Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3
Competitors
Pro digicam Pro digicam, Compact
July, 2008

As well as being compared against other pro digicams, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 is also often compared to mirrorless, travel zooms and super zooms. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3's top rivals come from Panasonic (such as the Lumix DMC-LX5 and the Lumix DMC-GX1) and Canon (such as the Powershot S100 and the PowerShot S95)

Competitor classes

compared toPro digicam competitors

Generally, some of the advantages of the Panasonic DMC-LX3 compared to other pro digicam competitors include: it has a slightly larger sensor (1/1.7" 8.3x6.2mm vs 1/1.7" 7.6x5.7mm), has a slightly wider wide angle lens (24 mm vs 28 mm), records movies in 24p, is thinner (1.1" vs 1.7") and supports an external flash.

However, on average it is significantly more noisy at high ISO (94 ISO vs 185 ISO), has slightly lower image quality (39.0 vs 47.0), has slightly less color depth (19.6 bits vs 20.4 bits), has slightly narrower dynamic range (10.8 EV vs 11.3 EV) and takes significantly lower resolution photos (10 MP vs 12 MP).

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5
2 years newer
$339

Significant advantages of the DMC-LX5 (vs the DMC-LX3)

  • Better boost ISO: 12,800 ISO vs 6,400 ISO
  • Significantly faster max shutter speed: 1/4000 of a second vs 1/2000 of a second

Significant disadvantages of the DMC-LX5 (vs the DMC-LX3)

  • No 24p support

common strengths of the DMC-LX5 and DMC-LX3

  • Very large sensors: 1/1.7" 8.3x6.2mm vs 1/1.7" 8.3x6.2mm
  • Supports RAW
  • Good wide angle: 24 mm vs 24 mm
arrow Compare the DMC-LX5 vs the DMC-LX3

Canon Powershot S100

Canon Powershot S100
3 years newer
$356 - $430

Significant advantages of the S100 (vs the DMC-LX3)

  • Higher resolution movies: 1080p @ 24fps vs 720p @ 24fps
  • Much higher true resolution: 12 MP vs 10 MP
  • Significantly better image quality: 50.0 vs 39.0

Significant disadvantages of the S100 (vs the DMC-LX3)

  • Much smaller sensor: 1/1.8" 7.5x5.5mm vs 1/1.7" 8.3x6.2mm
  • No external flash support
  • Much shorter max exposures: 15 seconds vs 60 seconds

common strengths of the S100 and DMC-LX3

  • Supports RAW
  • Good wide angle: 24 mm vs 24 mm
  • Fairly small: Compact 99x60x28 mm vs Compact 109x60x27 mm
arrow Compare the Canon Powershot S100 vs the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3

Canon PowerShot S95

Canon PowerShot S95
2 years newer
$340 - $389

Significant advantages of the S95 (vs the DMC-LX3)

  • Lower noise at high ISO: 153 ISO vs 94 ISO
  • Has in-camera HDR
  • Better color depth: 20.4 bits vs 19.6 bits

Significant disadvantages of the S95 (vs the DMC-LX3)

  • Much smaller sensor: 1/1.7" 7.6x5.7mm vs 1/1.7" 8.3x6.2mm
  • Significantly worse wide angle: 28 mm vs 24 mm
  • Significantly worse macro capability: 5 cm vs 1 cm

common strengths of the S95 and DMC-LX3

  • Supports RAW
  • Fairly small: Compact 99x58x29 mm vs Compact 109x60x27 mm
  • Both support 24p, which is uncommon in cameras similar to these
arrow Compare the Canon PowerShot S95 vs the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3

Canon PowerShot S90

Canon PowerShot S90
1 year newer

Significant advantages of the S90 (vs the DMC-LX3)

  • Significantly lower noise at high ISO: 185 ISO vs 94 ISO
  • Better boost ISO: 12,800 ISO vs 6,400 ISO

Significant disadvantages of the S90 (vs the DMC-LX3)

  • Much smaller sensor: 1/1.7" 7.6x5.7mm vs 1/1.7" 8.3x6.2mm
  • No 24p support
  • Significantly worse wide angle: 28 mm vs 24 mm

common strengths of the S90 and DMC-LX3

  • Supports RAW
  • Fairly small: Compact 100x58x30 mm vs Compact 109x60x27 mm
  • Thin: 1.2" vs 1.1"
arrow Compare the Canon PowerShot S90 vs the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3

Fujifilm Finepix X10

Fujifilm Finepix X10
3 years newer
$599

Significant advantages of the X10 (vs the DMC-LX3)

  • Much lower noise at high ISO: 245 ISO vs 94 ISO
  • Significantly larger sensor: 1/1.7" 8.8x6.6mm vs 1/1.7" 8.3x6.2mm
  • Higher resolution movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs 720p @ 24fps

Significant disadvantages of the X10 (vs the DMC-LX3)

  • No 24p support
  • Significantly worse wide angle: 28 mm vs 24 mm
  • Smaller screen: 2.8" vs 3.0"

common strengths of the X10 and DMC-LX3

  • Very large sensors: 1/1.7" 8.8x6.6mm vs 1/1.7" 8.3x6.2mm
  • Supports RAW
  • Support external flash
arrow Compare the Fujifilm Finepix X10 vs the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3

Canon PowerShot G12

Canon PowerShot G12
2 years newer
$390 - $496

Significant advantages of the G12 (vs the DMC-LX3)

  • Has a flip-out screen
  • Lower noise at high ISO: 161 ISO vs 94 ISO
  • Has in-camera HDR

Significant disadvantages of the G12 (vs the DMC-LX3)

  • Much smaller sensor: 1/1.7" 7.6x5.7mm vs 1/1.7" 8.3x6.2mm
  • Significantly narrower aperture: f/2.8 vs f/2.0
  • Significantly worse wide angle: 28 mm vs 24 mm

common strengths of the G12 and DMC-LX3

  • Supports RAW
  • Both support 24p, which is uncommon in cameras similar to these
  • Support external flash
arrow Compare the Canon PowerShot G12 vs the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3

compared toMirrorless interchangeable-lens competitors

Generally, some of the advantages of the Panasonic DMC-LX3 compared to mirrorless interchangeable-lens competitors include: it has better image stabilization (lens vs none), records movies in 24p, has boost light sensitivity (6,400 ISO vs none), is slightly smaller (compact 109x60x27 mm vs mid size 115x72x42 mm) and is thinner (1.1" vs 1.5").

However, on average it is significantly more noisy at high ISO (94 ISO vs 667 ISO), records lower quality movies (720p @ 24fps vs 1080p @ 30fps), has significantly lower image quality (39.0 vs 54.0), has slightly less color depth (19.6 bits vs 21.2 bits) and takes slightly lower resolution photos (10 MP vs 15.8 MP).

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1
3 years newer
$643 - $1,125 (body only)
$731 - $964 14-42mm lens

Significant advantages of the DMC-GX1 (vs the DMC-LX3)

  • Much lower noise at high ISO: 703 ISO vs 94 ISO
  • Higher resolution movies: 1080p @ 60fps vs 720p @ 24fps
  • Significantly better image quality: 55.0 vs 39.0

Significant disadvantages of the DMC-GX1 (vs the DMC-LX3)

  • No image stabilization: None vs Lens
  • No 24p support
  • Significantly thicker: 1.5" vs 1.1"

common strengths of the DMC-GX1 and DMC-LX3

  • Long exposures: 60 seconds vs 60 seconds
  • Each has a built-in flash
arrow Compare the DMC-GX1 vs the DMC-LX3

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3
2 years newer
$433 (body only)

Significant advantages of the DMC-GF3 (vs the DMC-LX3)

  • Higher resolution movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs 720p @ 24fps
  • Significantly lower noise at high ISO: 459 ISO vs 94 ISO
  • Has interchangeable lenses

Significant disadvantages of the DMC-GF3 (vs the DMC-LX3)

  • No image stabilization: None vs Lens
  • No 24p support
  • No external flash support

common strengths of the DMC-GF3 and DMC-LX3

  • Fairly small: Compact 107x67x32 mm vs Compact 109x60x27 mm
  • Thin: 1.3" vs 1.1"
  • Inexpensive: $394.00 vs $555.27
arrow Compare the DMC-GF3 vs the DMC-LX3

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2
2 years newer
$376 14-42mm lens

Significant advantages of the DMC-GF2 (vs the DMC-LX3)

  • Higher resolution movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs 720p @ 24fps
  • Significantly lower noise at high ISO: 506 ISO vs 94 ISO
  • Significantly better image quality: 54.0 vs 39.0

Significant disadvantages of the DMC-GF2 (vs the DMC-LX3)

  • No image stabilization: None vs Lens
  • No 24p support

common strengths of the DMC-GF2 and DMC-LX3

  • Fairly small: Mid size 113x68x33 mm vs Compact 109x60x27 mm
  • Thin: 1.3" vs 1.1"
  • Inexpensive: $375.99 vs $555.27
arrow Compare the DMC-GF2 vs the DMC-LX3

Olympus PEN E-PL1

Olympus PEN E-PL1
1 year newer
$260 - $279 14-42mm lens

Significant advantages of the PEN E-PL1 (vs the DMC-LX3)

  • Significantly lower noise at high ISO: 487 ISO vs 94 ISO
  • Significantly better image quality: 54.0 vs 39.0
  • Has interchangeable lenses

Significant disadvantages of the PEN E-PL1 (vs the DMC-LX3)

  • Much smaller screen: 2.7" vs 3.0"
  • No 24p support
  • Significantly larger: Mid size 115x72x42 mm vs Compact 109x60x27 mm

common strengths of the PEN E-PL1 and DMC-LX3

  • Good image stabilization: Sensor shift vs Lens
  • Inexpensive: $259.99 vs $555.27
  • Long exposures: 60 seconds vs 60 seconds
arrow Compare the Olympus PEN E-PL1 vs the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1
1 year newer
$1,125 14-45mm lens

Significant advantages of the DMC-GF1 (vs the DMC-LX3)

  • Significantly lower noise at high ISO: 513 ISO vs 94 ISO
  • Significantly better image quality: 54.0 vs 39.0
  • Has interchangeable lenses

Significant disadvantages of the DMC-GF1 (vs the DMC-LX3)

  • No image stabilization: None vs Lens
  • No 24p support

common strengths of the DMC-GF1 and DMC-LX3

  • Long exposures: 60 seconds vs 60 seconds
  • Each has a built-in flash
arrow Compare the DMC-GF1 vs the DMC-LX3

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3
2 years newer
$500 (body only)
$700 14-42mm lens

Significant advantages of the DMC-G3 (vs the DMC-LX3)

  • Significantly lower noise at high ISO: 667 ISO vs 94 ISO
  • Higher resolution movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs 720p @ 24fps
  • Significantly better image quality: 56.0 vs 39.0

Significant disadvantages of the DMC-G3 (vs the DMC-LX3)

  • No image stabilization: None vs Lens
  • No 24p support
  • Significantly larger: Standard size 115x84x47 mm vs Compact 109x60x27 mm

common strengths of the DMC-G3 and DMC-LX3

  • Inexpensive: $499.87 vs $555.27
  • Long exposures: 60 seconds vs 60 seconds
  • Each has a built-in flash
arrow Compare the DMC-G3 vs the DMC-LX3

compared toTravel zoom competitors

Generally, some of the advantages of the Panasonic DMC-LX3 compared to travel zoom competitors include: it has a much wider aperture (f/2.0 vs f/3.3), is slightly smaller (compact 109x60x27 mm vs compact 105x58x33 mm), records movies in 24p, has a much larger sensor (1/1.7" 8.3x6.2mm vs 1/2.3" 6.1x4.6mm) and slightly closer macro focusing (1 cm vs 5 cm).

However, on average it has way more less zoom (2.5x vs 16x), doesn't have a built-in GPS, records lower quality movies (720p @ 24fps vs 1080p @ 30fps), doesn't record high-speed movies (none vs 220 fps) and doesn't have a touch screen.

Panasonic Lumix ZS20

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20
3 years newer
$290 - $350

Significant advantages of the ZS20 (vs the DMC-LX3)

  • Much more zoom: 20x vs 2.5x
  • Has a GPS
  • Higher resolution movies: 1080p @ 60fps vs 720p @ 24fps

Significant disadvantages of the ZS20 (vs the DMC-LX3)

  • Much smaller sensor: 1/2.5" 6.1x4.6mm vs 1/1.7" 8.3x6.2mm
  • Much narrower aperture: f/3.3 vs f/2.0
  • No 24p support

common strengths of the ZS20 and DMC-LX3

  • Good wide angle: 24 mm vs 24 mm
arrow Compare the Lumix ZS20 vs the Lumix DMC-LX3

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10
2 years newer
$328

Significant advantages of the DMC-ZS10 (vs the DMC-LX3)

  • Much more zoom: 16x vs 2.5x
  • Has a GPS
  • Higher resolution movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs 720p @ 24fps

Significant disadvantages of the DMC-ZS10 (vs the DMC-LX3)

  • Much smaller sensor: 1/2.3" 6.1x4.6mm vs 1/1.7" 8.3x6.2mm
  • Much narrower aperture: f/3.3 vs f/2.0
  • No 24p support

common strengths of the DMC-ZS10 and DMC-LX3

  • Good wide angle: 24 mm vs 24 mm
  • Very long exposure times: 60 seconds vs 60 seconds
arrow Compare the DMC-ZS10 vs the DMC-LX3

Canon PowerShot SX230 HS

Canon PowerShot SX230 HS
2 years newer
$239 - $324

Significant advantages of the SX230 HS (vs the DMC-LX3)

  • Has a GPS
  • Significantly more zoom: 14x vs 2.5x
  • Higher resolution movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs 720p @ 24fps

Significant disadvantages of the SX230 HS (vs the DMC-LX3)

  • Much smaller sensor: 1/2.3" 6.2x4.6mm vs 1/1.7" 8.3x6.2mm
  • Much narrower aperture: f/3.1 vs f/2.0
  • Significantly worse wide angle: 28 mm vs 24 mm

common strengths of the SX230 HS and DMC-LX3

  • Both support 24p, which is uncommon in cameras similar to these
arrow Compare the Canon PowerShot SX230 HS vs the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3

Sony Cybershot DSC-HX9v

Sony Cybershot DSC-HX9v
2 years newer
$319

Significant advantages of the DSC-HX9v (vs the DMC-LX3)

  • Much more zoom: 16x vs 2.5x
  • Has a GPS
  • Higher resolution movies: 1080p @ 60fps vs 720p @ 24fps

Significant disadvantages of the DSC-HX9v (vs the DMC-LX3)

  • Much smaller sensor: 1/2.3" 6.2x4.6mm vs 1/1.7" 8.3x6.2mm
  • Much narrower aperture: f/3.3 vs f/2.0
  • No 24p support

common strengths of the DSC-HX9v and DMC-LX3

  • Good wide angle: 24 mm vs 24 mm
  • Long exposures: 30 seconds vs 60 seconds
arrow Compare the Sony Cybershot DSC-HX9v vs the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7
1 year newer
$361

Significant advantages of the DMC-ZS7 (vs the DMC-LX3)

  • Has a GPS
  • Significantly more zoom: 12x vs 2.5x
  • Significantly lighter: 218 g vs 265 g

Significant disadvantages of the DMC-ZS7 (vs the DMC-LX3)

  • Much smaller sensor: 1/2.3" 6.1x4.6mm vs 1/1.7" 8.3x6.2mm
  • Much narrower aperture: f/3.3 vs f/2.0
  • No 24p support

common strengths of the DMC-ZS7 and DMC-LX3

  • Very long exposure times: 60 seconds vs 60 seconds
arrow Compare the DMC-ZS7 vs the DMC-LX3

compared toSuper zoom competitors

Generally, some of the advantages of the Panasonic DMC-LX3 compared to super zoom competitors include: it has a significantly wider aperture (f/2.0 vs f/3.0), is much smaller (compact 109x60x27 mm vs professional size 120x83x102 mm), records movies in 24p, has a much larger sensor (1/1.7" 8.3x6.2mm vs 1/2.3" 6.2x4.6mm) and is thinner (1.1" vs 4").

However, on average it has way more less zoom (2.5x vs 41.7x), records lower quality movies (720p @ 24fps vs 1080p @ 60fps), has a slightly lower resolution screen (460k dots vs 921k dots), doesn't record high-speed movies (none vs 240 fps) and doesn't shoot as fast continuously (2.5 fps vs 12 fps).

Nikon Coolpix P510

Nikon Coolpix P510
3 years newer
$397 - $400

Significant advantages of the P510 (vs the DMC-LX3)

  • Much more zoom: 41.7x vs 2.5x
  • Has a flip-out screen
  • Higher resolution movies: 1080p @ 30fps vs 720p @ 24fps

Significant disadvantages of the P510 (vs the DMC-LX3)

  • Much narrower aperture: f/3.0 vs f/2.0
  • Much smaller sensor: 1/2.3" 6.2x4.6mm vs 1/1.7" 8.3x6.2mm
  • Much larger: Professional size 120x83x102 mm vs Compact 109x60x27 mm

common strengths of the P510 and DMC-LX3

  • None found
arrow Compare the Nikon Coolpix P510 vs the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ150

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ150
3 years newer
$495 - $500

Significant advantages of the DMC-FZ150 (vs the DMC-LX3)

  • Has an external mic jack
  • Much more zoom: 24x vs 2.5x
  • Has a flip-out screen

Significant disadvantages of the DMC-FZ150 (vs the DMC-LX3)

  • Much smaller sensor: 1/2.3" 6.2x4.6mm vs 1/1.7" 8.3x6.2mm
  • Significantly narrower aperture: f/2.8 vs f/2.0
  • Much larger: Prosumer size 124x82x92 mm vs Compact 109x60x27 mm

common strengths of the DMC-FZ150 and DMC-LX3

  • RAW support
  • Support external flash
  • Long exposures: 30 seconds vs 60 seconds
arrow Compare the DMC-FZ150 vs the DMC-LX3