Value (5.0)
Panasonic gave this model an expensive $599.95 retail price. Sure, 8 megapixels does cost a pretty penny, but consumers can save themselves $150 by opting for one less megapixel – which doesn’t make much of a difference unless a user is printing billboards. If consumers really want to justify forking over that much money, they can consider the value of the extensive software package and the money they’ll save with a rechargeable battery. All in all, the Panasonic LX1 is expensive but could perhaps be justified with a little cost-benefit analysis.
Comparisons
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ30 – This Panasonic model has more zoom than portability and is shaped accordingly. The SLR-shaped FZ30 has 8 megapixels and a 12x optical zoom lens. For $100 more, this Lumix has a less compact body, an electronic viewfinder, a folding 2-inch LCD screen with 235,000 pixels, and a better pop-up flash. The Panasonic FZ30 has very similar modes and control options including the 14 scene modes; the biggest difference is that the LX1 has a 16:9 widescreen optimized aspect ratio and corresponding image sizes. Both Lumix digital cameras have image stabilization modes to complement their Leica lenses.
Canon PowerShot S80 – This model is probably the model most comparable to the LX1 with its 8 megapixels, compact form, and strange image sizes. The PowerShot S80 shoots only in 4:3 format, but has an interesting movie image size of 1024 x 768 pixels. Unfortunately, this size only captures at a choppy 15 frames per second. The S80 measures a slightly larger 1.5 x 2.2 x 4.1 inches and has a protrusion where its 3.6x optical zoom lens is. This Canon model has an optical viewfinder along with its 2.5-inch LCD screen. Unfortunately, Canon skimped on the screen resolution as it only has 115,000 pixels. The PowerShot S80 has manual, priority, and 12 scene modes – similar to the offerings of the LX1. The Canon S80 doesn’t have image stabilization or the nice touch of white balance fine tuning, but does have a somewhat amusing My Colors mode. This model retails for $549.
Olympus Stylus 800 – This digital camera is similarly sized at 4.1 x 2.3 x 1.3 inches and has a less attractive body than the LX1. Still, the body is very functional; it is weatherproof and can take a few splashes of water. The Olympus Stylus 800 has 8 megapixels, but is geared toward point-and-shooters with its 22 automatic modes. This digital camera has a 3x optical zoom lens and a 2.5-inch LCD screen. Its burst mode is better than the LX1’s. It can shoot 4 frames per second but at a reduced resolution of 5 megapixels. There are three movie mode sizes but only one slow frame rate of 15 fps. The Stylus 800 has digital blur reduction, which isn’t quite as good as the optical image stabilization but is better than nothing. Control freaks may like this model because it has a built-in album system that can organize hundreds of photos. The Olympus Stylus 800 costs much less at $449, but misses out on the manual functionality.
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-N1 – The Sony N1 is a new player in the high-megapixel compact market. This 8 megapixel model was announced in October 2005 for a retail price of $499. The N1’s body is a bit sleeker at 3.8 x 2.4 x 0.9 inches, but the coolest aspect of this digital camera is its large 3-inch touch-screen. The LCD has 230,000 pixels and embodies Sony’s concept of combining a digital camera and a photo viewer. The camera has a Carl Zeiss 3x optical zoom lens, 8 scene modes, and a nice ISO range of 64-800. Complete with 26 MB of internal memory, the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-N1 will be available in November.
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W7 – The Sony W7 has one less megapixel than the LX1, but retails for $150 less and comes with 32 MB of internal memory. The body has somewhat similar dimensions at 3.6 x 1.5 x 2.5 inches so is a bit thicker but still meant to be a high-megapixel compact digital camera. Both the W7 and LX1 are constructed from metal, but the W7 weighs in a bit heavier at 8.9 ounces fully loaded. The W7 has the same 2.5-inch size LCD screen as the LX1, but much less resolution at 115,000 pixels. This Sony has a Carl Zeiss 3x optical zoom lens as well. The W7 doesn’t have as many shooting modes as the LX1; the W7 includes manual, auto, and 7 scene modes, but omits the priority modes. The W7 also leaves off the nice touches that the LX1 has: manual white balance and a decent burst mode. The Sony W7 can only shoot 0.9 fps. It doesn’t have the speed or multitude of image sizes, but the W7 does provide a more economical option to consumers who want a lot of megapixels at a smaller price.
Who It’s For
Point-and-Shooters – Users who are starting out and want to get some mileage out of their digital camera could consider this an option. The LX1 offers plenty of scene modes as well as a fully automatic mode for simple photography. It also offers priority and manual modes for users to grow into when ready for it.
Budget Consumers – Penny pinchers will want to look elsewhere because other compact models offer mega amounts of resolution and control options and still cost less than $599.
Gadget Freaks – If you have an entire gadget collection including a widescreen plasma television, and you really want your pictures to utilize all those plasmatic pixels, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX1 is for you. It is the first 16:9-formatted digital camera and should join your collection of other 16:9 gadgets.
Manual Control Freaks – Yes, the LX1 certainly has manual controls. Complete with manual apertures, shutter speeds, white balance, and other selections, the Panasonic LX1 is a viable option for this crowd.
Pros / Serious Hobbyists – With the high number of megapixels, 4x Leica optical zoom lens, and host of manual controls the Panasonic LX1 could be a backup camera for a hobbyist or maybe a backup backup camera for a professional.
