Two years on from the Lumix DMC-LX5, Panasonic refreshes its flagship compact camera series with a class-leading fast Leica lens and 11fps burst mode. Read the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7 review...
LCD, viewfinder and video

In all but bright, direct sunlight, the Lumix DMC-LX7’s 3in TFT LCD screen offers a clear and easily viewable display. The resolution of the screen has been upped to 920,000 dots, but the screen remains a fixed type with no articulation. It almost comes as a surprise (and certainly a disappointment) to find that there is no touch functionality, especially given that the technology has been used in Panasonic’s own compact system cameras and its travel-zoom Lumix DMC-TZ30.
Given its size, there is no room for a built-in viewfinder. However, thanks to the accessory port by the hotshoe, there is the option to use an EVF. The LX7 is compatible with the company’s DMW-LVF2 EVF (£230.99), which has a crisp display and 1.44-million-dot resolution.
For a camera at this level, the 1080p progressive AVCHD video capture at 50fps is impressive. Furthermore, stereo sound is available, although the two microphones are crammed together on the top-plate.
- AF Assistance: Yes
- Video: Up to 16:9 aspect ratio (1920 x 1080 pixels), 50fps or 25fps (AVCHD or Motion JPEG)
- Built-in Flash: Yes
- White Balance: Auto, 5 presets (all adjustable), 2 custom settings, plus Kelvin adjustment
- Memory Card: SecureDigital, SDHC, SDXC
- Viewfinder Type: No, optional EVF or optical viewfinder
- LCD: 3in LCD with 920,000 dots
- Output Size: 3648 x 2736 pixels (4:3 aspect ratio)
- Max Flash Sync: 1/2000sec
- Sensor: 1/1.7in (7.6 x 5.7mm) MOS sensor with 10.1 million effective pixels
- Power: Rechargeable Li-Ion
- Weight: 298g (with battery and card)
- Exposure Modes: Program, aperture/shutter priority, manual, iA, 2 custom modes, 16 scene presets, creative control with 16 presets
- Hotshoe: Yes – with accessory port
- Shutter Speeds: 250-1/4000sec in manual mode
- AF array: Up to 713 selectable depending on size and AF mode
- File Format: JPEG, and raw+JPEG simultaneously
- Lens: Leica DC Vario-Summilux 4.7-17.7mm f/1.4-2.3 (24-90mm equivalent)
- Drive Mode: Single, continuous 11fps for 12 images in standard mode, 5fps with AF tracking, 2fps low-speed burst, 60fps at 2.5 million pixels and 40fps at 5 million pixels
- Colour Space: sRGB
- Exposure Comp: Manual ±3EV in 1/3EV steps
- Metering System: Intelligent 23-area multi-segment, centreweighted and spot
- Dimensions: 110.5 x 67.1 x 45.6mm
- Focusing Modes: Normal, macro AF, quick AF, continuous AF, one-shot AF, macro, AF area select, AF tracking, plus manual
- ISO: ISO 80-6400, ISO 12,800 at 3-million-pixel resolution
- RRP: £469.99
- Connectivity / Interface: USB 2.0 Hi-Speed
- Compression: 2-stage JPEG