d-lux 2 and c-lux 1 successors announced today ?

[petermcwerner]

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX50 (aka c-lux 2 ? announced on Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX50 & DMC-FX07: Digital Photography Review

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2 (aka D-LUX 3 ?) announced on Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2: Digital Photography Review

[marknorton]

Seems quite likely, doesn't it? I like the widescreen LCD on the LX2... though the bling styling of the Panasonic cameras leaves me cold. That said, they are not primarily aimed at 51 year olds!

[geoff]

Panasonic Lumix Global Website

Most notable features across the new product line, which includes the FZ50, FX50 and LX2, are:

• Larger LCD Displays
• Venus Engine III
• SDHC Support
• Higher Resolution
• Lower Noise
• 2 Compositional Grid Modes (one with diagonal lines)

Also of note is that the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LC1 has now been removed from the site. However, none of the new offerings, including the Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1, provide the functionality that the LC1 and Digilux 2 did.

[geoff]

newlumix.jpg


This is my first attempt on this forum to post an image. The "Preview Post" does not seem to want to display the image so I don't know if the image file is going to display or not.

[supperman]

I'm interested with how fast the LX2 will shoot RAW, since this is my only complain about the D-Lux 2.

It's also interesting that the sensor is actually slightly bigger than in the LX1, while the lens remained the same, so it would be interesting to see how the corners look in with the new camera.

[sworks]

I also discovered an USB conectivity (still no USB 2.0 high speed?)
Change from SD-card to x-card
More ISO modes (up to 3200) - does this really make sense with this 10MP chip?
Problably the "old D-Lux-2" could be the better choice???

[geoff]

Originally Posted by supperman

I'm interested with how fast the LX2 will shoot RAW, since this is my only complain about the D-Lux 2.

It's also interesting that the sensor is actually slightly bigger than in the LX1, while the lens remained the same, so it would be interesting to see how the corners look in with the new camera.

Both the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX1 and LX2 have the same physical size sensor, 1/1.65".

As far as shot-to-shot Raw performance, I would expect the possibility of at least a slight improvement due to the deployment of both the Venus Engine III and SD 2.0 spec when used with higher Class SDHC cards.

[geoff]

Originally Posted by sworks

I also discovered an USB conectivity (still no USB 2.0 high speed?)
Change from SD-card to x-card
More ISO modes (up to 3200) - does this really make sense with this 10MP chip?
Problably the "old D-Lux-2" could be the better choice???

USB connectivity is really a non issue since one should always use a card reader instead of the camera to offload images. A card reader can stay attached to one’s computer while constantly connecting, disconnecting and reconnecting the camera risks wear and tear on the connections.

Additionally, there is no mention of a switch to xD-Picture-Cards. The change is the addition of SDHC memory card support.

Finally, ISO 3200 is really just marketing appeasement as seen recently by most manufacturers. It really has little baring in real world application and I simply ignore it.

[smokysun]

thanks for the tip. i've already decided to get the d-lux 3, mostly for the higher iso. if i can get good pics at 1600 i'll be able to do just about everything with it. (using the d2 when necessary). faster card, faster engine, more resolution, etc. it sounds worth it.
wayne

[supperman]

Originally Posted by geoff

Both the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX1 and LX2 have the same physical size sensor, 1/1.65".

As far as shot-to-shot Raw performance, I would expect the possibility of at least a slight improvement due to the deployment of both the Venus Engine III and SD 2.0 spec when used with higher Class SDHC cards.

My bad, for some reason I thought the LX1 had a 1/1.8" sensor.

As for the RAW performance, I have a feeling that the limiting factor is the on-board memory and SD card speed, since currently my D-Lux2 gets faster with faster SD cards.

[daveleo]

i cannot find any reference to availablity or pricing of the LX2....?

daveleo

[adan]

To quote from the specs as listed by dpreview (bottom of list): Likely a typo, though...Panasonic invented the SD format so I doubt you'll ever see anything else in their cameras.

......Print compliance PictBridge

>>>>> Storage • x card <<<<

•13 MB internal memory
Power • Li-ion battery
• Optional AC adapter
Weight (no batt) 187 g (0.41 lb)
Dimensions 105.7 x 55.8 x 26.3 mm (4.16 x 2.20 x 1.04 in)

[adan]

direct link to LX2 samples:

Sample images by models | Gallery | LUMIX | Digital Camera | Panasonic

[brucemcl]

Originally Posted by geoff

USB connectivity is really a non issue since one should always use a card reader instead of the camera to offload images. A card reader can stay attached to one’s computer while constantly connecting, disconnecting and reconnecting the camera risks wear and tear on the connections.

I would rather put wear and tear on the camera than on the memory card. I think the camera is built better than a memory card. A failed memory card can lead to lost images. What happens if the USB connection on the camera stops working? I can always get a card reader then so I don't lose any images.

It's a bit like buying floor mats on a new car I guess. I'd rather use the existing carpet than save it for the next owner. I can buy the floor mats before I sell the car.

[marknorton]

Anyone rate the sample images? Nothing for me to get excited about.

At some point, the numerous players in the digital camera market will start to realise demand is flattening, so this endless confusion of new models and pixel chasing doesn't help anyone. I don't understand Panasonic's model naming and I'm not sure I need to. It's all (digital) noise. What they need is low noise and high colour depth but the punters are mainly interested in mega-thingies.

[smithies]

Hardly think so...the D2 is the closest thing we have so far to a Leica M camera with its manual controls and, more particularly, that f2 - F2.4 lens. F2.8 is simply not fast enough. NO! Any D3 ought to be much the same, but with later developments (like the buffer& 16:9 etc) incorporated. The D2 led me to sell all my M series film gear (mind you, I am getting very old and the weight was a problem) and convert entirely to digital photography. I'm happy with what I've got---for the moment! Bob

[geoff]

Originally Posted by brucemcl

I would rather put wear and tear on the camera than on the memory card. I think the camera is built better than a memory card. A failed memory card can lead to lost images. What happens if the USB connection on the camera stops working? I can always get a card reader then so I don't lose any images.

Actually Secure Digital cards are pretty durable. However, CompactFlash, with 50 exposed pins, might be another issue.

Many people use multiple cards that they constantly have to switch in and out anyway. Card readers and even memory cards are cheaper to replace than a camera. But one obvious reason to use a card reader over wear and tear concerns is that, usually, faster transfers can be accomplished with them than through the camera. Case in point with the LX1 and now the LX2. This becomes critical when using large capacity cards and or many multiple cards on a shoot.

[brucemcl]

Here's what I want to happen:
- I want less noise than my FX01.
- I want blinking of overexposed hightlights in review mode, like the LX1 and FZ series Panasonic cameras. This is more useful to me than a live histogram.
- I want to control saturation and sharpness as separate menu items instead of together.
- I want better color rendition outdoors.
- I want to make two or three thousand more images with my FX01! :-)

[dctmickey]

Good day, friends,

My only question is, will Leica announce the D-lux 3 or not.
Cause the attractive spec for me is the widescreen and new image engine.
I think I will purcahse the D-lux 3 instead of my D-lux 2 which I just bought two weeks ago.

BR,

Mickey

[rvaubel]

Originally Posted by adan

direct link to LX2 samples:

Sample images by models | Gallery | LUMIX | Digital Camera | Panasonic

I think it's interesting to note that all of this pictures were taken at ISO 100 in relatively bright light. What I really want to see is pictures taken with an ISO setting of 800 in dim light. If they look anyway near as good as the samples at 100 ISO I will buy the camera in a heartbeat.
I'm not holding my breath.

Rex
The proud owner of an LX1 which, although a great camera, is useless in low light