Panasonic has upgraded its LX high-end compact camera series with the new LUMIX LX100 II. The LX100 design approach uses a built-in lens to permit a more compact body, and this new version adds a higher-res 17 MP sensor, boosts the specs, and enhances 4K photo modes.
Basically, you can think of the LX100 II as the LX100 design updated with the GX9 sensor and engine. It’s designed as a large sensor compact camera with a built-in lens — not a Micro Four Thirds mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera like the GX9 (although it has a matching 4/3 inch sensor).
Design
The LX100 II has the same compact body size and weight as the LX100 — 115 x 66.2 x 64.2 mm (excluding protrusions), and 392 g (with SD card and battery). The controls are designed for photo enthusiasts, with analog-style direct controls including a shutter
speed dial, exposure compensation dial, aperture ring, and control ring, plus an aspect ratio sector behind the lens and multiple function buttons.
The camera also can be controlled using the new touchscreen 3.0-inch, 1240k-dot display. The LX100 II adds Bluetooth along with Wi-Fi connectivity to support remote shutter control and GPS geotagging from a smartphone or tablet. And you can now charge the camera from USB.
The 0.38-inch Live View Finder is 2760k-dot equivalent. It uses an eye sensor to automatically turn on, and to start auto-focusing.
Image Quality
The LX100 II has the same 4/3 inch MOS image sensor as the original LX100, but steps up to an effective 17.0 megapixels in 4:3 aspect ratio (versus the previous 12.8 MP). The built-in LEICA DC VARIO-SUMMILUX lens provides 3.1x optical zoom (35mm camera equivalent 24-75mm zoom range), and offers high-speed F1.7-F2.8 full-range brightness.
The camera can shoot in 4:3, 16:9, 3:2, or 1:1 aspect ratios (easily changed with a switch on the lens barrel), and can shoot macro down to 3cm working distance. The Venus Engine image processor enhances image quality with noise reduction and detail processing, image sharpening, and color adjustments.
The LX100 II also now can shoot for a maximum of 30 minutes (vs. 120 seconds), with shutter speeds from 1/4000 to 60 seconds. The exposure compensation has increased to +-5EV (vs. +-3EV).
The camera supports high-speed auto-focus of approximately 0.10 sec, using DFD (Depth from Defocus) technology. This provides high-speed burst shooting of fast-moving subjects at 11 fps (AFS) / 5.5 fps (AFC). And it includes Starlight AF to shoot stars in the sky at night with autofocus.
The LX100 II also adds Focus Bracket (up to 999 images) and Aperture Bracket (different depth of field) modes.
4K Video / Photo
The LX100 II shoots high-res 4K video in 3840×2160 at 30p or 24p, and captures 4K Photo bursts at 30 fps in 8 MP equivalent resolution. New 4K Photo modes include L.Monochrome and L.Monochrome D styles for dynamic monochrome, providing deep black with rich graduation like black and white film. The Grain effect now can be applied to all monochrome modes.
Other new 4K Photo burst options include Auto Marking (motion and/or face change detection), Sequence Composition (up to 40 frames), Post Focus (select in-focus area), Focus Stacking (combine depth of field), and Light Composition (save brighter pixels for fireworks or night scenery).
Pricing and Availability
The LX100 II will be available in October for $999, and only in basic black. For more information about the Panasonic LUMIX digital cameras, visit www.shop.panasonic.com and www.lumixlounge.com.
