Pitched to go into battle against the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 II and Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II, key features of the LX15 include a 24-72mm (35mm equivalent) f/1.4 Leica DC Vario-Summilux lens with a 3cm macro mode, and a top ISO of 25,600.

The nine-aperture-blade diaphragm is claimed to produce a ‘beautiful bokeh’.

Other features include raw shooting, an aperture ring and a control ring for manual focusing.

Slow-motion movies are possible in full HD mode.

Also on board is 5-axis image stabilisation and the ability to charge the camera via USB.

Panasonic’s Depth From Defocus is also featured. The LX15 does not have an EVF.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX15 is expected to go on sale in November, priced £599.99.