climbing_vine
Well-known
(It's not a point-n-shoot, but there's no better category for it.)
Is the LX3 dead? I know a number of people here have them and love them. I'm thinking about picking one up, but they are not easy to find--and now I've started to see some dealers labeling it "discontinued" rather than out-of-stock. Anyone know anything about this?
Is the LX3 dead? I know a number of people here have them and love them. I'm thinking about picking one up, but they are not easy to find--and now I've started to see some dealers labeling it "discontinued" rather than out-of-stock. Anyone know anything about this?
JohnM
Well-known
The black ones are very hard to find - I think they're back-ordered most everywhere.
As far as I know, B&H Photo has a couple of silver ones in stock.
As far as I know, B&H Photo has a couple of silver ones in stock.
vrgard
Well-known
They are not discontinued according to this site (see the Tue Feb 17 posting): http://www.1001noisycameras.com/2008/11/panasonic-lx3-diary.html
And I sure hope they're right since I plan to pick up a black one as soon as they are available again.
-Randy
And I sure hope they're right since I plan to pick up a black one as soon as they are available again.
-Randy
agoglanian
Reconnected.
I had been wanting to order the LX3 but I couldn't find it anywhere in stock either. I wound up ordering the D-Lux 4 instead. I don't regret my decision 
kipkeston
Well-known
I'm going to try one in Istanbul tomorrow! (black) =) I doubt it's discon'd
Arvay
Obscurant
We have plenty of black (as well as silver) here in Moscow.
funkaoshi
Well-known
I have yet to see one in real life here in Toronto. Canon G10s are much easier to get a hold of. It's strange.
On dpreview there is an interview with someone from Panasonic. He states in the interview that Panasonic will address the availability problem with this camera. That doesn't sound like a statement that it is discontinued.
Q: Moving on to the LX3, have you been surprised by how popular that camera has been?
A: We understand that there are availability problems.
(laughs) Yes, on eBay an LX3 is being sold for $799! We will solve the availability problems.
Q: The problem with cameras like the LX3 is that no matter how hard you try the image quality hits a wall due to the limitations of current technology in such small sensors. Are you actively researching next generation sensor technology that will allow you to break through this wall, or is there any chance of larger sensor compacts appearing.?
A: Yes, we have several ideas, but there's still nothing concrete. We have several choices when it comes to sensors, including CMOS, and we have to study the options carefully, and are going to be proposing some completely new ideas. However this year it's going to be quite tough - especially in the US market - because of the number of megapixels demanded even on entry-level models. We'll maintain our approach of slightly lower pixels counts compared to our competitors, who are pushing 10 and 12 megapixels in their mass market models, where we'll only have 8 megapixels and concentrate on more important things. Unfortunately the consumers' biggest measure of a digital camera's 'image quality' is still megapixels.
A: We understand that there are availability problems.
(laughs) Yes, on eBay an LX3 is being sold for $799! We will solve the availability problems.
Q: The problem with cameras like the LX3 is that no matter how hard you try the image quality hits a wall due to the limitations of current technology in such small sensors. Are you actively researching next generation sensor technology that will allow you to break through this wall, or is there any chance of larger sensor compacts appearing.?
A: Yes, we have several ideas, but there's still nothing concrete. We have several choices when it comes to sensors, including CMOS, and we have to study the options carefully, and are going to be proposing some completely new ideas. However this year it's going to be quite tough - especially in the US market - because of the number of megapixels demanded even on entry-level models. We'll maintain our approach of slightly lower pixels counts compared to our competitors, who are pushing 10 and 12 megapixels in their mass market models, where we'll only have 8 megapixels and concentrate on more important things. Unfortunately the consumers' biggest measure of a digital camera's 'image quality' is still megapixels.
PlantedTao
Well-known
I just bought my wife one from Amazon. The price difference between the black and silver is about $50...
They have the black in stock.
They have the black in stock.
Pablito
coco frío
Great camera. I have two. Viewfinder is virtually impossible to find except on e-bay from Japan at a huge premium price. I laughed at the leather case, seemed ridiculous to pay so much when a $15 pouch from any camera store would do. I never use cases like that on my M's or slr's. Yet in the end the design of the leather case really adds practicality and gives a better grip. Was justified for me since I use it professionally. Had to wait months for the leather case at B&H and buy as soon as they had them in stock. They were out of stock again within hours.