Panasonic DMC-LX2

Reviewed September 2006

Characteristics

Equipped with a 1/1.65 inch CCD with a 16:9 aspect ratio, and composed of 10,400,000 pixels of which 10 million are effective, the DMC-LX2 captures a maximum image size of 4224 x 2376 pixels.

Because it offers 3 aspect ratios, the LX2 is capable of capturing images using any one of eleven image sizes:

16:9 Aspect Ratio	3:2 Aspect Ratio	4:3 Aspect Ratio
10M: 4224 × 2376 8M : 3840 × 2160 5.5M : 3072 × 1728 2M : 1920 × 1080	8.5 M 3568 × 2376 7M : 3248 × 2160 4.5M : 2560 × 1712 2.5M : 2048 × 1360	7.5M: 3168× 2376 6M 2880 × 2160 4M : 2304 × 1728 3M : 2048 × 1536 2M : 1600 × 1200 1M : 1280 × 960
denotes that a non-interpolating zoom is available at that image size.

And two image formats are available:

• JPEG: can be set to either of two compression levels and is available at all image sizes:
  • Fine applies the least compression and offers the highest image quality.
  • Standard applies a stronger compression, making it possible to store more images within a given memory size at a lower image quality.
• RAW: records the image data coming from the CCD without any processing, but simultaneously records all the camera settings used for the exposure so that they can be applied later when the image is processed using the software (SilkyPix) supplied with the camera. (See the Interface and Software section of the review for more details about the software included with the DMC-LX2.) When the RAW format is used, the camera also saves a JPEG version of the image using the Standard compression. The RAW format is available in all 3 aspect ratios, but only at their maximum image size.

With the LX2, CCD sensitivity starts at 100 ISO and extends to 3200 ISO, although the highest sensitivity is only available when the camera is set to the High Sensitivity Scene mode. For all other modes, the sensitivity range covers from 100 to 1600 ISO. The P, S, A, and M modes however, allow setting sensitivity manually in steps of 100, 200, 400, 800 and 1600 ISO. For all Scene modes and the Auto shooting mode, the only option is Auto ISO, which covers from 100 to 1600 ISO. Moreover, as with all newly released Panasonic compact cameras, the LX2 features and Intelligent ISO mode that increases sensitivity more gradually than the standard Auto mode, as it takes into account the effect of the optical stabilizer which lessens the need for a high sensitivity to boost the shutter speed to prevent camera shake.

The LX2 lens is unchanged from the LX1, a Leica DC Vario-Elmarit 4X Mega O.I.S. stabilized optical zoom with a focal length range that covers from 6.3 to 25.2 mm. Moreover, the 35 mm equivalent of the LX2's CCD remains unchanged as it packs 10 million pixels into the same size chip as the 8.4 megapixel CCD of the LX1, producing a 35 mm equivalent of a 28 to 112 mm when the camera is set to capture a 16:9 aspect ratio image. The zoom is composed of 9 elements in 8 groups, and incorporates 3 aspherical surfaces to correct optical distortions. Apertures start at f2.8 when the zoom is set to the widest angle and f4.9 at the maximum telephoto setting, closing down to f8 for both.

While the DMC-LX2 is equipped with a standard Digital zoom that interpolates a central portion of the image and causes a loss of image quality, it also offers the somewhat confusinlgly called "Extended Optical Zoom". Unlike the digital zoom, the Extended Optical Zoom can only be used if the image size is set to something less than the maximum possible — indicated in the resolutions listed on the camera, and above, by the use of the abbreviation — since it takes advantage of the full resolution of the CCD to produce an image with a field of view equivalent to a longer focal length.

Shutter speeds for the DMC-LX2 also remain unchanged from those of the LX1, covering from 1/2000 second to 60 seconds. The precise range of shutter speeds is dependent on the mode in use however, and only the Manual or the Starry Sky scene mode have access to very long exposure times.

With the exception of the shortcut menu that is displayed when the joystick is pressed in for more than a second (see the Ergonomics section of the review), the menus of the DMC-LX2 are displayed by pressing the MENU button at the centre of the Cursor pad. The menu is composed of 2 sections, the upper one corresponding to the mode currently selected by the Mode Dial, the lower one being the Setup menu (the Setup menu's content is detailed in the Interface and Software section of the review).

As is generally the case, the greatest number of options or settings are available to the user only when the camera is set to one of the more advanced shooting modes: P, S, A, or M. The REC. menu is composed of 4 screens:

• W. Balance allows setting the white balance according to the ambient light source: Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Halogen (incandescent), Flash, White Set 1, White Set 2, and White Set which serves to set the white balance under ambient light that does not fit one of the preset, and store the setting as White Set 1 or White Set 2.

• White Balance Adjust. serves to fine tune the white balance, whatever the current selection, using a point which can be moved about a graph, fine tuning the colour balance.
• Sensitivity: Auto (from 100 to 1600 ISO) or manually set 100, 200, 400, 800, or 1600 ISO when the camera is set to P, A, S or M.
• Pict. Size: serves to select the image size (see above).
• Quality: serves to select the image format (two JPEG compression levels, or RAW + a Standard JPEG copy of the image).

• Audio Rec.: allows recording a 5-second sound bite that will be associated with a JPEG image immediately after capture.
• Metering Mode offers three choices: Intelligent Multiple, Centre-weighted or Spot.

• AF Mode provides five different modes:
  • 9-Area-Focusing uses 9 AF points grouped near the middle of the frame.
  • 3-Area-Focusing uses 3 AF point aligned horizontally middle of the frame.
  • 1-Area-Focusing (High Speed) uses the centre of the frame and a narrower focus range to speed the focusing. The focus point can be moved to any other part of the frame.
  • 1-Area-Focusing simply focused on the subject at the centre of the screen. The focus point can be moved to any other part of the frame.
  • Spot-Focusing focuses on a narrow area at the precise centre of the frame.

• Cont. AF: controls the Continuous AF mode and operates when the focus mode is set to 1-area-focusing (High Speed), or 1-area-focusing, or spot-focusing.
• AF Assist Lamp: turns On or Off the lamp that helps the camera focus when the ambient light is too low, and has an effective range of 1.5 m (4.92 ft).
• AF/AE Lock: selects the way the AF/AE button operates, locking the autofocus only, the exposure only, or both.
• Digital Zoom: controls the 4X standard digital zoom.
• Col. Effect allows changing the colour tone of images: Off (default) records standard colours, Cool, Warm, B/W, and Sepia.
• Picture Adj. controls the image processing done by the camera prior to the image being saved: Contrast, Sharpness, Saturation as well as Noise Reduction, can be increased or decreased.
• Flip Anim.: allows capturing an animated sequence up to 20 seconds long and composed of up to 100 images.
• Clock Set: serves to set the time and date on the LX2.

Set to the Scene mode, the DMC-LX2 offers under the first tab the Scene selection menu, while the second tab contains the options presented above with one exception: Sensitivity, as this particular setting is directly dependent on the scene mode in use. With the Auto Shooting mode, the REC. menu is limited to three options: Picture Size , Quality and Clock Set, each offering the same settings as are listed above, and the second tab is the access to the Setup menu.

The Motion Picture mode menu, on the other hand, contains options that are generally the same as those found in the REC. menu, but which replaces the Picture Size and Quality options of the still image mode by Picture Mode, an option that allows selecting the type of movie to record (see the Ergonomics section of the review for a list of the movie types that can be captured with the LX2).

In Playback mode the menu provides options to adjust images, or set printing parameters. The playback mode options are spread out over three screens:

• Slide Show: allows selecting photos to be included in a slide show, all or only those that have been selected as Favorites (). In addition the on-screen time for the photos included in the show time can be specified (1, 2, 3 or 5 seconds) and should a sound be associated with an image, it can be allowed to play or not.
• Favorite: serves to select images so that only those marked with will appear in a slide show.
• Rotate Disp.: serves to display images captured vertically the correct way up.
• Rotate: allows rotating images in 90° increments to the left or right.
• DPOF Print: serves to select which photos will be printed on a DPOF or PictBridge compliant printer, or by a printing service. The number of prints to make of each photo can be specified, as well as whether or not the date will be superimposed on the photo.

• Protect: allows selecting and tagging images so they cannot be accidentally erased.
• Audio Dub: makes it possible to add a voice annotation lasting up to 10 seconds to any still image, unless it has been protected. Audio cannot be added to images captured in RAW formats.
• Resize: allows resizing down an image to another size available in the same aspect ratio, and saving it over the original, or as a new image. The option is not available for photos captured as RAW, or which have an associated sound recording.

• Trimming: serves to crop an image and either over-write the original with the cropped version, or save it as a new image. Images that have an attached sound, as well as those that have been captured using the RAW format cannot be trimmed.
• Aspect Conv.: allows converting 16:9 format images and converting them to the 3:2 or 4:3 aspect ratios. Photos capture using the RAW format cannot be converted, and neither can photos that have associated sound recordings.
• Copy: serves to copy images or movies from the internal memory to a memory card, or vice versa.
• Format: serves to format the memory card, or the internal memory.

The DMC-LX2 has 13MB of internal memory and, following the trend observed with many other cameras, is not retailed with a memory card. Nevertheless, the LX2 is compatible with both SD and SDHC memory cards as well as MMC (MultiMedia) memory cards, although it offers better performance when used with SD cards. The card slot is located underneath the body, behind a door that also covers the battery compartment.

The chart below gives an idea of the number of images that can be stored using the 13 MB internal memory and an optional 1 GB card.

Memory	13 MB Internal Memory			1 GB SD Card
Format	Fine	Standard	RAW	Fine	Standard	RAW
16:9 Aspect Ratio
10M	1	4	—	201	399	43
8M	2	5	—	243	479	—
5.5M	4	9	—	377	742	—
2M	11	22	—	945	1784	—
3:2 Aspect Ratio
8.5M	2	5	—	237	468	43
7M	3	6	—	287	567	—
4.5M	5	11	—	455	891	—
2.5M	8	17	—	709	1357	—
4:3 Aspect Ratio
7.5M	2	6	—	267	528	44
6M	3	7	1	322	636	—
4M	5	12	—	499	975	—
3M	7	15	—	630	1224	—
2M	12	25	—	1006	1951	—
1M	19	36	—	1522	2838	—

The Lumix DMC-LX2 is powered by a Lithium-Ion (CGA-S005A) rechargeable battery. The battery is maintained in place by a spring loaded catch so it will not slide out when the memory card is extracted. The camera is supplied with a charger (DE-A11B), which is able to recharge a fully depleted battery in approximately 130 minutes.

At the top, and gold-plated, is the combination Digital (USB 2.0 Full Speed) and A/V Out (NTSC or PAL) connection, the type of connection being determined by the cable in use, either USB or AV. At the bottom is the DC-IN jack, designed to accommodate the optional AC Adapter (DMW-AC5), which makes it possible to run the camera off of regular household current.