Panasonic LX5 Comparison Review

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 is a fixed lens compact camera that was announced in July 2010 and is equipped with a 1/1.7-inch sensor. It offers a resolution of 10 megapixel.

Is the Panasonic LX5 a good camera? The LX5 has a Camera Elo of 1206. This rating puts the LX5 below average of all travel zoom compact cameras. In terms of its sensor size category (small sensor cameras), the LX5 also ranks below average. Based on its within category standings, the camera earns a 2.5-star performance rating. – Well, the Panasonic LX5 is more than 14 years old, and there have been many other good digital cameras released since 2010.

Read on to find out more about the camera's size, sensor, features, reception by expert reviewers, and how it compares to other digital cameras.

Body comparison with a credit card

The physical dimensions of the Panasonic LX5 relative to a credit card are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the Panasonic LX5 alongside a set of similar cameras. If you want to review a particular camera pair side-by-side, just move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible comparisons there.

Body Specifications

		Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life	Weather Sealing	Camera Launch	Launch Price	Street Price
1.		Panasonic LX5	110 mm	65 mm	43 mm	271 g	400	n	Jul 2010	EUR 529	ebay.com
2.		Canon G12	112 mm	76 mm	48 mm	401 g	370	n	Sep 2010	EUR 549	ebay.com
3.		Fujifilm X10	117 mm	70 mm	57 mm	350 g	270	n	Sep 2011	EUR 529	ebay.com
4.		Olympus XZ-1	111 mm	65 mm	42 mm	275 g	320	n	Jan 2011	EUR 480	ebay.com
5.		Panasonic FZ150	124 mm	82 mm	92 mm	528 g	410	n	Aug 2011	EUR 529	ebay.com
6.		Panasonic FZ200	125 mm	87 mm	110 mm	588 g	540	n	Jul 2012	EUR 599	ebay.com
7.		Panasonic GF2	113 mm	68 mm	33 mm	310 g	300	n	Nov 2010	EUR 499	ebay.com
8.		Panasonic GF3	108 mm	67 mm	32 mm	264 g	300	n	Jun 2011	EUR 469	ebay.com
9.		Panasonic GF5	108 mm	67 mm	37 mm	267 g	360	n	Apr 2012	EUR 449	ebay.com
10.		Panasonic LX7	111 mm	68 mm	46 mm	298 g	330	n	Jul 2012	EUR 529	ebay.com
11.		Panasonic TZ90	112 mm	67 mm	41 mm	322 g	380	n	Apr 2017	EUR 429	ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
Convert to Imperial

The listed prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The Panasonic LX5 was launched in the US market at a price of $499. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

Check LX5 offers at
ebay.com

Sensor comparison with a 35mm slide

The imaging sensor is at the core of digital cameras and its size is one of the main determining factors of image quality. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

The Panasonic LX5 features a 1/1.7-inch sensor and has a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 4.4. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the Panasonic LX5 among the smaller-sensor digicams that favor affordability and compact design.

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for most cameras. This service determines an overall sensor rating, as well as sub-scores for low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and color depth ("DXO Portrait"). The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of alternatives.

Sensor Characteristics

		Camera Model	Sensor Class	Resolution (MP)	Horiz. Pixels	Vert. Pixels	Video Format	DXO Portrait	DXO Landscape	DXO Sports	DXO Overall
1.		Panasonic LX5	1/1.7	10.0	3648	2736	720/60p	19.6	10.8	132	41
2.		Canon G12	1/1.7	10.0	3648	2736	720/24p	20.4	11.2	161	47
3.		Fujifilm X10	2/3	12.0	4000	3000	1080/30p	20.5	11.3	245	50
4.		Olympus XZ-1	1/1.7	10.1	3664	2752	720/30p	18.8	10.4	117	34
5.		Panasonic FZ150	1/2.3	12.0	4000	3000	1080/60p	19.4	10.9	132	40
6.		Panasonic FZ200	1/2.3	12.0	4000	3000	1080/60p	19.1	10.8	114	37
7.		Panasonic GF2	Four Thirds	12.0	4000	3000	1080/60i	21.2	10.3	506	54
8.		Panasonic GF3	Four Thirds	12.0	4000	3000	1080/60i	20.6	10.1	459	50
9.		Panasonic GF5	Four Thirds	12.0	4000	3000	1080/60i	20.5	10.0	573	50
10.		Panasonic LX7	1/1.7	10.0	3648	2736	1080/60p	20.7	11.7	147	50
11.		Panasonic TZ90	1/2.3	20.2	5184	3888	4K/30p	19.1	10.6	106	36

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. The LX5 indeed provides movie recording capabilities. The highest resolution format that the LX5 can use is 720/60p.

Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The adjacent tables list some of the other core features of the Panasonic LX5 along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

Core Features

		Camera Model	Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots)	Control Panel (yes/no)	LCD Specifications (inch/000 dots)	LCD Attach- ment	Touch Screen (yes/no)	Max Shutter Speed *	Max Shutter Flaps *	Built-in Flash (yes/no)	Built-in Image Stab
1.		Panasonic LX5	optional	n	3.0 / 460	fixed	n	1/4000s	2.5/s	Y	Y
2.		Canon G12	optical	n	2.8 / 461	swivel	n	1/4000s	1.1/s	Y	Y
3.		Fujifilm X10	optical	n	2.8 / 460	fixed	n	1/4000s	10.0/s	Y	Y
4.		Olympus XZ-1	optional	n	3.0 / 614	fixed	n	1/2000s	2.0/s	Y	Y
5.		Panasonic FZ150	202	n	3.0 / 460	swivel	n	1/2000s	12.0/s	Y	Y
6.		Panasonic FZ200	1312	n	3.0 / 460	swivel	n	1/4000s	12.0/s	Y	Y
7.		Panasonic GF2	optional	n	3.0 / 460	fixed	Y	1/4000s	2.6/s	Y	n
8.		Panasonic GF3	none	n	3.0 / 460	fixed	Y	1/4000s	3.2/s	Y	n
9.		Panasonic GF5	none	n	3.0 / 920	fixed	Y	1/4000s	4.0/s	Y	n
10.		Panasonic LX7	optional	n	3.0 / 920	fixed	n	1/4000s	11.0/s	Y	Y
11.		Panasonic TZ90	1166	n	3.0 / 1040	tilting	Y	1/2000s	10.0/s	Y	Y
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.

One convenient feature of the LX5 is the presence of an on-board flash. While this built-in flash is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light to brighten deep shadow areas.

Connection comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

Input-Output Connections

		Camera Model	Hotshoe Port	Internal Mic / Speaker	Microphone Port	Headphone Port	HDMI Port	USB Port	WiFi Support	NFC Support	Bluetooth Support
1.		Panasonic LX5	Y	mono / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
2.		Canon G12	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
3.		Fujifilm X10	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
4.		Olympus XZ-1	Y	mono / -	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
5.		Panasonic FZ150	Y	stereo / -	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
6.		Panasonic FZ200	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
7.		Panasonic GF2	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
8.		Panasonic GF3	-	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
9.		Panasonic GF5	-	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
10.		Panasonic LX7	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
11.		Panasonic TZ90	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-

The LX5 has a zoom lens built in (5.1-19.2mm f/2.0-3.3), which, in full frame equivalent terms, provides a focal length range from 24 to 90mm. The camera is, hence, ready to shoot, while remaining more compact in size than an interchangeable lens camera with an optic that offers similar focal length and aperture specifications.

Further information on the features and operation of the LX5 can be found in the free online Panasonic LX5 Manual or on the Panasonic support site.

Expert reviews

While the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the LX5 handle or perform in practice. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate. This is where reviews by experts come in. The table below summarizes the assessments of some of the best known camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]).

Review Scores

		Camera   Model	AP   score	CL   score	DCW   score	DPR   score	EPZ   score	PB   score	Camera Launch	Launch Price	Street Price
1.		Panasonic LX5	4/5	+	..	73/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jul 2010	EUR 529	ebay.com
2.		Canon G12	4/5	+	..	73/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2010	EUR 549	ebay.com
3.		Fujifilm X10	..	..	..	76/100	4/5	4.5/5	Sep 2011	EUR 529	ebay.com
4.		Olympus XZ-1	4/5	..	..	74/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jan 2011	EUR 480	ebay.com
5.		Panasonic FZ150	3/5	+ +	..	76/100	4/5	4.5/5	Aug 2011	EUR 529	ebay.com
6.		Panasonic FZ200	3/5	+ +	..	80/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jul 2012	EUR 599	ebay.com
7.		Panasonic GF2	3/5	82/100	..	70/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Nov 2010	EUR 499	ebay.com
8.		Panasonic GF3	3/5	82/100	..	71/100	4.5/5	4/5	Jun 2011	EUR 469	ebay.com
9.		Panasonic GF5	3/5	..	..	..	4.5/5	4.5/5	Apr 2012	EUR 449	ebay.com
10.		Panasonic LX7	3/5	+ +	..	75/100	4/5	4.5/5	Jul 2012	EUR 529	ebay.com
11.		Panasonic TZ90	..	+ +	4/5	..	4/5	4/5	Apr 2017	EUR 429	ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The assessments were made in relation to similar cameras of the same technological generation. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.

Check LX5 offers at
ebay.com

Camera to camera comparisons

In case you are interested in seeing how this camera compares to another one, just use the search menu below. An an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.

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