DMC-LX3 | PRODUCTS | LUMIX | Digital Camera

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LUMIX Global TOP > COMPACT CAMERAS > LX3 > Intuitive Manual Operation

The joystick that was so popular in previous LX Series models gives the DMC-LX3 its precise, full manual operation. You can easily operate it with your thumb while holding the camera to prevent any interruption to your shooting rhythm. Simply move the joystick vertically or horizontally to adjust the exposure in Aperture-priority Mode, Shutter-priority Mode, or Manual Exposure Mode, and to adjust the focus during Manual focus. This gives you much more flexible operation than buttons or levers.

In Program AE, Aperture-priority, and Shutter-priority Modes, you can retrieve the exposure compensation value and manually adjust it directly with the joystick.

The exposure compensation and auto bracket ranges have been increased from the ±2EV in 1/3EV steps to ±3EV. This helps you to get exactly the shots you want under virtually any shooting conditions.

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

When you choose the Manual Exposure Mode, this function shows how much your setting differs from the setting the camera considers optimal.

You can use Program Shift in Program AE Mode to keep the exposure fixed while changing the combination of shutter speed and aperture. This function lets you choose the exposure setting yourself to capture exactly the image you want.

In Manual Exposure Mode, you can either select ISO Auto or make settings from ISO 80 to ISO 3200. With ISO Auto, once you set the aperture and shutter speed, the camera automatically judges the ISO sensitivity and maintains the appropriate exposure. For example, you have to use a fast shutter speed to capture moving subjects, while closing down the aperture enough to extend the depth of field for focusing ease. With this kind of shot, you can set the shutter speed and aperture manually, and then leave the exposure up to ISO Auto.

Select either ISO 200, 400, 800, 1600 or 3200 as the maximum ISO sensitivity. The maximum sensitivity setting is applied to the Intelligent ISO Control and ISO AUTO functions. This ensures that you'll get the level of image quality you want by letting you set your own limit for ISO sensitivity.

You can set the minimum shutter speed in nine steps, from 1/250 to 1 second, for Program AE Mode. To prevent motion blur, select a faster shutter speed. When using a tripod for a longer exposure, select a slower shutter speed. By matching the setting to your shooting style, you can prevent mis-shots and get the kind of photos you really want.

You can set the aperture between f/2.0-8.0 (Wide) and f/2.8-8.0 (Tele) to control the depth of field.

Adjust the shutter speed from 8 to 1/2,000 of a second. Fast shutter speeds can be used to freeze moving subjects, and slow shutter speeds can create a motion blur that exaggerates the feeling of movement.

In this mode you can set both the aperture and shutter speed, to take beautiful, artistic photos. The slowest shutter speed in Manual Exposure Mode is 60 sec. You can enjoy a wide range of shooting possibilities by combining a shutter speed from 1/2000 to 60 sec with an F stop from f/2.0-8.0 (Wide) to f/2.8-8.0 (Tele). Noise reduction also improves images taken at slow shutter speeds.

Retrieve and make settings easily from the Q.MENU Button.

In the same way as photographers select different films for their distinctive coloring and contrast, you can choose from 6 color types and 3 monochrome types with the DMC-LX3. When shooting in black and white, the contrast, sharpness, and noise reduction for each mode parameter can also be customized in five steps and stored in memory. The same is true when shooting in color, with the addition of saturation adjustment. This gives the DMC-LX3 the same kind of delicate selection capability as a film camera. You can also check the effects on the LCD before you shoot. This gives you the exact photo expression you want.

Standard The standard and basic setting with natural feel with no added emphasis.

Smooth The contrast is lowered to make the whole picture look smooth but not losing the texture.

Dynamic The saturation and contrast of stored color are increased to be emphasized to reproduce memory colors vividly.

Vibrant More than just "Dynamic", this mode renders bright, vivid colors that gives a picture a spectacularly striking impression.

Nature The colors of blue, green and red are brightened while increasing the contrast of the whole image to look nature more impressive.

Nostalgic Making the bright area saturated and adding the yellowish tone effect to give the picture deep-aged look.

Standard B&W The standard and basic setting with natural feel with no emphasis partially added.

Dynamic B&W The contrast is raised to strengthen the effect of shading.

Smooth B&W The contrast is lowered to make the whole picture look smooth but not losing the texture. Especially good for taking human skin beautiful.

When shooting in black and white, the contrast, sharpness, and noise reduction for each mode parameter can also be customized in five steps and stored in memory. A total of 4,125 settings can be made.

Two finely customized settings can be stored as two MY FILM settings, for easy recall and use.

Multi-Film Mode, allowing you to produce up to 3 different images using different film modes in one go. Possible to produce both color and black & white photos simultaneously.

The Multi Exposure function lets you take up to three exposures in a single frame. For example, you can layer subjects that wouldn't ordinarily appear in the same frame by making one of them translucent and super-imposing the other for an artistic effect, or make one subject appear two or three times in the same frame. By shooting from two opposite directions, you can create a symmetrical mirror effect. The DMC-LX3 allows you to shoot while checking the image. After you‘ve taken the first shot, it appears with a translucent effect, so you can use it to set up your second shot. The same for the third shot. The camera also automatically adjusts the gain to optimize the exposure.

You can move the guide lines according to the subject‘s position. This is handy when you want to take extra care in framing, especially when using a tripod.

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

An advanced algorithm raises the AF speed from the 0.65 second to approx. 0.5 second**, to make operation even more comfortable. It lets you bring moving subjects quickly into sharp, clear focus, to catch those sudden shooting opportunities.

*Firmware must be updated to the latest version 2.1. http://panasonic.jp/support/global/cs/dsc/download/index.html
**At the wide-angle setting. Varies depending on shooting conditions.

A switch on the side of the lens barrel lets you quickly change the focus mode between MF, AF or Macro AF. When you focus in the Manual Focus mode, not only the focus distance but also the DOF (depth of field) according to the zoom range and aperture is displayed. When the Lens Resume mode is turned on, it will preserve the settings even if the power is switched off, and then on again*.
An MF assist function enlarges the image to make focusing easier, which also contributes to easy and comfortable manual focusing.

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

●MF1: The image inside the focusing area can be enlarged during manual focus for easier viewing.

●MF2: The entire frame image is enlarged. This is helpful for macros and other shots that require extra-precise focusing.

●Movable MF Assist: This lets you move the part that is enlarged by the MF Assist function to any area of the frame you want.

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 Focus button is designed to be easily pressed while holding the camera in shooting stance. During AF operation, it serves to activate the Selectable AF Area, and during MF operation, it changes to a handy One-touch Focus to provide initial focusing. During playback, this convenient and important function gives you One-touch Zoom Playback of subjects in focus, and during both shooting and playback, it helps to achieve finer focusing.

When either 1-area AF, 1-area High-speed AF, or Spot AF in AF mode, you can use the joystick to move the AF frame to any location you want by pressing the Focus button to activate. Along with the conventional half-pressing of the shutter button and manual focusing, this function adds to the available selections. This is extremely convenient for applying the AF at a specific point in the frame when the angle of view is fixed, for example, when using a tripod.

When you select Multi-point AF, you can choose and set the AF area from among six groups. This mode also prevents the system from mistakenly focusing on the area between two subjects in a vertical or horizontal composition. It is convenient, as well, for shooting with a tripod.

*Excludes AF Tracking and Face AF.

Simply focus on your subject, then press the AF/AE Lock button to activate AF Tracking. Even when you remove your finger from the AF/AE Lock button, the camera continues to automatically keep your moving subject in focus. This keeps the focus sharp and blur-free when shooting active children or pets, as well as when capturing sports scenes or subjects in a moving object. It minimizes the shutter time lag so you won't miss those spur-of-the-moment shots, and helps to give you truly beautiful photos always.

The Face Detection function detects faces and automatically optimizes the focus and exposure settings. It prevents the blurry faces that happen when the camera focuses on something in front of or behind the subject, and keeps faces from appearing dark when shooting indoors or against the light source. It detects up to 15 faces at a time, making it extremely convenient for group photos. Once the camera detects a face, Face Tracking follows it even when the subject moves around. This makes it easy to capture the person's face quickly if he or she is moving.
Plus, detection accuracy has been increased in the DMC-LX3, allowing continuous AF/AE adjustment even if a face moves or turns sideways to the camera. The DMC-LX3 is also equipped with Digital Red-eye Correction*. The camera takes care of the red-eye effect that often happens when shooting with a flash, to ensure attractive facial expression always.

*For the firmware the latest version 2.1., Digital Red-eye Correction must be turned ON in the menu prior to use.
http://panasonic.jp/support/global/cs/dsc/download/index.html

The AF/AE lock button lets you frame your shot freely while keeping the focus locked, or maintains the same exposure setting regardless of the subject color when taking multiple shots.

The DMC-LX3 can be preset to either Continuous AF or Quick AF.
Continuous AF automatically and continuously focuses on your subject, providing a clear, sharp focus even for moving subjects.
Quick AF starts operating as soon as the camera is pointed toward a subject, in comparison with the ordinary AF function, which is activated when the shutter button is pressed half-way.
Both Continuous AF and Quick AF dramatically reduce the shutter delay time and let you take pictures quickly. They are ideal for taking photos of children and pets, sports action, and animals in nature. And they make sure that spur-of-the-moment shots aren't out of focus or blurry, and minimize the time lag for shooting.

The DMC-LX3's 2-axis adjustment feature gives you a finer white balance adjustment for Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Flash, or Halogen conditions. It can also be used when adjusting the Color Temperature Setting or White Set function. You can adjust with a reference to the horizontal axis for amber to blue and the vertical axis for green to magenta.*
The Color Temperature Setting provides more flexible, more precise adjustment than conventional white balance settings, with compensation from 2,500 K to 10,000 K in 100 K steps.

*White balance adjustment is not possible in some modes.

When using the 2-axis white balance adjustment setting, the white balance bracket function shoots 3 consecutive photos with slight changes to the white balance setting of each photo in both the horizontal (amber to blue) and vertical (green to magenta) axes, by simply pressing the shutter once.

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

The Intelligent Exposure* function increases the exposure only in under-exposed areas by detecting the brightness level part-by-part in the picture. If the background includes the sky, which tends to be easily washed out, the camera automatically adjusts the aperture and shutter speed to keep the setting slightly under-exposed to prevent wash-out while brightening the darkened area by increasing the ISO only in that area. If the background of an indoor portrait receives insufficient lighting from a flash and becomes dark, the ISO sensitivity is raised in only the low-lit area to make it brighter without causing graininess in the subject's face. The DMC-LX3 lets you adjust the effect in three levels — high, normal, and low.

*Intelligent Exposure function is automatically turned on in iA Mode and can be turned on or off in P/A/S/M Mode.

When there is strong backlighting, the background appears nice and bright, but the subject is dark. This function detects backlight condition and compensates it automatically in iA (Intelligent Auto) Mode.

Select the flash synchronization you want from 1st. Curtain Sync. or 2nd Curtain Sync. This is effective for capturing nightscapes with a natural flow of light.

You can get original image data, recording the image directly from the CCD without any image processing. The new SILKYPIX^® Developer Studio 3.0 SE software utility lets you develop RAW data files. For example, you can develop RAW data to create an image with the effect you were trying to capture when you took the shot. You get high-level basic image processing abilities that give you control over such things as unnatural edges from saturated color borders, false colors in structures with intricate detail, and chromatic noise in photos taken at high sensitivity settings. This utility provides a unique combination of high resolution and extraordinary color separation performance. In addition, the DMC-LX3 allows consecutive shots to be taken at up to 2.5 fps* in RAW format. Shooting continues even while the image data is being stored in memory.

*For a maximum of 3 images.

More information

In the DMC-LX3, the nine most frequently used functions can be quickly retrieved and easily switched by using the Q.MENU button.

● Film mode ● Metering mode ● AF mode ● White balance setting ● Intelligent ISO Control on/off ● ISO sensitivity setting ● Intelligent Exposure setting ● Image size setting ● LCD mode

The function names are displayed in text form, making them easy for anyone to understand and use.

At-a-glance indication of the number of recordable photos

*The displayed settings vary depending on the mode.

Functions That Can Be Assigned to Function Buttons ● Review ● Film mode ● ISO sensitivity ● White balance ● Metering mode ● AF mode ● Intelligent Exposure ● 1:1 aspect mode*

You can allocate frequently used functions to the Function button. Functions that normally have to be selected from a menu or switched can be assigned to this button for faster, easier operation.

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

Functions That Can Be Assigned to Function Buttons ● Review ● Film mode ● ISO Sensitivity ● White balance ● Metering Mode ● AF mode ● Intelligent Exposure

A Custom Mode setting has been added to the DMC-LX3. Custom Mode 1 lets you instantly retrieve a pattern of frequently used settings. And Custom Mode 2 lets you register patterns for up to three more settings. Together, they store four sets of frequently used settings in memory, for instant recall with the mode dial.

*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.

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