DPReview TV: Panasonic LX100 II Review

In this video, Chris and Jordan put the Panasonic LX100 II through a hands-on review.

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[schadowization]

Jordan and Chris are two of the best reviewers currently around. Perfect mix of informative, funny and with a great chemistry

[richdt]

Great review. You hit on negative points that would prevent me from buying it as much as I'd like one. Thanks

[flakeu]

I'm glad you mentioned the dust problem of the original LX100. So many people including myself had to deal with this. Panasonic knew about this problem for sure, but they didn't wheater sealed this new one. Shame

[BMEP]

Guys, nice review as always. Chris, I’m right with you on specs vs. heart especially with this camera. Hope to see you both soon!

[funtrain]

I owned the first gen and shot with it extensively for two years. I absolutely love it. The lens is good, micro four thirds is much better than one inch sensor, huge difference in image quality. Images aren't as sharp as the Sony rx100, but are much prettier.

Its weaknesses are, that it let's dust in, start up time is slow, viewfinder/screen is slow when stressing the camera.

Looks like this iteration's upgrades are:
Touch screen
New sensor
New processor
I think they are all much needed, as the 12 megapixel of the previous gen was adequate but can be more. The new processor can solve the slow down issue (?), plus providing upgrades and new features, per your video has pointed out. The touch screen is good for focusing.

But I think a tilty/swivel screen would've been very helpful. The viewfinder can use an upgrade. More dust proofing is actually much needed. These are really important upgrades, too....

I think this is the perfect camera for those who want to start learning photography. It does everything, beautiful images, great macro ability, good zoom range, fast lens, compact, lots of manual dials. I had a blast with it until I lost it one day on the trail. I used it very rigorous, but it held up really well. A cheap screen protector would be a good idea, so it does scratch easily.

People tend to think that a Sony A6000 is the best camera for starting out, because it's cheap. But the problem is that, once you add the price of a good lens it's not cheap anymore, something to think about.... This Leica lens is beautiful. Upgrading from a Sony RX100 iii I fell in love with it right away. I hate one inch sensors because images don't pop, though it's sharp. Maybe use it in a phone camera or something, that'd be perfect. The Panasonic CM1 did it and it looked so cool. I'd gladly sacrifice some thickness of my phone for the 1 inch sensor.

Anyways, I'm not sure if this second gen is worth it, as you can get the first gen for cheaper and you really don't get that much more, practically speaking. For casual shooting the first gen works really well already. For more seriously shooting why not get the Fuji XT20?

[AndySnap]

I'm sure the LX100 is a photographer's camera due to some Leica design influence, as it tends to end up with a red dot, new brand name and a price hike...
I also cursed my Lumix cameras for accidental touchscreen focus point shifting, but only recently found the 'operation lock' option in the menu, which can be set to a Fn function button. So now I can set a focus point and via an Fn button, enable the operation lock to 'lock' the touchscreen. I find that very useful.

[KevinEscobarCo]

I love that y’all try to always include a review of the video features because it really helps me decide what i could seriously use for my own video recordings. Thank you.

[jrgenkleist-christensen]

You forgot to mention that this does far better with subject seperation than the other pocketable cameras

[蔡依林-gj]

Chris and Jordan, thanks for this very informative review. I especially like the part that you brought up about comparing it to the Sony 1-inch sensor RX100 VA.

[paulhills]

IMO no-one does better camera reviews than C & J. Thanks.

[hardtailparty]

Jordan, I love your input on all of these, thank you. I love that Panasonic FINALLY included an Auto ISO when shooting video in manual mode. I love being able to set shutter speed and aperture, and use the exposure comp ring for auto-iso compensation. I'm glad to see Panasonic finally implemented that feature. Sad the rest doesn't hold up.

[kristinabraly]

Loved this review! Chris, do you guys mind sharing what audio / mic system you are using for this video? The audio is crispy!!

[adolfphuslau]

Technicians from Panasonic told me that some parts of the lens module are different from the Mk.1. Not sure whether it will change anything. Hope the best but won't be surprised if dust still gets in!!

[malfunkt]

The original LX100 got me into photography. A great tool to learn on and be creative with. This is a small upgrade, and would have liked to see weather sealing. Had a chance to play with the GX9, and that is a bit weightier but ergonomically, may be a bit better.

[itsepocx]

Love all your stuff, but this video has a great flow to it! The kid in the zig zag running shots also hillarious!

[toxictabasco]

Great review of my favorite pocket P&S. Keep the lint and dust out of your pockets. I got Dust Bunnies in my LX100. And they multiply like rabbits. Nevertheless, I like the smooth zoom for video.

[rossc]

The time you made a review of the previous LX100 model, all your hair was black. Shame on Panasonic.

[willprice]

Love that the winter beard is coming in nicely.

[sydbailey]

I'm still waiting for the Panasonic full frame release

[Thoracius]

The constant focus seeking with continuous auto-focus is terrible on the original LX100. It's completely unusuable for video. If they'd fixed that I would upgrade in a heartbeat. Unfortunately with a narrower focal length equivalent in video, this seems like a step back from the original with no significant improvements. If my LX100 got lost or stolen, I wouldn't replace it with a LX100 mark II. Thanks for pointing out that I could remove the bezel when using a filter step up adapter! That's been driving me crazy. I always had my filters screwed on loose so that it would allow the lens to retract, and then the filter got totally unscrewed in my bag and scratched the lens.