Panasonic LX100 Mk2 wish list 17 August 2018

The LX100 was announced in September 2014 and soon attracted great interest from enthusiast photographers.

The design was a complete departure from previous LX models making me wonder why the Lumix marketing people used the same prefix. Maybe they were trying to capitalise on the near-cult status of the LX series generated by a group of enthusiastic users.

In his conclusion to the 2014 DPR review of the LX100 Richard Butler wrote

“I'd consider it one of the best photographers' cameras on the market and probably the best zoom compact ever made.”

Praise indeed for the little LX100.

I used one frequently until recently, making thousands of photos in many locations around Australia and far distant countries.

There has been much discussion about the LX100 on user forums. The long-ish product life has given owners the opportunity to experience and write about the joys and tribulations of  using this camera. 

As with previous LX models the LX100 also attained near-cult status among enthusiast users.

A replacement model has been eagerly awaited by users for at least the last two years. It appears their wait will be over on 23 August when the new model is due to be announced.

This little post seeks to bring together the main complaints expressed by users about the LX100 in public forums together with a wish list for the Mk2 collected from forums and my own preferences.

I will then compare this list to the published specifications of the new camera after it is announced.

Before I get to the complaints it is worth saying that as best I can tell from posts on user forums the majority of users have been very happy about the concept of the camera.

The LX100 is basically a compact alternative to the classic full frame interchangeable lens camera with 24-70mm f2.8 lens which usually forms the basis of a professional or ambitious enthusiast’s kit.  

The idea is to offer most of the imaging capability of the full frame combination at a fraction of the size, mass and cost.

In my view the LX100 achieves this and more due to the versatility of the multi-aspect ratio sensor.

So the concept is sound and has stood the test of time.

However the camera is not perfect giving Panasonic plenty of opportunity to improve the follow up model.

The list of complaints is in two parts:

Of course there are always a few people who want a camera with a 20-500mm lens which fits into a matchbox and costs $25. If we ignore these the main serious complaints about specifications are:

* The fixed monitor screen.  Users have almost universally asked for a fully articulated screen, like that seen in other Panasonic cameras including the G85.

* The 16 Mpx sensor of which only 12.7 Mpx are available. This is because the multi aspect ratio sensor requires a reduced image circle of 19.2mm (standard for the 4/3 sensor is 21.5mm).

In fact excellent photos can be made with 10-12Mpx but still, users have called for the 20 Mpx sensor to be used in the next model.  If the same lens is used this would give about 15.9 Mpx in 4:3 aspect ratio.

* Many users have asked for a larger, higher spec, OLED type EVF with a better eyepiece.

* Thumb sticks for fast, positive movement of the active AF area are becoming standard fare on modern cameras and some users have requested one of these on the LX100 Mk2.

I would very much welcome one of these if it is optimally located and designed, with 8 way operation.

* One thing which few users have asked for but which I would very much like to see is a return to the standard modern Mode Dial + Twin Control Dials for the main operating interface. 

Some users say they like the Aperture Ring + Shutter Speed Dial + Exposure Compensation Dial utilised by the LX100 but my ergonomic analysis and personal experience is that driving the camera with this arrangement requires more actions each more complex than is the case with the modern control layout as seen on the G85 and many other cameras.

In effect, the layout used on the LX100 moves changing aperture and shutter speed back from the Capture Phase of use (where they should be) to the Prepare Phase of use, just like my ancient Pentax Spotmatic of 1964.  That in my view is not progress.

Any camera could have some kind of fault but some in particular have been frequently reported by LX100 users.

* Dust inside the lens and/or on the sensor has been reported frequently. Panasonic really needs to deal with this.

* Focussing problems have also been frequently reported. These appear to be of two kinds. One is that the camera will not focus reliably at far distance.  The other is that the camera will mis-focus when presented with multiple bright lights such as reflections of strong sunlight from foliage.  Panasonic needs to fix this also.

* My first LX100 suffered complete failure of the main circuit board, eventually fixed by Panasonic under warranty after a three month wait.

Assuming Panasonic’s product development people decide to stay with the same basic concept, 4/3 sensor size and lens, I would like to see:

* A fully articulated monitor

* A larger, higher spec EVF with more effective eyepiece

* The 20mpx sensor as used in the GH5 and G9

* A thumbstick for moving AF area

* A more accessible control lever (or whatever) for the multi-aspect ratio sensor

* A standard modern Mode Dial + Twin Control Dial operating system

* Improved and debugged autofocus system

* An auto ISO system just like Sony’s [Auto ISO Min SS] which changes minimum shutter speed when focal length changes

* A larger and better shaped handle and thumb support

* Much improved resistance to dust incursion preferably using a fully weather resistant design.

All this will make the camera a bit larger. So be it.

I have expressed my thoughts about a premium compact camera in the mockup shown below. This is 9mm higher (to accommodate the larger viewfinder and monitor), 4mm wider and the same depth as the LX100.

It has a fully evolved Mode Dial + Twin Control Dial + Thumb Stick layout just like an advanced ILC but is still small enough to be carried in a belt pouch.