January 29, 2011 53 Comments

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 Review

I’m asked quite often which camera I use to shoot my videos. I have a few different cameras, but my current go-to device is the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 (amazon affiliate link). I shot the following video to give you some of the features that make me like the camera. If you’re in the market for a new video camera, here’s a point and click camera that I use as my workhorse video camera:

Can’t see the video? Click Here.

It’s also a great still shooter. You can see lots of photos I’ve taken with it here. But what I’m sharing with you now is that I love it as a video camera. If you’re in the market, add this one to your consideration set. Check out the
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 10.1 Megapixels Digital Camera

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Anonymous

Indeed, Thunderbird doesn’t seem to want to load your video. And it would seem this is a repeat post. Do you have this automagically emailed to your list once a month?

http://chrisbrogan.com Chris Brogan

It’s a new post. I wrote about the previous camera, the LX3 , but don’t think I’ve written about the 5 yet.

Anonymous

Ah, well then…. Have you compared the two posts? They seem similar….

http://chrisbrogan.com Chris Brogan

It’s a new post. I wrote about the previous camera, the LX3 , but don’t think I’ve written about the 5 yet.

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http://www.dogwalkblog.com/ Rufus Dogg

I recently went through an “episode” of trying to buy a part for a DV tape camera (which incidentally led me to institute a “I will not ever lend out my sh*t” policy but that is another story) for a web streaming project next week. Not the web cam type, but a studio where I needed something with zoom and an external mic recording in real time to Ustream. My GL2 had the DV port smashed in by a rough technician a while back so I thought I could just pick up a cheaper consumer camera to tide over. Nothing. None of these SD card cameras can STREAM! And apparently nobody makes a sub $3,000 DV camera any more. Flip, your Panasonic and all these cameras are great for recorded video, but nothing out there does any streaming any more. And Firewire looks like it is going away…

This seems like an incredible step backward for video.
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http://www.scottfox.com Scott Fox, Author e-Riches 2.0

Hi Chris,
Thanks for this helpful review.
I may have missed it, but does this camera have an external mic jack like the Kodak Zi8 you mentioned?

http://chrisbrogan.com Chris Brogan

No, no external mic.

I’m using a midrange camera for that kind of work. The Canon Vixia HF S200

http://www.scottfox.com Scott Fox, Author e-Riches 2.0

Thanks, Chris. Clicking the (affiliate) link above now to check it out.

http://www.project30days.com David Wright

Thanks, Chris. I’ve been looking for a decent camera/video. I have a Kodak point and shoot which is horribly jaggy when you view photos at full-size and the Zi8, which is great, except in low light.

How is the Panasonic in low light situations for both camera and video? And what cam did you use to shoot this video? The quality of this video is much less than the kitchen table talks.
http://www.project30days.com David Wright

Thanks, Chris. I’ve been looking for a decent camera/video. I have a Kodak point and shoot which is horribly jaggy when you view photos at full-size and the Zi8, which is great, except in low light.

How is the Panasonic in low light situations for both camera and video? And what cam did you use to shoot this video? The quality of this video is much less than the kitchen table talks.

http://chrisbrogan.com Chris Brogan

Works decent in low light.

The built in imac cam was what I used. Very low tech.

http://www.project30days.com David Wright

Thanks for the quick reply. I’ll check out some samples and look around for some low light tests. Your flickr photos and KTTs look great, though.
http://twohourblogger.com Martyn Chamberlin…

Wow I’m impressed with the iMac camera. I can never get mine to look that good. :)

Nice Chris. Lately I’ve been thinking about upgrading to a good camera. How fast is the shutter speed on this? Can you take close-ups (3 feet- ) and retain crispness without a tripod?
http://twohourblogger.com Martyn Chamberlin…

Wow I’m impressed with the iMac camera. I can never get mine to look that good. :)

Nice Chris. Lately I’ve been thinking about upgrading to a good camera. How fast is the shutter speed on this? Can you take close-ups (3 feet- ) and retain crispness without a tripod?
http://twohourblogger.com Martyn Chamberlin…

Wow I’m impressed with the iMac camera. I can never get mine to look that good. :)

Nice Chris. Lately I’ve been thinking about upgrading to a good camera. How fast is the shutter speed on this? Can you take close-ups (3 feet- ) and retain crispness without a tripod?

http://chrisbrogan.com Chris Brogan

Yes to closeups but no idea on shutter speed. The link would give you stats. It does great up close. Search my Berlin pictures at the bottom link to Flickr.

http://twohourblogger.com Martyn Chamberlin…

Wow that IS nice Chris. I’m impressed. Shutter speed’s not the issue so much as doing great work up close. :)

http://www.project30days.com David Wright

Thanks, Chris. I’ve been looking for a decent camera/video. I have a Kodak point and shoot which is horribly jaggy when you view photos at full-size and the Zi8, which is great, except in low light.

How is the Panasonic in low light situations for both camera and video? And what cam did you use to shoot this video? The quality of this video is much less than the kitchen table talks.
Justin Germino

I am in the market for a new camcorder this year to do more vlogging, don’t like the whole webcam catching me while sitting on my desk, I would rather stand and present myself. My wife loves the Panasonic Lumix camera and owns one, so this is something that might not be too bad. My current JVC Everio has such a hard time with low light that the video becomes blurry and pixelated, it is really annoying.

http://chrisbrogan.com Chris Brogan

If you want a midrange that does more than the LX5, you’re looking for The Canon Vixia HF S200 – http://c.hris.cc/vixia . That’s around $700, though.

http://nothingbutsocnet.blogspot.com/ Zena Weist

This post read my mind…I was just going to tap you to see if you had an affiliate link since you mentioned the DMC-LX5 last weekend to me. I’m in, this is in my price range – thanks!
http://nothingbutsocnet.blogspot.com/ Zena Weist

This post read my mind…I was just going to tap you to see if you had an affiliate link since you mentioned the DMC-LX5 last weekend to me. I’m in, this is in my price range – thanks!
http://thelearningvet.wordpress.com The Learning Vet

Any reason you don’t like the Flip for your “go-to workhorse” (good description)?

http://twitter.com/mikelopez Mike Lopez

Well, in my case my Flip is broken and it’s outside the warranty period. It won’t charge and if it does it will shut off in 30 minutes then won’t charge again for a number of days.
http://chrisbrogan.com Chris Brogan

Because it doesn’t have an external mic or external media, so those two things keep it from my use as a primary device.

http://www.kherize5.com Suzanne Vara

We were just talking about this 2 weeks ago. Thanks for the indepth review. Looks like a very functional and easy to use camera. For me, those 2 things are very important.
http://www.kherize5.com Suzanne Vara

We were just talking about this 2 weeks ago. Thanks for the indepth review. Looks like a very functional and easy to use camera. For me, those 2 things are very important.
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http://www.all-themeparks.com Jenny Esponda

that’s really awesome camera for personal purpose… we are very close to a friend’s wedding and were looking for a decent camera for that…. i think it will freeze us in a beautiful frame.. :) its beautiful !!!
http://www.realestateactive.com/ Michael Real

I agree with Jenny. This camera will do good for personal usage. I think this is also a recommended camera for people that don’t have the luxury of having the money to buy those more expensive cameras.
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I’m glad to have visited your blog and good to know you! I find it interesting and informative.
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I’m glad to have visited your blog and good to know you! I find it interesting and informative.
http://www.rizzotees.com/ Chris @ Rizzo Tees

I am buying this very camera in just a few weeks. I do believe I’ll use your affiliate link. Huzzah!
http://www.rizzotees.com/ Chris @ Rizzo Tees

… And notice the red button on top. If I’m not mistaking, you can use that button to quickly begin shooting a movie – no need to futz around with changing the camera’s settings from still photo to movie. I love that.
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I assume there will be this functionality on the lower end cameras eventually. Even on the higher end cameras, the firewire port is going away leaving operators to have to find a 3rd party interface to convert the live component or composite signal to your computer.
http://www.rizzotees.com/ Chris @ Rizzo Tees

Just bought this camera in white (silver). Can’t wait!
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I am sure this is also a recommended camera for people that don’t have the luxury of having the money to buy those more expensive cameras.
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so you are saying that the lx5 is better in video recording than the canon s95..but picture quality is the same..
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I need something with zoom and an external mic recording in real time to Ustream. My GL2 had the DV port smashed in by a rough technician a while back so I thought I could just pick up a cheaper consumer camera to tide over.
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This product is acclaimed worldwide especially by the photography enthusiasts,it is is fully re-designed in the lens, the CCD and the image processing engine together with other improvements and upgrades.
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The 24mm of wide angle offers extraordinarily large viewing space and now the optical zoom is extended to 3.8x (90mm) making the LX5 even more versatile. I loved tgis feature in lumix dmc-lx5
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High iso labelling does not mean any thing; for point & shoot it may be misleading in most cases. Unless someone tested and compared with dslr or other models on the same league.
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High iso labelling does not mean any thing; for point & shoot it may be misleading in most cases. Unless someone tested and compared with dslr or other models on the same league.
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I need something with zoom and an external mic recording in real time to Ustream. My GL2 had the DV port smashed in by a rough technician a while back so I thought I could just pick up a cheaper consumer camera to tide over.
http://twitter.com/JoyceDadePHOTOS Joyce DadeArtPhoto

Oh, so that’s what you do. Interesting. Very interesting site you have here, Chris. Looking around now, I like your website.
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Oh, so that’s what you do. Interesting. Very interesting site you have here, Chris. Looking around now, I like your website.
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Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 Review

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