Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 vs Leica D-Lux 5

Same same, but (slightly) different


Digital Camera Showdown: Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 vs Leica D-Lux 5

by Trevor Tan

05:55 AM Jan 14, 2011

FOR years, it was hard to tell the difference between Panasonic and Leica digital compact cameras due to their close collaboration in jointly developing digital still cameras using Leica's optical lens units.

It's the same story with Panasonic's Lumix DMC-LX5 ($799) and Leica's D-Lux 5 ($1,290). Both cameras are equipped with a 10.1-megapixel image sensor, a bright f2.0 3.8x (24-90mm in 35mm equivalent) optical zoom lens and a 3-inch LCD screen. They support up to SDXC cards.

Both cameras weigh around 270g and are almost of the same size, except the LX5 is 18mm thicker due to its rubberised grip. The D-Lux 5 sports a clean, classical design and bears the famous "Leica" logo in front; the LX5 is less subtle with its prominent Lumix branding. The LX5 is available in black and white bodies, while the D-Lux 5 comes in black only.

The button layout is the same, with the mode dial, zoom lever, dedicated video record button and power button on the top right and a dial on the rear right for your thumb to change settings with ease.

A picture aspect ratio selector switch sits on top of the barrel while the focus selector switch sits on the side. This lets you change the aspect ratio from 1:1 to 16:9 and switch from auto to manual focus on the fly.

The two cameras seem well built, although the LX5's rubberised handgrip gives me added assurance. An optional handgrip ($130) is available for the D-Lux 5.

What I don't like about both cameras is the annoying lens cap you need to remove before you can shoot. I don't understand why Panasonic or Leica hasn't manufactured a self-retaining lens cap such as the one on the Ricoh LC2. Fortunately, I found a solution - just google "JJC ALC-5" and you can get yourself a screw-on self-retaining lens cap that can be used on both cameras. I got mine off eBay for $24.

I prefer to photograph through a viewfinder and if you have a Panasonic LVF-1, you can also use it on the D-Lux 5.

Start-up time is around 1.6 seconds for both; shutting down takes 2.2 seconds. Shutter lag is around 0.5 seconds while shot-to-shot timing is around 1.7 seconds.

In a variety of indoor and outdoor scenarios, I took the same shots using the same settings under the same lighting conditions, and did a picture-to-picture comparison. Generally, the LX5 seems to produce slightly sharper images. Although there are more details in the shadows areas for the D-Lux 5, the LX5 handles the highlights better. There is better dynamic range rendered in images captured by the D-Lux 5.

Noise performance is great in both, with no visible noise artifacts up till ISO 800. At ISO 1600, chromatic noise is readily seen but it is still acceptable. Even at ISO 3200, it is still good for Web use.

Both cameras produce stellar images with spot-on auto white balance. The 720p high-definition videos produced by both are equally sharp, with less wind noise than most digital compact cameras in the market.

Note that the D-Lux 5 comes bundled with Adobe Lightroom 3, which is worth US$299 ($387). The camera also has a two-year warranty, double that of the LX5.

So if you don't need photo editing software like Adobe Lightroom 3, go for the LX5. If you want resale value and a longer warranty, go for the D-Lux 5. TREVOR TAN

Source: www.todayonline.com