1. New 4/3-inch Large High Sensitivity MOS Sensor and Venus Engine
The DMC-LX100 newly incorporates 4/3-inch large High Sensitivity MOS Sensor with multiple aspect ratios (4:3/3:2/16:9) for 12.8-megapixel resolution. The new 4/3-inch sensor is approx.5.2x larger than conventional 1/1.7-inch and even approx.1.6x larger than 1-inch sensor in size. This new large MOS Sensor boasts excellent S/N ratio, resulting in dramatic reduction of noise even in shooting at high ISO setting even at max.ISO 25600. Rich amount of light help produce impressive defocus with shallow depth of field from wide to tele-end, making the subject stand out.
The image processor Venus Engine is also newly developed for DMC-LX100 to dramatically boost its performance with new quad-core CPU that lets high speed signal processing required for rich video recording such as 4K. The advanced Multi-process NR (Noise Reduction) applies effective noise reduction and detail processing according to each component frequency. Plus, newly added Random Filter granulates chromatic noise to be blended into the image even more naturally. As a result, the max. ISO 25600 (Extended) is achieved. Newly adopted aperture filter is capable of controlling over wider frequency range. It adjusts the amount of sharpness according to the frequency level, resulting in faithful stereoscopic effect. The Venus Engine also improves color reproduction with accurate evaluation of each color even it is similar not only in color phase but also in saturation and luminosity. The metering zone for white balance is increased by 12x from 144(12x12) to 1728(48x36), which results in more precision WB adjustment and more natural image rendering.
The combination of the High Sensitivity MOS Sensor and the Venus Engine achieves stunning picture quality that rivals that of D-SLRs.
*Panasonic comparison with DMC-FZ200.
**Multi-aspect count
2. New F1.7-2.8 / 24-75mm LEICA DC VARIO-SUMMILUX Lens
Panasonic newly developed LEICA DC VARIO-SUMMILUX lens system (F1.7-F2.8) with 3.1x optical zoom (35mm camera equivalent: 24-75mm) with POWER O.I.S.(Optical Image Stabilizer). Comprising 11 elements in 8 groups, including 2 ED lenses and 5 aspherical lenses with 8 aspherical surfaces, this advanced lens unit achieves high contrast and resolution. The lens unit boasts F2.8 high speed even at the tele-end, allowing handheld shooting in low-lit situations or adding beautifully defocused background for both photo and video. To achieve further downsizing to fit in the camera body with the large 4/3-inch sensor, now every lens group is designed to move while Panasonic’s original centering technology is applied to the lens alignment enhance sharpness. Adoption of 5 aspherical glass lenses and optimization of optical design achieve beautiful, evenly smooth defocus with invisible edge line and the onion ring effect is suppressed by Panasonic’s unique aspherical lens mold technology. In addition, newly adopted 9 aperture diaphragm help produce bokeh with smooth, circular shape.
The versatile zoom range of 24-75mm (35mm camera equiv.) is suitable for wide-ranging photography from snap to portrait. Notably, landscape can be captured in dynamic 24mm ultra wide angle in any 4:3, 3:2 or 16:9 aspect thanks to the multi-aspect senor. The aspect can be set quickly with the aspect switch on the lens barrel.
To describe the detail of the subject, stunning macro shots can be shot with minimum working distance of W: 3cm / 0.55x and T: Xcm / 0.XXx.
3. High Resolution LVF(Live View Finder) and Optimum Design for Intuitive Control
The DMC-LX100 integrates a LVF (Live View Finder) with 2764K-dot equivalent high resolution and approx.100% color reproduction. This 16:9 Wide Screen LVF boasts approx.1.39x / 0.7x (35mm camera equiv.) magnification and 100% field of view. It comes with the Eye Sensor that automatically turns ON/OFF according to the photographer’s action. The Eye Sensor AF starts auto focusing by just looking into the LVF not to miss the shooting opportunity. The image output between the LVF and the rear monitor is switched automatically with the eye sensor on the LVF, which features options of sensitivity – high, low and off – to reduce false operation during touching on the rear monitor. The 3.0-inch 921k-dot LCD with wide-viewing angle offers approx. 100% of field of view. The AR Coating minimizes reflection making it easier to view in sunny outdoor.
A variety of advanced functions are equipped with DMC-LX100 to spur potential of advanced photographers. It allows direct, intuitive control with dedicated rings and dials such as aperture ring, control ring, shutter speed dial or exposure compensation dial.
4. High Quality 4K Video Recording Featuring 4K Photo Mode
The LUMIX DMC-LX100 is an advanced photographic tool for recording not only great photos but also high quality videos even in 4K. It features an outstanding 4K video recording capability (QFHD 4K: 3840x2160, at 30 fps (NTSC) / 25 fps (PAL) in MP4*1*2.
Taking advantage of 4K video recording capability, DMC-LX100 features 4K Photo mode that enables photographers to capture the spur-of-the-moment by recording the sequence of subjects' motion in 4K video and cut out a frame in 3840 x 2160, 8-megapixel equivalent JPEG later. Once entering this mode, luminance level is adjusted to 0-255 which is suitable for photo. Users can also choose either 4:3 or 3:2 in addition to 16:9 with aspect switch.
The luminance level is automatically set to 0-255Users can enjoy recording video in ultra high definition and even cut out a frame as an 8-megapixel picture. Once recording a video of subjects with fast motion in 4K, users can cut out a frame to choose the best spur-of-the-moment afterward to produce a still image in rich resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixel. For reliable recording of rich video, the DMC-LX100 complies with UHS Speed Class 3 (U3) which is the new speed class standard of SD memory card. The UHS Speed Class 3 (U3) guarantees a constant minimum write speed of 30MB/s to respond to market needs for 4K video.
The DMC-LX100 also records high-resolution full-HD 1,920 x 1,080 60p (NTSC) / 50p (PAL) videos in AVCHD Progressive (MPEG-4 / H.264) format*2. A special, separate button on the top lets the user instantly start recording videos while shooting photos without having to make any extra settings. Alternately, user can choose MP4 at 60p (NTSC) / 50p (PAL) for video recording, which has higher compatibility with PCs.
The videos also come with the high-quality stereo sound of Dolby® Digital, to offer highly realistic sound to the motion images. The stereo zoom microphone comes with zoom noise reduction system, and the Auto Wind Cut function blocks out most of the noise from background wind. The popular iA (Intelligent Auto) is also available in video recording.
The DMC-LX100 also features a Creative Video mode, which lets the user set the shutter speed and aperture manually to make even more impressive videos. Changing the shutter speed brings special effects to videos, which is especially suitable for shooting fast-moving subject. The ability to control the aperture is convenient when there are several subjects at different distances and it is desired to have each of them stand out.
*1 4K video can be recorded up to 29 minutes 59second. When recording motion pictures in 4K, use a card rated as UHS Speed Class 3.
*2 Motion image can be recorded up to 29 min 59 sec depending on the recording format and the camera’s sales area.
*3 HYBRID O.I.S. with Active Mode does not work in 4K video recording.