Digital Camera: Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2 unveiled with world's first 16:9 10.2 megapixel CCD and 2.8" widescreen LCD.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2 digital camera is the successor to the premium quality DMC-LX1 and boasts the world's first 10.2 16:9 widescreen CCD sensor which is complimented by a large 2.8" widescreen TFT LCD. One of the major issues with the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX1 was noise at higher ISO levels. Panasonic state that the Venus III engine on the DMC-LX2 will dramatically reduce noise on the 10.2 megapixel sensor and although a high ISO setting of 3200 is available, this can only be used at lower resolutions. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2 also offers a Leica 28 - 112mm (35mm equiv) zoom, MEGA optical image stabiliser, Venus Engine III, faster autofocus, full manual control and high definition 1280 x 720 movies at 15 fps. If Panasonic has managed to overcome the noise issue (which I very much doubt at the present time), the LX2 will no doubt prove very popular amongst enthusiasts, semi-professionals and professionals as a high quality carry everywhere compact digital camera. Let's hope that other manufacturers follow suit and produce more enthusiast compacts like the LX2 rather than stick to the run of the mill compact with 37 to 110 mm lens.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2 Key Features - 10.2 megapixel CCD - 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios - Support for Jpeg, Raw and Mov file formats - Leica 28 - 112mm (35 equiv) F2.8 - F4.9 Leica DC Vario-Elmarit zoom lens - MEGA optical image stabiliser - Multiple, Center Weighted and Spot metering - ISO range of 100 to 1600. ISO 3200 in high sensitivity mode - Auto, Manual, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority and Progam AE - VGA 4:3 movies. 16:9 movies at 848 x 480 (30 fps) and HD 1280 x 720 (15 fps) - Scene modes - 2.8" widescreen 207,000 pixels LCD - AF assist lamp - Shutter range 60 - 1/2000 in manual mode - SD, SDHC and MMC card compatibility - Weight 187g - Size 105.7 x 55.8 x 26.3mm