Review of the NEW Panasonic Lumix LX100 II

Should we be excited about the Panasonic Lumix LX100 II?

If we had to pick two features that really get people excited about the LX100 II, we’d go for the sensor and the lens. Now that might sound obvious, but a Four Thirds type sensor is unusually large for such a small camera. Having a large sensor means a good image signal for better quality images and good noise control in low light conditions.

The lens is a Leica DC Vario-Summilux 24-75mm (equivalent) f/1.7-f/2.8 optic that’s produced to a very high standard - it even has a rounded 9-blade aperture! Lots of people would give their eye teeth to have such a high-quality lens on an interchangeable lens camera.

An effective focal length of 24-75mm is perfect for all sorts of photographic opportunities, but especially street. Coupled with the big sensor, that large maximum aperture also means that you can restrict depth of field for more creative photographs and attractive portraits.

Top Features of the Panasonic Lumix LX100 II:

Large Micro 4/3 17MP sensor compared to the small body size
High-quality Leica DC Vario-Summilux 24-75mm lens with f/1.7 create excellent bokeh
4K video and 4K Photo: extract 8MP stills in camera
Very satisfying high-res viewfinder with 100% field of view
High-speed continuous shooting 5.5 fps (AFC) and 11 fps (AFS)
Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity
USB charging means you can charge from a mobile power pack

So its good news that the LX100 II has the same lens and size sensor but even better is that the image pixel count has been boosted from 12 million to 17million for the Mark II.

Another neat trick that the LX100 II inherits from its predecessor is that the sensor is a multi-aspect device. That means you can shoot with different aspect ratios (4:3. 3:2, 16:9 and 1:1) while maintaining the same angle of view and high resolution. Also, there’s a switch on the lens barrel that lets you change quickly between the options, which is great news for creative photography.

How is the Lumix LX100 II Screen and viewfinder?

On the back of the LX100 II is a 3-inch 1,240,000 screen that gives a wonderfully clear, detailed view of the scene. It’s also touch-sensitive so you can use it to quickly zoom in to check images and make settings selections.

There’s also a 2,764,000-dot electronic viewfinder. That’s not just for use in bright conditions, sometimes it feels more natural to look in a viewfinder when you’re taking photos. It can also help you cut out all the distractions and focus on getting the perfect shot.

Does the Lumix LX100 II shoot 4K Video?

Having 4K video capability in a Panasonic camera unleashes more than the ability to record incredibly detailed movies. For a start, there’s 4K photo mode that allows you to shoot at 30 frames per second, then find the perfect 8Mp frame and extract it in-camera.

The LX100 II can even detect and mark key moments in the video shot in 4K Photo mode so you can find the images you want quickly and easily.

Panasonic’s Post Focus and Focus Stacking modes are also available to enable you to get the right part of the image perfectly sharp.

And if you want some fun, try the LX100 II’s Sequence Composition mode. It’s perfect for recording bike stunts or skateboard moves because you can pull out keyframes to include in one single image.

The Lumix LX100 II is great for photography purists and travel photographers

Traditionalists will love the LX100 II because it has an aperture ring on the lens and a shutter speed dial on the top plate. It means you can shoot in aperture priority, shutter priority, manual or program exposure mode. If you want to take things easy, however, just press the iA button and the camera will take care of everything.

What Clifton Cameras thinks of the Panasonic Lumix LX100 II...

Of course, all these great features would count for nothing if the LX100 II didn’t deliver great images, but it does. You can tailor the colours to your own preferences, but in the default settings, they look nice and vibrant. Exposure is also handled well and noise is kept in check.

The LX100 II is perfect for creative photographers who want a high-quality camera they can slip in their pocket.