Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5: Sample Images

When DCR reviewed the LX3 in October 2008, we found that "...the only time we produced consistently accurate colors with the LX3 was with the camera set to Nostalgic mode." There were also concerns about auto focus being a bit slow in some regimes, and lengthy shutter lag.

After an initial outing (and with the above concerns in mind) it looks like Panasonic has addressed these issues. Standard color seems accurate and true, and the other color options of the palette seem to perform as they should. AF has been prompt in all modes; the LX5 may not be the fastest camera to AF, but speeds seem competitive and not overly slow. Shutter lag likewise seems competitive with the better cameras in the class. Here are a few shots of gulls on the wing at the beach. The LX5 AF tracking mode and shutter release were certainly up to the task of capturing moving subjects consistently.

And here are a few other shots to illustrate image quality that looks pretty darn good so far.

It's early in the process, but the LX5 has been impressive so far - good build quality, good image and color quality, and AF and shutter times that look to be improved over the LX3. It's been a very pleasant camera to shoot up to this point. The answer to the "What happened to the LX4?" question originally was "don't know." If the LX5 finishes as strongly as it started, the answer to that question will be "don't care."