Summary:
[Disclaimer: assessment is based on current JPEG images, because of my RAW converter DXO yet there is no corresponding camera module.]
+ For a compact very good image quality
+ Ingenious handling
+ Good flash output
+ Very good video quality
+ Format choice
- HiIso is naturally not to compare with DSLR-level
- Objekttivdeckel a bit annoying
And now a little more detail:
So far I have almost exclusively digitally photographed with DSLRs. Currently a Nikon D300, among others with fast standard zoom, wide angle, telephoto zoom and a few primes. I guess manual controls, Scan primarily with aperture priority and usually shy high weight not if it allows me to take good pictures - and to have fun while photographing ;-) I now often go hiking with my 2 year old daughter, I had occasionally refrain while hiking on a real camera, because in the Kraxe was no space and I also extend 20kg luggage. So it was clear that a compact camera was needed. I plan also at parties or possibly to use inconspicuous Streetphotografie. Or even during via ferrata times to take pictures.
Criteria for product selection for me were:
- Handed operation possible (eg with child in her arms or hands to the steel cable in via ferrata)
- Wide from 24mm (for mountain landscapes and groups indoors)
- Operational capability in low light conditions (HiIso and light intensity)
- Ability to object insulation in Portraits
- Manual controls (aperture, exposure compensation)
Put on the short list I had:
- Canon S100 - here I do not like the weaker light intensity at the telephoto end
- Panasonic LX5 - here I was impressed by the handling but by the reviews here seem AF speed and display legibility is not fully convincing in the sunlight. And no HD video :-(
- Sony RX-100 - the picture quality seems to be awesome, but the handling and less for me is the zoom range from 28mm only insufficient and the smooth front not so great without handle.
- Fujifilm X10 - is great in the hand, but is not operable with one hand and also starts only at 28mm
In this respect, for me was a LX-5 with better AF, display, and video HiIso the right choice - the LX-7 :-)
An alternative is perhaps the announced but not yet deliverable Samsung EX2F - it sounds exciting with WiFi, rotatable display and wide-angle from 24mm but slightly less luminous intensity compared to the LX-7 and only 80mm telephoto and just no choice format.
So now to my experience with the LX-7:
Operation is awesome - I especially appreciated:
- Aperture ring
- Exposure with the thumbwheel on the back
- Flash exposure compensation can be assigned to the Fn button on the back
- Also direct buttons for ISO, WB and Drive Mode
- ND filter can be activated by pressing a button
- Video in any mode on video button startable
- Format switch (going through the slightly larger sensor in the format selection also not as many pixels verlohren)
- The display also grid lines and a live histogram can be displayed
- Autofocus is fast
- Display is super sharp - like my D300
Image Quality:
- The sharpness at ISO 100 is outstanding and is expected for larger prints rich
- JPEGs, I find (with very high standards) and to ISO 800 well
- I have not tried RAW
- Image quality of the FullHD videos I also outstanding - I shoot in AVCHD
Criticisms:
- Even better HiIso quality would of course more beautiful :-) But the lens is very bright, so you 800 come very far with ISO
- The lens cover a bit annoying. But I'm used to from the DSLR, the lens cap is always migrated in the left pocket
I am happy with the camera and think that it is suitable both as a DSLR supplement as well as a DSLR replacement - provided, the zoom range is the user.
