Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7 Review

August 13, 2012 | Mark Goldstein | Rating star Rating star Rating star Rating star Half rating star

Introduction

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7 is a premium compact digital camera with a fast lens, full range of manual shooting modes and RAW file support. The new LX7 aims to build on the success of its LX5 predecessor with a new 3.8x, 24-90mm f/1.4-2.3 zoom lens, large 1/1.7-inch 10 megapixel MOS sensor, an ISO range of 80-12,800 and 1920x1080 50p Full HD movie recording with a Creative Movie Mode for adjusting both the shutter speed and aperture. The LX7’s aperture ring and rear dial provide full control over the aperture range, while an internal neutral density filter allows slow shutter speeds to be used in combination with fast aperture settings. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7 is available now in black or white for £449.99 / $499.95.

Ease of Use

Successor to the LX5, the metal construction 10.1 megapixel Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7 arrives with various outer and inner tweaks at a rather steep manufacturer's suggested price just shy of £450 in the UK. Aimed at both high end amateur photo enthusiasts plus existing snapshot owners looking for a step up, but presumably not wanting the comparative bulk of a Micro Four Thirds hybrid model nor DSLR for a similar price, the LX7 provides both full iAuto and manual shooting options. It however gives a nod to Panasonic's G-series hybrids, in particular the GF-series, by including an accessory port for an optional Live View finder just below its vacant flash hotshoe.

So, in the absence of a built-in optical or electronic viewfinder, the LCD is naturally used for shot composition and review. The screen itself is a bright 3-inch model with 920k dot resolution that provides a naturalistic translation of the scene before the lens. However you will still find yourself squinting and cupping a hand around it in bright sunlight, so the optional DMW-LVF2 viewfinder is a wise investment.

As expected at this price-point, both Raw and JPEG files can be committed to SD/SDHC/SDXC or Eye-Fi cards, and conveniently both can be shot in tandem, with write speeds impressive at just two to three seconds. It further boasts an improved 3.8x wide optical zoom, offering a focal range equivalent to 24-90mm in 35mm terms, optically stabilized to help prevent image blur from camera shake and with a Nano Surface Coating to help prevent lens flare. Best of all is the faster f/1.4 maximum aperture, which makes it easier to achieve DSLR-like shallow depth of field and out-of-focus backgrounds, whilst also proving invaluable when hand-holding the camera in low-light.

Rest the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7 in your palm, a manageable 298g even with battery and card inserted, and you'll be tempted to make exploratory prods, twists and presses almost immediately. The sliding switch that releases the pop-up flash with a satisfying 'clunk' being particularly enticing, as is, just as obviously, the slider switch sitting atop the lens barrel for adjusting picture ratios. The LX7 is, for those looking to tentatively get more hands on with their images, a veritable box of goodies. There's the option of selecting the standard 4:3 digital ratio dead centre of the 'dial', with 3:2, 16:9 and, more unusually, 1:1, being the alternatives. Slide your left hand down and to the left of the lens surround and there's a further tactile switch for swapping between auto focus, macro focus and manual focus.

For the first time on the LX-series, an intuitive aperture ring additionally surrounds the lens, much like the one seen on the Fujifilm X100 camera. This allows you to quickly change the aperture, with 16 1/3rd exposure steps available running from f/1.4 through to f/8. If you zoom to a focal length that slows down the aperture range, these physical markings obviously don't change - so at 90mm, for example, choosing f/1.4 actually sets the aperture to the fastest available value of f/2.5. Furthermore, changing the ring from f/1.4 to f/2.2 has absolutely no effect on the camera's settings, as those apertures aren't available at 90mm. Other than this unavoidable quirk, the new aperture ring is a great addition that further adds to the photographer-friendly feel of the LX7.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T90 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T90
Front Rear

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7's grip may not be large but its leather-effect rubber padding further prevents the camera from feeling like it will slip from your grasp in a strong wind. Overall it comes across as a compact and elegant solution, with body proportions measuring a manageable 110.5 x 67.1 x 45.6 mm. This therefore is a camera that will slip readily into a pair of jeans, not just a jacket or small bag. So, as we did, you'll find yourself taking it out more often.

The 'tweaks' referred to at the outset govern the LX7's MOS sensor, which has been re-designed over the LX5, claims Panasonic, as has its image processor. Here the latter is the grandly named Venus Engine VII FHD. In tandem they are claimed to offer boosted dynamic range and improved low light performance (from ISO80 to an incredible ISO12800 manually selectable), which we'll come to in the image quality section of our write-up. The MOS sensor also greatly increases the camera's burst shooting options, with a fastest setting of 11 frames/sec for 12 full-resolution images (focus and exposure fixed at the first frame). Slower modes of 5 frames/sec and 2 frames/sec complete with AF Tracking are also available, with the High-speed Burst mode capturing 60 frames/sec at 2.5 megapixels or 40 frames/sec at 5 megapixels.

Under the bonnet adjustments apart, with the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7 we have other Lumix family regulars making a re-appearance. Selected via a twist of the ridged top plate mode dial there's the subject recognising and performance optimising intelligent Auto (iA) mode for point and shoot simplicity, plus an extensive range of Creative Control in-camera effects. Users also get access to six customisable Photo Style modes via the on-screen menu when the shooting dial is turned to a creative mode, such as program, aperture priority, shutter priority or manual.

There's a choice of auto and intelligent auto ISO settings, with a range that extends from ISO 80 up to ISO 6400 at full resolution. Choose the further ISO ISO 12800 equivalent option and JPEG-only resolution drops to a compensatory three megapixels - an on-screen prompt warning you of the fact that settings have changed should this be selected. In any event, this is a nod to the sort of spec to be found on a semi-pro DSLR, so to be welcomed at a compact level.

Also present and correct is the time saving 'Q.Menu' (Quick Menu) button on the backplate. Press this and a toolbar of essential shooting functions appears on screen that the user can tab through and make selections from courtesy of the cross keys and central 'set' button on the camera back.

It's undoubtedly these familiar elements that will appeal to anyone trading up from say a FS-series Lumix compact, and soften any perceived learning curve from what otherwise outwardly appears a more sophisticated proposition. A flick of the top-mounted on/off switch and the LX7 powers up in two seconds. The LCD fades into life and the lens extends from within its protective housing to maximum 24mm-equivalent wideangle setting. Generally the camera is as fast and responsive as one could wish for.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T90 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T90
Front Top

It's from the front and top that the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7 most shows its enthusiast targeting mettle, large (for a compact) 24mm wide angle Leica-branded lens staring you in the face as you tease the camera from its packaging. Unlike cheaper Panasonic compacts there's no automatic sliding lens cover to protect the glass when not in use, just a separate lens cap of the clip on variety that may quickly get lost in a pocket. Thus we found ourselves inadvertently getting fingerprints on the glass when placing the LX7 into or retrieving it from a pocket.

With the aspect ratio adjustment and focus mode sliders and new aperture ring encircling the lens surround as previously mentioned, above the lens and to its left is an AF assist/self timer lamp.

On top we get that vacant hotshoe protected out of the box by a piece of plastic that also envelops the accessory port nestling just left of centre of the LCD, in front of which are the new stereo microphones. The rest of the top plate features are also what prompts the LX7 to appear from this angle at least to be a GF- 'lite'. Nestling next to the hotshoe we have a narrow profile and firm shooting mode dial with 10 options squeezed around it. As well as iAuto we get the P,A,S,M quartet plus, not just a movie mode, but a 'creative movie mode'. Then there is a separate setting for the Creative Control modes, another for the 16 scene modes (the usual family-friendly array of portrait, landscape, baby and pet settings), and not one but two user customisable settings.

The creative movie mode is where technologies converge and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7 becomes an intriguing prospect for would-be videographers, providing access as it does to the same creative exposure P,A,S,M modes selectable when shooting stills. You also get access to all the Photo Style and Creative Control modes when shooting video. ISO settings, white balance and AF tracking are also all accessible when shooting movies.

So this is a digital stills camera where video seems more than just an afterthought, or an exercise in box ticking. The normal bugbear of exterior location shoots is also dealt with thanks to a wind cut option among the four screen's worth of menu settings in motion picture mode. Happily, the full extent of the smooth and steady optical zoom can be accessed when shooting video, its mechanical operation quiet and minimally intrusive. New to the LX7 is high-speed video recording at 120fps (NTSC) / 100fps (PAL) in 720p MP4 format, providing a creative slow-motion effect.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T90 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T90
Side Pop-up Flash

Back to stills for a moment though and, if results straight out of the camera are too naturalistic for the photographer's liking, the expanded and renamed Creative Control modes also give vent to the interior auteur. It's here one can choose the vibrant, saturation boosting 'Expressive' setting from an expansive range of options also including film grain, pin hole, silhouette, dynamic black and white, dynamic art, high dynamic, monochrome, elegant, pure, or retro colour effects, with the welcome ability to alter the look of each individual effect should you so desire.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7's new Time Lapse Shot mode automatically starts recording a time lapse sequence once the start time, interval and the number of pictures to shoot are set, although there is a slightly disappointing maximum limit of 60 shots and a minimum limit of 1 minute, which rather curbs the creative potential of this mode.

Next to the shooting mode dial is the raised shutter release button ergonomically encircled by a rocker switch for operating the zoom. As indicated the zoom glides fairly leisurely through its range, taking just over three seconds to get from maximum wideangle to extreme telephoto. Tabbing back and forth it's possible to be reasonably accurate with your framing. Just right of this we have the recessed 'one touch' video record button that very usefully allows the user to be up and shooting video in a thrice no matter what other (non video) mode they might have selected on the adjacent dial. Just behind this we find the aforementioned on/off switch.

If the front and top resemble one of Panasonic's hybrid Four Thirds models, the LX7's backplate is an altogether humbler, or as we've indicated more approachable affair. It's here we have echoes of one of its £199 point and shoots; apart, that is, from the enthusiast enticing giveaways of an AF/AE lock button and DSLR-like command/jog dial top right, which makes it easy to change the shutter speed and in conjunction with the aperture ring set the Manual exposure mode.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7 has an internal Neutral Density filter, now easily accessible via the new ND/Focus button on the back of the camera. The ND filter proves almost essential given the LX7's maximum f/1.4 aperture. In bright sunlight conditions when shooting wide-open to get the minimum depth of field, the fastest shutter speed of 1/4000th second can easily be exceeded - simply press the ND button to slow down the shutter speed by 3 stops and avoid exposure problems. Alternatively this button, in tandem with the command dial, can be used to adjust the expansiveness of the AF area, or alter its default position of dead centre of the frame to off-centre instead, with a subsequent press of the navigation pad cross keys.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T90 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T90
Memory Card Slot Battery Compartment

The other near microscopic backplate controls include the familiar playback button, and, just below this, a quartet of cross keys for tabbing through and selecting menu options, or scrolling through captured images, with a central menu/set button falling under the thumb in their midst.

The top key of the quartet is marked ISO, which provides quick access to the extensive ISO range of 80-12800. To the right, at three o'clock, the next key is given over as a shortcut to accessing White Balance settings on the fly. The bottom key is for the LX7's self-timer options: here either the standard two or ten seconds. At nine o'clock we get a customisable 'Func' (function) button as another short cut, by default providing instant access to the AF Area settings.

Beneath this again we get the final two buttons on the camera back, for self explanatory Display - a press of which turns of the operational icons or brings up a nine-zone compositional grid - and, the Q.Menu or 'Quick Menu' button bringing up the toolbar of key shooting settings. Again, choose one of the creative shooting modes and the user has access to photo style settings, flash options, metering mode, AF area, white balance, picture size and even a six option video recording quality.

While that's it for the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7's backplate, the right hand side of the camera - when viewed from the back - features a terminal door covering both HDMI (cable optional) and AV/USB out ports. There are also vacant lugs on the left and right hand flanks of the camera for attaching the provided shoulder strap.

The base of the camera meanwhile features an off-centre screw thread for attaching a tripod, the other under-side feature being the compartment housing the battery, good for 300 shots from a single charge, and SD/SDHC/SDXC or Eye-Fi media cards.

So how does the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7 measure up as regards image quality? Read on to find out…

Image Quality

All of the sample images in this Review were taken using the 10 megapixel Fine JPEG setting, which gives an average image size of around 4Mb.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7 produced images of very good quality during the review period. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7 dealt extremely well with chromatic aberrations, with limited purple fringing effects appearing only in high contrast situations. The pop-up flash worked well indoors, with no red-eye and adequate exposure. The night photograph was excellent, with the maximum shutter speed of 60 seconds allowing you to capture plenty of light.

Anti-shake is a feature that sets this camera apart from its competitors and one that works very well when hand-holding the camera in low-light conditions or when using the telephoto end of the zoom range. Macro performance is amazing, allowing you to focus as close as 1 cm away from the subject (although it's difficult to get the lighting correct at such a close distance). The images were a little soft straight out of the camera at the default sharpening setting and ideally require further sharpening in an application like Adobe Photoshop, or you can change the in-camera setting if you don't like the default results.

And then we come to the LX7's low light performance. Up to ISO 1600 images are clean and relatively noise free. Indeed we'd suggest that performance at ISO 1600 is the equivalent of ISO 800 on lesser compacts, including Lumix models lower down the manufacturer's own range. Stray above this and, perhaps inevitably, we start to run into problems, noise noticeably intruding at ISO 3200 and 6400 and, as mentioned in the main body of the review, resolution falling off at the fastest 12800 setting.

Noise

There are 9 ISO settings available on the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7. Here are some 100% crops which show the noise levels for each ISO setting for both JPEG and RAW file formats:

JPEG RAW

ISO 80 (100% Crop)

ISO 80 (100% Crop)

   

ISO 100 (100% Crop)

ISO 100 (100% Crop)

   

ISO 200 (100% Crop)

ISO 200 (100% Crop)

   

ISO 400 (100% Crop)

ISO 400 (100% Crop)

   

ISO 800 (100% Crop)

ISO 800 (100% Crop)

   

ISO 1600 (100% Crop)

ISO 1600 (100% Crop)

   

ISO 3200 (100% Crop)

ISO 3200 (100% Crop)

   

ISO 6400 (100% Crop)

ISO 6400 (100% Crop)

   

ISO 12800 (100% Crop)

 
N/A

Focal Range

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7's 3.8x zoom lens offers a fairly versatile focal range, as illustrated by these examples.

24mm

90mm

Sharpening

Here are two 100% crops which have been Saved as Web - Quality 50 in Photoshop. The right-hand image has had some sharpening applied in Photoshop. The out-of-the camera images are a little soft at the default sharpening setting. You can change the in-camera sharpening level if you don't like the default look.

Original (100% Crop)

Sharpened (100% Crop)

   

File Quality

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7 has 2 different JPEG image quality settings available, with Fine being the highest quality option. Here are some 100% crops which show the quality of the various options, with the file size shown in brackets.

Fine (4.24Mb) (100% Crop)

Standard (2.43Mb) (100% Crop)

   

RAW (11.7Mb) (100% Crop)

 
 

Chromatic Aberrations

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7 handled chromatic aberrations excellently during the review. There's very slight purple fringing between areas of high contrast, but it's only noticeable on really close inspection, as shown in the example below.

Example 1 (100% Crop)

Macro

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7 offers a macro setting that allows you to focus on a subject that is 1cm away from the camera when the lens is set to 24mm wide-angle. The first image shows how close you can get to the subject (in this case a compact flash card). The second image is a 100% crop.

Macro Shot

100% Crop

Flash

The flash settings on the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7 are Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off, and Flash Synchro. These shots of a white coloured wall were taken at a distance of 1.5m.

Flash Off - Wide Angle (24mm)

Flash On - Wide Angle (24mm)

ISO 64 ISO 64
   

Flash Off - Telephoto (90mm)

Flash On - Telephoto (90mm)

ISO 64 ISO 64

And here are a couple of portrait shots. Neither the Forced On or Auto/Red-eye Reduction options caused any amount of red-eye.

Forced On

Forced On (100% Crop)
   

Auto/Red-eye Reduction

Auto/Red-eye Reduction (100% Crop)

Night

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7's maximum shutter speed is 60 seconds in the Manual shooting mode and the Starry Sky Mode scene mode, which is great news if you're seriously interested in night photography. The shot below was taken using a shutter speed of 15 seconds at ISO 200.

Night Shot

Night Shot (100% Crop)

Image Stabilisation

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7 has an antishake mechanism which allows you to take sharp photos at slower shutter speeds than other digital cameras. To test this, I took 2 handheld shots of the same subject with the same settings. The first shot was taken with the stabilizer turned off, the second with it turned on. As you can see, with image stabilisation turned on, the images are sharper than when it's turned off.

Shutter Speed / Focal Length

Image Stabilisation Off (100% Crop)

Image Stabilisation On (100% Crop)

1/13th / 24mm
     
1/10th / 90mm

Intelligent Resolution

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7's Intelligent Resolution feature e makes a standard image look like a higher resolution one by processing the contour areas, texture areas and smooth areas individually, with three different strengths available.

Off

Low

   

Standard

High

Intelligent D-Range

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7's Intelligent D-range setting adjusts the exposure setting to record more detail in the highlights and shadows, with three strengths available - low, standard and high.

Off

Low

   

Standard

High

Aspect Ratios

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7 offers four different aspect ratios.

1:1

4:3

   

3:2

16:9

Multiple Exposure

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7's Multiple Exposure mode combines two or three different pictures to create one composite image.

Multiple Exposure

Photo Styles

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7 has 6 preset Photo Styles, with Standard as the default setting. The contrast, sharpness, saturation and noise reduction can be individually set for each picture style, and there is also a Custom style so that you can create your own look.

Standard

Vivid

   

Natural

Monochrome

   

Scenery

Portrait

Creative Controls

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7 has an extensive range of Creative Controls, denoted by an artist's palette on the shooting mode dial, with 16 different options on offer.

Expressive

Retro

   

High Key

Low Key

   

Sepia

Dynamic Monochrome

   

Impressive Art

High Dynamic

   

Cross Process

Toy Effect

   

Miniature Effect

Soft Focus

   

Star Filter

One Point Color

   

Smooth Defocus

Radial Defocus

Sample Images

This is a selection of sample images from the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7 camera, which were all taken using the 10 megapixel Fine JPEG setting. The thumbnails below link to the full-sized versions, which have not been altered in any way.

Sample RAW Images

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7 enables users to capture RAW and JPEG format files. We've provided some Panasonic RAW (RW2) samples for you to download (thumbnail images shown below are not 100% representative).

Sample Movie & Video

This is a sample movie at the highest quality setting of 1920x1080 pixels at 50 frames per second. Please note that this 20 second movie is 68.2Mb in size.

Product Images

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7

Front of the Camera

 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7

Front of the Camera / Turned On

 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7

Front of the Camera / Pop-up Flash

 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7

Isometric View

 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7

Isometric View

 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7

Isometric View

 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7

Isometric View

 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7

Rear of the Camera

 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7

Rear of the Camera / Image Displayed

 

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7

Rear of the Camera / Turned On

 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7
Rear of the Camera / Main Menu
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7
Rear of the Camera / Quick Menu
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7
Rear of the Camera / Creative Control Menu
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7
Top of the Camera
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7
Bottom of the Camera
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7
Side of the Camera
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7
Side of the Camera
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7
Front of the Camera
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7
Front of the Camera
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7
Memory Card Slot
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7
Battery Compartment

Conclusion

The popular Panasonic LX-series has received a rather modest update with the arrival of the new LX7 model. The aperture ring and ND filter button are welcome additions to an already proven design that particularly appeals to more experienced photographers, while the fast f/1.4 lens helps to creates dreamy out-of-focus backgrounds and the 11fps burst mode captures all the action, but with cameras like the recent Sony CyberShot DSC-RX100 delivering better image quality in a smaller package, not to mention the explosion in the number of compact system cameras, the premium-priced LX7 faces fiercer competition than ever before.

Priced at around £449.99 / $499.95, the LX7 is another recent high-end model that further blurs the line between compact and larger-sensor cameras. Consumers have never had so much choice at this price-point - premium compact, mid-range compact system camera and even an entry-level DSLR are all available. Were it not for the arrival of the Sony RX100, the LX7 would have been our defacto choice as a pocketable and user-friendly compact for keen photographers that delivers excellent image quality considering the small size of its sensor, but Sony's offering produces even better images from an even smaller camera, admittedly at an even higher price. Ultimately we prefer the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7's interface and handling, but clearly give the nod to the RX100's extensive feature-set and amazing image quality.

So two years on from the previous LX5 model, the LX7 is still a great pocket camera, but is no longer king of the rather niche Premium Compact market. It's still Highly Recommended, but make sure that you check out the competition first...

4.5 stars

Ratings (out of 5)
Design 5
Features 4
Ease-of-use 4.5
Image quality 4.5
Value for money 3.5

Review Roundup

Reviews of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7 from around the web.

neocamera.com »

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7 is a premium compact camera with the brightest ultra-wide-angle lens of any digital camera, equivalent to 24-90mm F/1.4 - 2.3. This camera has a larger-than-usual 10 megapixels CMOS sensor capable of ISO 80 to 6400 at full resolution. It can record full 1080p HD video progressively at 60 FPS and continuously shoot at 11 FPS.
Read the full review »

Specifications

Metrics

Dimensions (W x H x D) 110.5 x 67.1 x 45.6 mm / (4.35 x 2.64 x 1.80 inch)
Weight Approx. 269g without Battery and SD Memory Card (0.60 lb) / Approx. 298g with Battery and SD Memory Card (0.66 lb)

Optics

Camera Effective Pixels 10.1 Megapixels
Sensor Size / Total Pixels / Filter 1/1.7-type High Sensitivity MOS Sensor / 12.7 Total Megapixels / Primary Color Filter
Aperture F1.4 - 2.3 / Multistage Iris Diaphragm (F1.4 - 8.0 (W), F2.3 - 8.0 (T)) / ND filter (3steps)
Optical Zoom 3.8x
Focal Length f=4.7 - 17.7mm (24 - 90mm in 35mm equiv.)
Extra Optical Zoom (EZ) 4.5x (4:3 / 7M), 5.4x (4:3 / 5M), 6.7x (under 3M)
Intelligent Zoom 7.5x
Lens LEICA DC VARIO-SUMMILUX / 11 elements in 10 groups / (5 Aspherical Lenses / 9 Aspherical surfaces / 2 ED Lenses(1 Aspherical ED lens) / 1 Nano surface Coating Lens)
2-Speed Zoom -
Optical Image Stabilizer Power O.I.S. (On/Off)
Digital Zoom Max. 4x
Focusing Area Normal: Wide 50 cm - infinity / AF Macro / MF / Intelligent AUTO / motion picture: Wide 1 cm - infinity /Tele 30cm - infinity
AF Assist Lamp Yes?(On/Off)
Focus Normal / AF Macro / MF / Quick AF On/Off (On in Intelligent Auto), Continuous AF (only for motion picture) / AF/AF Macro/MF Switchable, AF/AE Lock Button, Focus Lever, Manual Focus, One Shot AF, AF Area Select, AF Tracking
AF Metering Face / AF Tracking / 23-area / 1-area (flexible/scalable)
Shutter Speed approx. 250 - 1/4000 sec??ISO80-ISO1600? / ????? 30 - 1/4000 sec (ISO2000 - ISO3200) / 8 - 1/4000 sec (ISO4000 - ISO12800)
Viewfinder Optional : DMW-LVF2

Recording

File Format Still Image: JPEG(DCF/Exif2.3) / RAW / MPO / Motion picture: AVCHD, MP4
Mode Dial / Mode Button Intelligent Auto, P, A, S, M, C1, C2, Creative Video, Creative Control, SCN
Creative Control mode Expressive, Retro, High Key, Low Key, Sepia, Dynamic Monochrome, Impressive Art, High Dynamic, Cross Process, Toy Effect, Miniature Effect, Soft Focus, Star Filter, One Point Color, Radial Defocus, Smooth Defocus
Still Image Scene Mode Portrait, Soft Skin, Scenery, Panorama shot, Sports, Night Portrait, Night Scenery, Handheld Night Shot, HDR, Food, Baby1, Baby2, Pet, Sunset, Glass Through, 3D Photo,
Continuous Shooting Mode Full- Resolution Image: 11 frames/sec Max.12 images / with AF Tracking: 5 frames/sec, 2 frames/sec / High- speed Burst: approx. 60 frames/sec (recorded in 2.5M) / approx. 40 frames/sec (recorded in 5M)
Motion Picture Recording (*2) [HD Video] 1920 x 1080 pixels, 50p (PSH: 28Mbps / AVCHD) (Sensor Output is 50fps) / 1920 x 1080 pixels, 50i (FSH: 17Mbps / AVCHD) (Sensor Output is 50fps) / 1280 x 720 pixels, 50p(SH: 17Mbps / AVCHD) (Sensor Output is 50fps) / 1920 x 1080 pixels, 25 fps (FHD: 20Mbps / MP4) (Sensor Output is 25fps) / 1280 x 720 pixels, 25 fps (HD: 10Mbps / MP4) (Sensor Output is 25fps) / [STD Video] 640 x 480 pixels, 25 fps (VGA: 4Mbps / MP4) (Sensor Output is 25fps) / [High Speed Video] 1280 x 720 pixels, 25fps (MP4) (Sensor Output is 100fps)
AVCHD (Continuous recordable time [motion pictures]) approx. 90 min (PSH), 100 min (FSH)
MP4 (Continuous recordable time [motion pictures]) approx. 110 min (FHD)
AVCHD (Actual recordable time [motion pictures]) approx. 50 min (PSH), 55 min (FSH)
MP4 (Actual recordable time [motion pictures]) approx. 60 min (FHD)
Exposure Program AE, Aperture Priority AE, Shutter Priority AE, Manual
Exposure Compensation 1/3 EV step, +/-3 EV
Auto (AE) Bracketing 1/3 -3EV step, Max.+/-3 EV, 3 frames
Light Metering Intelligent Multiple / Center Weighted / Spot
Aspect Bracketing Yes
ISO Sensitivity Auto / i.ISO / 80 / 100 / 200 / 400 / 800 / 1600 / 3200 / 6400 / 12800* (*by Pixel Mixed Readout) (changeable to 1/3 EV step)
Still Picture Recording [1:1] 2736x2736 (7.5M) / 2304x2304 (5.5M EZ)/ 1920x1920 (3.5M EZ) / 1536x1536 (2.5M EZ) / 480x480 (0.2M EZ) / [4:3] 3648x2736 (10M) / 3072x2304 (7M EZ) / 2560x1920 (5M EZ) / 2048x1536 (3M EZ) / 1600 x 1200 (2M EZ) / 640x480 (0.3M EZ) / [3:2] 3776 x 2520 (9.5M) / 3168 x 2112 (6.5M EZ) / 2656 x 1768 (4.5M EZ)/ 2112 x 1408 (3M EZ) / 2048x1360 (2.5M EZ) / 640x424 (0.3M EZ) / [16:9] 3968 x 2232 (9M) / 3228 x 1872 (6M EZ) / 2784 x 1588 (4.5M EZ)/ 2208 x 1248 (2.5M EZ) / 1920x1080 (2M EZ) / 640x360 (0.2M EZ) / 1920 x 1080 (3D)
Zoom in Motion Picture Yes
Image Quality RAW / RAW+Fine / RAW+Standard / Fine / Standard (3D Mode : MPO+Fine / MPO Standard)
White Balance Auto / Daylight / Cloudy / Shade / Flash / Incandescent / White Set1 / White Set2 / Color Tempareture (2-axis adjustable)
Photo Style / Film Mode Standard, Vivid, Natural, Monochrome, Scenery, Portrait, Custom
Color Mode / Color Effect / My color Color Mode (only in iA Mode) : Standard, Happy, Black and White, Sepia
Picture Adjustment Contrast, Sharpness, Color Saturation, Noise Reduction
Digital Red Eye Correction (Red-Eye Removal) Yes
GPS -
Wi-FI -
Self Timer 2sec / 10sec / 10sec 3pcs

Playback

Retouch Auto Retouch / Creative Retouch
Playback Mode Normal Playback, Slideshow, Filtering Playback?Picture Only, Video Only, 3D, Category, Favorites), Calendar Search
Thumbnails / Zoomed Playback 12,30-thumbnails / Yes
Calendar Display / Dual-Image Playback Yes (Menu / Zoom Button) / No
Set Favorites / Rotate Image Yes / No
Show Histogram Yes
Show Highlights Yes
DPOF Print Setting / Set Protection Yes / Yes
Resize / Cropping / Aspect Conv. / Leveling Yes / Yes / No / Yes
Copy / Title Edit / Text Stamp Yes / Yes / Yes
Cut Animation Yes
Video Divide Yes
PictBridge Support Single / Multi / All / Favorites / DPOF

Setup

OSD language Japanese, English, German, French, Italian, Spanish

Others

Battery life (approx.) 330 pictures (CIPA Standard)*1
LCD Monitor 7.5cm(3.0") TFT Screen LCD Display (920K dots), AR Coating / Field of View : approx. 100% Wide Viewing Angle / Power LCD mode, AUTO Power LCD mode
Built-in-Flash Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off, Flash Synchro;1st/2nd Slow Sync / 0.8 - 8.5m (Wide/ISO Auto), 0.3 - 5.2m (Tele/ISO Auto)
Recording Media Built-in Memory, SD Memory Card, SDHC Memory Card, SDXC Memory Card
Built-in-Memory Approx. 70MB
Microphone / Speaker Stereo / Mono
Interface miniHDMI, AV Output (PAL/NTSC), USB Multi
Power Li-ion Battery Pack (3.6V, Minimum: 1250mAh) (Included) / AC Adaptor (Input: 110-240V AC) (Optional)
Included Software PHOTOfunSTUDIO 8.3 PE, SilkyPix Developer Studio, Adobe Reader
Standard Accessories Battery Charger, Battery Pack, AC Cable, USB Cable, Shoulder Strap, CD-ROM, Hot Shoe Cover, Lens cap, Lens cap string

Further Specifications

NOTE *1 / Recording conditions by CIPA standard / - CIPA is an abbreviation of [Camera & Imaging Products Association]. / - Temperature: 23 oC (73.4 oF)/Humidity: 50%RH when LCD monitor is on. / - Using a Panasonic SD Memory Card (32 MB). / - Using the supplied battery. / - Starting recording 30 seconds after the camera is turned on. (When the optical image stabilizer function is set to [ON].) / - Recording once every 30 seconds with full flash every second recording. / - Rotating the zoom lever from Tele to Wide or vice versa in every recording. / - Turning the camera off every 10 recordings and leaving it until the temperature of the battery decreases. / *2 / - These are standard times taken at a temperature of 23 oC (73.4 oF) and a humidity of 50%RH. / - The time available for recording varies depending on the environment, the interval between recordings, and the manner of use. / - Actual recordable time is the time available for recording when repeating actions such as switching the power supply [ON] / [OFF], starting/stopping recording, zoom operation etc. / -Motion Pictures can be recorded continuously for up to 29 minutes 59 seconds in European PAL areas. Also, motion picutre recorded continuously in [MP4] is up to 4GB.

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