Panasonic LX100From real comments

Verdict distilled from 64 mentions across 13 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment64%
PROS 64%
CONS 36%

Rank based on 64 mentions across 13 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want a fast Leica zoom lens without swapping lenses
  • You prioritize tactile manual dial controls and a larger M43 sensor over pocket size
  • You want a versatile travel/street camera at a lower cost than rivals

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need weather sealing or worry about dust getting into the lens/sensor
  • You want a tilting/swivel touchscreen or top mode dial
  • You need the highest resolution files for heavy cropping or large prints

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Mid
Excellent low-light image qualityLong-term durability and lasting usabilityRAW shooting and manual controlsNo optical zoom during video recordingHigh price for a compactFlash pop-up behavior confusion
Excellent low-light image quality
Long-term durability and lasting usability
RAW shooting and manual controls
No optical zoom during video recording
High price for a compact
Flash pop-up behavior confusion
Best value
2Budget
Compact, pocketable, GR-style handlingFilm-like CCD color and B&W renderingAffordable alternative to GR lineWeak high-ISO performanceLearning curve and required patienceAging hardware reliability issues
Compact, pocketable, GR-style handling
Film-like CCD color and B&W rendering
Affordable alternative to GR line
Weak high-ISO performance
Learning curve and required patience
Aging hardware reliability issues
3Mid
Great M-mount adaptabilityBeloved long-term favoriteExcellent 28mm/50mm A12 lens-modulesDiscontinued, limited upgrade pathSlow autofocusWeaker zoom/telephoto modules
Great M-mount adaptability
Beloved long-term favorite
Excellent 28mm/50mm A12 lens-modules
Discontinued, limited upgrade path
Slow autofocus
Weaker zoom/telephoto modules
4Premium
Excellent image quality for sizePocketable and discreetBright versatile lensHigh price for its ageAutofocus inconsistencyDust and mechanical wear
Excellent image quality for size
Pocketable and discreet
Bright versatile lens
High price for its age
Autofocus inconsistency
Dust and mechanical wear
5Premium
Versatile accessory ecosystemCinematic image qualityUltra-portable form factorDull colors and learning curveRising price over timeAutofocus and depth of field limitations
Versatile accessory ecosystem
Cinematic image quality
Ultra-portable form factor
Dull colors and learning curve
Rising price over time
Autofocus and depth of field limitations
6Mid
CCD sensor color qualityFlip-out LCD screenSharp, high-quality imagesLimited video recording capabilitiesPlastic body feels less premiumFeels outdated next to smartphones
CCD sensor color quality
Flip-out LCD screen
Sharp, high-quality images
Limited video recording capabilities
Plastic body feels less premium
Feels outdated next to smartphones
7Budget
Compact, pocketable designGreat value used/secondhandGood image quality for screen/social useBlown highlights and overexposureSmall sensor limits print qualityAuto lens cover scratching issues
Compact, pocketable design
Great value used/secondhand
Good image quality for screen/social use
Blown highlights and overexposure
Small sensor limits print quality
Auto lens cover scratching issues
8Premium
Excellent image quality and film simulationsCompact, pocketable design for street and travelHybrid optical/electronic viewfinderFixed lens limits flexibilityInconsistent autofocusNo in-body image stabilization
Excellent image quality and film simulations
Compact, pocketable design for street and travel
Hybrid optical/electronic viewfinder
Fixed lens limits flexibility
Inconsistent autofocus
No in-body image stabilization
9Premium
Highly pocketable and portableSharp, detailed image qualityGreat for travel and everyday carryCramped controls and small gripHigh and rising priceSmall viewfinder
Highly pocketable and portable
Sharp, detailed image quality
Great for travel and everyday carry
Cramped controls and small grip
High and rising price
Small viewfinder
10Mid
Compact, discreet everyday carryExcellent film simulations & JPEGsReignites creative passionRising used pricesSlower/dated autofocusSoft lens wide open / at edges
Compact, discreet everyday carry
Excellent film simulations & JPEGs
Reignites creative passion
Rising used prices
Slower/dated autofocus
Soft lens wide open / at edges
You are here
31Mid
Panasonic LX100
Fast Leica zoom lensTactile manual controlsCompact, pocketable designDust ingress into lens/sensorNo tilting/touch screen (original)Easily bumped controls
Panasonic LX100
Fast Leica zoom lens
Tactile manual controls
Compact, pocketable design
Dust ingress into lens/sensor
No tilting/touch screen (original)
Easily bumped controls

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

The fast Leica lens is the camera's defining strength. Commenters repeatedly single out the 24-75mm f/1.7-2.8 Leica zoom as the standout feature, calling it sharp, versatile, and unmatched among compacts for its combination of speed and range. Several owners compare it favorably to fixed-lens rivals like the Fujifilm X100 series, valuing the zoom flexibility. Bokeh, macro capability, and low-light performance from the wide aperture are also frequently praised across many long-term users.

Dust ingress into the lens and sensor is the camera's most serious flaw. Numerous users report dust collecting inside the lens barrel and eventually reaching the sensor, requiring disassembly or factory service to fix, sometimes recurring even after repair or replacement. Panasonic reportedly never added dust sealing even in the Mark II, disappointing owners who otherwise loved the camera. Some users, however, report years of ownership with no dust problems at all, suggesting inconsistent occurrence.

Owners value it as a compact, capable everyday and travel camera despite ergonomic quirks. Many long-term users describe it as their favorite EDC or travel camera, citing tactile dial controls, good battery life, and strong 4K video as reasons for keeping it for years. Complaints include the lack of a tilting touchscreen, weak EVF, slow startup, easily-bumped exposure dial, and mediocre in-camera JPEG processing, though RAW output is consistently called excellent.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?