Panasonic Lumix LX3: Almost dSLR, almosttt

My ‘really compact’ Sony CyberShot T-7 died a few months ago so I’ve been looking for a replacement camera since. After quite a while looking at some of my friends toting around a dSLR I must admit I was tempted to get one myself . After some reviews, and help from friends, I had my eyes on the Nikon D60.

But my S.O bought the D60 since she needs a good camera to take photos of her minerals and bivalves (I’m just in it for some photography fun). We decided it was pointless for the both of us to each own a dSLR since we always go to the same places anyway, so I went for a compact camera instead.

Not just any compact camera, mind you . I went for the Panasonic Lumix LX3, hands down the best compact camera around. Got it for a pretty good deal from the Lowyat forums. Sure it doesn’t have some stupid smile detection or a gimmicky touch screen (I don’t see how camera touchscreens help any function), but the one thing that sets this retro-looking camera apart is that it is actually a full manual camera.

In other words, it functions just like an entry-level dSLR, except that it takes slightly lower quality photos, and you can’t change the lens. Manual exposure, manual focus, RAW shooting? All there. It even supports filters and an optical viewfinder and external flashes can be attached to the hotshoe too.

Other plus point is the 24mm wide angle lens that allows an aperture up to F 2.0, which gives a very shallow depth of field. 720p HD video recording ain’t shabby either

The boring CDs and manuals

Power cable, charger, battery, battery case, neck strap, A/V cable and USB cable

The seller gave some free stuff, which are an ugly case, a 3-inch screen protector (which didn’t match the LX3’s screen dimension, bummer), and a 4GB SDHC Class 4 card.

I was also told that I’ll be getting some ‘Panasonic Freebies’. It disappointedly turned out to be 4 pairs of Panasonic AA batteries. Damn it. I don’t have anything that uses AA batteries . If AAA at least can use for aircond remote!

I haven’t taken this camera for a real spin. In Perth I was just snapping away with the aforementioned D60 (thx syg!) since it was the better camera anyway but the D60 photo up there was taken with the LX3. The photos from my Razer Moray review were taken with the LX3 as well so you can see how close this baby can focus on (shot with F2.0).

Here are more samples:

The unboxing pics were taken using my C902

Dynamic Black & White film mode, at Sungei Wang

Last meal before Perth (Also the first meal I had when I came back hahah)

Dah up!

Curtin hot chocolate, very nice [not available in Miri]

Finally you get to enjoy better photos on my blog!