I might have found a replacement for my G7! [Archive]

cricketboy75

21st of July 2008 (Mon), 23:48

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0807/08072102panasoniclx3.asp

it's key features which appeal to me are:
- fast f/2.0 Leica lens
- wide angle
- RAW

i just hope the IQ at ISO400 and 800 doesn't have too much noise or at least is better than the G7 & 9.

so if that holds, then i've found a new pocket, walkaround digital to replace my G7. :)

Doug F

22nd of July 2008 (Tue), 00:53

That is a G9 killer in my book. It may even be a G10 killer. Thank goodness they heard the calls for less megapixels and more range at the wide end. It will be really interesting to see how the image quality and IQ respond to the larger chip with less megapixels.

cricketboy75

22nd of July 2008 (Tue), 03:00

can't wait to test drive one. hopefully they'll have them at B & H when i'm there in august. i also like that's it's even smaller than the G series.

tonnes

22nd of July 2008 (Tue), 03:21

And a big sensor to boot.... hmmmm

http://a.img-dpreview.com/news/0807/Panasonic/LX3_accessories.jpg

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cricketboy75

22nd of July 2008 (Tue), 03:28

well, i think it's bigger than the G9's sensor...

tonnes

22nd of July 2008 (Tue), 03:33

it most certainly is. This camera seems very nice on paper... luckily I work in a camera shop so I'll have plenty of time to play with it before I buy... love the viewfinder and leather case... look forward to Leica bringing out their version.

cricketboy75

22nd of July 2008 (Tue), 03:47

cricketboy75

22nd of July 2008 (Tue), 03:48

And a big sensor to boot.... hmmmm

http://a.img-dpreview.com/news/0807/Panasonic/LX3_accessories.jpg

wow, that looks so sweet! especially with the case. looks like those 70s rangefinders. :)

jaclarkaus

22nd of July 2008 (Tue), 03:55

Word on the street, and inital samples on the internet show to quality of the pictures to be quite poor. Shame really ...

ofdphoto

22nd of July 2008 (Tue), 04:04

Word on the street, and inital samples on the internet show to quality of the pictures to be quite poor. Shame really ...
Link?

And poor compared to what? I love my G9, but it doesn't produce images nearly as clean as my 40D's.

Interesting piece of gear ... but what I love about my G9 is that it's compact AND plays nice with a 430EX ... so I'm portable and have lighting options.

Still, will watch this puppy with interest. Looks superb on paper.

cricketboy75

22nd of July 2008 (Tue), 05:01

Word on the street, and inital samples on the internet show to quality of the pictures to be quite poor. Shame really ...
can you post the link to those comments? the previews and pics i've seen are very positive as far as an advanced compact goes. so far it looks like it beats the G9.

http://www.digitalcamerareview.com/default.asp?newsID=3580&review=panasonic+lumix+lx3

tonnes

22nd of July 2008 (Tue), 06:32

hey, you should put up a review once you get to try one. when do you think they'll be in shops?

Doubt it will be before Photokina.

cricketboy75

22nd of July 2008 (Tue), 07:03

good point. just gotta be patient i guess. can't wait to see the leica version. i don't you don't get much extra for the increase cost, but they just are a thing of beauty!

Doug F

22nd of July 2008 (Tue), 09:18

cricketboy75

22nd of July 2008 (Tue), 09:26

I am taking the poor image quality comments with a grain of salt. I saw one site where the quality seemed quite decent for the camera class (sorry, didn't save the link). The "G9 defense army" over at Digital Review are out in full force as usual looking to burn any heretic who dares to question the superiority of the G9.
i'll keep an open mind till the in-depth reviews are available. looks very promising so far. i love my g7, but i have to admit - a little smaller body and wider/faster lens would be a lot more useful.

Alexajlex

22nd of July 2008 (Tue), 09:33

This is the one PS to have.

The fast 2.0 lens + the sensor pixel density will help it edge the G9 by the looks of it.

cricketboy75

22nd of July 2008 (Tue), 09:38

This is the one PS to have.

The fast 2.0 lens + the sensor pixel density will help it edge the G9 by the looks of it.
my initial impression is similiar too. having said that, the G7 and 9 already probably produce better IQ for prints than ISO1600 film ever did. it's increadible the advances the last several years in digital. i think we're all getting really spoilt! no complaints here. just feeling my wallet getting lighter and lighter! :D

Doug F

22nd of July 2008 (Tue), 10:09

At a $499 list price, Canon will have some serious competition. If they were planning to raise the price on the G10, it better have some killer upgrades from the G9 that are above and beyond those listed on the rumor sites. Competition is good and I am glad to see manufacturers take this market segment more seriously :)

Jman13

23rd of July 2008 (Wed), 10:13

The pics I've seen have been very disappointing...mushy detail. I would love a 24mm equiv lens on a G series cam, with better high-ISO, at the expense of pixels if needed, but this does not appear to be it.

Collin85

23rd of July 2008 (Wed), 11:26

Optimistically speaking, I hope this camera kicks absolute arse and sell like hotcakes. That outta' slap Canon into gear and give us G-enthusiasts features we expect from a worthy G-series camera, such as a fast lens, wide-angle and better high-ISO performance. Hear that Canon?

Nothing against the G9; I had great fun with it while I had it. But in the end, besides RAW, it wasn't much more than a souped up A-series IMHO.

Double Negative

23rd of July 2008 (Wed), 13:22

I spotted this on DPR when it was posted yesterday and immediately thought, "oooh - nice!"

I just picked up a G9 so I doubt I'll be jumping on it any time soon, but perhaps down the road - by then hopefully a G10 or a Leica version of this will be out.

Looks good on paper, so far!

Double Negative

23rd of July 2008 (Wed), 16:11

Another "review" here (all three paragraphs of it) and not sounding too good: http://www.infosyncworld.com/news/n/9604.html

jaclarkaus

23rd of July 2008 (Wed), 16:24

can you post the link to those comments? the previews and pics i've seen are very positive as far as an advanced compact goes. so far it looks like it beats the G9.

http://www.digitalcamerareview.com/default.asp?newsID=3580&review=panasonic+lumix+lx3

Sorry, was away ...

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1033&message=28691393

http://www.infosyncworld.com/news/n/9604.html (http://www.infosyncworld.com/news/n/9604.html)

cricketboy75

23rd of July 2008 (Wed), 21:56

Sorry, was away ...

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1033&message=28691393

http://www.infosyncworld.com/news/n/9604.html (http://www.infosyncworld.com/news/n/9604.html)

thanks for sharing. looks like the previews so far are with pre-production models, so there's still hope! :) i'll reserve judgement till the reviews are available on reputable websites.

cricketboy75

23rd of July 2008 (Wed), 22:05

actually the initial preview from Popphoto.com gives me hope. :)
http://www.popphoto.com/cameras/5443/panasonic-lumix-dmc-lx3-new-trix-for-lumix.html

jaclarkaus

24th of July 2008 (Thu), 02:03

actually the initial preview from Popphoto.com gives me hope. :)
http://www.popphoto.com/cameras/5443/panasonic-lumix-dmc-lx3-new-trix-for-lumix.html

Doesn't look like they got to turn it on.

I'm also looking, not totally happy with the G9, not bad, but not as good as I'd like. The Sigma got bad reviews initially but now has upgraded firmware ... who knows?

My ideal is a P&S with f2.0 and an APS sized sensor ... Maybe a G10 eventually?

cricketboy75

24th of July 2008 (Thu), 02:35

Doesn't look like they got to turn it on.

I'm also looking, not totally happy with the G9, not bad, but not as good as I'd like. The Sigma got bad reviews initially but now has upgraded firmware ... who knows?

My ideal is a P&S with f2.0 and an APS sized sensor ... Maybe a G10 eventually?
what do you mean? they managed to take around 10 pics. their comments were favourable and they said that the contrast was down to retain highlights but that the pics could still be made to 'pop out' by using PS to up the contrast.

New Hobby

24th of July 2008 (Thu), 09:04

Its looks nice. Any idea how many bits the RAWs will be?

Collin85

24th of July 2008 (Thu), 10:19

Its looks nice. Any idea how many bits the RAWs will be?

No idea, but I'd argue that's the least out of your worries when it comes to output quality. 12 or 14-bits; my concerns are much more related to things like dynamic range, high-ISO noise, calibre of the lens etc.

New Hobby

24th of July 2008 (Thu), 11:48

No idea, but I'd argue that's the least out of your worries when it comes to output quality. 12 or 14-bits; my concerns are much more related to things like dynamic range, high-ISO noise, calibre of the lens etc.

Reading one of the review it states that they have gone in the direction of lower contrast. This would help shots taken in high contrast areas but it would make images more flat. I was hoping for 14 bit, or so, so one could bring out higher contrast in some areas of the image.

I'm getting the feeling that this should be better at high-ISO because of the sensor size.

cricketboy75

24th of July 2008 (Thu), 23:08

fingers crossed, they'll have one at B & H end of august!

jaclarkaus

25th of July 2008 (Fri), 06:22

what do you mean? they managed to take around 10 pics. their comments were favourable and they said that the contrast was down to retain highlights but that the pics could still be made to 'pop out' by using PS to up the contrast.

Actually they say ... "We’ll report on its performance as soon as we get a testable camera"

Lemonlib

25th of July 2008 (Fri), 14:44

jaclarkaus

25th of July 2008 (Fri), 19:57

i got news for you guys..its panasonic body..i have had the previous model..i also had the g7.. the color and the chip is not as good. and i have heard thats not really the lieca lens..

correct me if i am wrong this..

Lemon

Well, given they changed the body, chip and lense ...

I'd love it to be good, but until I see a good report from someone I trust ... (unlike every other time I bought it anyway only to be disappointed...)

cricketboy75

25th of July 2008 (Fri), 20:08

Well, given they changed the body, chip and lense ...

I'd love it to be good, but until I see a good report from someone I trust ... (unlike every other time I bought it anyway only to be disappointed...)
well, according to dpreview, it is a leica lens.

Double Negative

25th of July 2008 (Fri), 21:42

One look at the front of the camera and you can see "Leica" written on the lens. I think the question is - whether it is really a Leica - or just branded one. Considering Panasonic is in with Leica on producing cameras for both companies, I'd say it's a safe bet it's a real Leica lens.

ofdphoto

27th of July 2008 (Sun), 01:34

Some more believable samples:

http://www.panasonic.net/pavc/lumix/gallery/models/lx3.html

Pretty impressive at ISO 80.

jaclarkaus

27th of July 2008 (Sun), 04:18

well, according to dpreview, it is a leica lens.

They all have 'Leica' lenses ... made under licence of course ...

The LX2 also had a Leica branded lense, as does most if not all Panasonic cameras (including video)

ALaS

27th of July 2008 (Sun), 05:24

I have an XTi to replace your G7 if you'd like :) PM me.

jaclarkaus

27th of July 2008 (Sun), 16:29

I might go XSi ...

cricketboy75

27th of July 2008 (Sun), 23:27

Actually they say ... "We’ll report on its performance as soon as we get a testable camera"
i think what they meant is that they'll provide a more in-depth review later on once they have the camera for an extended period of time. the article was just initial thoughts based on very limited time with the camera.

cricketboy75

27th of July 2008 (Sun), 23:29

I have an XTi to replace your G7 if you'd like :) PM me.
thanks, but i would probably go with something smaller than a G9 even if possible. waiting for that Panasonic to be available. On the other hand, if the G10 has wide angle, then I'd be interested too...I'm actually resorting to my Powershot SD1000 and Olympus XA for discreet and easy street shots now. :)