Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2

Auto Mode (7.75)
When switched into the automatic mode, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2 immediately becomes a straightforward point-and-shoot camera that won’t confuse any user, regardless of experience. The menu structure will only contain image size, quality and clock setting options. Users can open the flash but will not be able to customize the flash settings further. The zoom is of course still controllable and users will find that when pressed twice inward, the joystick will present a shortcut screen for image size and quality settings fall over the live view. Focus can be adjusted manually in this mode and the exposure and white balance results were surprisingly consistent when shooting in both interior and exterior situations, although it leaned toward underexposure when shooting in darker interiors. Image stabilization is also still accessible when shooting in this mode.

Movie Mode (7.75)
At first glance the movie mode for the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2 seemed to have made drastic improvements to help Panasonic market this camera as an image-maker of both still and video for the wide-screen display. And in terms of pure specs, that could be seen as true. After all, the LX2 does have a maximum video mode resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels. This is certainly a fair improvement from the LX1’s maximum resolution of 848 x 480, but the problem lies in the frame rate. For the LX1, the frame rates at 848 x 480 are 10 and 30 fps (selectable). For the LX2’s maximum resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels, Panasonic hands consumers an underwhelming 15 fps frame rate. Personally, the prospect of watching higher resolution video in a stuttering format is less desirable than watching a lower resolution clip at a fluid frame rate. Additionally, a standard VGA 640 x 480 size can also be shot at 10 or 30 fps.

The LX2's resolution options can only be engaged if the user has inserted a memory card. If recording to built-in memory, the user will have to rely on QVGA 320 x 240 with frame rates of either 30 or 10 seconds. Considering that 13 MB of internal memory can barely capture two full resolution images and the movie mode is essentially dysfunctional without a memory card, it would definitely be a wise purchase to get an SD/MMC card. The camera also comes with a monaural microphone and a speaker playback unit that can be found to the left of the mode dial on the top of the camera body. It’s a bit awkward in placement and users may find that the audio field being recorded is more above the camera than in front of it. Just make sure you aren’t breathing heavily and it shouldn’t be a huge problem since, after all, the microphone isn’t exactly a parabolic.

The LX2's movie mode is a slight upgrade over the LX1's and offers a bit more than its competition; however, with a native 16:9 chip and high res video potential, Panasonic had a chance to hit a home run in this department and bunted instead.

Drive / Burst Mode (7.75)
The burst modes for the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2 can be accessed by pressing the burst mode button located in the bottom right corner on the back of the camera. This small button is tucked out of the way but is still easily accessible when shooting quickly. The burst mode displays a graphic overlay in the upper left corner of the LCD with a live view provided underneath. The burst mode options for this camera are high speed, low speed and unlimited. At full image quality, the high setting will result in capturing 3 pictures per second while the low setting will nab you 2 pictures per second. In the unlimited mode, the advertised rate drops to below 2 frames per second and can become even slower as the memory card reaches capacity. Additionally, users should be aware that ISO settings of 400, 800 and 1600 will also turn this burst mode into a sloth-like apparition. Burst mode is not available when shooting RAW images.

Playback Mode (7.5)
The LX2's playback mode continues the simplicity and logical flow found in shooting modes. The playback mode allows users to view images individually, multi-image 9-up, multi-image 25-up, or as a calendar view. All of these viewing options can be scrolled through via the zoom control located on the top of the camera surrounding the shutter button. While pressing the zoom to the left will engage a multi-image interface, pressing the zoom to the right will initiate playback zoom. In playback mode, the user can move between 2x, 4x, 8x and 16x zoom levels to better view image details after shooting.

In-camera editing of images can be accomplished with menu options that include rotate, audio dub, resize, trim and aspect conversion. Photographers can also choose print order and number while in the playback mode through the DPOF Print sub-menu. Images can be deleted during playback by pressing the delete button that doubles as the burst mode control when in shooting mode. Users can choose to delete single images, multiple images or all images through this control. Multidelete is accomplished by scanning thumbnails via the right and left arrows on the four-way control and selecting images for deletion by pressing the down arrow. Once finished, the user simply presses the delete button one more time, simple and easy, just how we like it.

Custom Image Presets (7.75)
The scene modes on this Panasonic Lumix camera can be found by turning the mode dial to the Scene position. This action will automatically open a simple text/icon-based menu structure with five pages of options that include a separate screen with full textual descriptions for uncertain users. Scene mode options for this model include Portrait, Soft Skin, Scenery, Sports, Night Portrait, Night Scenery, Self Portrait, Food, Party, Candle Light, Fireworks, Starry Sky, Beach, Aerial Photo, Snow, High Sensitivity, Baby 1 and Baby 2. The inclusion of the in-camera full text descriptions is a great choice on the part of Panasonic and users should feel empowered by this design that should provide more than enough insight into each preset modes particularities. For example, the Beach mode description states that it is meant “for taking pictures on a beach," this prevents underexposure of the subject under strong sunlight. A bit obvious perhaps, but when you’ve handed the camera over to Aunt Mildred and Uncle Mort, you’ll want them to be shooting properly. Of note is the High Sensitivity mode that uses an ISO 3200 setting and operates only at reduced resolution. The optical and digital zoom controls freeze in this mode, so there isn't much flexibility. Still, it allows for easy shots in low light.

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