Side by side - Panasonic Lumix LX3 and GF1

Side by side, two very popular cameras ... The Panasonic GF1 and the LX3. Key difference of course is that the GF1 allows interchangeable lenses, whilst the LX3 is an advanced (and compact!) point-and-shoot.


A closer look at the newly launched Micro-4/3rds format Panasonic Lumix GF1, with the very popular 20mm f/1.7 pancake lens.


When I looked up Google on the comparison for these 2 Panasonics, I found an interesting comment - I really don't think so, not with the great little 20mm lens at least. This is the combo to get anyway. The perfect street and candid camera at this point in time. The fast f/1.7 aperture of this lens combined with the high sensitivity of the camera means that you can take available light shots just as with a DSLR. The GF1/GH1 just like the Olympus EP1/EP2 or Leica X1 are a new breed. They offer nearly the same image quality as a DSLR in a compact format. The LX3 is certainly not in that league.

In the hands of the owner ;-)


ps - Radiantline covers all the key parameters compared -
Image sensor: LX3 (43 mm2) v GF1 wins by a mile (225 mm2)
Weight and size: LX3 wins but not by much ... 257g v 285g (GF1)
Acceptable image: ISO400 on the LX3, much better on the GF1 (ISO1600)
Lens: Leica 24-60mm f/2-2.8 on the LX3, and interchangeable on the GF1
Price: GF1 is nearly twice the price with a comparable lens