Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

66

"On the front the handgrip has been slightly enlarged and re-shaped, with a larger textured pad, making the camera easier to grip."
trustedreviews.com | talking about the DMC-LX5's feel
"The autofocus system appears to be exactly the same as that of the LX3, but since it's still one of the fastest on the market that's no bad thing. Its low-light performance is still just as outstanding."
trustedreviews.com | talking about the DMC-LX5's auto-focus

Reasons to buy the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

Wide angle
Wide angle lens
24 mm
Image stabilization
Image stabilization
Lens
Built-in flash
Built-in flash
Usually standard
External flash
External flash
Better lighting
Longest exposure
Long exposures
60 seconds
Nikon 1 J1

38

Runner-up

Nikon 1 J1

Reasons to buy the Nikon 1 J1

Movie format
Full HD
1080p @ 30fps
High-speed framerate
High speed movies
1,200 fps
Continuous shooting
Rapid fire
60 fps
Badge
Phase detection video autofocus
fast and accurate
Badge
Built-in focus motor
Autofocuses with more lenses
Badge
Phase detection autofocus
fast and accurate

differences

Advantages of the Nikon J1

High-speed framerate Records high-speed movies 1,200 fps vs None
Help
Capture events too fast for the naked eye and play them back in super-slow motion
Continuous shooting Shoots much faster 60 fps vs 6 fps
Help
10x faster continuous shooting
Focus points Many more focus points 135 vs 23
Help
Set focus accurately within the frame
Movie format Higher resolution movies 1080p @ 30fps vs 720p @ 30fps
Help
Shoots higher resolution Full HD (1080p) video
Autofocus Faster autofocus Phase detection vs Contrast detection
Help
Catch candid moments easily
Overall image quality Better image quality 56.0 vs 41.0
Help
Around 40% better image quality
Color depth Better color depth 21.5 bits vs 19.6 bits
Help
Distinguishes 1.9 more bits of color
Interchangeable lenses Has interchangeable lenses Yes vs No
Help
Can take advantage of a variety of lenses
Startup delay Less startup delay 1400 ms vs 2300 ms
Help
Around 40% less delay when turning on
Size Slightly smaller 106x61x29 mm vs 109x65x42 mm
Help
Around 40% smaller
Sensor type Has a CMOS-family sensor CMOS vs CCD
Help
CMOS-family sensors often produce better quality images
Low light performance Lower noise at high ISO 372 ISO vs 132 ISO
Help
The J1 has excellent image quality 1.5 f-stops higher ISO than the DMC-LX5
Sensor size Larger sensor 1" 13.2x8.8mm vs 1/1.7" 8.3x6.2mm
Help
Around 2.5x larger sensor
Shutter lag Less shutter lag 94 ms vs 351 ms
Help
3.7x less delay when taking photos
Thickness Thinner 1.2" vs 1.7"
Help
More than 30% thinner
Dynamic range More dynamic range 11 EV vs 10.8 EV
Help
0.2 f-stops more dynamic range
Fastest shutter speed Faster max shutter speed 1/16000s vs 1/4000s
Help
4x faster max shutter speed
Nikon 1 J1 Learn more about
the Nikon J1

Advantages of the Panasonic DMC-LX5

Image stabilization Image stabilization Lens vs None
Help
Helps eliminate blur caused by small camera movements
Battery life Longer battery life 400 shots vs 230 shots
Help
More than 70% more shots per battery charge
External flash Supports an external flash Yes vs No
Help
An external flash often produces better looking flash images
Longest exposure Significantly longer exposures 60s vs 30s
Help
2x longer exposures
Lowest price Slightly cheaper $349.95 vs $546.95
Help
The best price we've seen is $197 cheaper (around 40% less)
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 Learn more about
the Panasonic DMC-LX5
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent digital cameras, and ignoring price

Nikon 1 J1 Nikon 1 J1
38 vs 66
Explain scores
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5. This recommendation, however, should be taken with a grain of salt since it doesn't always make sense to compare a mirrorless interchangeable-lens with a pro digicam.

advice

Need help deciding?

Ask the community!

I am considering either the Nikon J1 or the Panasonic DMC-LX5,
For example: Taking photos in low light or great family photos or ability to take great photos underwater

Select aspects that are most important to you: (max 3)

Popular tags:

Are you a camera expert? Share your knowledge!

0
votes
by Meg-Stevens yesterday
Nikon J1 vs Nikon P510

I'm intermediate.  I take hundreds of pictures but am not well versed in SLR cameras yet

3
votes
by Nicole-Chan last week
Nikon J1 vs Olympus E-PM1

I am a beginner. My husband has a Nikon D7000 but I find it too bulky. Although the picture qual...

6 people recommend the Olympus E-PM1:

"The Nikon 1 J1 has and optional lens adapter that would make you use your husband's lenses since h..."

" The J1 has too small of a sensor for high quality photos in anything but bright daylight. Nikon ..."

" 4/3 lenses are more common. Most optically perfect m39 screw mount lenses can be used perfectly ..."

0
votes
by Stacy-Smith-Prater last month
Nikon J1 vs Nikon D3100

I want to capture my son out on the soccer field and my daughter at swim meets in low light in ind...

2 people recommend the Nikon D3100:

" Get the Nikon D3100, you should only consider the J1 if its really important for the camera to b..."

"Go with the Nikon D3100, DSLRs are a proven technology, Mirrorless cameras will one day be better ..."

1
votes
by bobby-loomba last month
Nikon J1 vs Nikon D3100

I love photography, lighting and taking artistic snaps. Not new to it but not a pro yet.

One person recommends the Nikon D3100:

"The D3100 offers you more range, than the J1, because there are more lenses."

0
votes
by tdlorimer last week
Nikon J1 vs Nikon D3100

Years ago I used to take professional pictures for portraits, modeling (people just starting out...

One person recommends the Nikon D3100:

" it would be great to use Fuji Velvia dia slide film with F100 nikon as it's the best 35 mm after..."

similarities

Compared to recent digital cameras

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Supports RAW RAW support Help
Better editing
Fastest shutter speed Fast max shutter speeds Help
J1:1/16000s
DMC-LX5:1/4000s
Longest exposure Long exposures Help
J1:30s
DMC-LX5:60s
Panorama Neither camera stitches together panoramas Help
You could stitch photos in post
HDR Neither has in-camera HDR Help
You could do HDR manually
Dynamic range Poor dynamic range Help
J1:11 EV
DMC-LX5:10.8 EV
Low light performance Above average noise at high ISO Help
J1:372 ISO
DMC-LX5:132 ISO
3D Neither camera can take 3D photos Help
No 3d support

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Canon Powershot S100

Canon Powershot S100

Pro digicam

$356 - $430

True resolution Takes slightly higher resolution photos
Light sensitivity Slightly higher maximum light sensitivity
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Longest exposure Slightly shorter exposures
Canon PowerShot G12

Canon PowerShot G12

Pro digicam

$390 - $496

Supports 24p Records movies in 24p
Screen flips out Has a screen which flips out
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Longest exposure Slightly shorter exposures
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$433 body only

True resolution Takes slightly higher resolution photos
Light sensitivity Slightly higher maximum light sensitivity
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Autofocus Users slower contrast detection autofocus
Sony Alpha NEX-5

Sony Alpha NEX-5

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$569 with 18-55mm lens

Overall image quality Has slightly better image quality
Screen resolution Has a significantly higher resolution screen
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Built-in flash Doesn't have a built-in flash
Fujifilm Finepix X10

Fujifilm Finepix X10

Pro digicam

$599

True resolution Takes slightly higher resolution photos
Panorama Creates panoramas in-camera
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Thickness Is thicker
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$643 - $1,125 body only

$739 - $964 with 14-42mm lens

True resolution Takes significantly higher resolution photos
Light sensitivity Significantly higher maximum light sensitivity
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Autofocus Users slower contrast detection autofocus
Canon PowerShot G1X

Canon PowerShot G1X

Boutique

$799 - $800

Screen resolution Has a significantly higher resolution screen
True resolution Takes significantly higher resolution photos
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Thickness Is thicker

Nikon 1 J1 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Sony NEX-5N

Sony NEX-5N

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$598 - $600 body only

$698 - $700 with 18-55mm lens

Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity
Overall image quality Significantly better image quality
High-speed framerate Doesn't record high-speed movies
Continuous shooting Shoots much slower
Nikon 1 V1

Nikon 1 V1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$797 - $947 with 10-30mm lens

External mic jack Has an external mic jack
Screen resolution Significantly higher resolution screen
Size Larger
Built-in flash No built-in flash
Nikon D3100

Nikon D3100

Entry-level DSLR

$500 - $547 with 18-55mm lens

Supports 24p Supports 24p
Lens availability Much more lenses available
High-speed framerate Doesn't record high-speed movies
Continuous shooting Shoots much slower
Sony NEX C3

Sony NEX C3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$548 with 16mm lens

Overall image quality Better image quality
Screen resolution Significantly higher resolution screen
High-speed framerate Doesn't record high-speed movies
Continuous shooting Shoots much slower

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Olympus XZ-1

Olympus XZ-1

Pro digicam

$499 - $500

Screen type Has an OLED screen
Aperture Wider aperture
Wide angle Significantly worse wide angle
Overall image quality Worse image quality
Canon PowerShot S95

Canon PowerShot S95

Pro digicam

$340 - $389

Supports 24p Supports 24p
HDR Has in-camera HDR
Wide angle Significantly worse wide angle
Macro focus Significantly worse macro capability
Leica D-LUX 5

Leica D-LUX 5

Pro digicam

$799

Size Smaller
Thickness Thinner
Continuous shooting Shoots slower
Lowest price More expensive

appearance

Nikon 1 J1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5
Nikon 1 J1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5
Nikon 1 J1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

discussion

Showing 0 comments