Panasonic LX10 Camera Review

May 15th, 2019

Camera Review for Panasonic LX10 Camera Review

Panasonic LX10 Camera Review

The Panasonic LX 10 Camera is a small and compact camera. But don't be fooled with its size, as it packs a punch. It has lots of awesome features both for topside and underwater. The camera is also versitile, it captures great photo and video. It utilizes the 20 megapixel sensor with F1.4-2.8, 24-72mm equivalent zoom lens. It performs well even in low light conditions.

Features | Comparison | Housing Options

Underwater Settings | Final Thoughts

Why We Love It

The list of things to love about this camera is long and varied but we’ll focus a few of the more obvious ones. First is the image quality. The APC-S sensor is a serious step up from compact and smaller mirrorless cameras and combined with broad array of lens options, you’re ready for anything. Second is the auto-focus. Offering a massive 425-point phase detection/169 point auto contrast auto-focus system, combined with a variety of focus modes and areas, there is a setting for every photography situation you might need. Lastly is the video capabilities. Sony cameras are continually the top contenders when discussing video capabilities and features, and the Sony A6500 doesn't disappoint.

The Bottom Line: The Sony a6500 is an outstanding option for those looking for crop sensor dSLR image quality without the price tag. Housing options are varied and affordable and the selection of lenses is fantastic for both above and below the water photography. Very capable in low light and high ISO, fast auto focus, 4K video and smooth image stabilization make this an excellent choice for demanding photographers. The ability to quickly set custom white balance and the variety of auto-focus options and modes make macro, wide angle and portrait shots easy to dial-up and use in virtually any lighting environment. High speed burst, image resolution & quality, performance and controls set it above other similar mirrorless. In our opinion the a6500 performs better than any other camera in it’s class.

Key Specs:

20.1MP 1" CMOS Sensor
5-Axis HYBRID Optical Stabilization
24-72mm Lens Equivalent
4K Photo Mode
4K Video @ 30p
Post Focus and Photo Stacking Modes

LX10 Key Features

4K Photo Mode

The 4K Photo function can be used in three different modes, all allowing you to capture that perfect moment at a high burst rate of 30 frames / photos per second:

4K Burst - burst shooting 8-megapixel equivalent images extracted from 4K video as long as the shutter button is pressed.
4K Burst S/S (Start/Stop) - 4K burst recording as 4K video then play, pause, and extract any frame / photo as an 8-megapixel equivalent image later.
4K Pre-Burst - 4K pre-burst starts recording one second before and after you press the shutter button. Perfect for unpredictable moments.

4K Video

4K video delivers a far more intense viewing experience that is four times larger* than Full HD, resulting in a much higher level of detail.

* Native resolution of 3,840 x 2,160 pixels.
** When recording videos in 4K, use a card rated as UHS Speed Class 3.

Post Focus and Focus Stacking

Post Focus capability records a 4K video and allows the user to choose a particluar frame of the video and select a specific region to focus on. Then it creates a vivid and details photo of it.

Focus Stacking on the other hand allows you to capture of a sequence of photos with shifting focus. This utilizes highest performing aperture and will increase the DOF of your image

Stabilization

The camera utilizes its 5-Axis HYBRID Optical Stabilization .........

Panasonic LX10 vs the Competition

Is the Sony A6500 the right option for you? Take a look at the specifications compared against other similar mirrorless cameras. The A6500 excels in many areas including Effective pixels, sensor size, auto-focus points, weight and dimensions.

	Sony A6500	Panasonic GH5	Sony A6000	Olympus E-M5 Mark II
Price	$1,199	$1,999	$448	$1,699*
Max Resolution	6000 x 4000	5184 x 3888	6000 x 4000	5184 x 3888
Effective Pixels	24 MP	20 MP	24 MP	20 MP
Sensor Size	APS-C (23.5 x 15.6mm	Micro Four Thirds (17.3 x 13mm)	APS-C (23.5 x 15.6mm	Micro Four Thirds (17.3 x 13mm)
ISO	Auto, 200-25600 (Expands to 100)	Auto, 200-25600 (Expands to 100)	Auto, 200-25600 (Expands to 100)	Auto, 200-25600 (Expands to 64)
Custom White Balance	Yes (4 Slots)	Yes (4 Slots)	Yes (4 Slots)	Yes (4 slots)
Image Stabilization	5 Axis	5 Axis, supports Dual IS 2, up to 5 stops with compatible lenses	No	5 Axis, up to 5.5 stops shake reduction; 6.5 with compatible lenses
Auto-focus	Contrast & Phase Detection, 425 pts	Contrast Detection, 225 pts	Contrast & Phase Detection, 179 pts	Contrast & Phase Detection, 121 pts
Flash Sync Speed	1/160	1/250	1/160	1/250
Burst Shooting	11 fps	12 fps	11 fps	60 fps electronic / 15 fps mechanical
Video Formats	MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVCS	MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264	MPEG-4, AVCHD	MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG
Max Video Resolution	3840 x 2160 (30p)	4096 x 2160 (24p)	1920 x 1080 (60p)	4096 x 2160 (24p)
LCD Screen Size	3” Tilting	3.2” fully articulated	3” Tilting	3” fully articulated
Screen Dots	921,600	1,620,000	921,600	1,037,000
Electronic Viewfinder	100% Coverage at 0.71x magnification	100% Coverage at 0.76x magnification	100% Coverage at 0.71x magnification	100% Coverage at 0.74x magnification
Viewfinder Resolution	2,360,000	3,680,000	1,440,000	2,360,000
Battery Life (CIPA)	350	410	360	440
Weight	453 g (1.00 lb / 15.98 oz)	725 g (1.60 lb / 25.57 oz)	344 g (.76 lb / 12.13 oz)	574 g (1.27 lb / 20.25 oz)
Dimensions	120 x 67 x 53 mm (4.72 x 2.64 x 2.09")	139 x 98 x 87 mm (5.47 x 3.86 x 3.43″)	120 x 67 x 45 mm (4.72 x 2.64 x 1.77")	134 x 91 x 67 mm (5.28 x 3.58 x 2.64″)

Underwater Housing Options

There are a few options to choose from when taking the Panasonic LX10 camera underwater.

With each housing offering their own unique features, all housings work great with the LX10. The Nauticam LX10 Pro Package is a great set to get started with. The housing also has great ergonomics. The Ikelite housing provides a great low-cost solution with a durable ABS-Polycarbonate blend material which is more durable than their previous housings.

Final Thoughts:

The Panasonic LX10 produces stunning videos and high quality images. The lightning quick autofocus helps to capture those behavior images and focus quickly when capturing videos. The camera offers 4K Photo, 4K Video, Post Focus and Focus Stacking.....