Panasonic Lumix LX15 review

The Panasonic LX15 is a compact snapper with sophistication in spades, not least due to its unusually large one-inch sensor

Panasonic Lumix LX15 review
(Image: © Gavin Stoker/Digital Camera World)

Digital Camera World Verdict

Well constructed courtesy of a solid metal build, and featuring a few outer bells and whistles, including lens rings and flip-up touch screen that suggest it’s a cut above our average point and shoot compact, the LX15 boasts inner beauty too via a larger-than-most one-inch sensor size, albeit one married to a small fixed lens that is typical across this class of pocket point-and-shoot camera. Sophisticated yet approachable is our verdict on this one.

Pros

  • +

    Bright and effective f/1.4 maximum aperture lens

  • +

    The camera’s autofocus system proves both swift and moreover accurate in use

Cons

  • -

    No eye level viewfinder despite its enthusiast pretensions

  • -

    Small form factor means that it lacks much if anything to get a proper grip on when shooting handheld

Why you can trust Digital Camera World Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out how we test.

Compact cameras can appeal just as much to the photo enthusiast as the absolute beginner – especially when, like the Panasonic Lumix LX15 here, they feature a physically larger than average one-inch CMOS sensor, rather than a bog standard 1/2.3-inch CCD chip. The upshot is, in theory, improved image quality, yet a camera that can still be shoehorned into the pocket of our jeans when deactivated. Does this compact truly offer the best of both worlds then, albeit for what was somewhat a premium price on launch? Read on to find out…

Specifications

Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription

Join now for unlimited access

Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Gavin Stoker

Gavin has over 30 years’ experience of writing about photography and television. He is currently the editor of British Photographic Industry News, and previously served as editor of Which Digital Camera and deputy editor of Total Digital Photography

He has also written for a wide range of publications including T3, BBC Focus, Empire, NME, Radio Times, MacWorld, Computer Active, What Digital Camera and the Rough Guide books.

With his wealth of knowledge, Gavin is well placed to recognize great camera deals and recommend the best products in Digital Camera World’s buying guides. He also writes on a number of specialist subjects including binoculars and monoculars, spotting scopes, microscopes, trail cameras, action cameras, body cameras, filters and cameras straps.