The most popular new Four Thirds sensor camera is actually a fixed lens one: The Panasonic 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.
And here is a recap about that camera:
1) Quick notes:
– LX100 doesn’t replace the LX7
– The effective sensor area on the LX100 is 1.5X larger than 1″ and 4.3X the size of 1/1.7″
– Has the same 100Mbit 4K codec found in the GH4.
2) The Story:
Panasonic will contually update you with the Story Behind LUMIX LX100 Development on this page: http://panasonic.net/avc/lumix/lx100_interview/
Great image samples can be seen here: http://panasonic.net/avc/lumix/gallery/lx100/Bernie_DeChant/index.html
3) Curiosity: New advanced lens construction
ePhotozine posted that interetsing info: “If the same lens construction structure from the LX7 was used with a large 4/3 sensor, then the lens would have ended up being 2.3x bigger, however, thanks to clever engineering the LX100 lens is only slightly larger than the LX7 lens.”
4) This is the LX100 compared to his “inspiration” the LC1 camera:
Click on image to enlarge. Image courtesy: ePhotozine
5) Leica D-Lux clone
Image samples have been posted at Leica Camera. And to see the camera itself click over at click over at Hphoto.
6) More new tests and image samples posted the last couple of days:
Image samples on Flickr. Hands-on by Dpreview. Preview by EosHD with a 4K sample video on Vimeo. Hands-on review by BMCR.
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Panasonic preorders:
LX100 at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto. Europe at WexUK.
GM5 at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto. Europe at WexUK.
GM5 in red at Adorama.
35-100mm at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto.
Olympus preorders:
Silver E-M1 body at Amazon, Adorama, Bhphoto, GetOlympus. In Europe at Wex UK.
40-150mm f/2.8 PRO lens at Amazon, Adorama, Bhphoto, GetOlympus. In Europe at Wex UK, Topshot and Fotomundus.
LH-76 lens hood at Adorama, Bhphoto, GetOlympus.
MC-14 1.4x teleconverter at Amazon, Adorama, Bhphoto, GetOlympus.
PRF-ZD62 Z protection filter at Adorama, Bhphoto, GetOlympus.
PRF-ZD72 Z protection filter at Adorama, Bhphoto, GetOlympus.
General links to all new Olympus stuff at Adorama.
ALL new stuff announced at Photokina at Amazon.
118 Responses
That Flickr set looks horrid.
Panasonic needs a photographer, the samples are awful
Agreed !
Thanks for the lx100 and LC1 size comparison, admin
See above, it’s an M4/3rds dSLR – Panasonic L1. LC1 would be more similar in size with a slightly more protruding lens.
It keeps me from going to Berlin for the next 50 years.
They are that aweful !
The Flickr set isn’t Berlin
I am talking about the Berlin-set, obviously.
I enjoyed these pictures – what´s wrong with them?
There is nothing wrong with them as with any picture. Some like them, some don’t. I don’t like them. For me, they are not keepers.
those pictures seemed alright to me. Some weren’t to my taste, but they weren’t bad
Stick with Disney World.
Why ? Because that’s your home-town ?
Wow, the Flickr set is abysmal.
these are still images taken from the 4K video mode
I thought 4K was fantastic… Seriously, it is only a cheap surrogate or merging lines, while they could only manage line skipping. It is also bad for stills, obviously.
I meant they are crap pictures. I am not even talking about image quality, just really bad composition.
Hi Admin, the size comparison pictures are between lx100 and L1, not LC1.
Is there full size photos yet anywhere? These small samples are worthless.
All these complaints on a flickr set…. hahahaha! That’s not going to stop this camera from selling like Hotcakes!
I forgot to add, that’s a Panasonic L1, thier first 43 DSLR camera. I still have mine… love it.
Relax. They only said the flickr photos are bad and not the LX100. I agreed with the general consensus here that the photos are poorly composed and the subjects are boring. Just take a look at the Leica camera (basically same camera different brand) photos and see the day and night difference in style and composition.
Does anyone know how much or if any the ISO performance is with only utilizing 12MP out of the 16MP that is on the sensor – I am thinking that there is no benefit as each pixel or diode is the same size as of the GX7 – is that logical? as one can understand that with fewer MP like with the Sony A7s with only 12MP on a FF sensor that each diode is large and therefore can crab more light – or can they combine diodes ? else I am thinking they are sacrificing pixel density for the Multi Aspect function – in which I think I might have preferred the pixel density – but if ISO performance is increased then I am for that
The light circle is smaller and brighter, that is why the lens is f 1.7. That is two stops advantage over the m5 zoom. Not bad! : )
What is the m5 zoom?
Theoretically there is no benefit per pixel as the sensel size is the same, and should actually be slightly worse on a per image level as the full sensor size is smaller than standard 4/3 size after the slight crop.
The LX100 will be {all things being equal} less than a 1/3rd of a stop poorer at high ISO than other cameras using this sensor at its full 16mp. Which to be blunt
is pretty insignificant if high ISO was that important to me, I would not be
shooting with mFT in the first place. Remember that this is not a new 12.8mp sensor but rather using a cropped part of an existing 16mp sensor .
Given the same print size, this camera is half a stop worse than 43. Not much better than a compact but serviceable for small prints, if you have good light.
Does anyone know if the LX100 has built-in wireless flash control like the GH4?
Not sure what you mean wireless Flash, see if this answer: http://youtu.be/rIoBWJlyNpw
So is the LX7 likely to still have a replacement soon?
I would not think so i think the Lx100 is it
The flickr set are all 4k still grabs. Reading is fundamental. 🙂
You are on a camera site , do not assume that reading that reading or understanding is fundemental lol
maybe the sometimes-lack-of-reading well is caused by the longing of wanting to reply very quickly.
So ‘image samples’ = ‘still grabs’ ?
the Flickr set is everything!
Only 12 MP could be a disadvantage for big prints, isn’t it?
No. With a good lens and a good image, 4mp is even enough for large images.
True, E-1 produces very good 19×13 prints, well above what you’d expect from a 5Mp camera.
imo it all depends on the distance of the viewer…normal people who step back to overview the whole image experience the eye’s effect to blur all details to a lower resolution, at such distance mp are less important. But surely there are people who examine large prints upclose.
Its good for small computer screen and prints. Bud really bad for big prints……but so are all M43 camera’s.
bullshit all the way, oh my god…. what a (sony) fanboysm do to a disturbed mind…
The small sensor is worse than the small pixel count for printing. In general, m43 is not suitable for small prints at all. You could see some good examples at Photokina.
Honestly, it will be totally fine. I have a poster-size print made from a Ricoh GRD IV photo (10 MP, 1/1.7″ sensor) and it looks great, even up close.
How big? I have printed largish (12X16), even with 8MP cameras.
Some people have printed satisfactory 10mp photos at 20×30. I would try more than about that. Hell, I’m not even interestd in larger prints than that. If I wanted huge prints, I’d rent medium format. = /
This is what M43 should be. A nice compact point and shoot camera with decent picture quality. Only negatieve is the high price for such small sensor.
I’ll not say what you should be with such a small brain. Smart guys like you buy the RX100iii, way cheaper for such a big one-inch sensor…
Can you elaborate on what is ‘one inch’ about the RX 100 III sensor? The actual dimensions are 13.2 x 8.8 mm … One inch = 25.4mm.
It is a nice camera but fairly different from the new LX 100. m43 works extremely well with prime lenses and it does seem that the fast zoom lens is an excellent choice.
For the tiny-brain-master-troll-genuine-Sony-fanboy above it doesn’t matter. Having the magical four letters starting by an S and endind with an Y on the camera body is more than enough.
Myself, I am not sure which brand I find more comical: Olympus, Sony, Panasonic, Samsung or Fuji? Their non-photographing fanboys are equally pointless.
I myself have big laughs at CaNikon’s path. More of the same at every iteration… but the suckers still buy them… At some point they will wake up: http://goo.gl/VhHVxw
Yeah, nerds laugh at jocks now… Now that’s funny.
The LX100 is much bigger and not pocketable. So its no competition for the RX100 and not even in its league.
A genuine Sony fanboy here?!? OMG…
No not a fanboy, i have Fuji, Sony and Oly. No thats not true…..the wife and kids having Olympus. But i am not love blind like some of the fanboy/girls over here.
where else do you troll Seizure? of course sony is untouchable for you, but hey, they have one-inch toys over there, 50% smaller than 4/3. It could be an interesting target for you too… ops, it’s sony… won’t work…
So now you call camera’s with smaller sensors toys? I bit strange for an M43 lover.
So you claim RX100 is at another league being a sensor-size-obsessed-sucker?? “I” bit strange….
These are funny geeks, not photographers. You losers and your tiny sensors, pay up and shut up!
You are for sure a photographer… HAHAHA.. HAHA… HAHAHAHAH… LOL
That was funny, come again?
The RX100 is much bigger and not pocketable. So its [sic] no competition for the Canon S100 or even in its league.
Ad infinitum.
True. The trolls keep trying to sell their junk, of course; and of course, this is the plain truth.
Good thing is it has been available already in the form of the GM1. 🙂
No, GM1 is bigger, dearer and has no manual controls. it’s a low end camera at a surreal price, bait for suckers.
Oh no I’ve been trolled.
🙂 Only if you are a bait sucker.
GM1 + comparable 12-35 is a lot more expensive and a lot larger
It’s got a frickin’ 24-75mm equiv. f/1.7-2.8 lens and shoots 4K. Buying a 24-70mm equiv. f/2.8 new for any system camera costs AT LEAST $899, and Canon isn’t really givin’ 4K for less than $10,000…
Moreover, I doubt you’ll be able to consistently distinguish between this camera and most DSLRs in terms of image quality, save for High ISO performance (which is largely mooted with such fast glass).
It doesn’t have an equivalent to F2.8 lens for larger formats ,it has an F/1.7- F/2.8 10.9-34mm lens for a slightly smaller than mFT sensor. A FF equivlent to this would be a 24-37.5mm F/3.4-F/5.6 { same AOV, same DOF and critically same total light gathered.
As for not seing the difference , the best APS and FF compared to the GX7 sensor which the LX100 is based around , lags behind in DR, colour depth, shadow noise, resolution, and of course high ISO
It’s even worse. As this camera uses only a crop of the FourThirds sensor (12,8 MP of 16 MP), this compares more to 24/4 to 70/6.3. And this at only 12.8 MP!
Blah. I don’t even care. ‘Just take the damn picture or don’t.’
I need to find a ‘photography’ website. Too many ‘camera enthusiasts’ on these sorts of sites.
“LX100 doesn’t replace the LX7″
Good news. Certainly there will be a LXn with a 1” sensor and tilt display. 🙂
They must hit back to the RX100MK3
I was on here saying I wouldn’t be buying this camera because it doesn’t look to be quiteeee pocket size VS the RX100… but now I think I’m going to. If I could have one in my hands before this trip in two weeks, I DEFINITELY would. Good job Panasonic. Looks cool. Will look forward to proper reviews and image/video samples (as well as the fabled weathersealed LX8 !) Will search for pants with bigger pockets in the meantime.
DPR will probably be the first with a review….
LOL. Still waiting for their first GH4- review !
Nice price, WexUK!
I want a camera the size of LX7 with 24-120mm equiv. 1 inch sensor. or 24 – 240mm 1/1.7 sensor (similar to Stylus 1). if they managed to squeze 24-75mm 4/3 sensor into LX100 with this new technology, then they could miniaturize and improve the LX7 too
Yes. Hopefully we do not need to wait 2y for that.
Well, they didn’t manage to squeeze a 24-75mm 4/3 sensor in. The image circle doesn’t cover the entire sensor, so calling this a 4/3 camera is silly.
It’s not THAT silly. It’s using a smaller area of a Four Thirds sensor, with the exact same pixel density, so it’s something like a Four Thirds camera permanently set on medium sized photos.
OK, but that’s like buying a Sony A7, putting APS-C mount lenses on it, and saying you are shooting full frame. Using the GX7 sensor in this camera seems more about marketing, and using available parts…which is fine, I’m still buying one.
The LX100 uses a far larger percentage of the sensor than an APS crop of a FF sensor . The impact will be less than a third of a stop at high ISO
About half a stop. Not very big but enough for many purposes. The price will have to come down, as usual.
Yeah, it is pricier than G1X, which is very good and likely better. Also Nikon is probably going to pounce soon.
Marketing? It’s FUNCTIONALLY about 1.5x the size of the most direct competition, and they didn’t have to design and manufacture a new sensors to do it. It’s like a GX7 set on M instead of L. Blah.
Obsess over technicallities as much as you’d like, and maybe you’ll get us some great photos when you’re done. = /
The Canon G1X mark 2 is cheaper and better – in fact, it is in a higher league. Check the prices and try the products in person before buying them.
Nope.
NOT AT ALL, G1X MK2 is Heavier, Bigger, and much less featured !
LX100 bests it easily
and see DPReview Cons below (only silver award)
-Considerable shadow noise in Raw
-Abrupt highlight clipping
-Program line’s tendency to use wide apertures can lead to unintentional background blur
-Inner lens ring can be frustratingly unresponsive
-AF system can struggle in low contrast / low light situations
-No manual focus or exposure adjustment when recording video
-Unimpressive burst rate while shooting Raw
-Lacks in-camera Raw conversion
-Low resolution video with strong moiré
-Smartphone app has limited functionality
-Poor battery life
And you missed out the most important feature, no built in EVF.
The fact that the LX100 has a large and high resolution EVF immediately puts it to the top of my list for this type of camera.
The only reason I won’t get this camera is if Olympus brings out a very similar one and that is only because I’m used to and like (yes, really ) Olympus menus and like to have a similar UI for all my cameras.
As it doesn’t look like that is going to happen then I expect this to be my next purchase, in the spring when prices will have settled a bit.
In my opinion this is the most exciting camera since the Olympus OM-D E-M5.
I see you genius have tested both cameras yourselves, and formed a detailed opinion thanks to your strong background.
/ end of pitying sarcasm
In fact, 90% of the “problems” found by DPR are either only relevant to noobs and geeks, or untrue.
Do you all work for Canon? I can’t imagine any other reason to get so hot and bothered about this…
The man said “try in person”, not “copy some rubbish from the net”. Can you read? Give us some more “advise” geekoz.
“Better” is subjective.
You haven’t tried the LX100 yet, but you’re just SURE the Canon is better? OK.
The Canon can’t even do 4K, so I wouldn’t even glance its direction.
Hos is the Canon G1X MK2 better? It is much bigger, 50% heavier, doesn’t have an EVF, slower AF speed (compared to estimated LX100 DFD AF). The Canon has poorer video encoding and no 4k. The Canon sensor uses older 2009 CMOS tech and has a lower ISO range, lower dynamic range, and lower resolution. The only thing the Canon ha s and advantage in is that it has a longer focal range for the lens (although at smaller max apertures than the LX100 for the range that it overlaps). The Canon has a short battery life (unknown at this point for the LX100). The Canon also has limited controls, which is one of the main complaints from users. This doesn’t even get into the quality control issues that Canon users are complaining about.
The Canon has *excellent* controls and simple, competent menus (I own one, so I know that), which is 90% of what a photographer needs. I don’t do video and 4k with line skipping is just a marketing feature anyway.
The only actual problem is the battery life, which affects the whole mirrorless world.
The other problem is, it does not work with the radio flash transmitter, but this won’t bother the average m43 buyer, and there are manual flashes anyway, with the light cell.
The weight is linked to the amount of glass and metal in most high quality cameras. It is no plastic toy, to be sure.
The sensor being bad is, as usual, a myth to sell junk with good paper specs.
Yeah, millions of photographers keep churning our great work with those “bad” Canon sensors. This is a very popular line with internet trolls.
The Canon sensors are not “bad”. They are just old and behind the competition. he same Canon photographers would be able to (and have been) produce even better work with better sensors. For example, photographers using the 5D MK3 have done a lot better and are able to push the margins a lot better than on older CMOS tech such as what’s used on the 5DMK2 and the G1X MK2.
Behind the competition? LOL stop looking at dxo mark. And, 5D2 and 5D3 are very close if you shoot raw. I would not waste cameras of that caliber with jpg anyway.
Like I stated before. The sensor isn’t bad, but it is definately old on the G1X MK2. Canon’s newer sensor tech on the 5DMK3, 70d, 7d MK2, etc… are all excellent. The G1X MK2’s is obviously lacking in almost every single review both subjectively and through actual testing. It’s just like how M43 sensors from the Olympus EP1 through EP3 were all lacking compared to modern sensors. It’s a fact that is actually measurable.
As for the weight, the Panasonic LX100 is has an all metal body that is lighter than plastic. There are plenty of alloys such as Mg and Ti that are stronger yet lighter than plastic. The Canon G1X MK2 has a mix of metal and plastic construction.
If you like the G1X Mk II, just go and buy it. Problem? Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t realise Panasonic put a knife to your neck.
More like they put something else into your wallet…
Idiots are like the bus: you wait and wait and then two come at the same time.
More like they put something into your brain…
Yeah, Canon and Nikon are usually in a better league. This little Panasonic seems interesting though, if a little pricey. Let’s see if it can come close to the G1X.
Dear Olympus!
Where is your answer to the LX100?
The Olympus 35 SP clone with with a m43 sensor / 1.8 to 2.8 / 24-80 zoom lens and a “tiltable” display?
There was once a rumor on this site?
They should have been inspired by LC1 tilting flash as well…
where is the G7?….. that is it…. spring 2015? so we wait on…and buy nothing….
http://www.digitaltrends.com/photography/panasonic-lx100-hands-on/
Check this out. First mention I have seen regarding the second lens ring serving dual purpose. It can be used as a zoom ring when not in manual focus mode 🙂
This looks really a funny camera to use. I admit I prefer the red dot to the Lumix white writing, but it’s not an issue at all. I think Panasonic is setting a little milestone with this camera, despite what some silly hater says.
But I don’t hate you sweetheart. Give us a kiss.
Admin: “This is the LX100 compared to his “inspiration” the LC1 camera”
Actually that’s the L1 … it’s a different camera with a FourThirds sensor and DSLR design from the LC1with a type 2/3 inch sensor and an EVF.
The LC1 was smaller than the L1.
There are some seriously ugly pics there. I thought Panasonic relies on the best photographers LOL.
Apparently, the tools match their masters LOL.
ohh I thought you all were being dramatic about the Flickr set, but yeah that is terrible. Reminds me when of when I first started lol.
Hi, any one has a side by side (size wise)comparison of LX100 and GM1 and GX7? 🙂