Lee Yuan Sheng
07-18-2012, 06:00 PM
<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.dpreview.com/news/2012/07/18/Panasonic-announces-Lumix-DMC-LX7-with-F1-4-2-3-24-90mm-lens' target='_blank'>http://www.dpreview.com/news/2012/0...-3-24-90mm-lens</a><br /><br /></div><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/dht/auto/1342626858.usr15670.jpg" /></p><p>Not to be outdone by Samsung's <a href="http://www.digitalhomethoughts.com/news/show/175877/samsung-announces-ex2f-digital-compact-camera.html" target="_blank">EX2F announcement</a>, Panasonic's follow-up to the LX5 also has an f/1.4 lens. Like the Samsung, the lens is a 24mm equivalent on the wide end, with a maximum aperture of f/1.4, and it goes to 90mm equivalent, with a maximum aperture of f/2.3. The sensor is now slightly smaller; I suspect it's the same 12 megapixel 1/1.7" CMOS sensor found in many other compacts, but to keep the multi-aspect feature, the output is slightly under 10 megapixels instead, but allows aspect ratios of 4:3, 3:2, and 16:9 with minimal loss of megapixels. New features include an aperture ring around the lens barrel, to select apertures (but not customisable like the ring in the Canon S90/95/100), a built-in ND filter, a 3" VGA LCD, 1080p video at 60 FPS (!), 11 FPS continuous shooting with locked focus, 5.5 with continuous AF, and an electronic level. As always, the camera offers a number of manual controls, including a rear command dial (my preferred position) along with raw file support. No word on availability and pricing till close to release date. Check out the link for a DPReview preview of the LX7!</p>