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.
In addition to a standard brightness setting, the LX2 has a boosted-brightness mode as well as a mode that boosts brightness and adjusts the gamma so that you can see it well when it's above your head.
The joystick control smoothly handles shooting adjustments, such as aperture and shutter-speed settings. And though it's nice to have the AE/AF lock capabilities--a rarity in a compact camera--it's difficult to grip the camera and hold the button at the same time.
Although the LX2 lets you quickly switch between 4:3, 3:2, and 16:9 aspect ratios, the only reason to ever leave 16:9 is to shoot movies; in 16:9, the movie frame rate drops to 15fps.
The LX2 uses an excellent Leica lens. There's no distortion in the middle of the zoom range (top), and though there's understandable barrel distortion at the 28mm-equivalent wide end, it's symmetrical and relatively modest. Nor does the lens's focus on the sides drop off severely, so there's no significant chromatic aberration (fringing).
The LX2 seems to be weakest at low ISO sensitivities with optical stabilization and maximum zoom. The shots of distant subjects are quite soft and noisy.
