As far as premium compact cameras go, there aren’t a lot that put together as many features as possible, and still manage to keep the price within mid-range like the Panasonic LX10 does. Announced in 2016, the camera bears the famous 1 inch 20 Megapixel camera that the likes of the Sony RX100 are known for, alongside a Leica 3X optical zoom lens that has a large aperture control ring right around it. The camera falls squarely within the premium compact range, and is suitable for slow motion 1080p video shooting at 120 frames per second. As you’ll see in this LX15 review, it’s advanced video recording and shot capturing capabilities make it a top contender for the title of the best vlogging camera.
Why We Like It – Panasonic Lumix LX10
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX10 is a very capable pocket camera that is built for enthusiasts who don’t mind dishing out that extra coin for premium features. It comes packed with a 20 Megapixel sensor, 4K video support and a tiltable LCD touchscreen display for easier handling.
- 4K UHD Recording/4K Photo
- Highly customizable interface
- Small, durable size
- No electronic viewfinder
- Slippery body design
Performance
Despite the lack of a viewfinder, using the Lumix DMC-LX10 is a breeze thanks to its 3-inch LCD touchscreen display, which also tilts to allow for selfies or self recording. It beats out the Canon Vixia HF R700 thanks to its 4K recording abilities, and has a focal length of 24-72mm. It’s 20 Megapixel Live MOS sensor is well equipped to maintain a high image quality even when shooting moving objects thanks to mechanical in-body image stabilization, and post focus which allows you to select where your focus area will be after shooting a quick series of images (burst) with a moving focus distance. This also makes it more convenient to do focus stacking, as you get to choose the still that has your required depth-of-field from the image burst. The camera also has a top shutter speed of 1/4000s. Note that the Panasonic LX10 is identical to the LX15 (naming differs due to being sold in different regions), and can also be referred to as the Panasonic Lumix LX10 LX15.
Design
It’s a bit evident that great design might not have been top of mind when the Lumix DMC-LX10 was being put together. Nonetheless, the camera does have good build quality, and its most noticeable feature happens to be the control ring/aperture ring that’s at the base of the lens, which the Nikon D3400 does not have. If you investigate closely, you’ll find out they’re actually two – one outer and one inner ring. On the camera’s rear you’ll find its touchscreen display, 5 circular buttons, and a main set of 4 directional buttons that are pre-configured to focus mode, exposure compensation, white balance and drive mode. Need a lighter camera to tote around? Then visit our Sony A6400 review.
Value
Anyone in the market for a premium compact camera is probably looking for something that’s powerful but still pocket-sized. The Lumix LX10 LX15 fits that description perfectly, and is a far more affordable alternative compared to the Sony RX100 IV. The LX10 LX15 camera also comes with a whole assortment of impressive features despite the cheaper price tag, like the aperture ring, useful post focus mode, and focus stacking, along with the necessities like versatile shutter speed, white balance, and decent focal length range. The camera also compares well to the Canon PowerShot Mark II, while bearing similarities to it such as a tiltable display and a 20.1 Megapixel image sensor. Vloggers will also find the LX10 LX15’s 4K UHD recording features quite nice to use, and its touchscreen interface easy to navigate. These compact cameras are all great options for on-the-go camera work, so you can capture beautiful shots without lugging around a chunkier DSLR, like the Canon EOS 5D Mark II.
Panasonic Lumix LX10 Wrap Up
If you look elsewhere, you’ll find the cameras that have the same features offered by the Panasonic Lumix LX10 LX15 are quite expensive, to the point of pushing things out of your budget. These include the Sony RX100 IV and Canon PowerShot Mark II, which are still quality devices, but some aren’t looking to break the bank on a pricey camera. To avoid all that, go with the affordable LX10, and maybe spare the change for some of its fun accessories. With the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX10 LX15, you get a more affordable premium compact camera with a zoom lens, aperture control ring, MOS sensor with impressive image stabilization during video recording, and many other features to help you get great image quality in all your photos and videos. If you found our LX10 LX15 review helpful and informative, be sure to check out our reviews that cover a broad range of products, like cameras, cars, outdoor hobbies, and many more.
