Panasonic LX7

Small sensor compact cameras are a bit of in an odd state right now. They can be tiny and low-priced. On the other hand, they’ve also become pretty sandwiched between other competing classes of devices. A key indicator of small compact cameras might be image quality, but you have smartphones who also double up as cameras – and the differences between the top-range smartphones are now as good, if not better, than entry-level compact cameras now. On another side, there are mirrorless camera systems which offer larger image sensors and all the advantages that would bring about, and they’re also approaching compact cameras in sizes too.

So, it wasn’t an easy decision to pick up a compact camera with the knowledge that they’re right now a challenged equipment type in terms of positioning. There are still a couple that are very well-regarded in terms of image quality, like the Sony RX100, which many regard as currently among the best compact cameras available. The thing costs about S$900 though, which is far more than I’m willing to pay for what is essentially a fun supplement to my E-M5. The Panasonic LX7, the latest iteration in a very successful series of small compact cameras, doesn’t offer image quality that approaches the RX100, but when it was available at Amazon for about half the price you’d pay for normally, I jumped at the opportunity and ordered one right away.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
The LX7. The camera, unlikely most other compacts, doesn’t use an auto-retractable lens cover.
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
Three knobs and dials; one up-top, and two smaller dials on the camera’s rear.

The little compact took about 9 days from the point of ordering to reaching my door-step, and it seems pretty much exactly as the reviews have stated. It’s small, pretty light, attractively designed for the most part, responsive focusing – and a great bargain at the about $380 I paid. The rear LCD is bright, nicely saturated and suitably high-resolution. Image quality is an improvement over compact cameras from say 5 years ago, considered very good for compacts in its class – helped in no small part by the very bright f1.4 lens – but still pretty poor relative to larger sensor cameras. HD videos recorded on the other hand looks pretty good, especially when using the 60p mode. I might just bring this camera about everywhere I go just as a small HD camcorder!

Now; if I can only convince Ling to give up her 5 year old Panasonic LZ8 compact… :)