Your Opinion of the Panasonic LC-1

[photogdave]

I have the opportunity to pick up one of these babies for a pretty sweet deal. Do I need one? No. Although I wouldn't mind a better performing digi than my Pentax, it's not absolutely necessary, and I can certainly do without spending the extra money at Christmas time!
Do I want it? Yes. I've borrowed it for some testing and I'm pretty impressed. The lens is fast so I can hand hold at a relatively low ISO, and I can get the zoom exactly where I want it - these are two of the biggest issues I have with compact digis. I LOVE the bounce flash option on this thing, and of course, it handles really well.
I HATE the EVF but I can live with it. It's noisier than it should be at ISO 200-400 but I'm thinking the noise reduction in Capture One will take care of that. The noise is about the same as a cheaper compact, which is annoying consider what these cameras sold for, but it is a more appealing noise to look at, if that makes sense.
I will be able to get the LC-1 cheaper than a Canon G7, the other camera that catches my eye (LX-2 has no viewfinder so forget it), so:
Should I just go for it? Will I regret passing up the deal although I don't NEED the camera right now?
I would love to hear what any owners of the LC-1/Digilux 2 have to say about their experiences with these machines.
Thanks!

 

[kmack]

This review in Luminous Landscape was positive as was this one

 

[JoeFriday]

you can get an LC-1 for about $500? if that's the case, I might want it!

 

[photogdave]

Thanks for the links Kevin. I've read about all the reviews I could find on the web - should have mentioned that in the first post - so now I'm looking for opinions from the trusted RFF membership!

 

[saxshooter]

About a year and a half ago I bought one from Amazon and returned it after trying it over a weekend. Reasons:

1. Noise (and its built in noise reduction) was abominable
2. EVF was really annoying (and I had an open mind about it)
3. Well, thinking I can shoot RAW to alleviate the noise problem (shoot at low ISO, fix exposure compensation) RAW frame rate was 1 shot every few seconds. Useless.

I wanted to do street rangefinder style photography with it. No go with this camera. For still lifes and landscapes that don't move, I can see why people like it. But for available light and fleeting moments, forget it. The EVF "blinks" when you trip the shutter. Ugh!

So I returned it (paid $1100) and bought an Epson RD-1 instead, for $3k at the time. Never regretted it.

So I am guessing you have a deal for around $500? I'd pass and put the money towards something else, if you don't need it. It may be hard to "flip" in the future, since it is only 5mp.

Believe me, I really wanted to like it. Really. I wanted to satisfy that itch with $1100. But it was a much more expensive scratch at $3k. But I am happy.

Good luck.

 

[saxshooter]

Re noise, I should clarify. It is not noise, rather, it is the camera's built in noise reduction. And you can't turn it off. You get this water color effect even at iso 400. So no noise reduction program is going to fix this. The detail created by such a fantastic lens is already gone, thanks to the noise-obliterating algorithim built into the camera.

 

[photogdave]

Thanks Sax. Definitely food for thought.

 

[photogdave]

Just did some tests in RAW. Interestingly the camera creates a jpeg at the same time regardless. The RAW does hold detail quite well comparatively. I'm getting about 5 seconds between exposures with Extreme III 1GB.
I'm thinking that compared to a new compact that I will pay the same $$ for, I'm getting RAW if I really need it, accurate framing (although horrible resolution) in the EFV and the fast lens. I'm just losing the pocketable size.
This is NOT meant to take the place of my Leicas, just to be a good quality camera to walk to work with, take snaps at parties and general no-cost experimentation.
Any other opinions?

 

[rpsawin]

I have one and think it is a superb camera except for the damn EVF. I have tried everything and I can't make peace with it (or ANY EVF for that matter). The lens is top drawer, a vario-summicron, and I really didn't find the noise excessive. I shoot mostly at 200 and use it for non-critical color work. I have had no problems and have been pleased....except for the evf(I think I mentioned that).

Bob

BTW...I challange anyone, again, to cite a valid offer of the LC1 for $500.

 

[JoeFriday]

I had a Lumix FZ20, which is certainly a step down, but similar in some respects.. my experience was pretty much the same as yours.. excellent image quality.. I think the Leica/Panasonic lenses are probably the best in the digital P&S market.. the noise problem is acceptable for most situations.. I really only used the camera in daylight situations.. and usually not where fast shooting was expected.. I have to agree the EVF is an abomination.. by far the worst 'feature' of the camera.. if you can live with that, you'll have a very nice system

and if you decide that you can't live with it, I'm fairly certain you can find many people who will take it off your hands for what you're looking to pay for it

 

[photogdave]

Well, I pulled the trigger and bought the LC-1. After weighing the pros and cons I decided it performs better than any current compact digicam I could get for the same price, and gives me more creative control. For something truly pocketable I still have my Pentax Optio 43WR and my Olympus Stylus Epic, and for low light/high ISO stuff I would be using my Leica anyway.
Thanks for all the opinions!

 

[AusDLK]

I had fun with the Digilux 2 for awhile.

But ultimately I decided it was not worth keeping. I managed to eBay it while it still had ~75% of its original value. Good riddens.

The EVF was horrible. And the shutter lag was ridiculous.

 

[kbg32]

It is a superb camera. I love the way it handles. The zoom range - 28-90 film equivalent , is perfect. I only wish is that it was more then 5 megapixels, wrote raw faster, and didn't have a slow shutter lag. The lens makes up for it though.

 

[saxshooter]

Hey great news on a good deal. All personal preferences aside, it's all about the places it takes you and the pictures you make with it.