I know, I know this is a long overdue post considering this is probably one of my most-anticipated gadgets since I got the LX3. But finally I am able to find time to write about it.

For those who don’t know, this is the upcoming Panasonic Lumix LX5, the successor to the popular Lumix LX3 which I currently own. It looks pretty much the same as the LX3 and I find it nice that they’ve decided to stick to the form factor that made them popular. Last thing I would have wanted to see is it growing a few more millimeters in thickness or width causing it not to fit most of my pants pockets.

One of the major reasons why I purchased the LX3 in the first place was its size. It was a small point and shoot. Not too slim but small enough sling around your neck without it being cumbersome or feeling like you’re being lightly punched in the gut when start walking faster (something I didn’t like in the size and girth of its Canon counterparts). Panasonic retained that size and form factor in the LX5 with but a few cosmetic differences that are almost negligible.

Another reason I liked the Lx3 was its lens. It had a very fast lens which shot really great pictures. The LX3 sported a f2.0-2.8 24mm wide lens with 2.0 optical zoom. For the LX5, it now sports a lens that still has f2.0 as its largest aperture at 24mm and can now zoom up to 90mm at f3.8. The zoom was what I felt was lacking in the LX3. The LX3 also sported a nice optical sensor which appears to have been retained in the LX5. Yes it still has 10MP but I’m not complaining. I don’t need more megapixels to shoot better pictures. But Panasonic instead focused on improving the tech in the sensor itself with a better dynamic range and better low-light performance which is something I loved in Canon DSLRs. Video now shoots at 720p and the LCD screen is also improved with better color output as well as a large viewing area. Image stabilization was also improved which is definitely a big plus.

Other notable improvements are battery life and a thicker grip for better handling while shooting.

This camera comes in white/silver and the traditional black color. I most likely will get the black one…unless I see the white one in the flesh and be convinced otherwise.

Release date is pegged in August and will be retailing at $500. Having bought the LX3 around the same cost, I’d say it’s a worthwhile upgrade.

Are you getting one for yourself?

PS. If I do decide to forego getting myself one of these, a ‘Droid phone is definitely the next in line.

About the Author:  Mark is a simple Japanese toy collector who started seriously collecting and blogging about Japanese toys back in 2005.