Panasonic Lumix
DMC-GF2
 vs
Panasonic Lumix
DMC-LX5

Updated (June, 2011): Compare the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

66
"In terms of image quality there's just no real advantage over the older LX3."
trustedreviews.com | talking about the DMC-LX5's image-quality
"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
External flash
 External flash
Better lighting
Fastest shutter speed
 Fast shutter speed
1/4000 of a second
Longest exposure
 Long exposures
60 seconds
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2

36
"The GF2 sits nicely in your hand , and despite its reduced size is comfortable to hold."
dpreview.com | talking about the DMC-GF2's feel
"Superb fully-customisable quick menu"
dpreview.com | talking about the DMC-GF2's button-layout

Reasons to buy the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2

Movie format
 Full HD
1080p @ 30fps
Touch screen
 Touch screen
Less buttons
Startup delay
 Almost no delay when powering up
1000 ms startup delay
Color depth
 Great color depth
21.2 bits
Sensor size
 Large sensor
Four thirds 17.3x13.0mm
3D
 Takes 3D photos
View photos in 3D on 3D televisions

differences

Advantages of the Panasonic DMC-GF2
Movie format Higher resolution movies 1080p @ 30fps vs 720p @ 30fps
Help
 Shoots higher resolution Full HD (1080p) video
Touch screen Has a touch screen Yes vs No
Help
 Fewer buttons to worry about and direct interaction with camera menus
Overall image quality Better image quality 54.0 vs 41.0
Help
 More than 30% better image quality
3D Takes 3D photos Yes vs No
Help
 Combines multiple photos into a 3D image
Interchangeable lenses Has interchangeable lenses Yes vs No
Help
 Can take advantage of a variety of lenses
Sensor size Larger sensor Four thirds 17.3x13.0mm vs 1/1.7" 8.3x6.2mm
Help
 Around 4.5x larger sensor
Startup delay Less startup delay 1000 ms vs 2300 ms
Help
 2.3x less delay when turning on
Color depth Better color depth 21.2 bits vs 19.6 bits
Help
 Distinguishes 1.6 more bits of color
True resolution Higher true resolution 12 MP vs 10 MP
Help
 Capture more than 20% more detail in your photos
Low light performance Lower noise at high ISO 506 ISO vs 132 ISO
Help
 The DMC-GF2 has excellent image quality 1.9 f-stops higher ISO than the DMC-LX5
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity 6,400 ISO vs 3,200 ISO
Help
 The DMC-GF2's maximum light sensitivity is 1 f-stop better
Sensor type Has a CMOS-family sensor CMOS vs CCD
Help
 CMOS-family sensors often produce better quality images
Size Slightly smaller 113x68x33 mm vs 109x65x42 mm
Help
 Around 20% smaller
Thickness Thinner 1.3" vs 1.7"
Help
 More than 20% thinner
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 Learn more about
the Panasonic DMC-GF2

Advantages of the Panasonic DMC-LX5
Image stabilization Image stabilization Lens vs None
Help
 Helps eliminate blur caused by small camera movements
Continuous shooting Shoots faster 6 fps vs 3.2 fps
Help
 Around 90% faster continuous shooting
Dynamic range More dynamic range 10.8 EV vs 10.3 EV
Help
 0.5 f-stops more dynamic range
Battery life Longer battery life 400 shots vs 300 shots
Help
 More than 30% more shots per battery charge
Light sensitivity (boost) Has boost ISO 12,800 ISO vs None
Help
 Allows taking photos in darker situations, often at the cost of additional noise in the image
Weight Slightly lighter 277 g vs 310 g
Help
 More than 10% lighter
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 Learn more about
the Panasonic DMC-LX5
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent digital cameras, and ignoring price

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2
36 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?

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I am considering either the DMC-GF2 or the DMC-LX5,
For example: Taking photos in low light or great family photos or ability to take great photos underwater

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similarities

Compared to recent digital cameras

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Supports RAW RAW support Help
Better editing
External flash Support external flash Help
Better lighting
Longest exposure Very long exposure times Help
60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed Fast max shutter speeds Help
1/4000 of a second
Dynamic range Poor dynamic range Help
DMC-GF2:10.3 EV
DMC-LX5:10.8 EV
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
Color depth Poor color depth Help
DMC-GF2:21.2 bits
DMC-LX5:19.6 bits
Overall image quality Low image quality Help
DMC-GF2:54.0
DMC-LX5:41.0

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Canon Powershot S100

Canon Powershot S100

Pro digicam

$356 - $430
High-speed framerate Records high-speed movies
Supports 24p Records movies in 24p
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Longest exposure Much shorter exposures
Compare the Powershot S100 vs the Lumix DMC-GF2
Compare the Powershot S100 vs the Lumix DMC-LX5
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$433 body only
External flash Doesn't support an external flash
Startup delay Has slightly more startup delay
Compare the Lumix DMC-GF3 vs the Lumix DMC-GF2
Compare the Lumix DMC-GF3 vs the Lumix DMC-LX5
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
Longest exposure Much shorter exposures
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the PowerShot G12 vs the Lumix DMC-GF2
Compare the PowerShot G12 vs the Lumix DMC-LX5
Fujifilm Finepix X10

Fujifilm Finepix X10

Pro digicam

$599
Continuous shooting Shoots faster continuously
Dynamic range Has slightly wider dynamic range
Longest exposure Significantly shorter exposures
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the Finepix X10 vs the Lumix DMC-GF2
Compare the Finepix X10 vs the Lumix DMC-LX5
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$643 - $1,125 body only

$731 - $964 with 14-42mm lens
True resolution Takes slightly higher resolution photos
Light sensitivity Slightly higher maximum light sensitivity
Compare the Lumix DMC-GX1 vs the Lumix DMC-GF2
Compare the Lumix DMC-GX1 vs the Lumix DMC-LX5
Nikon 1 J1

Nikon 1 J1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$547 with 10-30mm lens
High-speed framerate Records high-speed movies
Continuous shooting Shoots faster continuously
Longest exposure Significantly shorter exposures
External flash Doesn't support an external flash
Compare the 1 J1 vs the Lumix DMC-GF2
Compare the 1 J1 vs the Lumix DMC-LX5
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
Longest exposure Significantly shorter exposures
Built-in flash Doesn't have a built-in flash
Compare the Alpha NEX-5 vs the Lumix DMC-GF2
Compare the Alpha NEX-5 vs the Lumix DMC-LX5

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Olympus PEN E-PL2

Olympus PEN E-PL2

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$485 with 14-42mm lens
Image stabilization Image stabilization
Color depth Better color depth
Movie format Lower resolution movies
Touch screen No touch screen
Compare the PEN E-PL2 vs the Lumix DMC-GF2

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
Compare the XZ-1 vs the Lumix DMC-LX5
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
Compare the PowerShot S95 vs the Lumix DMC-LX5
Leica D-LUX 5

Leica D-LUX 5

Pro digicam

$789
Size Smaller
Thickness Thinner
Continuous shooting Shoots slower
Lowest price More expensive
Compare the D-LUX 5 vs the Lumix DMC-LX5

appearance

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

discussion

Showing 1 comments

Avatar for Alec Guintu Alec Guintu (2:09 PM, April 24, 2011)
Hi guys! Has anyone used the two comparatively? I have had a DSLR camera (canon) and gotten quite good at it, I like the way pictures come out of it than normal P&S cameras. But it's getting a bit too heavy for me and a bit cumbersome I'm having a hard time carrying it around also so I was thinking of getting a new one - a more portable one. For portability I think LX5 is the best but I would still take the picture taken into account as I've seen that the LX5 is considered a P&S compact camera, could it still take DSLR type or kinda pictures as well?