Panasonic LX7 review

Is a small sensor premium compact enough to take on the Sony RX100?

Panasonic LX7
Panasonic is hoping to recapture the success of the LX3 with the LX7

TechRadar Verdict

Pros

  • +

    Good design

  • +

    Great digital filters

  • +

    Full manual control

  • +

    Raw format shooting

  • +

    Excellent screen

Cons

  • -

    Not a touchscreen

  • -

    Small sensor

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It's been over two years since Panasonic upgraded its premium LX lineup, which in Panasonic terms is a pretty long time indeed.

The Panasonic LX3 was a smash hit across the world, proving to be very popular with DSLR users looking for a good backup camera to take everywhere. However, the Panasonic LX5 with its only modest upgrades has seemingly made less of an impact.

It's fair to say that some pretty interesting innovations have arrived in the advanced compact market since 2010 when the LX5 made its debut.

Panasonic LX7 review

Fujifilm introduced the X100 (APS-C format) and the X10 (2/3-inch format) super premium compacts, while Canon launched the extremely large G1 X which has a sensor that is close to APS-C size in the intervening period. These cameras are pretty hefty though, taking them slightly away from compact territory.

Instead, the direct competition for the LX7 lies in the shape of the Canon S100, which includes a host of interesting features and the more recently announced Sony RX100, which features a one inch sensor.

Panasonic LX7 review

Many will be surprised by Panasonic's decision to stick with the small 1/1.7 inch sensor, which is the same physical size as that found in the LX5. It is however a newly designed sensor, which Panasonic says is capable of delivering better performance at high sensitivities and in low light.

One of the important points to remember about the LX7 is that it is able to maintain a fast aperture throughout its zoom range, rising to just f/2.3 at the telephoto end, compared with the RX100, which can only achieve f/4.9 at its maximum reach. Panasonic is keen to point out that this means that the LX7 can operate at several stops lower than the RX100, allowing for lower sensitivities.

Panasonic LX7 review

Panasonic also believes that in good lighting conditions, and similar shutter speeds the differences in image quality between the two cameras are very small, giving the Panasonic the edge in terms of overall balance.

It's also worth pointing out that at £550, the RX100 costs more than some compact system cameras currently on the market, whereas the LX7, at £449 is a more affordable proposition.

Amy Davies

Amy has been writing about cameras, photography and associated tech since 2009. Amy was once part of the photography testing team for Future Publishing working across TechRadar, Digital Camera, PhotoPlus, N Photo and Photography Week. For her photography, she has won awards and has been exhibited. She often partakes in unusual projects - including one intense year where she used a different camera every single day. Amy is currently the Features Editor at Amateur Photographer magazine, and in her increasingly little spare time works across a number of high-profile publications including Wired, Stuff, Digital Camera World, Expert Reviews, and just a little off-tangent, PetsRadar.