Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2

Viewfinder (0.0)
The back of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2 lacks a viewfinder with most of the face being consumed by the 2.8-inch, 16:9 optimized LCD screen. This could be a problem when running low on battery power and wanting to conserve power by turning off the energy-draining LCD screen. The major drawback of most viewfinders found on point-and-shoot cameras is the horrific frame inaccuracy.

LCD Screen (8.0)
At 2.8 inches and 210,000 pixels, the LCD screen for the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2 certainly isn’t small but there are some definite shortcomings. When moving the camera between scenes with highly contrasting content, the LCD screen flickers several times before settling down. This flickering will also happen every time the shutter is partially depressed or released prior to image capture. The screen will only display at the full resolution and size when shooting in 16:9; in 3:2 and 4:3, the screen overlays black bars on the left and right sides to crop the image to the correct aspect ratio. Images were a bit grainy when viewed through this screen, but the colors were bright. For general monitoring, the grain issues should be negligible, although the screen displayed a tendency towards solarization. Luckily, the manual focus mode uses a zoom-display focus system so that photographers won’t have to guess if their subject is in focus - a great decision with this LCD. The LCD also has a live histogram feature as well as a highlight display system for monitoring blown-out areas in review mode. The LCD can be further customized by the Power LCD function for capturing images outside and in harsh lighting. Additionally, a High Angle mode is included for situations when capturing images while holding the camera aloft. These two settings are located by pressing the Display/LCD button on the back of the LX2.

Models like the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-N2 that have at least 230,000 pixels of resolution seem to have that extra bit of clarity that this model struggles with.

Flash (6.5)
The pop-up flash on the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2 is located on the top of the camera body and is positioned right of the lens center when facing the camera. The pop-up flash has to be manually opened by sliding the switch that sits directly behind the flash. The horizontal flash will snap open in less than a second. The off-center position did tend to cast harsh shadows from right to left across the subject. The flash range is a reported 1.97 - 13.5 feet, but the farther this flash is from the subject the better. At three feet, the flash washed out subjects' faces when shooting in lower light situations. The results were anything but flattering and would indicate that this camera isn’t meant for the dance floor.

The flash can be controlled with preset modes of Auto, Auto Red-eye Reduction, Forced On (Forced On/Red-eye Reduction), Slow Sync, Red-eye Reduction and Forced Off. These settings vary depending on the shooting mode and are of course not available when the flash is closed or if the camera is in motion capture mode. The flash settings can be opened by pressing the right arrow on the four-way control, an action that will open a graphic overlay in the upper left corner of the LCD screen. Further flash adjustments can be made by pressing the up arrow and moving to the Flash EV adjustment. This will provide users with a live view to make EV adjustments between +/- 2 EV in 1/3-step increments.

Zoom Lens (8.0)
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2 uses the same Leica branded DC Vario-Elmarit 4x optical zoom lens that is on the LX1. Unfortunately, when the LX1 was first introduced, the 4x lens stood out among the competition; now the market has matured to where consumers expect entry level point-and-shoots to carry a minimum of a 3.6x or 4x zoom range.

The lens on the LX2 has a focal length of 6.3 to 25.2mm that translates into a 28 to 112mm zoom in the formerly standard 35mm format. The 28mm wide-angle lens will certainly provide more information than your standard compact camera's lens. The 4x lens is not compatible with conversion lenses. The LX2's lens is built with 9 elements in 8 groups with 3 aspherical elements.

To help combat camera shake, Panasonic included its Mega Optical Image Stabilization system which users are able to turn off, run continuously in Mode 1, or activate only when the shutter release button is pushed in Mode 2. The latter setting will help conserve battery life. When switched on, the image stabilization showed a cleaner and crisper image even when switching up to the Mode 2 setting. This feature really makes a compelling argument for the LX2 (and for Panasonic's marketing department, helps to justify the steep price tag).

The lens does not have an automatic cover and, frustratingly, there is no way for the user to attach the removable cover to a wrist strap or other strap on the camera body. The lack of an eyelet or other tethering feature could easily lead to the loss of this essential protective device.