DMC-LX3 | PRODUCTS | LUMIX | Digital Camera

The DMC-LX3 puts the joy of creating beautiful, richly expressive images into every photographer's hands. Leading the list of new features is a large, newly developed, ultra-sensitive CCD. And rather than simply maximizing the pixel count as other cameras do, the DMC-LX3 makes generous use of its 10.1 megapixels in this 1/1.63-inch CCD. Each pixel is around 45% larger than those in ordinary 10-megapixel cameras.* This boosts both sensitivity and saturation by around 40% each compared to standard models. Its predecessor, the DMC-LX2, also featured a large, 1/1.65-inch CCD, but in comparison, the DMC-LX3 offers around 20% greater sensitivity and around 15% higher saturation performance than even the DMC-LX2 by maximizing the size of the photodiode in each photo cell.
These CCD improvements also minimize noise generation in the DMC-LX3, resulting in a 1.5 dB increase in the S/N ratio compared with the DMC-LX2.

*Compared with the DMC-FX35 with 1/2.33-inch CCD.

On the newly developed high sensitivity CCD, each photodiode per cell is larger than those found on the DMC-LX2.

In addition, newly designed circuits around the CCD improve the power supply process and provide a layered structure, while a large output buffer stabilizes the signal, further reducing noise to increase the S/N ratio by another 1.5 dB. This combines to improve the S/N ratio by a total of 3 dB. You can easily see the difference, with better color reproduction in low lighting, where noise is typically a problem.
As a result, the DMC-LX3 offers exquisite image quality with both excellent sensitivity and a wide dynamic range. It takes full advantage of the superb resolution of its 24-60mm f/2.0–2.8 LEICA DC VARIO-SUMMICRON lens to render even the atmosphere surrounding each and every photo image.

In dim lighting

In normal situation

In the bright sunlight

While providing exquisite noise control, the DMC-LX3 captures accurate details in dim lighting, and rich gradation in bright areas.

The DMC-LX3 can also reproduce images shot with the lens set from 24mm to 60mm in any of three aspect ratios, 4:3, 3:2 or 16:9, so you can always capture dynamic, richly expressive shots with a wide perspective. In order to produce an image with a 3:2 or 16:9 aspect ratio using a conventional camera, a 4:3 picture is generally cropped, so the picture does not have the maximum advantages of this unique aspect ratio.

The DMC-LX3 is equipped with a 24-60mm f/2.0–2.8 LEICA DC VARIO-SUMMICRON lens. In order to meet stringent LEICA performance standards while offering a 24mm ultra-wide-angle* setting and a large F2.0 aperture that nearly doubles the brightness of even a "bright" F2.8 lens, the new lens system employs 8 lens elements in 6 groups, including 4 aspherical lenses. This provides superb resolution while minimizing distortion and artifacts such as chromatic aberration, ghosting and flaring.
The DMC-LX3's low-distortion, high-resolution lens lets you capture truly dynamic 24mm wide-angle images while rendering the tiniest nuances clearly, from corner to corner. The fully open f/2.0-2.8 aperture and iris diaphragm also work together to produce stunning scenes with gentle soft focusing. The emotional impact of the images captured by this new lens provides the photographer with entirely new levels of expression.
The 24mm wide-angle setting of the DMC-LX3 gives you a viewing space that is about 213% the size of an ordinary 35mm camera, and about 136% the size of even a 28mm wide-angle lens.

*Converted to standard 35mm film camera equivalent.

The high brightness of the fully open F2.0 aperture lends a beautiful soft focus to shots with a shallow depth of field. It is especially effective for macro shots of flowers, insects, or intricate objects.
This setting is also ideal for dimly lit scenes that require greater exposure, such as deep, natural forests, dimly lit historic buildings, and artwork displays.

The 24mm wide-angle setting produces a viewing space that is approximately 213% that of a 35mm film camera. This is ideal for capturing sweeping natural landscapes and huge buildings, and for portraying an expansive spatial effect with dynamic depth. The excellent image quality of the LEICA DC VARIO-SUMMICRON lens allows you to create stunning photos with minimal distortion and, contrast and gradation throughout.

The brightness of the fully open F2.8 aperture combines with the 60mm telephoto to produce optimal portraits. The high resolution and excellent contrast also express fine details, with natural gradation for smoother complexions.

Conventional cameras generally use almost the entire CCD area when recording an image. The DMC-LX3, however, employs a 1/1.63-inch CCD with a total resolution of 11.3 megapixels. Using only about a 10.1-megapixel area of this large CCD makes it possible to give all three aspect ratios — 16:9, 3:2, and 4:3 — the same angle of view with lens settings from 24mm to 60mm. And rather than digitally producing "simulated" images, the DMC-LX3 captures the actual, real-life image for each one of the aspect ratios at the ultrawide 24mm setting.
Plus, the multi-aspect mode lets the camera take an image in all aspect ratios simultaneously, so you can choose the best one after shooting*.

* 1:1 aspect ratio is also available. The diagonal angle view of 1:1 aspect ratio is not the same as those of 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9. For the 1:1 aspect mode, firmware must be updated to the latest version 2.1.
http://panasonic.jp/support/global/cs/dsc/download/index.html

In addition to 4:3, 3:2, and 16:9, you can now shoot with a 1:1 aspect ratio. This unique square frame adds to your image expression possibilities. The concentrated shooting area also draws emphasis to your intended shots and produces highly distinctive results.

*Firmware must be updated to the latest version 2.1.
http://panasonic.jp/support/global/cs/dsc/download/index.html
The diagonal angle view of 1:1 aspect ratio is not the same as those of 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9.

The DMC-LX3 lets you get as close as 1 cm to your subject. When the AF mode switch on the side of the lens is set to AF Macro, or when the iA (Intelligent Auto) Mode is selected, Macro Mode is activated automatically. This is ideal for taking dynamic, intricate close-ups of flowers and insects, or for rendering artwork and handicrafts in spectacular detail and rich expression.

The Extra Optical Zoom function* uses the center part of the CCD to extend 2.5x optical zoom ratio (35mm equivalent: 60mm) to powerful 4.5x zoom (35mm equivalent: 108mm) at a resolution of 3-megapixel or less. Adding the Extra Optical Zoom to the 4x digital zoom** extends the total zooming power to a maximum of 17.9x (35mm equivalent: 430mm).

*In the U.S.A. market, the Extra Optical Zoom is called the Extended Optical Zoom.
**As digital magnification increases, resolution significantly decreases.

The Lens Resume function lets you decide on your composition before you shoot, so you can be prepared for sudden opportunities like a grand opening event or a photo of animals. It stores the zoom position (magnification) and the MF position in memory, so you can shoot with the same setting once the power is turned on again. This helps to make sure you don't miss those great spur-of-the-moment shots.

*Firmware must be updated to the latest version 2.1.
http://panasonic.jp/support/global/cs/
dsc/download/index.html

The MEGA O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) in the DMC-LX3 compensates for the blurring caused by hand-shake. It is now featured on the entire LUMIX range, and is highly popular with users around the world. Even slight hand-shake movement is accurately detected by a sampling frequency of 4,000 times per second, and compensated to produce sharp, clear images. It also works for macro shots, which are especially susceptible to hand-shake, and lets you shoot in dimly lit rooms or evening illumination, without a flash, to preserve the mood. The Venus Engine IV controls the shifting of the blur-stopping lens with even greater precision to further increase the detection accuracy and correction effect of MEGA O.I.S. The DMC-LX3 also adds a new mode, Auto Mode, that tailors the corrective effect specifically to wide-angle and telephoto conditions. In short, it lets anybody take beautiful, blur-free shots with ease.

MODE 1 Image is corrected continually, so you can see the image clearly on the LCD monitor. MODE 2 Correction occurs at the instant you press the shutter button, so the corrective effect is greater. AUTO MODE A higher compensation effect is gained by automatically switching between Mode 2 at the wide setting and Mode 1 at the telephoto setting.

An image-processing engine, Venus Engine IV, uses advanced signal processing to give you beautiful images even when the sensitivity is high. Multi-task signal processing is employed for all images to enable high-speed, high-performance shooting. Venus Engine IV also effectively raises the precision of various functions, such as MEGA O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) and Intelligent ISO Control.
Along with its extremely high performance, Venus Engine IV reduces power consumption thanks to a number of energy efficiency improvements.

Luminance noise and chromatic noise are reduced separately in the Venus Engine III, before and after signal processing. Both fine and coarse noise are minimized to produce beautiful, clear pictures from low to high ISO settings. The Venus Engine IV in the DMC-LX3 further raises image quality by refining this signal processing process with two new circuits. One is for separating the noise two-dimensionally into high-frequency and low-frequency noises. The circuits effectively reduce only the low-frequency noise which turns out to be noticeable as chromatic noise because resolution decreases if the high-frequency noise is reduced as well. In addition, preserving the color-changing points at the color borders 10 times more minutely prevents the color bleeding that often happens with noise reduction. As a result, beautiful images with minimal noise can be reproduced all the way up to ISO 3200 high sensitivity at full 10.1-megapixel resolution while color noise is less noticeable in shadows and other dark areas even when shooting with low sensitivity. The multi-task engine keeps the release time lag low, at 0.005 second.

Venus Engine III Some noise is visible under high-sensitivity conditions. Venus Engine IV Noise is successfully reduced while preserving detail even under high-sensitivity conditions.

Venus Engine III The high-performance noise reduction of Venus Engine III can sometimes result in slight color bleeding. Venus Engine IV Venus Engine IV greatly reduces both noise and color bleeding.

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*Availability of models and colors may differ depending on the country.
*Check the website of the Panasonic sales company in your country or region for details on the LUMIX models, colors, and optional accessories that are available in your market.