Although there has always been a healthy interest in the premium end of the compact market, Sony’s decision four years ago to squeeze a 1.0-inch sensor into the RX100 gave the format a much-needed boost. This was even though there has always been a healthy interest in the premium end of the compact market.
Panasonic LUMIX LX10 4K Digital Camera, 20.1 Megapixel 1-Inch Sensor, 3X LEICA...
- POINT-AND-SHOOT CAMERA: Large, 1-inch 20.1-megapixel MOS sensor plus 3X zoom LEICA DC VARIO-SU millimeter ILUX lens (24-72 millimeter) and POWER O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) delivers brighter, more colorful photos with fewer image artifacts
- POINT-AND-SHOOT CAMERA: Large, 1-inch 20.1-megapixel MOS sensor plus 3X zoom LEICA DC VARIO-SU millimeter ILUX lens (24-72 millimeter) and POWER O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) delivers brighter, more colorful photos with fewer image artifacts
- TILTING SELFIE DISPLAY: Rear touch-enabled 3-inch LCD display (1040K dots) tilts upward 180 degree for easy selfie photos
- 4K VIDEO CAPTURE: 4K QFHD video recording (3840 x 2160), plus exclusive LUMIX 4K photo and 4K Post Focus with internal Focus Stacking allows you to record photos up to 30fps and set your desired focus points after the photo has been taken
- LENS-MOUNTED CONTROL RING: Manual lens-mounted control ring brings DSLR-like exposure control to a compact point-and-shoot camera body
- USB CHARGING AND WI-FI CONNECTIVITY: Enjoy travel ready technologies like USB charging and Wi-Fi connectivity to your mobile device; micro-HDMI type D (3) and USB 2.0 micro-B provide additional connectivity to your favorite devices
Although such cameras have their limitations and cannot always serve as a substitute for interchangeable-lens systems, the continuing improvement in the quality of their output, as well as their compact proportions, mean that they are often the first choice for general shooting and sometimes even for more considered photography as well.
Sony’s RX100 range of cameras has been quite successful for the company. This may be attributed in part to the sensor that sits at the core of these models, but it can also be attributed to the use of high-quality lenses and enhanced video capability.
Panasonic Lumix LX10 Features
The heart of the Lumix LX10 is a 20.1-megapixel CMOS sensor that measures 1.0 inches in size. This is the same type of sensor found in Panasonic’s most current superzoom models, the ZS100/TZ100 and the FZ2000.
This device takes pictures at a default aspect ratio of 3:2 and has a capable sensitivity range of ISO125-12,800. Additionally, it has expansion options that go as low as ISO80 and as high as ISO25,600 equivalents.
In addition to still images, the sensor can record video in 4K resolution, namely in the 4K Ultra High Definition format (3840 x 2160 pixels). This is shot at a maximum frame rate of 30fps, with choices also available for 25fps and 24fps. However, if this is more than what is required, or if you are using a slower memory card, you have the option of recording in Full HD at a range of frame rates up to 60fps instead.
4K video recording is accompanied by a whole suite of supporting and related options, such as the capability to pull 4K-resolution frames from footage and a 4K Live Cropping option that enables you to zoom into the scene and set the camera to automatically pan across, with the results being output at a Full HD resolution. Other options include the ability to pull 4K-resolution frames from the footage.
Panasonic Lumix LX10 Build Quality
The Panasonic Lumix LX10 and LX15 are intended to be carried in one’s pocket and can just about be placed in the palm of an average person’s hand. The primary body of it is made of metal, and all of the dials look to have been constructed to the same quality as well. There are a few buttons on the back that are on the smaller side but have a respectable travel range.
Two dials are located on the top plate: one is used to choose different shooting modes, and the other is a command dial mostly used to adjust the exposure parameters. Although the stiffness of the mode dial isn’t wholly surprising, the fact that it is flat does make it somewhat more challenging to gain a grasp on it. The command dial is a good size and rotates readily when turned. Nevertheless, if you only ever use a few different exposure modes, this might not be a problem for you at all.
Panasonic Lumix LX10 Autofocus
It is great to find that the LX10 and LX15 display the kind of slick performance that we have come to expect from Panasonic. The past few generations of Lumix compacts and compact system cameras have been blessed with excellent autofocus speeds, so it is great to find that Panasonic has continued this trend with the LX10 and LX15.
When there is sufficient light, the camera can acquire autofocus with virtually no delay, or at least none that would create a meaningful difference to the user. When confronted with darker surroundings, the lens quickly ping-pongs back and forth before confirming focus. However, even in exceptionally dark settings, the speedy AF-assist lamp ensures that direction is frequently obtained with just a little delay.
You can easily pick the focusing point due to the responsiveness of the touchscreen, and you can alter the size of this box to one of eight different settings using the command dial that is located on the top plate. Although this is helpful when you need to focus on a tiny thing (or far away), you can also use the Pinpoint option to get a higher level of accuracy.
In this mode, it takes the camera a little bit longer to find focus than when it is left to its more traditional settings; nevertheless, the center of the screen will magnify as the emphasis is verified, giving you a more precise notion of what is and isn’t in focus while the camera snaps the picture. Even the length of time that this magnification is active may be changed if you so like, which is a surprising amount of flexibility for such a small camera.
Panasonic Lumix LX10 Performance
After powering on the Panasonic LX10 or LX15, it takes around a second and a half for the camera’s lens to stretch to its full length and be ready to snap a picture, which isn’t exceptionally fast but is pretty much run for the course for a model of this kind. If you immediately attempt to play photographs as soon as the camera is switched on, there is a tiny additional delay; another second or two is required.
Although the lens advances through its focus range in a relatively leisurely manner, this is required considering how short the lens is. The fact that the zoom collar that surrounds the shutter release button is sensitive enough to recognize very few nudges is a beautiful feature. This sensitivity makes it possible to modify the focus range in single mm increments for precision, which is a significant advantage. If you want frequently used focal lengths such as 35mm and 50mm, you can stop the zoom.
However, using the camera reveals that the maximum aperture closes down to f/2 by 27mm, and to f/2.8 by 32mm, which may surprise some people. The lens has a maximum aperture of f/1.4-2.8, which compares well with competitors that only achieve f/1.8 at the wide-angle end.
Panasonic Lumix LX10 Image Quality
Because the default evaluative pattern can perform admirably across such a wide variety of settings, there is typically very little need to make use of the exposure compensation feature of the camera while carrying out day-to-day photography.
When shooting outside on the street, the camera only slightly underexposes the image when presented with a more considerable expanse of brilliant sky. It does a good job overall of keeping a balanced exposure across the frame.
Similarly, when photographing a predominately dark subject, the camera is not as readily tricked as so many other cameras are into giving an overexposed picture.
The processing of raw photographs reveals a fair amount of creative leeway, even with these scenarios. It is possible to effectively elevate the exposure of underexposed areas by a stop or two. It is also possible to rescue underexposed places even further, but this must be done with careful noise reduction and sharpness.
The raw processing that can be done in the camera is quite well thought out, and it offers a wide variety of possibilities, such as the option to save files either over previously saved versions or as brand new ones.
Panasonic Lumix LX10 Specs
Body type | Compact |
---|---|
Sensor | |
Max resolution | 5472 x 3648 |
Image ratio w:h | 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 |
Effective pixels | 20 megapixels |
Sensor photo detectors | 21 megapixels |
Sensor size | 1″ (13.2 x 8.8 mm) |
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS |
Color space | Primary color filter |
Color filter array | Primary color filter |
Image | |
ISO | Auto, 125-12800 (expands to 80-25600) |
Boosted ISO (minimum) | 80 |
Boosted ISO (maximum) | 25600 |
White balance presets | 5 |
Custom white balance | Yes (4 slots) |
Image stabilization | Sensor-shift |
Image stabilization notes | 5-axis ‘hybrid’ when recording 1080p and below video |
Uncompressed format | RAW |
JPEG quality levels | Fine, standard |
File format | JPEG (Exif v.23)Raw (Panasonic RW2) |
Optics & Focus | |
Focal length (equiv.) | 24–72 mm |
Optical zoom | 3× |
Maximum aperture | F1.4–2.8 |
Autofocus | Contrast Detect (sensor)Multi-areaCenterSelective single-pointTrackingSingleContinuousTouchFace DetectionLive View |
Autofocus assist lamp | Yes |
Digital zoom | Yes (2X-4X) |
Manual focus | Yes |
Normal focus range | 30 cm (11.81″) |
Macro focus range | 3 cm (1.18″) |
Number of focus points | 49 |
Screen / viewfinder | |
Articulated LCD | Tilting |
Screen size | 3″ |
Screen dots | 1,040,000 |
Touch screen | Yes |
Screen type | TFT LCD |
Live view | Yes |
Viewfinder type | None |
Photography features | |
Minimum shutter speed | 60 sec |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 sec |
Maximum shutter speed (electronic) | 1/16000 sec |
Exposure modes | ProgramShutter priorityAperture priorityManual |
Scene modes | Clear PortraitSilky SkinBacklit SoftnessClear in BacklightRelaxing ToneSweet Child’s FaceDistinct SceneryBright Blue SkyRomantic Sunset GlowVivid Sunset GlowGlistening WaterClear NightscapeCool Night SkyWarm Glowing NightscapeArtistic NightscapeGlittering IlluminationsHandheld Night ShotClear Night PortraitSoft Image of a FlowerAppetizing FoodCute DessertFreeze Animal MotionClear Sports ShotMonochrome |
Built-in flash | Yes |
Flash range | 12.10 m (at Auto ISO) |
External flash | No |
Flash modes | Auto, Auto w/ red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On w/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync, Slow Sync w/Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off |
Drive modes | SingleContinuousSelf-timer |
Continuous drive | 10.0 fps |
Self-timer | Yes (2 or 10 secs, 10 sec (3 shots)) |
Metering modes | MultiCenter-weightedSpot |
Exposure compensation | ±5 (at 1/3 EV steps) |
AE Bracketing | ±3 (3, 5, 7 frames at 1/3 EV, 2/3 EV, 1 EV steps) |
WB Bracketing | Yes |
Videography features | |
Modes | 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 100 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 28 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 30p / 20 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC1280 x 720 @ 30p / 10 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 28 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Dolby Digital1920 x 1080 @ 60i / 17 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Dolby Digital1920 x 1080 @ 30p / 24 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Dolby Digital1920 x 1080 @ 24p / 24 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Dolby Digital |
Microphone | Stereo |
Speaker | Mono |
Storage | |
Storage types | SD/SDHC/SDXC card |
Connectivity | |
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
HDMI | Yes (micro-HDMI) |
Microphone port | No |
Headphone port | No |
Wireless | Built-In |
Wireless notes | 802.11b/g/n |
Remote control | Yes (via smartphone) |
Physical | |
Environmentally sealed | No |
Battery | Battery Pack |
Battery description | Lithium-ion battery & charger |
Battery Life (CIPA) | 260 |
Weight (inc. batteries) | 310 g (0.68 lb / 10.93 oz) |
Dimensions | 106 x 60 x 42 mm (4.17 x 2.36 x 1.65″) |
Other features | |
Orientation sensor | Yes |
GPS | None |
Panasonic Lumix LX10 Verdict
In the enthusiast compact market, Panasonic has a long and illustrious history, and the LX10 / LX15 is yet another outstanding addition to the Lumix range of cameras.
The speed of its focusing mechanism and the clarity and responsiveness of its touchscreen make it a pleasurable camera to use. The/pros quality of the pictures and movies it produces is consistently impressive.
The camera has such a petite proportion also means that you won’t be discouraged bringing it out for the evening, but you will still feel secure enough to utilize it in more demanding circumstances, which is where you may typically use an interchangeable-lens camera.
Panasonic Lumix LX10 Price
Panasonic LUMIX LX10 4K Digital Camera, 20.1 Megapixel 1-Inch Sensor, 3X LEICA...
- POINT-AND-SHOOT CAMERA: Large, 1-inch 20.1-megapixel MOS sensor plus 3X zoom LEICA DC VARIO-SU millimeter ILUX lens (24-72 millimeter) and POWER O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) delivers brighter, more colorful photos with fewer image artifacts
- POINT-AND-SHOOT CAMERA: Large, 1-inch 20.1-megapixel MOS sensor plus 3X zoom LEICA DC VARIO-SU millimeter ILUX lens (24-72 millimeter) and POWER O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) delivers brighter, more colorful photos with fewer image artifacts
- TILTING SELFIE DISPLAY: Rear touch-enabled 3-inch LCD display (1040K dots) tilts upward 180 degree for easy selfie photos
- 4K VIDEO CAPTURE: 4K QFHD video recording (3840 x 2160), plus exclusive LUMIX 4K photo and 4K Post Focus with internal Focus Stacking allows you to record photos up to 30fps and set your desired focus points after the photo has been taken
- LENS-MOUNTED CONTROL RING: Manual lens-mounted control ring brings DSLR-like exposure control to a compact point-and-shoot camera body
- USB CHARGING AND WI-FI CONNECTIVITY: Enjoy travel ready technologies like USB charging and Wi-Fi connectivity to your mobile device; micro-HDMI type D (3) and USB 2.0 micro-B provide additional connectivity to your favorite devices