X

Panasonic goes retro on the LX7's lens (pictures)

A manual aperture ring adorns the camera's wide-aperture lens.

Lori Grunin
I've been reviewing hardware and software, devising testing methodology and handed out buying advice for what seems like forever; I'm currently absorbed by computers and gaming hardware, but previously spent many years concentrating on cameras. I've also volunteered with a cat rescue for over 15 years doing adoptions, designing marketing materials, managing volunteers and, of course, photographing cats.
Lori Grunin
lx7_ovr.jpg
1 of 5 Lori Grunin/CNET

Design

Panasonic has changed little in the design of the LX7 from the LX5, though there are a couple of notable enhancements. It's still a relatively compact, nicely designed camera.
lx7_top.jpg
2 of 5 Lori Grunin/CNET

Top controls

The top controls are unchanged from the LX5.
lx7_mic.jpg
3 of 5 Lori Grunin/CNET

What's new

The only significant changes to the LX5's design are the update to a stereo microphone and the addition of a manual aperture ring around the lens. I tend to shoot in shutter-priority mode so an aperture ring doesn't appeal much to me; I prefer the context-sensitive, mutifunction approach to a lens ring that Canon pioneered with the S95. Nevertheless, I think it will appeal to a lot of photographers who use cameras like this. Panasonic retains the aspect-ratio switch of the LX series. The LX7 doesn't have a multiaspect sensor, though, so changing the aspect ratio still merely crops in-camera.
lx7_ring.jpg
4 of 5 Lori Grunin/CNET

Lens

The new lens is really the highlight of the LX7, not just because at f1.4-2.3 it's the fastest available in its class, but because it's got an extralow dispersion element and high-end coating, both of which are key to a good lens.
lx7_back.jpg
5 of 5 Lori Grunin/CNET

Back

The LX7 has a built-in neutral density filter, controlled by a jog dial that also adjusts manual focus, which (in my opinion) is essential when you've got a really fast, bright lens. The rest of the controls and the design of the back of the camera are the same as on the LX5. Panasonic has also updated the display -- it's higher-resolution and quite nice.

More Galleries

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
A houseplant

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera

20 Photos
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
magic-v2-2024-foldable-1383

Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra

10 Photos
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
Samsung Galaxy S24

The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum

23 Photos
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
The Galaxy S24 Ultra in multiple colors

Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design

23 Photos
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
img-0368.jpg

I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites

34 Photos
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
Invitation for the Apple September iPhone 15 event

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About

18 Photos
AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?
img-1599-2.jpg

AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?

17 Photos