It's nice to see these LX5 images/comments. I have just sold all my Nikon pro equipment, vowing to actually, really, really retire from any kind of commercial photography what-so-ever. It no longer satisfies. It's been there, done that over and over. The last vestige of commercial interest on my part was in the microstock images. Now, they are so saturated with images (Shutterstock has well over 15 million!) that they are rejecting almost everything that isn't outstanding and unique. My files will continue to supply a small and constantly diminishing income in retirement.
So, the question presented itself: What kind of camera did I want to be a "fine artiste" beholding to no one and pleasing no one but myself?
I wanted a viewfinder — none of that arms length peering into a dim camera backside. I wanted decent IQ but reasonable MPs so that I could catalog many on a DVD. A lens that said "Leica" somewhere on it. An M9 was laughably out of my range. So was an M8 or even an X100 if available. I've had all the film Leicas and Voigtlanders and Nikons and, to tell the truth, digital is quicker, cheaper, doesn't require a scanner or a trip to the local camera store (if one can be found).
The Leica D-Lux's looked good, but their price was inflated compared to Panasonic and the viewfinder was very expensive and only good for one focal length. The Canon G12 caught my eye, but its tunnel 80% viewfinder was deemed by reviewers to be almost useless. Well, the list goes on.
Finally, I ordered the LX5 and viewfinder today. Not perfect, I imagine, but as close to satisfying my needs as I can get withing budget constraints. I'm about to join you happy LX5 shooters. I want to hear only good news about it. No malfunctions allowed! Ha, ha.