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Top Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2 Camera Reviews
Digital Camera Resource wrote a review of the
Panasonic Lumix LX2
and said: "Without a doubt, the LX2's weak point is its photo
quality. While the camera took well exposed photos with accurate
colors and minimal purple fringing, details are often quite
"fuzzy" and "smudged". While you won't see these things when you
downsize the images or make small prints, you will notice them
in large prints, or if you've viewing your photos at 100% on
your computer monitor. Things only get worse as the ISO
sensitivity goes up, too, with more noise, less detail, and a
noticeable drop in color saturation."
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2 News Release Summary:
Panasonic today introduced the Lumix DMC-LX2, successor to the
DMC-LX1, which has received high acclaim worldwide for its
unique 16:9 wide CCD, plentiful functions, and smart design. The
DMC-LX2 inherits the f/2.8 28mm wide angle LEICA DC lens, 4x
optical zoom (equivalent to 28mm to 112mm on a 35mm film camera)
and MEGA O.I.S.(Optical Image Stabilizer) system in addition to
an enhanced CCD capable of 10.2-megapixels and larger 2.8" 16:9
wide LCD.
The DMC-LX2 is unique in that it incorporates triple-"wide"
features of 28 mm wide angle LEICA DC lens, 16:9 wide CCD and
16:9 wide LCD. Not only that, the LX2 is further distinguished
from other cameras by its full manual controllability with a
joystick allowing users to easily enjoy creative shooting. The
DMC-LX2 also boasts Venus Engine III high performance image
processing LSI to dramatically reduce the noise that challenged
the predecessor, realizing image recording at max. ISO 1600 high
sensitivity setting at full resolution.
To fight against the major cause of blurred images, Panasonic
invented the MEGA O.I.S. system taking advantage of its superior
lens technology to compensate for handshake - a feature which
has long been incorporated into the LUMIX range of cameras. In
addition, to also compensate for the other major cause of
blurred images - movement of the subject - the LX2 is also
equipped with the world's first* Intelligent ISO Control
(hereafter I.I.C.) within the advanced image processing LSI
Venus Engine III. When set to the I.I.C., the Venus Engine III
detects the subject's movement and adjusts the ISO setting and
shutter speed to best suit the subject movement and the light
condition automatically. Panasonic's excellent image stabilizing
system allows users to take clear, crisp images in any situation
automatically, leaving everything to the camera.
The LUMIX LX series are distinct from other compact cameras in
the way they feature extensive manual controls including manual
focus and manual exposure which can be smoothly operated with a
joystick. This joystick further provides operation shortcuts to
the frequently used settings including white balance, ISO, image
size, compression format, light metering and AF mode by simply
pressing and holding it. It also allows exposure compensation
and selection of one out of nine focusing areas.
The aspect ratio is easily selectable between 16:9 wide, 3:2 and
conventional 4:3 with a switch located on top of the lens barrel
to shoot in the framing aspect that best suits the subjects'
composition or image's purpose of use. In addition, the DMC-LX2
is capable of recording wide 16:9 high definition (1280 x 720)
motion image at 15 fps.
The other features that elevate the DMC-LX2 is the incorporation
of 13 MB of built-in memory while the battery life is extended
up to 300 pictures* on one charging, not to let you miss those
great spur-of-the-moment shots. A print mode has been added to
the mode dial so that you can print the images quickly and
bundled software allows users to edit and develop RAW files.
The unique 16:9 wide CCD and 28mm wide angle LEICA DC lens
provide a unique view of the world and which is refined by the
Panasonic?s excellent image stabilizing systems of MEGA O.I.S.,
the high sensitivity recording and the I.I.C.
The LUMIX DMC-LX2 is like no other compact camera, enabling both
high-end amateurs and entry-level users to explore the
creativeness that surely enhances the joy of shooting.
* Based on the CIPA standard.
1.10.2-megapixel 16:9 aspect CCD and f/2.8 28mm wide angle 4x
optical zoom LEICA DC Lens
The DMC-LX2 features a 10.2-megapixel 16:9 aspect CCD and f/2.8
4x optical zoom 28mm wide angle* (equivalent to 28 mm to 112 mm
on a 35 mm film camera) LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT lens.
Incorporating three aspherical lenses provides high optical
performance while preserving the compactness of the unit. The
aspect ratio can be easily selected between 16:9 or 3:2 in
addition to the conventional 4:3 with a switch on the lens
barrel on a shot-by-shot-basis to best suit the composition of
the image. Even after shooting, the 16:9 ratio can be converted
to 3:2 or 4:3 with the camera according to your purpose of use.
The Extra Optical Zoom, made possible by using the center part
of 10.2-megapixel high resolution CCD, further extends the zoom
ratio to 5.5x for 5-megapixel image recording in 16:9 aspect
with minimal deterioration. *In 16:9 aspect ratio.
More than just a MEGA O.I.S., LUMIX's image stabilizing system
further evolves
Taking advantage of its superior lens technology, Panasonic
invented the MEGA O.I.S.(Optical Image Stabilizer) to fight
against the major cause of blurred images. It compensates for
handshake and is now featured on the entire LUMIX range, and
having been highly evaluated and appreciated by the users across
the world. Every slight hand-shake movement is detected
accurately with the sampling frequency at 4,000 times per second
and will be compensated to render clear, sharp images. In
addition, movement of the subject, the other major cause of
blurred images, is suppressed by the advanced image processing
LSI Venus Engine III with the Intelligent ISO Control (hereafter
I.I.C.) and max.ISO1600 high sensitivity recording capabilities.
The world?s first incorporation* of this I.I.C. allows the
automatic adjustment of the suitable ISO setting and shutter
speed that best suits the situation by analyzing the speed of
subject movement. If the subject is moving, the ISO setting
would automatically rise to allow high shutter speed. On the
other hand, if the subject is still and no movement is detected,
you can take beautiful natural images with a low ISO setting.
???Accordingly the new LUMIX automatically takes the best
countermeasures against any causes of blurred images with MEGA
O.I.S. compensating for hand-shake and the I.I.C. compensating
for movement of the subject. Image stabilizing system is further
evolving with LUMIX.
*For a digital still camera, as of July 19, 2006.
Dramatically reduced noise with Venus Engine III
The DMC-LX2 adopts the Venus Engine III to realize high
sensitivity recording at max. ISO 1600 at full resolution. The
noise reduction system is greatly improved by removing noise at
the processing stages in series. First, critical noise is
roughly undraped and the chromatic noise and the luminance noise
are separated to respectively go through the supplemental noise
reduction process so that the remaining noise is appropriately
minimised.
Despite the significantly increased performance of the camera,
the Venus Engine III consumes only 80% of the power utilized by
the Venus Engine II and is able to achieve a longer battery life
of 300 pictures (CIPA) on a single charge. With its multi-task
image processing capability, the Venus Engine III also boasts
outstanding response time with a shutter release time lag of as
short as 0.009 sec*. minimum and the shutter interval of 0.6
sec*. The DMC-LX2 enables easy capture of those
spur-of-the-moment shots. The DMC-LX2 also allows unlimited
consecutive shooting up to the capacity of the SD/SDHC memory
card**.
* Not including the time for AF.
**The number of recordable pictures depends on the memory card
size, battery life, picture size and image compression.
Joystick-operated intuitive full manual control
The easy-to-use joystick operation and good design, which were
part of the highly acclaimed trademarks of the predecessor, are
inherited by the DMC-LX2. The joystick was incorporated to
facilitate operational ease and thereby get the best technical
advantage of the multitude of functions offered by the camera.
With the joystick it is possible to set focus and exposure
manually, and also quickly shortcut to frequently used variables
by just pressing and holding the joystick even while monitoring
a subject on the LCD. The predecessor LX1 contained white
balance adjustment, ISO setting, image size setting and
compression format in its shortcut menu, and the light metering
and AF mode settings are now added for the new LX2. It also
allows the exposure compensation and selection of one out of
nine focusing areas.
A switch on the side of the lens barrel lets you quickly change
the focus mode between MF, AF or Macro AF. When you focus in the
Manual Focus mode, not only the focus distance but also the DOF
(depth of field) according to the zoom range and aperture is
displayed. An MF assist function enlarges the center of the
image to make focusing easier. The focusing area can be enlarged
up to 4x and is movable, which also contributes to easy and
comfortable manual focusing.
Crystal-clear, large 16:9 wide 2.8-inch LCD
To express the best of the extensive 16:9 wide image recording,
a 2.8? wide and large 207 k high resolution LCD is newly
equipped. The pixel mixed readout method performed at the CCD
achieves high sensitivity to offer sufficient brightness for
easy shooting even in low-lit situations. The Power LCD function
boosts the brightness level by 40% to secure clear view even in
sunny outdoors.
The High Angle mode makes the display extremely easy to view
from low angles, for example, when holding the camera up high to
take pictures over a crowd and can be accessed easily and
quickly by using the dedicated button.
High definition 16:9 wide motion image recording
The DMC-LX2 is capable of recording the 4:3 VGA(640 x 480) and
16:9 wide VGA(848 x 480) motion image recording at 30 fps.
Shooting is one thing but viewing is another, and you will be
suitably impressed by the 16:9 moving image when it is displayed
on a wide screen TV. In addition, the LX2 can record motion
images even in high definition (1280 x 720) format at 15 fps.
The pixel mixed readout method assists the bright motion image
recording even in low lit situation.
Faster AF
The AF mode can be selected according to the shooting situation:
9-point, 3-point high speed, 1-point high speed, 1-point normal
speed and Spot. In the 1-point and 1-point high speed AF mode,
the AF area is selectable from the nine focusing areas with the
joystick to best fit the composition of the subjects. Also, the
AF assist lamp helps quick, accurate focusing in situations
where focusing is difficult due to the lack of light. The AF/AE
lock button is also succeeded from the predecessor.
A Variety of Scene Modes and Other Features to Enrich Your
Photography
An even larger variety of scene modes are contained ? a total of
seventeen* scene modes to assist you in a wide range of
photographic situations. The newly incorporated ?Beach? mode is
perfect for shooting in strong sunlight and the ?Aerial? mode
assists with shooting through the windows of an aeroplane. ?High
Sensitivity**? mode is made possible by the pixel-mixed readout
method by the CCD, is ideal for shooting moving subjects clearly
without blurring at a maximum sensitivity setting of ISO 3200.
For additional improvement, the Print mode is also added to the
mode dial of the LX2 so that you can make prints by just
connecting the camera to Pictbridge -corresponding printers via
included USB cable. Of course you can get plural prints of a
image or print only those you have selected as your favourite.
The DMC-LX2 includes 13MB of built-in memory to serve not just
as a tool of shooting images but also as a digital album, to
enjoy seeing and showing your favorite pictures. Finally, to
edit and develop RAW files, ?SILKYPIX Developer Studio 2.0SE?
software application is included with the DMC-LX2. With that,
you can freely adjust various setting such as exposure, white
balance, and so on afterward with the RAW files to take maximum
advantage of digital camera photography enjoyment.
*Not including Macro Mode.
**Resolution significantly decreases in high sensitivity mode.
Panasonic
Lumix DMC-LX2 Best Price:
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