Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3

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ABOVE: The back of this silver LX3 has a 3-inch (7.62-cm) LCD display, but there's still plenty of room for controls, including a miniature joystick (round button next to the screen) and a versatile 4-way controller. The top of the camera has a zoom control around the shutter button and an analog dial for quick switching between IA (Intelligent Automatic), Scene, Program, Aperture-priority, Shutter-priority, Manual, and Video modes.

Design and features

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 is larger than many of today's point-and-shoot cameras, but it's still small enough to fit in a jacket pocket or a purse. It's close to the same size, weight, and price as my Ricoh GR1 (a superbly-made 35mm cult camera from the late 1990s), and I had a déja vu moment when I removed it from the box. The camera's dimensions are well-nigh perfect: small enough to be convenient, but big enough to fit comfortably into an adult's hands. What's more, the camera feels solid, with a metal case and a rubberized grip. It also has two eyelets, which you you can use with a neck strap (supplied) or with a wrist strap. (During my German trip, I let the camera hang vertically from one eyelet, using an Op/Tech Mini Loop QD strap.)

Controls are small but manageable. The top of the camera has a large shutter release, with the zoom control mounted concentrically. (The photographer's index finger rests on the shutter; the middle fingertip operates the zoom.) Other top controls include a button to raise the flash, a mode dial with a wide choice of settings, an on-off switch, and a focus button that you probably won't need to use.

The optically-stabilized Leica zoom lens (equivalent to 24-60mm on a 35mm camera) has a slider switch on top for 4:3, 3:2, and 16:9 aspect ratios. Another slider on the side of the lens barrel lets you choose between normal autofocus, macro autofocus for extreme close-ups, and manual focus using the camera's built-in focusing aid.

• Note: Because of its f/2.0-2.8 aperture, which is significantly larger than the lens openings on most compact cameras, the lens doesn't have a built-in lens cover--it requires an external lens cap. This may come as a surprise if you're used to point-and-shoot cameras, but the cap is easy to remove and includes a tether so it won't get lost.

On the back of the camera, to the right of the large 3-inch (7.62-cm) LCD display, you'll find a record/playback switch, a mini-joystick button that works with a "quick menu," an AF-AE lock button, a four-way controller, a display button that lets you toggle between different levels of screen information and a composition grid, and a burst mode/delete button. The range of controls may sound complicated, but in practice, the camera is easy to use--whether you're pressing buttons, turning the mode dial, or using the well-designed and intuitive onscreen menus.

The bottom of the camera accepts a lithium-ion battery (supplied) and an SD or SDHD memory card. The camera also has 50Mb of onboard memory.

On the left side of the camera, you'll find connectors for the USB cable (supplied), component-video cable (optional), and an AC adapter (optional and unnecessary, since the battery comes with a tiny but effective charger).

Next page: Software and accessories

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