Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 10.1 MP Digital Camera with 3.8x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 3.0-Inch LCD - Black (OLD MODEL)

Originally, I was in the market to get a Canon S95. But after doing a bit of research, I found out that the Lumix DMC-LX5 was on par, if not a little better than the S95. After taking many still pictures and videos (and processing them), I can honestly say that Panasonic has made a winner with this camera.Still ImagesThe photos I've taken in bright light all look crisp and vibrant which isn't a surprise. In low light, the LX5 also perfoms well - especially considering it's not an SLR. I take a lot of indoor pictures with the flash off. And the results are pretty good at reproducing the exact scene I took - despite the lack of perfect bright light. Still, if you get into a situation where you need the manual controls, this camera has that covered.VideosVideos look great because it records in 720p HD AVCHD format by default. The HD quality is excellent, with smooth focusing, and crisp images. (Other point and shoot cameras often have shifty focusing where the focus jumps depending on what is in the frame at the time.) What's more, in video mode, you have access to almost all the manual controls you have in still image mode - most other cameras in this price range are not as flexible.ControlsManual controls is one this camera's strengths. Aperture, exposure, ISO, flash, aspect ratio, auto focus, manual focus, scene setting, macro settings, and everything inbetween can be adjusted manually with this camera. Want to keep it on auto focus? No problem - it does that very well too. Most of my own pictures are taken with autofocus on. But sometimes I like to take over and have the aperture set manually (aperture priority), in which case the camera auto-adjusts everything else. When I like to get artistic, I set the camera to full manual and adjust everything myself.Photo and Video processing and conversionOne thing most people don't talk about is processing the photos and the videos from this camera on your computer. I use a Windows 7 64bit PC that lacks an SD card reader. Fortunately, I could connect the camera directly to my PC via the included USB cable. Then by using the PhotoFunStudio software provided by Panasonic (on CD-ROM) I transferred all the photos and videos I took to my PC's hard drive. By default, the LX5 saves its videos in AVCHD format which is not supported by many video players. But, you can convert these videos to MPEG2 in the provided software easily (which is then supported by many players). The MPEG2 videos look just as sharp and vibrant as the AVCHD videos they originated from. Alternatively, you can also set the camera to shoot in Motion Jpeg format (Quicktime compatible), which is immediately useable by Youtube.SD CardI chose to use a 16gb PNY Class 10 SDHC SD card. It writes very fast and getting the videos off the card is quick as well. I have no complaints about this SD card. In video mode the 16gb of memory gives me approximately 2hours of video on default settings. (This can be adjusted to extend the time at the cost of video quality.)GRIPES:No camera is perfect, and the LX5 isn't either. Compared to the Canon S95 (which shares the same price point and similiar features), it isn't nearly as portable. The huge Leica lense sticks out of the body just enough to keep it from being easily-pocketed in a pair of jeans. The LX5 uses a traditional lense cap which I will probably loose one day when I get careless. And although that 3inch LCD screen is beautiful, it still is hard to see in direct sunlight. I wish Panasonic included a viewfinder with this camera. Sure, I can get an attachment, but for $400, I expect it to come with the camera.CONCLUSION:If you're in the market for a great point-and-shoot camera that has all the manual controls you can use; and it does video really well - check out the LX5 it's one of the best.

This camera is nice..I will not write a detailed review but just few thoughts a bout this camera:I owned canon S90,Sony DSC-HX5v and had DMC-ZS7...This camera takes pictures that absolutely more beautiful than the rest.In good light all good cameras will (mostly) take nice pictures,but the challange is in low light and here were you compare this one to S90.The S90 pictures with flash are crappy and I did not take a single picture that turned out to be nice.This one definitly takes much more beautiful pics.You can adjust minimal shuttter speed and maximum ISO.This is important if you are taking pics for kids as they keep moving...This is very important for parents.This one takes fantastic pictures indoor with shutter speed of 1/125 and Max ISO 400..You can not do that with most other brands.You can do that with the ZS5 or 7 but still the LX5 pics are more bright.Colors are beautiful and there are so many modes for colors(If I can call them so)...Propably that is a reason why some people are not 100% satisfied with the pic quality...An example if you choose VIVD mode for indoor pictures...Most pictures will come out dark so you will not like them...And the camera will remember the color mode and it's easily to foreget to adjust it at the beginning...Keep that in mind.The IQ of this camera is great..You can trust it in the iA mode much more than the ZS7.You can store 4 custom settings and the camera will remember them...Makes you life easier.Which other brand will do that?Lens cap is not good but not horrible and you will adapt to it quickly.Size is not big,and you will find handling it much easier and more comfortable than the S90.Accessories are rare and expensive:That's true but ho will need any because the screen of this camera is very crisp so you will not need a viewfinder and the battery takes more than 400 pics on a single charge...Keep in mind that out of the box the LCD is in the power saving mode that's why it's dark but you can adjust that and it will be bright and crisp.Menu system is very easy and there is an Fn button that you can assign to the more common function that you use.If you are after video;keep in mind this is a P&S and if this is your main concern,go for the DSC-HX5v that takes fantastic video but bad pics.Has (my color) mode..Just try it and you will feel the beauty of this camera's pics.Price wise,it's expensive but:if canon is selling the S90 for 350-399 this one price should be 700-800 with respect to the features it gives you.It comes with SILKYPIX software to deal with the RAW images..I think the price of this software is around 150.It's a good one and comes with it for free.So:1.If you are a parent for young kids...This is the camera you have been looking for and that's the reason I love it.2.Please before saying that canon is better,try it first and you will realize that this one easily win.3.If you get images you are not satisfied with then make sure you are using the right settings.4.I have been always a Sony's cameras fan,but this camera made me realize how much I was mistaken.5.For some the S90 is a great camera but for me the LX5 is much much better especially when using the flash.6.The flash recycles quicker and stronger compared to the rest including the ZS7.Also this is important for kids shots in low light.Update 9/11:I was planning to get the white one at the beginning,but I got the black one since it was released first.Then when the white one came out I exchanged it.So I have the chance to try both.This has nothing to do do with performance but just obsevation when you compare the two colors:a.You feel that the white one is bigger.I know they are identical in size but really you feel that because of the color effect.A disadvantage.b.The white one is in fact 3 colors:Body is white,Lens cap and grip are silver, (shoulder strap ,lens cap string and hot shoe cover) surprisingly are black...These colors don't fit together.But the black one has every thing in black...Which gives consistency in color.c.When you look at the white one you (feel) it's made of plastic...Again because of the color effect.But the black one you feel it's strudy and well made.d.I think all original accessories,like a view finder, are black color.So if you will buy any (especially a case since you will need one),they will match the black camera more.So,the white one is not ugly but the black one in my opinion is more more beautiful.Hoping this will help to decide which color you will pick.