This means a Leica D-Lux 5 is probably also on the way 🙂 This should be a FANTASTIC camera! Amazon is already taking pre-orders and they will NOT charge until the camera ships! Pre-Order The Panasonic LX5 at Amazon!
PANASONIC LUMIX LX5, THE ULTIMATE COMPACT HIGH-PERFORMING DIGITAL CAMERA AIMS FOR SUPERB PHOTO QUALITY, ESPECIALLY IN LOW-LIGHT ENVIRONMENTS
Panasonic LUMIX LX5 Features New High Sensitivity CCD and F2.0 Leica Lens for Shooting Stunning Photography and Vivid High Definition Videos
SECAUCUS, NJ (July 21, 2010) – Panasonic today announced the LUMIX DMC-LX5, the ultimate compact, high-performing digital camera offering photo enthusiasts the ideal camera for capturing professional-quality photos and High Definition (HD) video. With an ultra-bright F2.0 ultra-wide-angle 24mm LEICA DC VARIO-SUMMICRON lens, the LUMIX LX5 minimizes image distortion, resulting in stunning, true-to-life images with outstanding resolution and detail. The 24mm wide angle lens offers extraordinarily large viewing space and now the optical zoom is extended to 3.8x(90mm) making the LX5 even more versatile.
“The Panasonic LUMIX LX-Series cameras have been extremely popular models for us with professional and enthusiast photographers, who understand and value the superb image quality such a compact, affordable digital camera can offer,” said David Briganti, Senior Product Manager, Imaging, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company. “We expect the same enthusiasm, if not more, for the LUMIX LX5, which features improvements to the lens and processing – resulting in even better images.”
The Panasonic LUMIX LX5 is a unique compact digital camera in that it offers superb image quality along with a super-bright lens and increased creative modes. The F2.0 lens is twice as bright as a F2.8 lens, making it easy to produce beautiful photos with a soft-focused background thanks to the shallow depth of field provided by the extra light. In addition to the newly-designed lens, the LUMIX LX5 features an image processing engine that combines technologies resulting in professional-quality photos, especially in low-light situations. Like its predecessor, the LUMIX LX5 features the highly-acclaimed 10.1-megapixel CCD, but it has an expanded dynamic range by increasing the sensitivity and the saturation.
The newly developed Venus Engine FHD image processor enables higher-speed, higher-performance while compiling the Intelligent Resolution technology. The triple CPUs in this imaging engine dramatically speeds up processing while achieving exceptional noise reduction performance. With its high-sensitivity CCD and the brightness of the lens, minimum illumination of the LUMIX LX5 is as low as 3 lux while shooting video.
In addition to capturing high-quality still photos, the LUMIX LX5 can record HD videos in AVCHD Lite, a format that allows almost doubling the recording time in HD quality compared with the conventional Motion JPEG format. Creative video shooting modes include Creative Movie mode, where users can set shutter speed and aperture manually to make even more impressive movies. My Color mode and Film mode are available for more extended expression not only in photography but also in videography. The LUMIX LX5 also features Dolby Digital Creator to record high quality audio and the 3.8x optical zoom is available while shooting video.
The LUMIX LX5 has also been redesigned externally – with a thicker grip making it easier to hold and a newly-incorporated turn-and-push jog dial achieves various selection and setting more quickly. The LUMIX LX5 also features a hot shoe, which allows for the attachment of a wide-variety of accessories, such as an optional Live View Finder which helps shooting under strong daylight with high visibility or an external flash. The 1:1 square format setting is added in the aspect ratio option which can be selected with the switch at the side of the lens barrel.
Other features of the Panasonic LUMIX LX5, include:
The 3.0-inch large 460,000-dot high resolution Intelligent LCD also redesigned by adopting High CRI (Color Rendering Index) backlight LED to greatly increase the color reproduction, making it more visible both in shooting and playing back images in any conditions from at dark night to under bright sunlight.
Battery life is extended to shoot 400 photos (CIPA) per a single charge.
A wide-variety of accessories, including a Live View Finder (DMW-LVF1), External Optical View Finder (DMW-VF1), Wide Conversion Lens (DMW-LWA52), Conversion Lens Adaptor (DMW-LA6), MC Protector (DMW-MC52), ND Filter (DMW-LND52), PL Filter: DMW-LPL52, External Flashes, Leather Case (DMW-CLX5) and a Battery Pack (DMW-BCJ13).
The Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX5 will be available in late-August 2010 for a suggested retail of $499.95 and will be available in black and white models.
·Leica is a registered trademark of Leica Microsystems IR GmbH.
·The LEICA DC VARIO-SUMMICRON lenses are manufactured using measurement instruments and quality assurance systems that have been certified by Leica Camera AG based on the company’s quality standards.
·The “AVCHD” is a high definition (HD) digital video recording / playback format jointly established by Panasonic Corporation and Sony Corporation. The “AVCHD Lite” is a subset of the “AVCHD format” for HD digital video cameras with HD video recording restricted to 720P. The new “AVCHD Lite” Logo and the “AVCHD Lite” License are restricted to devices within the AVCHD Video Camera category. Digital cameras have been added to the AVCHD Video Camera category.
·The “AVCHD Lite” and the “AVCHD Lite” logo are trademarks of Panasonic Corporation and Sony Corporation.
·AVCHD Lite motion images recorded onto an SD Memory Card or a DVD disc cannot be played on a device that does not support the AVCHD standard.
·Dolby and the double-D symbol are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories.
·HDMI, the HDMI logo and High-Definition Multimedia Interface are trademarks or registered trademarks of HDMI Licensing LLC.
·YouTube is a trademark of Google Inc.
·All other company and product names are trademarks of their respective corporations.
·This unit is compatible with both SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Cards. You can only use SDHC Memory Cards on devices that are compatible with them. You cannot use SDHC Memory Cards on devices that are only compatible with SD Memory Cards. (When using an SDHC Memory Card on another device, be sure to read the operating instructions for that device.)
·Some accessories are not available in some countries.
·The use of recorded or printed materials that are protected by copyright for any purpose other than personal enjoyment is prohibited, as it would infringe upon the rights of the copyright holder.
·Design and specifications are subject to change without notice.
About Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company
Based in Secaucus, N.J., Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company (PCEC), is a Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America, the principal North American subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation (NYSE: PC) and the hub of Panasonic’s U.S. marketing, sales, service and R&D operations. In its commitment to provide consumers with extensive imaging resources, Panasonic LUMIX established the Digital Photo Academy, a series of nationwide workshops designed to instruct consumers how to optimize the features on their digital cameras and produce high-quality photos.
Panasonic is pledged to practice prudent, sustainable use of the earth’s natural resources and protect our environment through the company’s Eco Ideas programs. Company information for journalists is available at www.panasonic.com/pressroom.
For more than 20 years, Panasonic has been proud to support the Olympic Movement as an Official Worldwide Olympic Partner in the Audio and Visual Equipment category and, beginning in 2009, in the Digital Imaging category as well. Panasonic has also renewed its partnership with the International Olympic Committee for an additional eight years through the 2016 Summer Games. For more information, visit http://panasonic.net/olympic/.
Good to see that Pana took the mild evolutionary way and left the LX3 recipe intact. A classic P&S imo. I love the LX3. I shot many of my most cherished shots with it. But since it got company of my X1 it’s out of a job.
I do hope the LX5 will perform clearly better on noise (at any ISO) and dynamic range. The weak points of the 3 imo.
Does it really say Summicron on the lens??… HA HA HA… the only thing it has in common is the f/ number. 😀
Hmmm.. any everyones current cameras are somehow not giving the best artistic results and have reached 100% capacity in all regards?
Let’s move the discussion back to film and composition and story telling as it was a few months ago.
I’ve been shooting with an XPAN of late – anyone have any experience with pano shooting and compositions?
I’ll have to wait and see. When I saw these images comparing LX3, 1600 ISO to LX5, 1600ISO, I was a bit disappointed with the LX5’s results because LX5 seems to have lost some details.
http://www.quesabesde.com/camdig/noticias/Lumix_LX5_muestra_02g.jpg
This is not the final release, just a pre-production, LX-3 on the other hand, got 3-4 firmware upgrade. So it is just not fair to compare them.
@Armanius – I think the camera you are thinking about is the one coming in a month or so time. It is supposed to have the 4/3 sensor, similar lens to LX3/5 and have a built in viewfinder that shows similar look to an M viewfinder. Not sure when, maybe a month or so?
Oh that is the cam i’m looking for. That should be a Leica or Panasonic? Let’s see what photokina will bring -> i will go there. Sorry for my bad english.
What’s the sensor size on this thing? I thought the rumour was that Pany would stick a 4/3 sensor on it?
I have checked the 24 image samples on dpreview.com, especially those made with iso800 and iso1600.
Iso 800 does really look good for a camera with such a small chip and in combination with a f2.0 lens it should be enough to have it “as all time with me” camera.
Let’s see what Leica will show us…
Based on precedence Leica will almost certainly just remove the grip and rebadge the LX5 as a DLUX4.
An adapter that turned micro 4/3 into full-frame would be very magical indeed 🙂
Am still dreaming of the micro 43 sensor, interchangeable lens with magic adaptor that converts M lens attached into full frame… oh, and with built in OVF with split image focus…for $1,500. 🙂
So very spot-on Stephen, why don’t they just stop all this messing about and make the camera we really want! A Leica CL digital with a decent size sensor 🙂
Dear Panasonic,
Please remove that ugly L gold sticker. Also the red lettering beside the lens. That is unless you need to “ugly”-fy your camera so that the Leica D Lux-5 will look pretty.
I suspect that the D-Lux 5 will be released shortly, probably this fall, with the same specs and Leica-inspired firmware, which means different handling of jpegs, more “Leica” styled….if you shoot RAW, it probably doesn’t matter what camera you have. If you are a jpeg guy (and if the D-Lux 4 is any representation), the D-Lux 4 would be the way to go. The D-Lux 4 was the only camera that I have ever trusted to shoot jpegs with satisfying results, so I may wait for the D-Lux 5, but agree that this looks like an incremental, rather than revolutionary release, in a much more competitive marketplace, given m4/3, Canon’s s90 high end offering.
If Leica is listening, they really need to use an integrated lens cap, a la the Ricoh GRD series cameras. I don’t get it, with having such a compact with a lens cap….
Bottom line. This will be an outstanding camera, but it may be harder for it to claim its share of space, given its wonderful predecessor and a much more competitive high end compact market.
The lens cap string is very aggravating! LOL! So, get rid of the cap and the need for the string. I may cut that dang string and just hold the lens cap like I do with my other cameras.
So, is this the Leica D-Lux 4 improved then? I wonder when Leica will come out with their camera?
Leica are just waiting for Panasonic to remove the in-built grip so that they can then sell their bolt-on grip 😉
I will be buying this camera. I loooovvvveee my LX3! The way I see it, this is a great update to a already great LX3.
I’m not going to take the chance, if you don’t mind 😀
Seriously, it really depends on who’s doing the checking, and one day may be different than another.
Talking for myself, it’s between something like this or the S90, and low-light performance is key. I can’t take “professional” equipment to festivals, and the way they determine if it’s pro is whether or not it has exchangable lenses…
Do you think they would realize micro four thirds are interchangeable assuming you just took one lens? I’m just curious, most of the time here (usa) they judge it more on size.
Looks like an evolution, iso 800 is now decent – it’s a real shame the price evolved too. I personally now could not in any way see buying this over an epl1 for $50 more (or maybe less if you find a deal). The lx series has never had a lot of price leeway.. I really don’t think they will sell all that many at this price and we will see a price drop within three weeks of street date (first month sales will be great from upgrader/early adopters).
Given the s90 is less money, the epl1 can be had for less money.. I’m not so sure this will be a hit.. and think of the Lieca branded price tag – half the price of an x1! to be sure.
Oh forgot to add – if this was a pocket cam I could maybe see it, but they kept the detachable lens cap, not integrated, and it gained some bulk (apparently?). So if you can’t pocket it, why not go with the epl1 at a slightly larger size, but with better results?
FWIW this is the same msrp as the LX3, which sold at full retail for significant stretches of its run. (Panny seemed surprised at their success and had a difficult time providing ample supplies.) I got mine for $400 fairly early on but–for whatever reason–street prices zoomed back up to $500 afterwards. We can expect the red dot version of this LX5 to list for at least $700. Do I hear $800? Prediction: the Leica will continue to be slippery to hold.
There are many significant LX5 enhancements to the LX3 and as long as the new lens and CCD are among them, it will sell very well indeed.
From a productivity standpoint, the optional EVF is the most significant addition of all, as composing and focusing outdoors with the high-gloss LX3 display can be a huge source of frustration.
Looks like a really nice camera, might be a contender for taking to concerts and festivals. Kind of surprising that they ‘dare’ to call the lens Summicron, that really raises my expectations.