[shoplink 46868 ebay]
[/shoplink]LX100 design is very close to the glorious [shoplink 46868 ebay]Panasonic LC1 (here on eBay)[/shoplink]
While the comments about the soon to be announced GM5 are not that enthusiastic our sources share plenty of excitement about the new LX100! It’s going to become the best compact and fixed lens camera on market. And easily beats the RX100M3 because of the larger 16Mp Four Thirds multiaspect sensor, the superior lens (24-75mm f/1.7-2.8) and the superior video quality (4K). But all that isn’t going to be cheap. The camera will cost 845 Euro according to one of our sources. That’s 50 Euro more than the current [shoplink 48172 ebay]RX100M3 price (here one Bay)[/shoplink]. The LX100 is also a tiny bit larger than the RX100 but still fits in your pocket. I think this could be the perfect 24 hours camera. You can carry it easily with you and has amazing useful specs. What more camera do you need?
LX100 specs:
– Sensor: 16MP Multi aspect Four Thirds(!). Real resolution is a bit lower.
– 24-75mm f/1.7-2.8 lens
– Built-in EVF: 2,76 milion dots, 1.39x / 0.7x magnification
– ISO 200-25600. Can be extended down to 100!
– 4K recording (with time limitation to avoid heating issue)
– exact camera size: 4.52″ x 2.6″ x 2.4″
– hot shoe
[poll id=”248″]
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Rumors classification explained (FT= FourThirds):
FT1=1-20% chance the rumor is correct
FT2=21-40% chance the rumor is correct
FT3=41-60% chance the rumor is correct
FT4=61-80% chance the rumor is correct
FT5=81-99% chance the rumor is correct
222 Responses
we need to sleep still 3 times
It’s not that dear. A 12-37 f/1.7-2.8 lens for M4/3 would surely cost substantially more and would not shoot on its own. It’s a bargain really.
Exact. And the size is strange when you think to the Panasonic 12-35 f/2.8… Even if the LX100 zoon is collapsible…
I think it will not be a real four third sensor size (13mm x 17.3mm with 4/3 ratio selected), or the lens spec are false.
Only 3 days to wait 🙂
Its lens spec and size are exactly what are to be expected of a fixed lens camera with a 4/3 sensor size. it will be bigger than the RX100, yet slightly smaller than the Canon G1X ii.
Not for a 12-37,5mm F/1.7-F/2.8 zoom on a Four Third sensor size !
Even with a colapsible design, the “fixed” zoom on the camera doesn’t change the optic rules…
I hope you’re right, but it is not “expected”. Just my 2 cents…
4.52″ x 2.6″ x 2.4″ – still pocketable? Has it foldable lens and 2.4″ – full size?
Jacket pocketable maybe, but no way is it trouser pocketable. The limit for comfortable carry in trouser pocket is somewhere near 1.5″ and even then all sides need to be relatively flat. I find it pretty hard to believe it could be that small even if the lens retracts, but we will find out soon enough.
If they don’t do any major mistkaes, this will sell good, and I think it’s a very fair price if the known specs are true.
We need better detachable grip, dual dials with 2×2 switch and a IBIS. That would make it awesome. For that price.
There is no practical difference between lens and sensor stabilization systems in a fixed-lens camera. OIS will be just fine. Dual dials are not necessary if the lens is equipped with an aperture ring. “We” is wrong in this case. Speak for yourself.
Dual dials is plenty for me, but I prefer one on the lens and one on the body- easier to differentiate. The Nikon p340 has very nice controls in my eyes for a small camera- something like that would be good.
OIS isn’t as good and can’t fix the roll that is problematic in street photography and one hand holding.
So speak about yourself if you can’t use manual cameras.
If the price and specs are correct, then we have a real winner here!
+1
It will probably sell like hotcakes (a la GH4 that only now you can order it without waiting). I hopw they will have enough stock for it :).
It is possible that m4/3 can beat APS-C. Thus, it doesn’t mean that bigger sensor of LX100 can beat RX100mkIII. We will have to see the trusted reviews.
No need to wait. Current m4/3 already outperforms the RX100 series sensors.
I agree, the rx100 series to my eye was on par with the old 12mp 4/3 sensors, maybe. Sensor performance hasn’t changed that much from the mk1 to the mk3. The gap between rx100 and m4/3 sensor size is larger than the gap between m4/3 and aps-c.
A fixed lens camera which only zooms to 37mm? So for portraits it’s rocking just a 75mm f5.6 equivalent lens, and you think what more camera could you need…? Hmmmm. I’ll pass. Also its lens looks cool, but seems to stick out a lot more than the RX100’s does. So I don’t think this looks nearly as pocketable. Still, good on Panasonic for innovating and trying something different, that’s always a good thing.
It could be worse.
With RX1, while you got 135 sensor, you’re also stuck with lens that zoom from 35 to 35.
Puritans would consider it a blessing though
This camera is CLEARLY not intended as a specialized portrait camera. If you want to shoot portaits plonk the Oly75 1.8 Nocticron f1.2 on your m43 camera. This is clearly meant to be a general purpose wide(ish) to slightly longer than normal(!) Besdies, get you distances between yourself and your subject and between the subject and the background and you will still be able to get just enough background blur to isolate your subject.
It’s an OK camera. Probably just the poster’s hyperbole that jarred with me. It would be useful if you like shooting wideish/normal most of the time, and if it is pocketable (still not sure on that). Personally my 14-45mm lens is my least used one on m43, I prefer the extremes, of zoom or of aperture, when making images. I see this camera as perhaps more of an X100 ‘killer’ than an RX100.
37.5mm (75mm) is perfectly acceptable for a portrait length lens. Sure, it’s not as long as the current 42.5mm or 75mm, but close enough and will allow for plenty of background separation, especially if you select wider apertures… which the lens reportedly has.
I use an adapted 35mm f1.4 lens with my GX7 and it’s a great length for portraits.
I was just sort of hoping for the original 24-90 spec so it could match my Oly 45 @ f2.8. I feel like I get pretty good portrait results at those settings (under the right circumstances) and losing the long end feels like a step back. I know its all in my head 😛
If your background is 10 miles away you get plenty background separation when shooting a portait with a 37.5 mm lens at f 2/8.
This lens should be screwed on a regular m4/3s mount, so we can all enjoy it! 🙂
I would have bought this if the price was around 500€. I’d go for a Ricoh GR since it’s more pocketable and I don’t need a zoom on a walkaround camera.
If you don’t need a zoom, buy the GR (or Nikon A at their reduced prices) yesterday. Nice build and controls, great IQ in your pocket.
Yeah, if you don’t want to take pictures wider than 28mm or longer than 28mm, use an EVF, shoot with IBIS, film in 4K or high quality 1080p video, or use an electronic shutter. Ricoh GR all the way.
Looks interesting, but I strongly doubt that a 12-37.5 f/1.7-2.8 fixed lens will make it pocketable: this zoom lens has similar specs to the Olympus 12-40 f/2.8, which is far from pocketable. If it is pocketable, then the quality must suffer — I assume.
Wrt. portrait photos: when I use the Olympus 45/1.8, I actually have to step it down to ca. 2.8 to avoid a blurry nose tip when I focus on the eyes. So, yes, this will work fine for portraits!
Panasonic does not have to make it better than the Oly 12-40. If it is as good as the standard 14-42 kit zooms, the 12-32 kit zoom, and the Sony RX100iii zoom, it will be good enough for the purpose. Of course it remains to be seen whether it does meet that expectation.
Also – of course you will need to stop down the 45, if you are not deliberately trying to take a soft focused portrait, everybody who understands photography knows that – except the “bokeh” (by which they actually mean shallow DoF) brigade, but they don’t count, because they don’t understand photography. So, don’t fall for the silly line that the purpose of fast lenses is “background blur”, “subject isolation” and all that crap. The purpose of fast lenses is what it has been always, since the birth of photography: low light photography and high shutter speeds.
or maybe, just maybe, it could be ok to use fast lenses for both purposes? Maybe there’s no reason to pick sides… :-O
The main purpose for me of fast lenses is subject isolation and a pleasing background blur, not low light photography or high shutter speeds. I guess that means I don’t understand photography. I wonder then how all those photos that I take have managed to come out successfully, it must be pure luck.
Best compact camera!
Is this cheaper than the FZ1000 sells for in Europe?
Trying to decide between this one and the fz1000, and price might end up being a deciding factor.
Best compact fixed lens camera ever? I don’t know about that. The Fujifilm X100s/X100T might be competitive.
Fuji? Not if you want to shoot video, nope.
And Eur850 puts it much cheaper than the X100T.
There is no way any camera will satisfy everyone’s individual tastes, but this camera won’t even be close to that statement, if it does not have a fully articulating LCD. ;0)
Having said that, my wife and I are very pleased with her LX7. We would be happy to see an LX8 with the 1″ FZ1000 sensor and much needed “feature” upgrades, such as remote control capability, 7 frame AE Bracketing…etc. ~OR~ Just give me a Nikon P7800 with a 1″ sensor. That would be the bomb…for me! 😀
Could you please change my vote from Yes to No.
no. you need to buy it 🙂
It looks like a general purpose high end point n shoot with 4/3 image quality. My wife has a RX100 II and this looks like it can displace the Sony for being a pocket camera. External Mic ???
Hmmm…. everyone speaking about RX100? It seems more a natural opponent to the G1-X MK2 (sensor & size wise).
this can NOT be a 4/3 sensor!
as the Lens is labeled with 7mm-22mm and the specs is 24mm-75mm (equal for FullSizeSensor) this sensor must be smaller
That’s not the actual photo!!
it’s a photo of a Panasonic LC1, not the upcoming LX100
Are you serious? Not had your morning caffeine yet? It’s a photo of a different camera altogether.
I can see the reason why there is less enthusiasm for the GM5 – basically I (and all those who have invested in the GM1) and Panasonic’s marketing department are the reason: if the GM5 had met all our expectations, and the some (as it easily could), those who have invested in a GM1 might feel cheated, and those who are considering the GH4 or the LX100 might plump straight for the GM5 instead. So, the new camera is an improvement over the old model, but with some crucial and deliberate omissions, compared to the other current Panasonic models. Never mind. It sounds like the bitter pill has been sugared enough for me to wait for the GM6, which will HAVE to add what has been omitted from the GM5 (and hopefully will be coupled with a 24-75 1.7/2.8 zoom too) …
Price is too low for such specs. I now expect a smaller sensor or a different lens. The 12-35mm is 999$ ! I wish the rumored specs are true however…
Agree. Some has got to give…..either the sensor, the lens, or the size. Happy to be wrong.
Think about the constellation when FZ1000 launched. Sony had to reduce MSRP of RX10 because of Panasonic’s attractive pricing…
Canon GX1ii has a same sized sensor, a 24-120 2.0-3.9 lens, and is $799. The pricing is not unreachable.
G1X mark 2 has a larger sensor, it is a little larger than 4/3 *after* the multiaspect cropping.
This one has 4/3 *before* the multiaspect cropping. This explains why this one can have a faster lens and still be small.
Too bad it won’t have a manual zoom ring. That’s the one feature that really sets the Fuji X10/20/30 apart. I recognize the Fuji’s IQ limitations, but the haptics of a manual zoom just can’t be beat. Lever-zoom never feels natural. I know we should look past that because blah blah blah, but in these days of increasing IQ parity, haptics have become more and more important to my purchasing decisions.
Totally agree — the twist zoom on the Fuji X10-20-30 is one of many ways that make the Fujis handle so well.
Since the LX100 is also focused on video, “power zoom” also becomes useful for smooth zooming, especially if it eases in and out.
In an ideal world, the Panasonic camera would have both a twist zoom and a power zoom lever on the lens. If I had to choose, I’d choose the twist zoom. The power zoom is one of the reasons the Sony RX100 cameras feel like compact point and shoots, and are less appealing to me.
As AMAZING as the rumored specs are on the LX100, if it handles like a compact in too many ways, I won’t be buying one. I hope that they capture some of that Leica handling, not just good looks.
So you want RX100 size, but X30 handling? Sorry to break it to you, but that’s not going to happen. I’m not sure that’s even physically possible.
No. I want the LX100 to have Fuji X30 handling AND size, not X30 size and RX100 handling. 🙂
The rumored specs are that it is roughly the same size as the X30, but that’s no guarantee of haptic success. And the rumored 4/3 is not guarantee of superior image quality to Sony’s 1″ sensor, but there’s VERY high probability that it will be best in class. It could be viewed as X100 competition.
The LX100 won’t have tilt screen?
Actually, we don’t know that it won’t have a manual zoom ring yet. 🙂
I assume that when Admin says the lens is a “24-75,” he means the equivalent of 24-75 on Great-Grandpa’s Exakta…? (And presumably when Admin talks about his car’s fuel mileage, he expresses it in terms of equivalent bushels of oats per horse mile.) “What more camera do you need?” One with a longer maximum focal length than that…
I agree, its a little short. Then again, maybe panny is planning it as a compliment to the fz1000. One camera that is smaller, faster, wider, and another that is bigger but will get you all the zoom you need.
Wow! now i’m afraid it doesn’t come with 4/3 sensor
This is approx. the same size as the Sony A6000 with PZ 16-50mm lens. Interestingly, it also covers the same focal length (though the Panasonic’s fixed lens is sure to be better).
But not the same equivalent aperture.
NEX lens would have to be f2.4-4, but is whole stop slower (f3.5-5.6)
Are you converting for a 2x crop or the 2.2x that this will be?
You cant and you shouldn’t convert aperture.
Only idiots convert apertures.
Read again, that camera has a specific focal length and aperture for it. The focal length with that aperture rules the depth of field.
I agree, but admin insists on calling it a 24-75mm f1.7-2.8… which it is clearly not going to be.
Magnification rules DOF, other things are just crops of the FOV.
Nice, but still many unknowns. Does it have movable screen? Let’s hope it has usable grip – you can put a beefy one in 60+ mm.
They went with slightly smaller image circle which allows them to fit smaller lens and at the same time market the camera’s multiaspect feature. I’d say smart.
Yeah I wonder who did that with a near identical product a few months ago?
Yeah, funny how a feature is ‘smart’ in a Panasonic camera, but boring and non-innovative in a Canon camera. The G1 X Mark II has the multi-aspect feature too, but nobody seems to care.
With this price and this specs I predict delivery problems.
How is camera 2.4″ deep is “tiny bit larger but still fits in your pocket”? It is almost as big as G1X Mk II.
Because admin likes to stir up enthusiasm for Panalympus cameras? “Best ever fixed lens camera”, is he having a laugh? Must be. Anyway, I am sure it will be very nice, but ‘tiny bit bigger than RX100 III’ it is not.
There is one thing I still don’t understand . Why can’t Pana increase the 16 megapixels in it’s sensors consider the RX100 m3 have more than 20++ megapixels ?
The 4/3 sensors are quite a time hanging on 16 megapixels without any breakthough since the era of GX1 .
The LX100 & GM is still fine / acceptable with 16 megapixels but not for the next GX & GH .
16megapixels is plenty for the vast majority of users.
http://www.dslrbodies.com/newsviews/the-corollary-position-on.html
Why would they sacrifice image quality for a compulsive need to increase pixel count?
That, without saying that they would to develop a new sensor which would increase the final price as well.
I think you have been influenced by the theory of high mega pixels = low image quality .
That is not true at all .
High megapixels = high resolution & of course = high level of noises . You need to achieve the balance among all these elements which is difficult for a small sensor to achieve .
The Sony Exmor sensor in RX100 is an example of the breakthough , small with high resolution + low noises .
I understand there are some tradeoffs between pixel size (the larger, the better SNR) and resolution (because noise-reduction algorithms require certain resolution too). So, while I agree things are not that simple, I still do think that if there’s a sweet spot for certain sensor size and sensor technology, we shouldn’t increase pixel count just for the sake of increasing pixel count.
Except that the RX100 sensor is terrible after ISO 6400. You only get usable images at 1600+ when outputting to a lower resolution, so what are you gaining by having those 20 MP that only look acceptable at base ISO?
Can you please remove the 4K video and drop the price $400. Thank you!
Can you please don’t do it. Thank you! 🙂
I don’t think 4K makes the price — Sony RX100 III doesn’t have 4K but costs 800€ 🙂
Nowadays everything is expensive especially something begin with “L” .
Drop the 4k can’t lower the price but a “L” will do .
no
If they dropped 4K they might even have to INCREASE the price, because it would mean less sales to spread the fixed costs over….
Yeah, because aside for the 4K it’s an overpriced gadget!
No, it’s not.
If true, this price is just fine — I’m glad they didn’t go for a 1000€ price point with all these great specs.
This is as big as a NEX. It protrudes 6cm. There are no pockets for that. it doesn t matter if a camera is considered small or smaller than X, if it doesn t conveniently fit in a pocket. But once I consider it non-pocketable, a range of other big sensor cameras come to mind. The RX100 was only special because it was pocketable. Other bigger cameras make much better photos.
there are people with deep pocket 🙂
Yes, let’s take pics with our pockets, because that’s what matters.
I mean, if you want or need a pocketable camera, go RX100, no doubt about it but you seem to be making quite an effort to nitpick.
The RX100 isn’t really pocketable either, if we’re being honest here. I guess you could conceivably wedge it in a pocket, but Unless you wear incredibly baggy jeans or cargo pants or something, it’s going to look ridiculous and be uncomfortable. My cell is about 8.5mm thick and is actually pocketable. The RX100 is 4x thicker at 36mm (or an inch and a half). Who the heck is walking around with a device that size in their pocket?
Not to mention, a pocket is a terrible environment for any electronics. Just look at your phone after a year of carrying it around. Even when I had the RX100, I hardly ever carried it in my pocket. I used to with a Canon I once had, but realized too late that that is a good way to ruin your camera.
the question is which pocket ? if one wants a decent camera to fit in a pants pocket then the Canon S120 would be one of the best – but not many are going to carry a camera in their pants pocket – I find my RX100 fits in most of my jacket pockets – then again if the guy is 5 feet tall and slender then his pocket will be a different size then someone who is 6.9 feet and larger – I am 5/7 and would never put a camera in pants pocket – do not even put my Iphone there – So there is not any one answer to this issue – it will depend on the persons size of clothes – and so many live in colder climates where winter clothes are in order and most of them have larger pockets – of course there are pants that have larger pockets on the legs –
many live in colder climate areas so used to wear larger overcoats and winter jackets –
I would I agree that size is not for a pants pocket – and really only phones and very very small sensor cameras are small enough to fit in pants pockets – The RX100 can fit in some suit jackets as it is not much larger then some mens wallets – The NEX can fit in some larger overcoats given it has the 16mm F2.8 lens – I can fit my Fuji X20 in some jackets but of course not in suit jackets – so maybe the Canon S120 is the best IQ camera in a smallest package but I would opt for the RX100m3 in most cases
interesting news and good work. is the crop in 4k video mode going to be more than 3x like the gh4 or how much of the sensor area will be used? thinking about how much low light sensitivity and bokeh we can expect ?
The crop mode is not 3x is almost 2,5x in UHD 4K so 24mm is almost 30 mm.
2.3 in UHD right?
No, 2,3x crop is for DCI 4K (cinema 4K), UHD 4K has almost 2,5x crop on GH4.
It’s 2.2x for 4K and 2.3x for UHD.
The 12mm on the GH4 is transformed to about 15mm in UHD, so the crop factor is 2.5x. I own the camera and I speak from experience.
movie and still crop is not exactly the same.
A 12 mm lens on GH4 is transformed in 15mm equivalent for UHD. It happens that I own the camera and I speak from experience.
Ain’t no party like a LX100 party, cause a LX100 party don’t stop!
m43 + 16 MP Multi-Aspect + EVF + Fast Wide Fixed zoom lens for only 850 EURO = Ultimate DreamCam !!! … But, I still won’t believe this until I see the announcement.
I wish Panasonic could make a lowlight/dynamic range monster like the A7s. Drop the megapixels to 8 if need be. For me, 16 is plenty and I’d be happy with far fewer. 8 would be plenty, especially if the ISO could be doubled.
I’m glad you are not in charge of any product planning.
Ready for a gh2 upgrade. These rumors are pushing me closer towards the discounted GX7.
The G6 is kinda like the Panasonic GH2 v2.0:
http://www.eoshd.com/content/10824/panasonic-g6-review-the-gh2-redux
http://personal-view.com/talks/discussion/6788/panasonic-g6-topic-gh2-replacement-camera
What is interesting is that the LX100 initial price looks to be $100 less than the GX7 was released at. And the LX100 includes a fast lens.
People seem to forget that. If a comparable lens was released in m43 mount, it would cost as much or more than this whole camera.
150 Euro cheaper than the Fuji X100T. That thing is generating a lot of interest. We’ll see what Amazon has to say.
Any way to hack a mic input if there isn’t already one present – panasonic hotshoe adapter maybe?
Hot damn. An updated Digilux 2! I am happy.
PS, I hope the lens will be a fixed lens like the Digilux 2 / LC1, with physical dials for aperture speed and manual focusing. I hate zooms that retract and focus using thumbwheels — they are counter-intuitive.
@Admin @SomeGuy
Lots of fixed lens, premium cameras feature leaf shutter lenses that are super quiet and allow flash to sync at very high speeds (Fuji X100, X100s, X100t, X10, X20, X30, Ricoh GR, Nikon CoolPix A, etc.).
Will the Panasonic LX100 have a leaf shutter?
If it has a mechanical shutter, which it does, then it will be a leaf shutter (some sort of central diaphragm shutter in particular). Cramming a focal plane shutter in a camera like this just wouldn’t make any sort of sense at all.
Basically every fixed-lens compact that has a mechanical shutter has a leaf shutter. They are nowhere near as “rare” as some people seem to think.
Thanks for the clarification. I hope this shutter provides the benefits of fast flash sync and low sound.
The mechanical leaf shutter is not without its drawbacks. It allows either short exposure, or wide-open aperture, but not both.
It would be nice to have an electronic shutter – completely silent (rather than “super quiet”), and offering exposure times of 1/10000s rather than 1/2000s.
Electronic shutter has its own flaws – for instance, it reduces DR by a stop, and can produce artifacts under fluorescent lighting. Which is why it is usually paired with a regular mechanical shutter and can be turned on and off as needed.
Doesn’t Panasonic’s electronic shutter sync at very low speeds? And, agree — while the silent e shutter is REALLY nice, the artifacts and loss of DR are not. I’d rather have the leaf, I think.
Both have their plusses and minuses. If you’re using flash, you (likely) don’t care about the shutter sound. Places where you need to be quiet, aren’t often lit by CFLs. And so forth – each situation is different.
That’s why it’s nice to have both.
While I still think it’s gonna be a supernice camera I don’t know if it’s going to be the best. Aren’t there some offerings from Leica or Fuji that might arguably be better IQ-wise?
And as far as “fits in your pocket” goes: What pockets are you talking about? Winter jacket pockets or cargo trousers?
FINALLY a HONEST PRICE! Low than i expected (1199$)
WOOOOOWWWWWW
“…but still fits in your pocket…” Either the 2.4″ depth spec is wrong, or this guy is referring a backpack pocket : )…. I own the RX100 II, and it’s really not that pocketable… certainly not with jeans, etc. Some larger pockets, yes… but even this… it’s pretty heavy feeling and a little chunky. My point is that after months of ownership, I know that for me, the RX100 is the thickest camera I would consider ‘pocketable’. Any thicker than that, and you are now talking about Sony A6000, Canon G1x II, etc and you are talking about a belt case or small shoulder strap case. That *all* being said, having a small cam with ~ 24-75mm with f/1.7 on the wide size with a 4/3 sensor is pretty amazing and will certain sell well and fit the needs of many. But for me, if this cam is not pocketable, I probably would lean towards the A6000 with it’s dead slow power zoom (but also with the 35mm f/1.8 probably used most of the time)
Probably the dimension with the lens fully extended.
I hope you are right, but I bet that’s the depth with it retracted. Just doing the match on 4/3″ sensor with 1.7-2.8 lens, etc.
Stop wearing ‘Skinny Jeans’. Hipster.
🙂 winter coming so many will have on a winter jacket – should fit easily – and yes who is putting a camera in their pants pocket 🙂 – to me my RX100 fits in most all jacket pockets – maybe not all suit jackets – but certainly all overcoats –
Stop wearing ‘Baggy Jeans’. Hip hopper.
If the camera is in your pocket, you aren’t using it. If I wanted a pocketable camera, I’d carry an iPhone.
WOW. If that translates into US$849~899, that’s a homerun, no doubt about it.
I found out yesterday that the LX100 is about the same size as the Olympus TRIP 35. LOL.
Which one, this one?
http://www.petapixel.com/assets/uploads/2012/05/pendant1_mini.jpg
At $899 it came in lower than I expected. Panasonic will sell a ton of these if the lens is good quality.
My most optimistic take was $899, for that I was counting on how aggresively Panasonic priced the FZ1000 front the RX10, but I just hoped that while I was realistically expecting $999. So, this is going to be a huge hit, I wonder if Sony will drop the price of the RX100III like they did with the RX10. The difference is that I think that the RX100 is kind of properly priced while that was never the case for the RX10, so price dropping for the RX10 supposedly was easier than it will be doing so with the RX100III.
At a difference of only 50 Euro I expect the RX100M3 to drop 50-100 in price.
Going to New Zealand in October. Hopefully this thing is released by then.
I read somewhere that it will not ship till end of year 🙁 can’t wait to get one in my hand – so hopefully that rumor was wrong
Please, stop comparing this camera to the RX100 MIII – it’s the kind of thing that only will spread frustration. This camera will NOT be pocketable as the RX100, and the price is higher. This camera was never intended to compete with the RX100, it’s target are the X100T and the Canon G1X.
It’s shaping up to be a hell of a camera, but keeping this silly comparison to the RX100 is like comparing a E-M10 to a D810 – two completely different markets. People that wants a RX100 are looking for one thing specifically – a pant-pocket sized camera with good photo quality. It’s minimal size brings a lot of compromises – ergonomics are somewhat complicated, the sensor is smaller than LX100, X100T and G1X, the EVF is good but tiny, no hotshoe, etc. But are compromises that people are willing to accept because they want that diminute size – and the camera takes great pictures, it is amazing what it does with that size (like the GM1).
The buyers for the LX100 are looking for other type of camera. Pocketablity is not the first priority (fit in a coat pocket is ok); they want a larger sensor, more flexibility, better ergonomics, better viewfinders, accept to pay a higher price. Not judging value between the two groups – none is better than the other, only DIFFERENT priorities.
But keeping comparing it to the RX100 MIII will only make the LX100 looks like only a fatter, heavier, pricier camera for people that don’t research profoundly. And it is VERY far form true.
And that’s why I think that the past-rumoured LX8 would fit perfectly in the Panny’s lineup too – that, yes, would be a RX100 MIII killer. But no more news about it.
A terrific storm for other manufacters with crazy and thieves price (sony in primis) come.
Monday 1PM berlin time… The storm coming….
hello Admin …nice job these days !!!
Will there be picture leak during weekend ? …or do we must wait till monday 15th to see ?
Reading the comments I just found out that this is NOT a pocketable camera!
I’m actually glad, if that was the case, so much would had been compromised and it’s still small and compact. When the first RX100 was announced my biggest complain was the slow aperture, it would lose more than 1-stop by the time it reached 35mm (equivalent), Sony did fix it brilliantly with the RX100III, something many said it would not be possible, guess what, it was.
But the LX100 is really what I wanted, I would rather sacrifice size instead of feats, I would hate a slower lens, no EVF or anything like that, So I’m glad they didn’t and for those wanting to take pics with their pockets, there is only one option, go RX100, go happily buy it and stop the nonsense because apparently that’s the only thing you can nitpick and be happy because Sony may drop the price of the RX100!
I agree – I will still keep my RX100 for smaller pockets – but if it is still the size of the GX1 then it might still fit in a jacket or overcoat pocket / winter jacket – I am guessing it is about the size of the GX1 or between it and the Fuji X100/s/t just as long as there is no EVF hump it might still fit in some pockets – I can still fit my Fuji X20 in some pockets 🙂
I agree that I would rather see the faster lens etc and bit larger then the RX100m3 –
Have a feeling there will still be an LX8/LX10 coming as the pocketable compact to face off against the RX100. Personally, I tend towards this LX100 rather than an LX10 — there is such a thing as too small to be useful, in my experience.
I’m not sure it will be coming.
But because of early rumors, it’s known that such prototype exists but it will really depend on how people react to the LX100, if it seels well, there is not much reason for bringing a LX8/LX10. Because the LX100 may not be as small as the RX100 but they do share a good part of the market, it intersects each other, the biggest difference being the size and the other, the 4K capabilities.
So it doens’t make so much sense to have 2 products sharing the same market, it wouldn’t be wise for Panasonic to release this 1″ sensor camera just to please the pocketable-aficionados, in the end people will simply choose between pocketable and feats.
That evf is bigger than EM5, hope this rumor is correct.
Wow – that would be awesome – just hope they are not going to put a large hump on it as like the EM5/1/10 – might be OK looks wise – just a killer when putting into jacket pocket or a small case – I would opt for a smaller EVF and no hump – but if they can manage an EVF like on the GX7 and larger then EM5 then that would be a real winner
Better than Sony RX1? Which is still very compact, I can’t see that. Better all around value and camera though maybe.
The RX1 is FF $2,800 point and shoot without an EVF and poor autofocus.
The RX1 is a fixed lens and fixed focal length camera like the Fuji X100/s/t – so not fair to compare the LX100 to the RX1 – I think the LX100 is more in line with the class of cameras like the Canon G1x/ m2 and the Nikon P7700 and maybe the Fuji X30 –
So in that comparison the LX100 will stand out in many ways – although sensor is not quite as large as the one in the Canon G1x the LX100 will have a newer processor and faster lens and of course has an EVF and host of other nice things the G1x does not have – besides I expect the LX100 to be smaller and lighter –
The Nikon P7700 just as to small of a sensor to compete in IQ overall – and the Fuji X30 also has a much smaller sensor as well although it has a nice lens – I think Fuji where either lazy or on a cost cutting mission with the X30 – The Sony RX100m3 is really in another class – a class of small compacts and is clearly the king of that class –
but even if we included the RX100m3 in this class the LX100 has a larger sensor and faster lens and longer focal range etc so the LX100 is correctly the best in that class –
The RX100 is also the king in its fixed lens fixed focal range class – although the Fuji X100s / T are darn close and for the money a much better buy – but the FF sensor in the RX1 is a jewel
I think the LX100 will be a new camera category. It is a zoom camera with large sensor. As such it sits in between the bigger fixed prime lens cameras like RX1 / Fuji X100 and compact zoom cameras like RX100 / Fuji X30. It is also different than the LX1000, which competes against the RX10 as a DSLR lookalike megazoom bridge camera.
I think the LX8 (which could be renamed to LX10 to keep up) will be the RX100 / X30 competitor.
New category? Canon G1X and G1X Mark II are also zoom cameras with large sensors. Their 1.5″ sensors are slightly larger than a 4/3″ sensor. We also have the Leica X Vario with an APS-C sensor, so the category isn’t exactly new.
New category for Panasonic.
Converted that is £675 = A good price; but GX7 still a great camera and some big discounts now: body £370 if you search hard in UK -that leaves money for a nice lens but no 4k
The GX7 is awesome – I bought a second one – very underestimated camera – I think Panasonic just does not get the credit it deserves in comparison with the giants Canon, Nikon, Sony and Fuji – I often feel that Panasonic rates just above Samsung in many purists mind and of course Samsung is not rated high on their list 🙂
Everyone that has played and used my GX7’s has just love it – more so then my Fuji’s or Olympus’s or Nikon’s or Sony cameras – when asked most responded that they had the impression that Panasonic cameras where not that good – but after using they where very impressed –
You know, I really wasn’t interested in this thing, but as the specs keep leaking, I’m starting to think that I might use one quite a lot. I had an x100s that I thought might fit that bill, but I couldn’t warm up to it and sold it. Can’t wait to see the reviews / IQ the lens produces. It’s starting to shape up to look like a winner.
Rumoured specs sound great…just needs enough manual buttons, tilt screen, and comparable quality to X100S and we have a winner. Personally I’d forgo 4k for high fps slowmo… just sayin
I agree – although the X100s is a bit heavy ( but not overly heavy for its build quality ) – I expect the LX100 to be a bit smaller and lighter –
You don’t have to, it’s not like you can’t have 4K and high fps at the same time, the two feats don’t limit each other. It has the same sensor and processor as the GH4, so heat issue is the only thing preventing any feat on this camera. It should be able to shoot the same 96fps as the GH4 or even higher, since the sensor is capable of more.
850 are too much for me….
Pay by installment with no interest , this is what I usually did .
Nothing can stop you if you keen on this lovely camera .
Will the LX100 have a pop-up flash?
Great question. That may be the fly in the ointment. Need the flash and a leaf shutter.
Should have DFD at this price. Compulsory.
I agree with you .
Chance is 50-50 If I have to rate it .
I think it’s 100%, it has the same innards as the GH4 and the FZ1000 which is a lower end compared to this one has it, no reason for not having it.
DFD would be very very nice – I hear you on the price – but the LX100 should have quite a few things over the Sony RX100m3 so the 50 Euros is maybe not so bad – DFD, Touch LCD, many Fn buttons, C1 C2 on mode dial, all the art affects from the GM1 and GX7 – and of course no lens cap 🙂
What is DFD?
A revolutionary new focusing technique, whre the contrast detection is enhaced by the perfect knowledge of the bokeh characteristics of the lens in question. As from bokeh characteristics can be find out by a minimal quantity of sapling not just the defocusing itself but the distance and direction as well this method is basically almost as fast as the PDAF – if not faster.
Thank you for the explanation. I remember hearing about this when the GH4 came out.
I agree and also the 5-axis stabilization in Video like on the FZ1000.
If I’m not mistaken the 5-axis IS is a Hybrid IS between OIS and IBIS. So, there is the overheating issue in 4K, there are chances that it might not have IBIS and consequently, the Hybrid IS. The OIS makes the lens a bit bigger, so I don’t know which compromises Panasonic chose. Can it have 4K and still have IBIS? The rumored firmware for E-M1 with 4K says that it will have IBIS in 4K but with a time limitation – whereas the GH4 has no such a thing – so maybe this LX100 will be able to have it, I hope it does.
The 5 axis from Panasonic is a OIS + electronic hybrid, obviously the electronic part only works for video.
That is correct. Sony uses electronic stabilization in the RX100 with good results.
That 5-axis Is doesn’t work for 4k recording
Camera dimensions will be body only and lens will not be collapsible. No way they can build a lens so small.
What makes you say that? A 4/3 sensor is only 25% wider than an 1″ sensor. Take Sony RX100 mk3 dimensions (4″ × 2 3/8″ × 1 5/8″), multiply them by 1.25, and you get 5″ x 2.85″ x 2″ – which is actually shallower than the rumored Panasonic size.
The effective sensor width of the 4/3″ sensor in the LX100 is roughly 8-9% smaller because of the multi-aspect design.
Correct. I was just after a rough estimate of the overall camera size.
Another way to get there is by using the crop factor:
2.7/2.2 = 1.23.
Either way you slice it, the (rumored) LX100 is half an inch thicker than a scaled-up RX100 would’ve been.
Hmm? 17.3 x 13mm vs. 13.2 x 8.8mm.
That’s 31% wider, and 50% taller.
*Shallower*. We’re just talking about the thickness of the camera.
The height isn’t affected by the lens as much (except in extreme cases like GM1), and the width has nothing to do with it.
Whoops, never mind. I thought you were talking about the camera size, not the sensor.
yeah, I got the ratios reversed. 17.3 / 13.2 = 0.76
41mm x 1.31 gives the thickness of 54mm – that’s 2.13″.
Just to bad we have to wait till end of year before we can get it in our hands – I have the RX100 and of course it is a real nice small compact camera that fits nicely in the pocket – the lens speed is what is making me upgrade – I get better low light images with my Fuji X20 when zoomed out past 75mm – as Sony RX100 at F4.9 and Fuji X20 at F2.8 and the X20 with no AA filter and a good sensor as well although not quite 1 inch – So I am glad I have waited and not jumped on the RX100m3 – I just hope there is Touch LCD with the many nice other features leaked – I am OK with a bit larger body as long as it fits in a jacket pocket and does not have a hump for the EVF as the Olympus has – for what the LX100 has I am OK with 50 euros more –
Tilt and touch screen would be nice
agree – they have Touch LCD in GX1 and GM1 so odds are it will be included in the LX100 and I expect Tilt as all new cameras in that size do – even conservative Fuji is doing it – although for some odd reason there is no Touch on the FZ1000 – which is really odd and worries me
Best fix lens compact ever……? just impossible with such small sensor.
small 😀 is a m43 sensor
Small???? What other compact camera can surpass it???????????
Small sensor is something like the S120, X30, RX100 M3.
What other fixed zoom lens camera surpasses it?
LX100 specs:
– Sensor: 16MP Multi aspect Four Thirds(!). Real resolution is a bit lower.
– 24-75mm f/1.7-2.8 lens
– Built-in EVF: 2,76 milion dots, 1.39x / 0.7x magnification
– ISO 200-25600. Can be extended down to 100!
– 4K recording (with time limitation to avoid heating issue)
– exact camera size: 4.52″ x 2.6″ x 2.4″
– hot shoe
Ricoh GR, Nikon Coolpix A, Sony RX1/RX1R, Sigma DP1/2/3 Merrill, depending on where your threshold is for “compact”. They should have claimed “best fixed zoom compact ever made”, they have a fighting chance for that, although the Sony RX100 series is a pretty tough act to follow, it certainly outperforms a number of m43 cameras.
dude, it’s a troll!
any of their posts contains the words “small sensor”, “tiny sensor”, “equivalent”.
easy to spot.
These guys work a bunch of different forums over the course of a day, so they can’t spend too much time customizing comments on any one of them. Give’m a break!
If the LX100 lives up to the hype and is the hit it seems like it will be, I wonder if Panasonic would give it a complementary fixed lens camera sibling.
I’d certainly be interested if Panasonic could build a smaller, optimized Nocticron style lens into a body with a leaf shutter!
And I’d be interested in a fast, miniaturized 40-100 zoom version as well.
i could dig that too, something like a wideangle edition and a portrait version but with the accompanying speeds in aperture.
Looks like the LX100 is the real deal! I can’t wait to try it
Like Sigma DP, but with zoom.
Also sold in package of 3
Yes! 🙂
Seems Panasonic got nearly everything right with this camera including the price.
Nothing else can match it or come close. Maybe the G1X II, but its too bulky and has poor AF with a bad sensor.
LX100…CAMERA OF THE YEAR!!!!
with this specs is a gold master in photo and video and beat GH4 with 12-35 f2.8.
It’s probably a first rank 100% gold master in dpreview
How close will image quality be to Panasonic GX7/12-35mm combo? That is the question…if it’s even close then the price seems very good.
It does not look like a compact. Its just going to be a M43 size camera with fixed lens. This is not going to be a camera wich wil fit easely in a pocket. I dont see where all the yahooooooo are comming from.
Maybe because a 12-37 f1.7-2.8 lens for an M4/3 camera would cost 845 euros all by itself. Camera comes for free…
Now that you mention, the X12-35 is more expensive and slower at the wide end.
Poor Viezevure. Jealousy is so flattering. You must be a Canonite?
I wish they make a lens like this in m4/3 mount also LOL.
Viezevure, maybe because your clueless into the intended audience of the LX100. It is not some selfie camera for those who cram cameras into pockets. Heck, I don’t even do that with my phone. Guess it says more about the consumer.
That lens is where it is all happening. Exciting product!! BUT I just bought the 12-40… ARGH… To be honest though I would be quite excited with a fixed prime lens version as I do enjoy the limitations.
I’m a little confused about the lens : 24-75mm as 43 means 48-150 Full Frame right ? Or is it a 24-75mm FF equivalent which would result in a 12-37.5mm 4/3 ? If anyone could correct me on that, it’d be great 🙂
24-75mm ff equivalent, unless panny lost their minds. Not to mention the cost of a telephoto at that aperture.
Thanks a lot 🙂 So that would be a 12-37.5 equivalent for m43… with a very nice aperture… Can’t wait to see the video options (zebra/focus peaking/master pedestal) 🙂
-48h to a revolutionary camera. Panasonic with this LX100 grow the market to top of all things
Revolutionary? The rx100 was revolutionary, basically started a new segment. this camera is m4/3 cannibalizing before sony does further damage. If the camera is as good as the specs suggest and not fugly like the canon G12 and nikon v2. This is going to kill a lot of m43 sales especially the small lenses and entry level bodies. Thank sony for the healthy competition.
I’d better have some decent manual controls. If it doesn’t have two dials, I’m not interested.
Forget the counter-intuitive DSLR-like dials: the LC1 / Leica Digilux 2 had the following:
1. Shutter speed dial on top
2. Aperture ring at the base of the zoom lens
3. Focusing ring on the zoom lens
4. Focal length selector ring on the lens
The LX100 better have these physical dials or else it’s a non-starter.
Looks more and more like we will not see pictures of either the LX1000 or GM5 until the official announcement? Seems it is OK to leak specs but not the real thing? I would rather see the real picture or at least a sketch and the exact specs can follow.
So much has been made that the LX1000 is styled after the LC1 that I am beginning to think that is just what it is, a smaller version of the LC1 body while the GM5 is more likely to follow the sketches depicted in its patent cam last year with its EVF in the middle and using GM1 parts and popup flash mounted on the right side. I can’t see Pany making the GM5 similar to the very small LF1 and its EVF but who knows? Just hope Pany retains quality all metal body for both and not the plastic versions as produced by Sony for a number of their cameras to make them cheaper.
Yes, looks like a perfect camera! The question is (very important for me) how deep (thickness) it is…the rest I can live with.
Very intruiging camera, certainly. Competition for the RX100 mk whatever series as the perfect take everywhere companion? Not likely. It is simply too large to truly pocket, IMO. My LX3 was already too bulky with its protruding lens, and I cannot imagine this will be any better. The RX100 still has a strong place in the marketplace, although this is a very strong contender for the compact crown, particularly in video land.
You mean it will be better than RX1 ?
RX1 is curently the best fixed lens camera on the market.
Better than G1X ? LOL
As far as image quality at low ISO is concerned, SIGMA dp series is the best, even better than RX1R. If you say “the best compact and fixed ZOOM lens camera on market,” that might be true. The G1 X MKII has a bigger sensor than this one though.
Sure about the sensor? “Leica D-LUX 7 (Type 109) – Leica D-LUX 6 update, 12.8MP 4/3, 2.8MP OLED EVF, 4K, ISO 25K ($1,350 USD) (confirmed)” taken from: http://lavidaleica.com/content/new-leica-products-photokina-2014
This should be the sister camera from Leica, but has only 12.8MP.
A 12-40mm 1.7-2.8 covering m43 would have to be larger in size than panasonic’s current 12-35mm 2.8, in fact much larger, just a little smaller than a Canon/Nikon 24-70 2.8 lenses.
It’s physically impossible. Something’s up with this rumor. This lens spec is perfectly suited for a 1″ sensor.
HOW MUCH TIME LIMIT IN 4K BECAUSE HEATING?
5 MIN, 15 MIN, 30 MIN …