Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX1S 8MP Digital Camera with 4x Image Stabilized Optical Zoom (Silver)

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Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 7 x 4 x 3 inches ; 8 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000A7XXUW
• Item model number: DMC-LX1S
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #10,494 in Camera & Photo (See Bestsellers in Camera & Photo)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: July 21, 2005

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

The LX1 features a 4x optical zoom with a 28 to 112mm wide-angle capability (35mm equivalent). This and a 1/1.65-inch diagonal CCD with 8.4 million effective pixels give you superb image quality over a wide shooting range. The Extended Optical Zoom, which minimizes the image degradation that normally occurs with digital zooming, gives you up to 5x zooming power. Plus, the 4x optical zoom and 4x digital zoom can be used together to produce a maximum of 16x zooming power.

2.5-Inch Diagonal High-Resolution LCD for Brighter Viewing
The LX1 features a 2.5-inch diagonal high-resolution LCD monitor--surprisingly large for such a compact camera. This high-quality, 207,000-pixel display makes it easy to see your subject. For easier viewing when shooting outdoors on a sunny day, press the Power LCD button to boost the backlighting by about 40%.

Easy-to-See, Easy-to-Understand LCD Indications
In addition to displaying the settings in large, easy-to-understand text, the large, 2.5-inch diagonal screen with 230,000-pixel resolution lets you show up to 25 thumbnail images at once. This makes it easier to search for, and organize, the photos you take.

Choice of Aspect Modes
A switch at the top of the lens barrel lets you choose an aspect ratio of normal 4:3, wide 16:9, or the 3:2 used in film cameras. A 16:9 image is obtained using the wide-angle lens and large CCD, instead of the conventional method of cropping the top and bottom of a 4:3 image.

Flexible, Single-Switch Focusing
A switch on the side of the lens lets you match the focusing operation to your shot. Choose from 1-point AF (normal or high-speed), 3-point high-speed AF, 9-point AF, Spot AF, AF macro to focus from as close as 0.16 feet (5 centimeters) from the subject, or manual focus using the joystick. Focusing is also made easier by the Manual Focus Assist function, which lets you enlarge the center of the LCD image to check the focus, and the AF Assist Lamp for focusing in dimly lit places.

Super-Fast Shutter Response and Mega Burst Consecutive Shooting
Thanks to the Venus Engine II's release time lag of around 0.008 second and shutter interval of around 0.4 second, the LX1 is super-fast. You can snap off consecutive shots at 3 frames per second with full resolution. And with Unlimited Consecutive Shooting, you can keep shooting until the memory card is full.

Manual Exposure and Manual Focus Using the Joystick
The joystick on the back of the camera lets you manually adjust the exposure and focus. You can set the aperture, shutter speed, and focus with your thumb while viewing the LCD monitor to compose the photo. By pressing and holding the joystick, you can also set four parameters (white balance, ISO sensitivity, recording image size, and image quality) instantly while viewing the subject, without having to switch to the menu screen.

Flexible Shooting to Match the Scene
Take beautiful photos even if you're using a camera for the very first time. The camera does all the work, so you can just aim and press the shutter button.

Program AE Mode
This mode determines the optimal aperture and shutter speed settings for you.

Aperture Priority AE Mode
You can set the aperture between f2.8 and f8.0 to create a softer focus.

Shutter Priority AE Mode
Set the shutter speed between 8 seconds and 1/2,000 second to freeze or express movement.

Manual Exposure Mode
You can manually set both the aperture and shutter speed. Enjoy full manual control plus a Manual Exposure Assist function.

Playback Mode
Pressing the left of the cursor button opens a help screen that explains what each mode is for. Select two of the following 14 modes according to the shooting conditions.

• Starry Sky Mode
• Candle Mode
• Portrait Mode
• Night Portrait Mode
• Night Scenery Mode
• Party Mode
• Sports Mode
• Scenery Mode
• Fireworks Mode
• Snow Mode
• Self-Portrait Mode
• Baby Mode
• Soft Skin Mode
• Food Mode

More Functions, More Shots

• AF/AE Lock Button for locking focus and exposure at particular settings
• Auto Angle Detection rotates vertical shots 90º for easier viewing when connecting with an AV cable. This function may not work on some TV/LCD monitors.
• TIFF compatible for saving images without compressing data
• RAW format for saving images as unprocessed CCD data
• PictBridge-Compatible for direct printer connection

What's in the Box
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX1S 8MP digital camera, battery charger, battery pack, battery carrying case, SD memory card (32MB), AV cable, USB connection cable, strap, CD-ROM

Product Description

Panasonic's Lumix Digital Camera automatically starts with an edge. A LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT Lens delivers superior optics and an astouning 28mm (equivalent) focal length for a wider visual angle than most other digital-camera models offer. The DMC-LX1 features a 4x optical zoom with a 28 to 112mm capability (35mm equivalent). This and a 1/1.65" diagonal CCD with 8.4 million effective pixels give you superb image quality over a wide shooting range. The Extended Optical Zoom, which minimizes the image degradation that normally occurs with digital zooming, gives you up to 5x zooming power. Normal hand jitter is a common cause for blurred results. The DMC-LX1 has a built-in gyrosensor that detects any hand movement and relays a signal to a tiny microcomputer inside the camera, which instantly calculates the compensation needed. A linear motor then shifts the Optical Image Stabilizer lens as necessary to guide incoming light from the image straight to the CCD. You won't even notice it working--all you'll see are the outstanding results. Multiple aspect ratios result in different still picture resolutions - 4 - 3 Aspect Ratio (Still Image) up to 2880 x 2160; 3 - 2 Aspect Ratio (Still Image) up to 3248 x 2160; 16 - 9 Aspect Ratio (Still Image) up to 3840 x 2160 Video movie capture up to 640x480 2.5 Bright TFT LCD screen with easy to follow menu operation 2 Self-timer modes PictBridge mode allows printing images without a computer Audio with movie and still capture modes (up to 5 seconds per still picture) Uses SD Memory Storage (32MB included) (J&R suggest purchasing an optional SD memory card of 256MB or higher for practical use) Includes Rechargeable Battery - Up to 240 pictures per charge (CIPA Standard) and AC Charger, Data Transfer Software, USB and AV Cables, Lens Cap, Strap Unit Dimensions (H x W x D) 2.20'' x 4.16'' x 1.01'' / Weighs about 8 ounces

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

75 of 76 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A dandy travel companion, November 15, 2005

By	Stephen Ege - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

Michael Reichmann brought this camera to my attention in his excellent photographic website, Luminous Landscape. He takes the little camera along with his more serious gear in order to capture snapshots and the occasional gallery quality image. Since his original review, he continues to prize the camera, most recently doing duty in a spring, 2006 photo shoot in Africa.

Having just returned from a trip, I find this a dandy little camera. I shot about two hundred photos with it. The issues with low light sensitivity (high ISO settings) are certainly there. I would limit use to 80 or 100 ISO. There is another issue general to all these little cameras. Because of their light weight, it can be difficult to maintain a steady grip so that images are not blurred. I also prefer to shoot through a viewfinder, not the back of an LCD screen - but that is the trade off for size. The LX1 has optical image stabilization to help you, and I found its use essential. The 16:9 aspect ratio, the same as for high def TV, is very pleasing in many exterior and interior situations. You can also pick two other, narrower aspect ratios through a switch on the lens. The sensor is a true 16:9 sensor, meaning you get full resolution, up to 8 mp, at all aspect ratios.

There are a number of camera friendly aspects to this camera. For one, it will fit easily into the inside pocket of a light outdoor jacket or the inside pocket of a suit. The battery recharger is tiny and light with no cord. Just insert the battery (about the size of a thick postage stamp) and plug the recharger directly in the wall. So it's easy to pack for a trip. If you start the camera without removing the lens cover, the camera notifies you to remove the lense. This has the effect of training you to always replace the lense when the camera is not in use, protecting the excellent Leica optics. It has several modes for common situations, such as shooting at parties (I found it worked well to capture both the subject and background using flash).

It has a very easy to use auto shoot mode that let's you get into the picture. It is located on a button in the back, so you don't have to hunt through menus to find it. Because you can use manual focus as close as 5 cm in a wide angle format, you can shoot a picture of a group of people at your table - just place the camera on an overturned glass at the end of the table and wait for it to click. The auto shoot mode can also be used to deal with low light and less than steady hands. It has full manual mode capability so you can adjust parameters to you liking. It has a 2 or 10 second delay. Using the 2 second delay and bracing the camera on a nearby support or on your chest (hold your breath), you can capture excellent indoor pictures without flash. I used this several times to capture sharp, well saturated color panoramas of church and monument interiors. They look like picture postcards.

The camera is one of the few, or only, to shoot in RAW mode, allowing complete control of the picture when you download to your computer for printing.

If you are a fairly serious amateur, or a professional like Mr. Reichmann, you will find this camera a handy and fun traveling companion to your Canon or Nikon. Or just take it alone, as I did, when you don't plan on doing any serious shooting.

91 of 100 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exellent Camera provided you use it at lower ISO levels, October 7, 2005

By	Cobra (CA - USA) - See all my reviews

A prior reviewer "Bruce" really does Panasonic and this camera an unfair disservice. Succintly put, half truths and half stories are often worse than no truth at all. Quoting partially from www.dpreview.com and their review of this camera does indeed suggest that this would appear to be a bad purchase. Even the reviewer at dpreview clearly indicated that this camera has incredible resolution and sharpness with a fabulous feature set of adjustments that will more than compensate for any noise issue at lower ISO levels (where most people will be anyway with the camera).

That reviewer merely cautioned users that noise is definitely an issue at ISO levels above 100 and he voiced his disappointment in that area for sure. However, he clearly went on to state that images at 80 and even 100 ISO can indeed be very good! I think my message to those reviewing these comments is to "ALWAYS" fully check facts out for yourself and don't rely on "selective partial quotes" that fail to take the whole situation into consideration. So if you want a camera for use at high ISO levels, this is definitely not the camera you want. However, if lower ISO levels are fine for you then by all means this is an incredible camera . . . as the dpreview author clearly enumerated.

People hear the word "noise" in a camera reivew and they panic! Got news for you folks . . . noise goes up with increased ISO significantly in every single digital camera on the market and this one is no exception except that most cameras don't visibly start to show it until around 200 ISO. This one begins to show it at 100 ISO. But even then just a bit of post-processing with many photography programs can easily remove it at these levels.

Bottom line . . . this is an incredibly good camera for people genuinely understanding photography. Even Leica found this camera to be perfectly fine and they have come out with an exact copy of it themselves and they only make superior quality equipment folks. I purchased this camera several weeks ago via "grey market" and the images are incredibly good at 80 and 100 ISO. Don't take my word for it . . . review the sample images at www.dpreview.com for this camera, as well as the two gorgeous samples (2 girls) on the leica site for their corresponding version of this camera. That should end the panic over "noise". Lions and tigers and bears . . . oh my!

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a joy to use, November 22, 2005

By	Rumi "Ceci" (Starkville, MS) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This is an incredibly good camera. For it's diminuative size, there's very little "wrong" with it. Sure, it doesn't excel at high ISO shots and due to it's size, the flash is a little weak and there's no optical viewfinder. But other than those things, I can find no real flaw. It's very easy to clean up noise in postprocessing by using noise ninja or neat image. Unlike other pocket cameras, the LX1 doesn't do much NR for you and it even supports RAW for those that really want to take charge of their image processing. That means you have the control. If you're the kind of person that enjoys a bit of postprocessing and plans your pictures around a camera's strengths and inherent weaknesses, then the LX1 will be a joy to use. In my opinion, it may not be the best camera for a pure snapshooter that is new to photography, but it's very rewarding for the advanced amateur or the pro looking for a pocket cam to keep along side his/her dSLR.