The LF1 is coming and the LX7 is creating the “price room” for the new camera. Today it sells for $289 only at Amazon (Click here to grab it). At such price plenty if people is buying it and that’s the reason why it is almost on top at the Overall Amazon camera sales ranking.
And the second super deal of the day is the first ever price drop on the Panasonic GH3 that now has a $100 discount at Amazon (Click here).
I still don’t know the price of the upcoming new LF1 and G6 cameras. But both will be announced by end of next week!
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At that price, I am trying to give myself a reason to buy one of these.
Can anyone help me out? Is there any advantage I would get carrying this camera around at work instead of my e-pm2/p14 f2.5?
Thanks.
Sorry, I was referring to the LX7
(Somehow my reply ends up in a different place…)
Well the LX7 is smaller/lighter and much cheaper than the E-PM2+ 14mm f2.5 It also has a wider lens which obviously covers a much wider focal length, other than that i got nothing lol
Haha, thats a pretty good list. Unfortunately, it wont be cheaper because I already own the epm2 & 14mm, but is it significantly more compact? I would like something that fits into the cargo pocket of my uniform pants a little better.
Almost the same size. The lens will protube a little, but not with BC15 đ
Check out: camerasize.com
I’m looking forward to finding out the specifications for the LF1. I hope the lens starts at 24mm like the LX7 but extends a bit more than 90mm at the telephoto end. A tilt screen would be nice too đ I don’t expect the EVF to be any better than the one in the FZ200 but that would be fine, much better than the OVF in my X10 for my taste.
I have indeed acquired a refurbished E-PM2 recently. And the 14mm is one of the lenses I’ve owned already. For me, this set up is almost perfect (if your preferred focal length is around the 28-35mm range). For me, there’s only one slight flaw: although the shutter sounds a tad quieter than previous generations of PENs and GFs/GX, it’s still bloody loud. The LX7 uses a leaf shutter so it will be extremely discreet when you take a shot. It is quite an overlooked advantage that all compact cameras have. The other advantage of the LX7 is obviously the focal range. Is it 24-90? That’s pretty much everything anyone will ever need. Aperture range is extremely nice too. No, it won’t give you shallow depth of field, but you will only need low ISOs.
Cheers,
Thanks for the helpful comments! Is the LX7 any more pocketable than than my current combination?
no, unless you want a f1.4-2.3 24-90mm lens in a small package.
Before I bought mine, I had the same questions as you, and I was considering getting the Canon S110 because if it. But ultimately, I got the LX7. As an owner of a soon to be 2nd one (I just purchased another one right now) It is pocketable but pushing it. For example you wouldn’t want to put it in the same pocket as a smartphone. Skinny jeans? Not a chance. Straight fit or relaxed fit? Sure. The issue is that the lens protrudes out kinda far. The camera body itself is quite small. Hope this helps.
Skinny jeans are right out of the question đ
Your reply helps a lot. Would be putting the camera in the cargo pocket of my uniform pants. I already have an OMD so the E-PM2 will probably go up on kijiji and I will pull the trigger on the LX7.
I’d say they’re roughly the same size. But I’m not exactly sure about the size difference. You can always check the specs sheets of both cameras for accurate comparison. But I’ll put it this way: the E-PM2 is a surprisingly small and light M43 camera (especially when teamed with the 14mm or the 20mm) while the LX-7 should be a surprisingly big compact camera.
phenomenal lens or gtfo
Well, I’m trying to make sense here.
If the rumors are correct and this LF1 comes with a small sensor – same size as the LX7, why did Panasonic change the name fo LF instead of LX? Just because of the viewfinder? Is that the major big change between these series?
I don’t get why they changed the name, if it was just the viewfinder, they chould have done so without changing the name, the focal length of the zoom also doesn’t justify changing the name either, usually is something major so what is it?
I wonder when will Panasonic be able to use those “micro color splitters”…
LF1 – F for Fixed Lens. It also comes with EVF. Maybe be Leica f0.5? đ
LX1 = zoom lens. No EVF.
Maybe the F is for finder? The rumors say different F2 lens from the LX7 and same size sensor, but the LX7 use the sensor for multiformat and loose some resolution compared to the competitors since the largest crop is only 10MP while others use the whole sensor (12MP) for 4:3-images.
Can someone explain where the LF1 is supposed to sit in Panasonic’s lineup? Is this the literal (or spiritual) successor to the LX7? I had the LX3, skipped the LX5, and bought the LX7 a few months back. Seeing as how it’s using the same sensor, I am curious what sort of improvements they could have possibly made to it to justify a new model.
Hi David, it is rumoured to be the same size of sensor not necessarily the same sensor; it will hopefully be improved over the current model. If they could muster the tech for a one stop improvement in ISO performance combined with a body with a proper EVF, even with the same lens speed and range .
It could make for a fine go everywhere alternative to the PEN/GF style Mft, the DR of the current model is pretty decent a one stop advance { if that is possible } in ISO . Would, make it a strong contender for my money. I use the GF1 with 12mp sensor for my carry around option when I donât want to take the GH3 and larger lenses, it isnât perfect but it can deliver excellent images in its sweet spot. The current LX7 has better DR than my GF1 a one stop improvement in ISO would make it pretty comparable with the old 12mp models , with the advantages of a truly small size and weight combined with an EVF and 24-90mm zoom
Hy
Of course the GH3 price dropped. I just ordered one yesterday at the original price. If this $100 price drop starts spreading, maybe I can get B&H to give me a credit.
I also bought an LX7 a few weeks ago. But, it was on sale for $299 at that time, so no big concern there.
479 Euros in Finland, a whooping 116% premium over yonder US!!
Gary, It’s worth a try. I’m not sure if B&H will do this, Amazon did it for me on a lens purchase.
It is not “making room”, it is “scooping up would-be buyers”.
I absolutely don’t need it, but at that price, with that zoom range, multi-aspect sensor and physical ratio switch is is SO TEMPTING. Be it underwater/tough cam, even if good only for very shallow depths, it would be mine.
I had an LX2 and sold it and bought an LX5. After looking at the files I felt badly bitten as IMVHO the LX5 couldn’t match the LX2 at base ISO, the LX5’s files looked mushy in comparison and it now sits unused in a drawer.
After that I doubt I’ll buy another of these cameras.
If I need a fixed lens compact , the new GR fit my bill . And I’m really looking into it now .
Forget about LF & LX7 , both are not up the game standard .
Troll better. $800 GR vs $289 LX7 cannot even zoom, is not wide enough, does not have stabilization, 2 stops slower, does not have manual aspect ratio switch (this and lack of zoom preclude GR from ever having a good framing/composition right out of the camera, so say hello to photoshop and heavy cropping for each and every shot)…
The Ricoh GRs are made for a specific type of shooting and are very popular amongst a group of streetshooters. People don’t own one of these as a primary camera: it’s probably the 3rd, 4th, 5th or lower camera down from the top rung for a lot of the photographers who end up buying the GRs. The GRs are very solidly built cameras and have a great control system and UI that is very suited to street photography.
It’s a camera that’s far from my cup of tea, and I wouldn’t buy one with my own money. But it just might be the camera for someone else. Just because a particular camera doesn’t suit one’s needs or expectations doesn’t mean it should be trashed. Ricoh GRs and Sigma DP Merrills, especially, are very niche market cameras. Their target clients have no problem with the prices. It’s internet wishers and dreamers who are looking for a camera that can do everything and priced below $300 and rule the world while they’re at it.