I got my hands on this camera for a few days and did some light shooting. Here are some of my observations.
The Panasonic LX100 II comes 4 years after the launch of the capable LX100 compact camera. Both cameras are very similar in terms of size and button placement.
The major upgrades are the internals of the camera. Firstly, the image sensor is the same sensor 21MP m43 sensor used on the GX9 as compared to the 16MP one on the LX100. Similar to the LX100, the LX100 II crops the image to allow for multi-aspect ratio shooting. You will not get the full 21MP output from the sensor. The highest resolution is with the 4:3 mode which gives 17MP. The LX100 does 12MP on the same settings. Picture quality seems good.
The second upgrade is the touchscreen LCD on the back of the camera. The LCD is in a fixed position and cannot be flipped or rotated. If you use the EVF of the LX100 II for composing, the touchscreen LCD allows you to move the focus point using your fingers, therefore you can keep your eye on the EVF and use your right thumb to shift the focus point. It is very intuitive and easy to use.
Finally, the USB port of the LX100 II can be used for charging the battery via a powerbank or when connected to your computer. Charging is not fast but it works and means that there is 1 less charger to carry around when travelling.
For more specs and product pictures, please head on to the Panasonic Singapore site.
What I like about the camera is the USB charging and touchscreen AF point movement. It would be great if the lens is wider, maybe 18 or 20mm instead of the 24mm. 24mm is just not wide enough for my liking. Another issue I have is the non existence of native geotagging which is an important feature when I travel or make record shots of a place. A good camera overall, but it's a long stretch for existing owners of LX100 to upgrade to. For someone looking for a camera, this may be good if you want slightly better pictures then what the current generation smartphones can produce. For most people, you are better off with the latest smartphones. Compacts are now in a situation where they have to compete with smartphones. Technology is moving extremely fast and the phone seems to be winning the race.
Below are some of test shots and a 15min walk on my way to the office on a sunny morning. SOOC JPGs. I have the RAW files if anyone is interested.
53mm | f/2.8 | 1/15s | ISO1250
24mm | f/1.7 | 1/4s | ISO640
24mm | f/8 | 1/500s | ISO200
24mm | f/8 | 1/250 | ISO200
39mm | f/3.2 | 1/800 | ISO200
The Panasonic LX100 II comes 4 years after the launch of the capable LX100 compact camera. Both cameras are very similar in terms of size and button placement.
The major upgrades are the internals of the camera. Firstly, the image sensor is the same sensor 21MP m43 sensor used on the GX9 as compared to the 16MP one on the LX100. Similar to the LX100, the LX100 II crops the image to allow for multi-aspect ratio shooting. You will not get the full 21MP output from the sensor. The highest resolution is with the 4:3 mode which gives 17MP. The LX100 does 12MP on the same settings. Picture quality seems good.
The second upgrade is the touchscreen LCD on the back of the camera. The LCD is in a fixed position and cannot be flipped or rotated. If you use the EVF of the LX100 II for composing, the touchscreen LCD allows you to move the focus point using your fingers, therefore you can keep your eye on the EVF and use your right thumb to shift the focus point. It is very intuitive and easy to use.
Finally, the USB port of the LX100 II can be used for charging the battery via a powerbank or when connected to your computer. Charging is not fast but it works and means that there is 1 less charger to carry around when travelling.
For more specs and product pictures, please head on to the Panasonic Singapore site.
What I like about the camera is the USB charging and touchscreen AF point movement. It would be great if the lens is wider, maybe 18 or 20mm instead of the 24mm. 24mm is just not wide enough for my liking. Another issue I have is the non existence of native geotagging which is an important feature when I travel or make record shots of a place. A good camera overall, but it's a long stretch for existing owners of LX100 to upgrade to. For someone looking for a camera, this may be good if you want slightly better pictures then what the current generation smartphones can produce. For most people, you are better off with the latest smartphones. Compacts are now in a situation where they have to compete with smartphones. Technology is moving extremely fast and the phone seems to be winning the race.
Below are some of test shots and a 15min walk on my way to the office on a sunny morning. SOOC JPGs. I have the RAW files if anyone is interested.
53mm | f/2.8 | 1/15s | ISO1250
24mm | f/1.7 | 1/4s | ISO640
24mm | f/8 | 1/500s | ISO200
24mm | f/8 | 1/250 | ISO200
39mm | f/3.2 | 1/800 | ISO200