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Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX7 10MP Digital Camera w/ 24mm F1.4 Lens & 1080p Video $289 + Free shipping (expired)
Update: Black is temporarily out of stock, but it's still available in white
J&R has Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX7 10MP Digital Camera w/ 24mm F1.4 Lens & 1080p Video ( Price Research: Our research indicates that this Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX7 10MP Digital Camera is $59 lower (17% savings) than the next best available price from a reputable merchant with prices starting at $348. - iconian Hands-on review courtesy of Engadget
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Very highly rated camera. Prices dropped this morning...has been at $450 and now it's the lowest ever.
http://www.jr.com/panasonic/pe/PAN_DMCLX7K/ Add to cart and apply code ATJANDR Free slow shipping. I added 2-day UPS for another $2. Review: Roundup: Enthusiast Zoom Compact Cameras [dpreview.com]
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sample images: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/p...dmc-lx7/15
(click slideshow for best results) Be aware that this P&S camera is rather thick: http://slickdeals.net/forums/show...tcount=123
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This $290 LX7 price is the lowest it has ever been as far as I know (previous low $300, typical price $350-$370). So you can't base its expected performance on a model that typically sold for about half as much (ZS6) or 1/3 as much (SZ1).
That said, the deal you got on the Nikon P510 was awesome, it is legitimately a $350 camera. So congrats on that. I will say that the lower-mid-level Nikons I tried a couple years ago were garbage, but their upper-end models and DSLR's have been excellent for years. Their newer model low-end ones may have improved in quality too, I don't know. But I don't base my opinion of your P510 on the garbage low-mid level Nikons I used a couple years ago, I would expect the P510 to be far superior.
I would like to clarify that, as stated, the main argument of my post was that SDers have, in my experience, been incorrect with their notions about the Panasonic Lumix SZ and ZS series that have been posted/discussed in these forums, and therefore, I would beware of the advice of SD in general about Panasonic cameras. I personally purchased three different models (not "2"), with one of them being marked as a "higher-end point-and-shoot", and they all performed sub-par in my opinion.
Thanks! I'll take a look at the NEX-5N, although I think I'll go with my gut and try out some Nikons for the next few years before I move on to Sonys. I appreciate the response!
When I picked up my C3 it came down to it or an entry offering from Nikon. I'm a Nikon guy from way back and even still have some Nikon lenses (that I use on my Sony via an inexpensive adapter). If you don't need/want the smaller size, go an entry DSLR (yes, Nikon is a good choice).
Also, to compare image stabilization, you have to use different cameras in the same light conditions. IS works only 2-3 f stops and in too bad light any Image Stabilization would be inadequate unless you bump up ISO and bring back shutter speed to 50 or less.
Never again.
I exclusively used the Casio Exilim line for several years before switching to Panasonic point-and-shoots, because for a long while, the Casio Exlilim line was the only "mainstream" camera to produce the smallest point-and-shoots that had a combination of quality and features. It was fantastic, but the early models lacked optical image stabilization. I also owned a [model unkown] Konika-Minolta DiMage camera, which was a great competitor to the thin/small point-and-shoot line from Canon.
I used Canon Powershots for a year, and it was adequate. They had fantastic image stabilization but produced grainy pictures when the auto-mode decided to bump up the ISO.
For the past few years, SD has been inundated with threads from users gushing about their experience with Panasonic Lumix cameras. I bought one to experiment with, used it for a week, and gave it away as a gift. I don't remember the model, but it was comparable to a Canon Digital Elph entry-level camera. I noticed the optical image stabilization was pretty bad on it.
Last year (or maybe two years ago), Woot.com had a sale on the refurbished Panasonic Lumix ZS6 [amazon.com]. It was retailing for nearly $380, but could be purchased for $130 from Woot that day. That thread on SD went straight to the front page, with everyone cheering it on as the best alternative to a DSLR. I received a chunky, brick-like camera that was missing the GPS chip (the description stated it had GPS, but apparently Panasonic ships two models; one with, and one without a GPS tagger). I was pleasantly surprised with daylight shots, but it wasn't until I tried night time shots that I realized that the camera's sensors were no different than an entry-level Canon Elph series camera. While the ZS6 touted a Carl Zeiss lens, I had to find out the hard way that a good lens is still meaningless if the CCD sensor cannot handle it's task. Anything above ISO 600 was grainy, and optical image stabilization was nearly non-existent, just like my previous Panasonic Lumix. I decided to stop by my local Best Buy to test their ZS6 model, in case my 'refurbished' model was actually damaged. Unfortunately, it gave me the same results.
A month ago, I purchased a Panasonic Lumix SZ1 [amazon.com] from Staples during their famous nation-wide camera clearance (with additional savings from a coupon - street price $190, sale price $68). Although this camera was bought as a gift, I had two weeks to use it for testing before I gave it away. It had the same problem as my previous two Lumix models: grainy shots at medium ISO and poor image stabilization.
When I speak of poor image stabilization, I compare it to my later-generation Casio Exilim (when they started introducing that feature) and the Canon Elph line. The Exlim model from 2007 had about the same stabilization as the 2012 Panasonic Lumix SZ1, wherein a slight shake from pressing the shutter button could be negated, but a strong push on the shutter button that moves the hand a few millimeters would ruin the entire photo in a blur of colors. That means that the 10x zoom would be useless, since at that range, even a steady hand couldn't compensate for the slight jitter of depressing a shutter button. The Panasonic Lumix models are put to shame when compared with an entry-level Canon Elph model. With the Canon, I could even be in motion and it would still take a shot without blur! For example, if you're walking along at 4MPH and start snapping photos without stopping, the entry-level Canon Elph line from 2009 could take blur-less photos once out of every three photos.
So, in owning the Panasonic Lumix entry-level to mid/high-level point-and-shoots, I've learned that this line of cameras are consistent in two ways: poor image processing for anything above 600 ISO, and poor optical image stabilization.
Now, I also have two other cameras. I have the Canon Rebel T2i DSLR [amazon.com] for work, and the Nikon Coolpix P510 [amazon.com] that I also picked up a month ago during the Staples clearance sale (original street price $350, sale price $175). The Canon T2i is what you would expect from an entry-level DSLR - great for almost any type of photo. It has slightly better image stabilization than the Panasonic Lumix, but not much. However, the surprise of my life was the Nikon Cooplix P510! That beast has a mean optical stabilization. When coupled with the ridiculous zoom (42x optical zoom!), you can take a picture of something a mile away and get a GREAT photo without any blur. Ranging from the 42x zoom that can take perfect photos, a macro that can take 1cm close photos (the user manual states 2cm, but I can get about 0.9cm with manual focus), the fantastic Nikkor lens coupled with an incredible CMOS sensor, the P510 blew my mind and is my camera of choice now. I'm going to start trying out the different lines of Nikon cameras, and may switch my work camera to a Nikon series if their professional DSLR lines are as impressive as their consumer line point-and-shoots.
Cameras owned/reviewed:
I shoot my LX7 shots in RAW file format and post process the results in Adobe Lightroom. I've got to say that the colors, the details, and the low light performance of the LX-7 are very good. It's the camera that I grab when I'm doing something that I don't want to take the larger format dslr camera for (like going skiing or some other active endeavor).
While it's not a pocket camera, it's not overly large either. I bought a form fitting case for it and carry it with me everywhere (either slung across my chest resting on my side, or in a gear bag). The battery lasts forever (I just recharged yesterday it for the first time since December). The lens is good wide open (f/1.4) and super sharp at f/2.8. If you're used to simple point and shoot cameras and want to take your memory captures to another level, then this camera will not disappoint you.
Speaking of memories, if you have kids or family or pets or whatever, and you're used to capturing your memories with a $70 camera, let me just say this. I have 4 kids. My oldest is 12 now. My wife and I were looking back on their pictures this weekend and here's what I learned...
1) Despite what you think about memories, you will not remember how things were until you look at the pictures - and it will amaze you how things change and how you didn't remember how they looked, despite seeing them every day,
2) you never have as many pictures of them at younger ages as you wish you'd had, and
3) if the pictures that you do have are just run of the mill, out of focus, underexposed and unremarkable, it is a bit disappointing. You'll never get those days back and you'll never have the opportunity to take those particular pictures again.
So, here's my advice, for what it's worth...
Invest in a camera system. They're fun to use, and they create so many memories.
Invest in a file system to store and backup your pictures (and keep one of your drives offsite, in the cloud, whatever).
Invest the time to capture as many pictures as possible. "Film" is free. Storage space is cheap. You can always delete the "bad" pics. Whatever works, but take pictures! I try to take some everyday.
My mom has dementia and it's a very sad disease. But the one thing that she does respond very well to is pictures. As soon as we pull them out, she lights right up. The value of capturing memories the right way is something I've never realized until now. I hope this post was an encouragement to one of my SD family. Now, Shoot on!
BTW The LX series are my favorite compact cameras to complement my DSLR and I do own an LX7. Actually I owned all prior LX cameras (btw Panasonic was using CCD sensors up until the LX5 and those cameras were able to handle their tasks well) and this one is obviously my favorite. I initially bought the RX100 to replace the LX5. It is a great camera with a fantastic sensor but I switched back to Panasonic with their LX7 because I miss the direct controls, ergonomics, sharper and brighter lens, hotshoe, etc.
Not really hating on you because everyone is entitled to their own opinions but stop blaming the camera, in your case it was just a matter of someone not knowing their equipment. Maybe you should stick with the T2i, get out of auto mode and start using PASM modes and buy faster lenses. Skip the Sony NEX for a while since you might buy it with a kit lens and blame Sony for blurry pictures. But then you might buy a Canon prime lens and blame Canon for blurry pictures as well due to lack of IS.
To those who did their homework and will be buying the LX7, do yourselves a favor and buy an auto lens cap.
Hopefully people will do real research, see how much noise the LX7 has in comparison.
In fact, okinawanmatt's highly touted Nikon P510 has significantly more noise at ALL ISOs than the LX7, I can then easily conclude how bias and useless his review is.
To back up my statements, take a look yourself!
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/s...eraCount=0