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| LX100 Mk1 We can expect a bit more detail from the Mk2 but any increase in dynamic range or reduction in high ISO noise seem unlikely |
The LX100 Mk2 which was officially announced yesterday has been one of the most eagerly awaited model updates in recent compact camera history. The four year product run of the original LX100 has produced several thoughtfully considered wishes by users for the updated model.
I detailed these in the previous post.
So on the basis of published specifications, what have we got with the LX100Mk2 ?
Sadly, not much with several key requests by owners remaining unmet.
I suspect the LX100Mk2 might be the victim of a restricted R&D budget, the problem being exacerbated by the profligate number of different Panasonic models and body styles currently on the market. I will post a comment on this soon.
As to the specifications Panasonic has apparently and I think rightly decided the original concept was a good one so exactly the same body and lens are carried over.
I have no problem with this but there has been no mention in the initial promotional material of any strategy to manage the widely reported issue of dust ingress into the lens and onto the sensor.
The sensor and processor have been upgraded, apparently to the ones used in the GX9 which is pretty much as expected.
I did notice that the effective image circle of the lens appears to have been slightly increased from 19.4 to 19.8mm. This is based on the image circle diagrams for the LX100 Mk1 and Mk2 published on the Digital Photography Review website and the published pixel counts.
In the 4:3 aspect ratio the Mk1 provides 12.697 Mpx which is 79% of the total 16Mpx available for imaging.
In the Mk2 the 4:3 ratio provides 16.82 Mpx which is 84% of the total 20Mpx available for imaging.
There are also software upgrades as you would expect with the GX9 processor. These endow the Mk2 with a number of functions which have been available on other Panasonic cameras for several years.
There is no information yet as to whether the well reported autofocus issues with the Mk1 have been rectified.
The two big disappointments are to do with the EVF and monitor.
The EVF is carried over from the Mk1. Many users have asked for an improved EVF and also an improved eyepiece and eyecup. As Panasonic has better units available I find their use of the old EVF very disappointing.
The Monitor has gained touch function which is welcome but remains stubbornly fixed which is most unwelcome and will make a lot of potential upgraders think again. Panasonic has several articulated monitors available so their failure to include one on the Mk2 is most disappointing, particularly as the LX100 is Panasonic’s top tier advanced compact.
Lastly there is no thumb stick for moving the active AF area. I assume the idea is that the touch screen will be used for this role and that may prove to be satisfactory. We shall see.
Notwithstanding the disappointments I have pre-orderd an LX100Mk2 and will review it in due course. Nobody gives me cameras to review so I have to wait until it is available for sale in Australia.
I will also post a comparison between the Canon G1X3, the Sony RX100(4) and the LX100(2).