Appearance and operation:
The first impression of this almost-yet-compact camera is very promising. The LX5 is still so just handy, relatively heavy and feels quite solid. This first impression, however, marred by the rather fragile-looking battery cover and a fortiori from the USB cover. Irritating is that the image stabilizer permanently very softly creaks, even if the camera on the table only when switched stabilizer is calm. Well, it works, and let's hope it stays that way.
The screen is brilliant. Brightness and color characteristics can be adjusted; the optional (and m. E. totally overpriced!) viewfinder seems to me first of all not to be absolutely necessary.
That no filter thread is attached to the lens, I can get over. In the digital age I need at most times a polarizing filter to reduce reflection, the rest can Photoshop. Additional property monstrous filter adapter I understand as a joke.
That the navigation buttons are labeled illegible, has been widely criticized, unfortunately I can only confirm this.
The LX5 has a lot of scene modes and an almost overwhelming amount of additional settings. Some of which are very useful, but most are digital gadgetry. The manual explains this rudimentary what will be the respective effect for example in i.Exposure, i.Resolution, i.Zoom, i.Automatik, i.ISO, i.zuduster .... and how it should be achieved. And what the hell happened at H-ISO Rauschr. ON or OFF ??? Thanks to the many options I have really managed miserable record. And then the fumble go: where was the same again the i.Exposure that can look noisy even in ideal conditions, images .... My advice: this entire Quark just turn off!
For less rate joyous users: the classic setting for scene, Flexible Program, EV, time and shutter priority, ISO and flash setting are very good with a push of a button accessible! If it then does not work with the inclusion, at least you know what you yourself have done wrong.
To photograph in this traditional way helps the well thought Thumb thumbwheel; Unfortunately, it is in my copy (yet?) very stiff. Very pleasant are the switch for AF and Macro switch and the easily accessible measurement field settings for focus and exposure. However, I have sometimes even photographed for a day in macro mode, without noticing in time - so you should not completely turn off the beeping.
The LX 5 offers not only optical 24-90 mm (5.1 to 19.2 mm) Zoom three different digital zoom to. Also useful is the so-called maximum i.Zoom to 120 mm. That and everything else are again only the usual digital eyes wiper land: the sensor is now time to just what the lens will bear. Oddly, Panasonic does not dispense with a camera with high-end claim on this marketing nonsense.
Very useful, however, is the ability to zoom in the focal lengths 24, 28, to lock 35, 50, 70 or 90 mm: saves often the annoying way Hergezoome.
Image results:
The shutter lag is felt very shortly.
The image quality is consistently good. The lens recorded in wide angle a little, just as you would expect with a good amateur lens. Vignetting is not an issue. Either the lens is well calculated, or you have programmed an excellent digital correction. The criticized in some tests declining resolution towards the image border is in practice neither conspicuously visible not even annoying. Overall, the resolution is perfectly fine that around 10 MP are used subjectively considered good with appropriate lighting. And you have even re - unusual at only 19 mm focal length - to watch a bit of the depth of field, very nice!
Color reproduction and white balance are in AWB standard most appealing. However, I have oversharpened something poisonous green and something as natural shots (sun, greens). But that's a matter of taste, and it can be customized and permanently - what more could you want.
Noise until ISO 400 not an issue (JPEG, firmware 2.0)! At ISO 800, the images are still quite good: in the 1: 1 view discreet spots are visible. The occasional criticism concerned the noise so I can - at least on my copy-not comprehend. However, I've already done that after switching from any obscure i-automatics JPEGs were really bad ...
The video and the various playback functions I use only occasionally and do not want to rate therefore.
Conclusion:
The LX5 is quite a good compact camera. The compact snap-typical i.Firlefanz bother doing only marginally since switched off. The restriction on the classic zoom range and in a reasonable pixel numbers pays in image quality from clear. Due to the high light intensity, the good looks and the numerous setting options, the LX5 for me is clearly the more manageable alternative to EVIL. Of course, this camera is not enough to the qualities and possibilities of a professional - zoom DSLR, but with 24-90 / F2 zoom lens multiples costs (and weigh) would (!).
Supplement for half a year use:
The Programmeinstellrad is very smooth (as opposed to the thumb-wheel). It often happens that it is "self" makes when removed from the camera bag, and you suddenly end up in the wrong program. And the automatic white balance often leads to significantly bluish shade in cloudy weather.
But overall, it remains for several images: it is a really good camera.
