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Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2

First Impressions Review

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Control Options
October 12, 2006 By Richard Baguley
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Auto Mode
The LX2 has a full auto mode that sets pretty much everything to auto, turning the camera into a point-and-shoot model. The user can still control things like the aspect ratio and it does an effective job of simplifying everything else.
 
Movie Mode
One of the most distinguishing features on the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2 is its movie mode. While most compact digital cameras shoot 640 x 480 pixels, the LX2 can record up to 1280 x 720 pixels. This is as much resolution as a high definition camcorder, but the camera only snaps 15 frames per second – whereas camcorders have at least a 30 frame-per-second rate. Because of the slow frame rate, the video looks somewhat jerky. Still, the LX2 has other shooting options: 848 x 480, 640 x 480, and 320 x 240 pixels, all at 30 fps. The earlier LX1’s movie mode had a top resolution of 848 x 480 pixels at 30 fps, and was one of the first digital cameras to offer a widescreen movie mode at all. The Panasonic Lumix LX2 continues this legacy and expands upon it with even higher resolution. The movie mode employs the optical image stabilization system, keeping images steady so you won’t get motion sickness when watching your kid’s soccer game. The QuickTime video files also have monaural sound.
 
Drive / Burst Mode
Several burst modes are supported including High Speed (2 frames per second with a maximum of 5 images), Low Speed (1 frame per second for a maximum of 5 images) and Unlimited (less than 1 frame per second with no limit on the number of frames). These aren’t that impressive, and they underline the limited amount of memory built into the LX2: 13MB. This burst mode is slower than the LX1’s, which shot 3 fps at its fastest speed and 2 fps in the Low Speed and Unlimited modes. Granted, the LX1 had a bit over 8 megapixels compared to the LX2’s 10-megapixel count, but this is still a significant difference.
 
Playback Mode
Pictures in the playback mode can be organized and manipulated, and viewed in several ways. Pictures can be magnified up to 16x or viewed in screens of 9 or 25 images. Slide shows can be played, and pictures can be organized into a calendar or "favorites." It’s rather hard to see details in this mode because of the low screen resolution, but the playback mode is good for scrolling through large numbers of images if you are looking for one. Images can be edited in several simple ways: they can be trimmed, protected, and resized.
 
Custom Image Presets
A good selection of scene modes are supported: Portrait, Soft Skin, Scenery, Sports, Night Portrait, Night Scenery, Self-Portrait, Food, Party, Candle, Fireworks, Starry Sky, Beach, Aerial photo, Snow, High Sensitivity, Baby1 and Baby2. The last two modes include information about the age of up to two children embedded into the image itself: useful if you want to create a printed record of your child growing up.
 

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Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2
First Impressions Review
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Design / Layout

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Control Options