Gold Star Digital Cameras              Quality Cameras for Precious Memories

       
     
      

 

 

 

 Image Quality

Features

 Performance

 

 Design

 

Build Quality

Value

Over All

 Gold Star Rank: #1 Compact



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Its full set of functions draws a distinct line between the LX3 and ordinary compact cameras. The LX3 stands alone as a compact camera whose image-creating capabilities rival even SLRs. It's a camera that gives users the ability to capture beautiful, richly expressive images every time they shoot.  


Key Features

The Highest-Quality Images Ever from a Compact Digital Camera.

The 10.1-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality poster-size prints.

Advanced    Leica lens : ultra wide-angle (24 mm) rare on a compact camera with MEGA Optical Image Stabilization and 2.5x zoom 

3.0-inch high-resolution LCD screen
 
HD video capture
 
Classic SLR-like manual operations include selectable auto focus spot/multi auto focus area, customization button, aperture, shutter, program and full manual modes
  
High-performance in low-light conditions

Superb expandability . For example the optional Wide conversion Lens* brings the maximum wide angle all the way to an incredible 18mm. These and other accessories let users build around the LX3 to create a powerful, versatile camera system that can take them as far into photography as they want to go.
*Requires a lens adaptor


Technical Details
  

Color 

Black or Silver

Effective pixels 

10.1 megapixels  

Total pixels 

11.3 megapixels  

Optical image stabilizer 

MEGA OIS  

Optical zoom 

2.5x  

Image sensor 

1/1.63-inch CCD, primary color filter  

Extra optical zoom 

4:3 aspect ratio: 3.0x for 7 megapixels, 3.6x for 5 megapixels, 4.5x for 3 megapixels, 2 megapixels, and 0.3 megapixels; 3:2 aspect ratio: 3.0x for 6.5 megapixels, 3.6x for 4.5 megapixels, 4.5x for 3 megapixels, 2.5 megapixels; 16:9 aspect ratio: 3.0x for 6 megapixels, 3.6x for 4.5 megapixels, 4.5x for 2.5 megapixels and 2 megapixels

Digital zoom 

4x (max 10x combined with optical zoom and without extra optical zoom; max 17.9x combined with extra optical zoom)  

Focal length 

f=1 to 12.8 mm (35mm equivalent of 24 to 60 mm)  

Lens 

Leica DC Vario-Summicron; 8 elements in 6 groups (4 asperhical lenses, 4 aspherical surfaces)  

Aperture range 

Wide: f/2.0 to f/8.0; tele: f/2.8 to f/8.0

Conversion lens capability 

Yes  

Focusing area 

Normal: 50 cm to infinity (wide/tele); intelligent auto/macro: 1 cm to infinity (wide), 30 cm to infinity (tele)

AF metering 

Face, AF tracking, multi-area, 1-area high speed, 1-area, spot  

Focus 

Normal/macro, quick AF on/off (on in intelligent auto), continuous AF on/off, AF/MF switchable, manual focus (joystick), one-shot AF, AF area select, AF tracking  

AF assist lamp 

Yes  

ISO sensitivity 

Auto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1,600, 3,200; high-sensitivy mode: auto (1,600 to 6,400) 

White balance 

Auto, daylight, cloudy, shade, halogen, and white set (selectable at portrait, soft skin, transform, self-portrait, sports, baby, pet, high sensitivity, hi-speed burst, pinhole modes); white balance adjustment (+/-10 steps, except for auto set)  

Exposure compensation 

1/3 EV step, +/-2 EV  

Backlight compensation 

Yes (auto in Intelligent Auto mode)  

Auto bracketing (AE) 

+/- 1/3 EV to 1 EV step, 3 frames  

Light metering 

Intelligent multiple, center weighted, spot  

Scene modes 

Portrait, soft skin, scenery, sports, night portrait, night scenery, self-portrait, food, party, candlelight, fireworks, starry sky, beach, aerial photo, snow, high sensitivity, baby 1 and baby 2, underwater, sunset, pet, hi-speed burst, multi aspect  

Shutter speed/shutter system 

P:1 to 1/2,000 second (selectable minimum shuter speed); A/S: 8 to 1/2,000 second; M: 1/2,000 second; starry sky mode: 15, 30, and 60 seconds

Self-timer 

2 and 10 seconds  

Auto review 

1 and 2 seconds, zoom, and hold  

Review 

1x, 4x, and 8x  

Picture adjustment 

Contrast: +/-2 steps; sharpness: +/-2 steps; saturation: +/-2 steps; noise reduction: +/-2 steps (can be adjusted in film mode)

Recording format 

Still image: JPEG (design rule for camera file system, based on Exif 2.21 standard), RAW, DPOF corresponding image with audio: JPEG (design rule for camera file system, based on Exif 2.21 standard), plus QuickTime; motion picture: QuickTime Motion JPEG

Image quality 

Fine, standard, RAW, RAW+Standard JPEG, RAW+Fine JPEG  

Recording image size 

4:3 aspect ratio (still image): 3,648 x 2,736, 3,072 x 2,304, 2,560 x 1,920, 2,048 x 1,536, 1,600 x 1,200, 640 x 480; 3:2 aspect ratio (still image): 3,776 x 2,520, 3,168 x 2,112, 2,656 x 1,768, 2,112 x 1,408, 2,048 x 1,360; 16:9 aspect ratio (still image): 3,968 x 2,232, 3,328 x 1,872, 2,784 x 1,568, 2,208 x 1,248, 1,920 x 1,080

Motion image (4:3 aspect ratio) 

640 x 480 pixels at 30 fps; 320 x 240 pixels at 30 fps/10 fps

Motion image (16:9 aspect ratio) 

848 x 480 pixels at 30 fps

Burst shooting mode 

Full-resolution image, 2.5 frames per second: maximum of 8 images (standard mode), maximum of 4 images (fine), maximum of 3 images (RAW) 

Unlimited consecutive shooting 

Yes  

Intelligent exposure 

Off, low, standard, and high  

Digital redeye correction 

Yes  

Easy zoom/zoom resume/motion zoom 

No  

Still image recording with audio 

5 seconds  

Audio dubbing 

Maximum of 10 seconds  

Real-time histograms 

Yes  

Composition guidelines 

Yes (2 patterns)  

Built-in memory 

Approximately 50 MB  

Scene mode help screen 

Yes  

Auto angle detection 

Yes  

Flip animation 

No  

Travel date/world time 

Yes  

Title edit 

Yes  

Text stamp/date stamp 

Yes  

Built-in flash type/mode 

Auto, auto/redeye reduction, forced on, slow sync/redeye reduction, forced off flash synchro; 1st/2nd flash output adjustment (1/3 EV step, -2 to +2 EV) 0.8 to 8.3 meters (wide/macro/ISO auto), 0.3 to 5.9 meters (tele/ISO auto)  

External flash 

Yes  

Viewfinder 

External OVF (optional)  

LCD monitor 

3-inch, 3:2 polycrystalline TFT LCD display (460,000 dots), approximate 100 percent field of view; auto power LCD mode, power LCD mode 

Playback mode 

Record/play selector switch, 30 and 12-thumbnail display, calendar display, zoomed playback (16x max), playback of favorite pics, image rotation, resize, trim, protection, aspect conversion DPOF print setting creating still pics from motion picture, dual image playback  

OSD Language 

English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Polish, Czech, Hungarian, Russian, Chinese (traditional and simplified), Netherlandic, Thai, Korean, Turkish, Portuguese, Arabic, Persian, Japanese, Swedish, Danish, Portuguese, Finnish  

Recording media 

Built-in memory, SD memory card, SDHC memory card, MultiMediaCard (still images only)  

Microphone 

Yes  

Speaker 

Yes  

Interface 

DC input, AV output (NTSC), HD AV output (component), USB 2.0 high speed  

Direct print 

PictBridge  

Power supply 

Lithium-ion battery pack (included), AC adapter (optional)  

Battery life 

380 pictures (CIPA standard)  

ISO limit set 

Yes  

Multi-exposure 

Yes  

Multi-aspect 

Yes  

Recording mode (mode dial) 

Intelligent auto, program mode (P), aperture/priority (A), shutter mode (S), manual mode (M), motion picture, custom 1, custom 2, scene mode  

Color bracketing 

No  

Motion image HD (16:9 aspect ratio) 

1,280 x 720 pixels at 30 fps

Motion picture 

4:3 aspect ratio: 640 x 480 pixels at 30 fps, or 320 x 240 pixels at 30 fps/10 fps; 16:9 aspect ratio: 848 x 480 pixels at 30 fps

Film mode 

Standard, dynamic, natural, smooth, vibrant, nostalgic, WB/standard, WB/dynamic, WB/smooth, my film1, my film2, multi film  

Included software 

PhotoFunStudio v2.1E, ArcSoft (Media Impression/Panorama Maker), SilkyPix Developer Studio 3.0 SE, QuickTime, USB driver  

Item width 

4.28 inches  

Item height 

2.34 inches  

Item depth 

1.06 inches  

Weight 

0.5 pounds  

Warranty 

1 year  

In the box 

Camera, battery charger, battery pack, battery carrying case, lens cap, lens cap strap, AV cable, USB cable, shoulder strap, CD-ROM 

Technical Details provided by Amazon.com

 

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Review Scoreboard...

The following scoreboard is based on our recent survey of 20 review websites that either rank cameras or point out which ones stand out as the best in a particular category (category examples: Compact, Subcompact, SLR, etc.). Although the research was done recently it is possible that some of the data may have changed since we last visited the sites. 


REVIEW SITE


REVIEW SITE RANK

GOLD
STAR
POINTS

 

#1 for Best Advanced Compact

100

#1 for Best Compact

100

 

#1 for Best Advanced Compact

100

 

One of 3 selected as Best Compact of 2008. No distinction given in rank.

 90

 

One of 3 given the Editor's Choice Award for Best Midsized Digital Camera. No distinction given in rank.

90

 

#2 for Premium Compact & SuperZoom Digital Cameras

90

Total Gold Star Points >>

570


This is an EXCELLENT score.

Explanation of Gold Star's point system