Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX100
Panasonic · Compact · 12.8 MP · Micro Four Thirds · 4K video
Score Breakdown
Scores combine our editorial testing with published lab data.
Independent Lab Scores
General | |
|---|---|
About This CameraThe Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX100 is a compact camera first released in 2014. It measures 115 x 66 x 55 mm and weighs 393 g. A fixed lens pairs with a CMOS imaging sensor in the Micro Four Thirds format. The Venus Engine processor handles image processing, with sensitivity from ISO 100 to 25600. An electronic viewfinder sits alongside the 3-inch LCD, which flips out and offers live view. Wi-Fi is included; Bluetooth and GPS are absent, and video recording reaches 4K resolution. | |
| Brand | Panasonic |
| Model | Lumix DMC-LX100 |
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. | 2014 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. | September 15, 2014 |
| Camera type |  Compact |
| Camera size | 115 x 66 x 55 mm |
| Camera weight | 393 g |
Optics56/100 | |
About the OpticsA 12.8-megapixel CMOS sensor in the Micro Four Thirds format sits at the heart of the optics, processed by the Venus Engine. Sensitivity spans ISO 100 to 25600, and the shutter reaches 1/16000 at its fastest. In-body stabilisation reduces camera shake. Autofocus uses 49 points, and burst shooting reaches a maximum of 11 fps. The modest optics score of 56 out of 100 reflects these fields. Resolution and maximum sensitivity earned relatively few points, and the autofocus count took partial credit. Stabilisation earned full marks, while shutter speed and burst rate secured most of their available credit. The camera sits around the middle of cameras in our database for Optics. The fixed lens is built into the compact body, and framing uses a 2764000-dot electronic viewfinder. Live view is available on the rear screen. | |
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. | 12.8 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. | 4112 x 3088 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. | 13 x 17.3 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |  Micro Four Thirds |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. | 11 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. | Fixed |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. | Venus Engine |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |  4:3 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. | 10030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. | 256003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. | 20030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. | 256003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. | 6044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. | 1600080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. | 490300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |  Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. | Electronic |
| Viewfinder dots | 276400009900000 |
Video70/100 | |
About the VideoThe Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX100 records video in MPEG-4 format. The maximum resolution is 4K, and the maximum frame rate is 30 fps. These two figures are listed as separate limits, so a combined 4K 30 fps recording mode is not confirmed here. Clip lengths and any recording crop are not specified. Video recording earned a good score of 70 out of 100. Time-lapse is built in and contributed its full allocation of points, while maximum resolution and frame rate each earned partial credit. The video assessment draws only on resolution, frame rate and time-lapse. Recording duration, codec quality and heat behaviour sit outside this specification score, and no hands-on test results are included. | |
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |  Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |  4K |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. | 3840 x 2160 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. | 30 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |  Yes |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. | MPEG-4 |
Features41/100 | |
About the FeaturesThe rear LCD measures 3 inches and shows 921000 dots. It flips out for angled framing and offers live view, but touch controls are absent. Framing is also possible through the electronic viewfinder. There is no built-in flash unit, though the camera supports an external flash. Wi-Fi is present, while Bluetooth and GPS are absent, and the body has no weather sealing. The features score of 41 out of 100 is modest. Live view earned full marks and the screen size most of its points, while screen resolution took partial credit. Missing weather sealing, touch controls and Bluetooth each added nothing. | |
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. | No |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |  Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. | No |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. | No |
| Screen type | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. | No |
| Screen size | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. | 9210001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |  Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |  Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |  Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. | No |
Storage & Battery16/100 | |
About the Storage & BatteryImages are stored on SD, SDHC or SDXC memory cards, and the slot is UHS-I compatible. The camera carries just one card slot, so cards must be swapped when one fills. Power comes from a DMW-BLG10E battery rated at 300 shots. No test conditions are stated for that figure, and USB charging is not supported, so a second battery may be useful for longer shooting sessions. The storage and battery score of 16 out of 100 is limited and the lowest of the camera's section scores. The single card slot and absent USB charging earned no points, while the battery life rating added only partial credit. | |
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-I compatible) |
| Dual memory card slots | No |
| Battery type | DMW-BLG10E |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. | 300 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | No |