4k and better video modes in firmware or on their EM5II. Keep weathersealing, something Panasonic is behind on except for the large flagship.
Nice camera with puny sensor. Hulk smash Puny sensor.
The only one not well-endowed is you,.
That explains why Hulk’s pants usually stayed on 🙂
Hulk is green with envy, yes? Puny humans don’t blame Hulk.
I don’t think Oly needs to “answer” the LX100. That camera’s squarely aimed at a line that other makers (such as Fuji) are far more invested in, really.
Enthusiasts?
Congratulations. Are we ever going to get an m4/3 mount version of this “best Leica lens Panasonic ever made”?
(faint grrrr…)
“…in this class.”
Yes, I heard it. But I am sure he did not mean that “this class” is a class below the “standard kit zoom” class; in fact he insisted that you can keep size down and quality up through the liberal use of special glass; and he also insisted that size-wise the LX100 does not fall short from 4/3 (“merely adapted to keep the multi-aspect feature”); methinks that this kind of PR-speak kind of raises expectations (and demands).
Doubtful since its image circle doesn’t cover an entire 4/3 sensor. It is a 10.9-34mm lens that uses a 1.1x crop of the 4/3 sensor, making a 2.2x crop compared to 135 format (same crop as the GH4’s 4K mode).
A screen that doesn’t tilt and isn’t touch sensitive… I find that surprising.
They could go one step further (a la Leica), and fit it without a screen, instead fitting it with a superior EVF such as the Olympus (Epson) VF4. Give it tilty function like the GX7 and that would be very appealing. Also release it with a 35mm eq f/1. Please don’t wake me from this wonderful dream!
tilt and touch are unnecessary LX100 is a manual device and is for prosumer not for a clicking screen people
Oh come on, 99% of the time I’m looking through the EVF, but sometimes I like to shoot something with a perspective low to the ground without laying facedown in the mud So I squat down, tilt it up and touch the focus point. It has its uses even for a “prosumer”.
Another insure person who wants to feel superior due to his camera.
This is 2014, seperate shutterspeed dial, compensation dial and diafragm dials are so before 60’s/70’s. The seperate dials in different places slow the handling down. It might have a nice retro feeling or workflow but we live in an age where it isn’t necessary to have the seperate dials, they are electronic dials anyway.
Those dials and an OVF would make sence if the camera could be powered by means of solar cells. Have everything mechanical except for the exposure that would really be going back to the 60’s but it would be functional AND usefull. You’ld still be able to take pictures even if the regular battery died!
I have to disagree here. My 1980s Olympus OM cameras (not before 60s/70s ) allow you to change the shutter speed and aperture with the hand that is supporting the lens (assuming you’re holding the camera correctly). This allows the right hand to deal with any other tasks like pressing the shutter, using the spot metering buttons etc.
One of the problems with the modern cameras is that the right hand has to do all the settings as well as having to hold most of the weight of the camera through the grip, and fire the shutter.
Sharing this between both hands is far easier and after a short acclimatisation, more intuitive.
It is why rings around the lens mount are becoming more popular (left hand adjustment).
And no, I’m not left handed.
I do agree that the shutter speed dial on the top of the camera is clumsy which is why I preferred Olympus’ implementation of it through a ring around the lens mount.
No doubt they are saving that for the LX200, since they will still only have the 16mp (oops, 12.8mp) sensor then, and will need to demonstrate “innovation.”
This Lx100 is the best innovation products with CM1 smartphone at potokina.
Panasinic show at other brands how work to realize consumer request at honest price.
Look sony look 🙂
LX100 intend a breakthough in it’s series , huge improvements over LX7 .
Deserve my praise on it .
Another brilliant move by Pana .
As for Olympus to answer it , no necessary at all or It may take some time .
Yesza! Oh yesh, the white and brown one looks very tasty.
Would love to see an APSC/FF version of this camera.
Skip that. I just watch the video. Damn that lens is not that pretty when it comes out and the camera looks kind of cheap. On top of it all its really really big for such a small sensor. I think Matt does a good job explaining……its a nice point and shoot.
yeah..like you…you weren’t very pretty when you popped out from between your mother’s legs…but for some reason we all have to put up with your ugly a$$.
Shoo fly.
Bit of hypocrisy there Sid your post further up and I quote:
“Yeah…and how about that incredibly “high tech”lens cap that look
like it came from the set of the original Godzilla movie circa 1954. Not
the kind of retro that I was looking for …but it kind of goes with
the thick, clunky styling of the LX100.”
Since when does the “prettyiness” of a lens “when it comes out” have any bearing on image quality?
NooooooOoooOooboodddyy caaaaaaaaaaaaaaaareeessss…
What were you expecting? It’s Panasonic, not Canon or Nikon. Their next consumer product will be a hoover.
No one has mentioned the Canon G7X – apart from missing EVF (which I accept is a must for some), on paper it knocks some spots off the LX100 – ie: smaller, longer reach, higher MP (yes this can be a big plus). No 4K though.
Test results will tell us whose made the best camera – for actually taking pictures..
I really don’t see the point in 20mp for a 1 inch sensor. For most people, a larger sensor is preferable because it means larger pixels / smaller pixel density, which in turn means much better low light performance and much better control over depth of field. Also, the number of MP you need depends on what the final output will be. For most print output and onscreen display, 12mp is more than enough, even if you crop some.
Let’s face it–if you want output to poster size prints or ultraprints, you probably shouldn’t be using micro four thirds anyhow…
For me High MP is useful for cropping – I’ve taken some pin sharp pictures on the RX100 which have cropped down to 1:1 & still look sharp. It’s low light capabilities are pretty good too (for a compact). Having said all that – it looks like I’m about to give it all up for the GM1 – mainly for the lens choice…
OMG can’t people frame anymore.
Why would 1 buy a camera for the purpose of cropping the image. Learn photography I’d say, take a course for petes sake.
Err – so birds, squirrels etc let you get close enough with a 100mm lens without needing to crop ? – do you take pictures of stuffed animals ? – I prefer the wildlife I take pictures of to be alive. Also there are plenty of ‘Pros’ who crop as part of their PP – but of course you’re better than them right.
He’s using an RX100. Pretty difficult to frame distant objects when you can’t change the lens.
And you don’t always have the right tool for the job at hand.
Now I’m going away to crop my picture of a Eurasian brown bear taken with the Oly 12-40mm as it was all I had with me at the time 🙂
Depends on how large the poster is. One of my regular dealers have an A1-sized poster they printed from a file taken by their salesman / resident photographer on the EM5. Even up close the image holds up well.
Man, I’ve made a few wall sized prints with my E-1, 9-10 years ago, it’s a 5MP! camera, which look stunning.
They are in some factories and offices here in the Netherlands and Germany
How will Olympus answer this?
More art filters, of course! 😛
And a limited edition orange em1
I hope they don’t answer it. I have a MFT kit with lots of lenses…Why would I need or want this camera? It’s bigger than my E-PL6 with a pancake on it.?
I could definitely see getting a GM5…but not an LF100.
I see it is hugely popular…but I just don’t get it. Oh well.
Yeah, but your epl6 with a pancake has a single focal length and no EVF. (Not to mention no 4k video, no direct access to aperture, shutter speed and exposure compensation at the same time, no multiaspect sensor, etc, etc.)
Those are some huge advantages. I don’t get how you can’t “get it”. 🙂
I shoot higher Rez files with my E-PL6. I can put any lens on the camera that I want. I can attach the incredible VF4 to the camera…which blows away the VF on the LX100….plus the LX100 is kind of clunky looking…and…it’s a Panasonic…of course I don’t “get it”! 🙂
And it’s a Panasonic…
Exactly, you’re a Olympus fan boy.
It must suck to be a pen owner right now… no attention…
SAD.
Don’t you get it? It needs to be explained by a guy named Matt.
Actually it doesn’t. There is no MFT camera here at Photokina that has a better sensor than my E-PL6 or my E-P5. So I have no reason to upgrade! 🙂
and it’s a panasonic? What does that mean? The VF4 shouldn’t actually be much better than the VF in the LX100. And yeah, you can put any lens on it, but not a small, fast, high quality zoom, which happens to be the lens many of us want in a walk about camera. When I want a high res, high quality file, I stick a zeiss lens on my Fuji, which outperforms anything on your E-PL6.
But David…when you stick you Zeiss lens on your Fuji it’s gigunda and has no autofocus…plus the output is X-Trans. 🙁
I know, it’s ALMOST as bad as Panasonic!
The vf4 is much better than the gx7 EVF and supposedly the lx100 EVF is only equivalent to gh2
The VF4 is amaaaaazing. The best EVF on the market, bar none (well, ok, tied with the X-T1’s, which uses the same Epson piece).
Well, obviously; but if you often shoot the 12-35 range and always use an EVF, the LX100 makes a lot of sense.
And sure, you don’t have access to the VF-4… but that’s kind of a wash considering how large it is.
I mean, it’s not rocket science. 🙂
a quality zoom the size of your pancake is why
They don’t seem to multitask. Don’t distract them from delivering those lenses! 😉
I hope they do actually come up with an answer, something like a fixed lens fast prime (18 or 19mm 1.4) weather resistant compact.
O/T: Canon going M43?
http://www.canonwatch.com/canon-researching-possibility-new-mount-system-smaller-sensors/
I would love it if Canon felt like m43’s was the small ILC format they wanted to go with for the next EOS-M. Honestly, if that actually comes to fruition, it will likely be as big of a deal as organic sensors hitting the m43’s market. Probably bigger. If they do, I hope their first step would be to bring out that really solid 22mm f2 pancake they sell for the EOS-M and just stomp all over the prices from Oly and Panasonic lens options.
The 22mm is well liked, and can be had for a song now. But was it priced aggressively at launch or only now that Canon has mostly abandoned EOSM?
I still like my EOS M for video. It’s the only Canon I can mount Leica M lenses on. The touchscreen works very well. And Super 35 format is useful for some stuff, whereas m43 is Super 16. I’d use it for photography more often, too, if the body were easier to grip — the files are very clean up to about 1600 ISO, and the APS-C uses more of the Leica character than 2x crop.
Saying this as a micro 4/3 owner: Why on earth would Canon give validity to a format that has never been profitable, shows no signs of profitability? Why would it seek to thereby prolong the viability of its competitors? Canon, the market leader and profitable at that, would be insane to do so.
I don’t think they would do it but their words, not mine. If they’re looking to miniaturize, M43 is a sensible choice for consumers. It would be entering a field with two strong competitors. But maybe they think they can win. Or just develop great lenses. Seems like a long shot. I could more easily see them doing a Nikon 1 style gaff, but maybe the EOSM was a lesson to them.
if you are looking to miniaturize, then sensor development is the logical choice.
ehm its clear that among the smaller sensors in the mmirrorless concept, M43 is the best especially with the native lineup of available lenses…so as a total solution that is. if Canon admits such in some way….i think they are rather more openminded being the big name they are, then calling them insane. if the story is coming true, just lets wait.
Insane joining m4/3 ?
m4/3 don’t need Canon at all .
What can Canon contribute to m4/3 ? That lousy sensor even in FF only hit 11.7 EV in DR or the stupid overpriced L optic lenses which have no match with Zuiko & PanaLeica .
Get out of 4/3 , m4/3 welcome Sony & Fuji but not Canon .
Lousy sensor? Who told you? I am pretty happy with mine.
Imbeciles like you are a byproduct of the internet…
That would really be something. It would kill APS-C for sure.
M43 has a terrible quality / price ratio. There is surely money to be made there by undercutting the current offers, which are overpriced. Having said that, I doubt Canon would jump in.
Why Panasonic does not show some high quality sample images? It’s an odd way to release a new high profile camera. Leica has a few, not full-sized. The polish site has some, really badly focused ones, a terrible way to showcase the much anticipated lens. This camera is ground-breaking in several directions, deserves a release with a proper introduction.
the problem is they not invite skilled photographers like Olympus did in the past. Some might argue that such photogapher might make every body or lens shine but its not about competition.in such case imo
Getting good photographers to help promote is a smart idea. Fuji does this better than anyone with Zack Arias and David Hobby. Panny made some beautiful little videos using Magnum photographers previously. They should do the same for the LX100. Slightly O/T: the recent Saul Leiter documentary shows him using a Panasonic, I think. Great movie.
I agree, especially re: Fuji. Whatever they’re paying Arias probably isn’t enough for the amount he does for selling their cameras.
Zack Arias is a great spokesman. It works because it is REAL, I think. I bet he gets hired by them occasionally, but may not have a long term contract or anything. You get the feeling he just loves the cameras and they hook him up and pick his brain.
Which is what Olympus and Panasonic should do more often.
Although judging from the GH3, GH4, GM5 and LX100, ID say Panny is listening.
Oly still seems deaf to requests for ultra wide primes and rangefinder style premium cameras with integrated EVFs (like Panny just released).
True, but I’ve gotten the sense, over time, that he has become more and more willing to cheerlead. Now it seems like he likes almost every Fuji product.
Unlike Robin Wong who was making ass-kissing infomercials about Olympus gear even before he started working officially for them[ he just got bribed with free equipment back then] The E-5’s got souls being one of his stand out remarks lol
Considering that we have been getting near identical output in pretty much every mFT camera since the E-M5 way back in 2012 other than gimmicks sorry “features” nothing changes and for the Oly fanboys as per usual attacking Panasonic the sensor being cropped to 12.8 will result in a whopping 1/4 to1/3 of a stop wow thats teh end of the world
Whatever crap these guys are trying to flog, the light is wrong…
So is the sound!
i knew, leica badge but leica has really nothing to do with it. (disappointed but will buy it anyway)
well, they have something to do with lens design, but honestly, who cares? Panasonic has put out some really great optics. So has Olympus, Fuji, and even Sony. Some of these optics are better than Leica optics at 5-10x the price.
What does the Shutter sound like though?
There is a leaf shutter, so I imagine it may hardly even be audible.
There must have been some fun times in product management.
“The engineers want to use the full area available in the sensor to maximize image quality.”
“Yes, but all our focus groups indicate that smaller size is the most important thing, and that means a smaller lens. We can just grab whatever sensor we have in the parts bin, as long as we go no further than what our studies show us in lens size.”
Score 1 for the marketing department, 0 for engineering.
I’d side with what users are asking for every time. So would engineers who like success. 🙂
Absolutely rubbish. Just…. rubbish.
As opposed to Olympus who think a silver edition of a camera { with much teh same image quality we have been stuck with since the E-M5 { 2.5yrs ago] is big news. The difference in image quality using 12-8mp of a 16mp sensor as opposed to using it all will be less than a 1/3rd of a stop. Lets face it if image quality was so high on your list that 1/3rd of a stop was a problem mFT would not be worth considering anyway , compared to the best APS and FF models it has poorer DR, poorer colour depth, poorer high ISO , poorer DOF control and so on.
The major strength of mFT is its size to performance ratio. if even with software corrections, this can come anywhere close to the 12-35mm F2.8 performance, it will be a real winner.even compared to the smallest mFT with built-in EVF {GX7/EM5 } and a lens of similar spec its is very compact .It is smaller and lighter than the GX7 with even the 20mm F1.7 pancake. It has 4K video,built-in Wi-Fi and NFC,11fps burts etc. This is a compact camera with specs we could only dream of just a few year ago, it will be top of my list if results match teh specs
No need to explain. Just shut up and take my money already.
Ditto!
When can i pick mine up?
A gold E-M1.The answer from Olympus.
Masters of milking the SE packages like used car salesman. It trickles down from the top….
“how will Olympus answer to this? :)”
With LARGER cameras with HUGE lenses!
Seems like Panasonic “gets” the purpose of Micro Four Thirds.
Olympus will just respond with another Pen, that nobody will buy.
Also, Sony is out about 2 Billion in losses. Will the stake in Olympus be up for sale? Would anybody even want it?
FYI LX100 isn’t an ILC.
Oranges, apples, etc…
Yeah…and how about that incredibly “high tech”lens cap that look like it came from the set of the original Godzilla movie circa 1954. Not the kind of retro that I was looking for …but it kind of goes with the thick, clunky styling of the LX100.
well it’s not compact at all. 12.8 MPix Resolution – almost like my GF1, no built-in ND Filter, who needs a hotshoe? Thanks Panasonic but I hope Sony will once again deliver something better.
Why did they put all those controls on the LX100 and not on the GM5? Only idiots will buy a 900 USD camera without controls.
And only idiots buy compact cameras without tiltable touch screens. We can safely say that Panasonic failed once again.
only idiots comment on what other idiots choose to buy as photographic tools.
I still can’t believe they put all the effort into designing the LX100 and omitted a touchscreen! It’s so much quicker and easier to navigate menus by tapping on the screen than by clicking tiny buttons.
Yep, no tilt/touch screen and average EVF. Letdowns for me.
I agree. One of the best things about Lumix cameras is the touchscreen and interface. The lack of this and an articulated screen will make me sit on this.
My RX100 M3 has an EVF I think I’ve used 3 times in total, but the articulated screen lets me get creative angles easily when composing shots.