Panasonic LX3 vs. Canon G10 size comparison with some features side by side
LX3 and G10 quick size reference comparison review with some features outlined, compared and discussed.
Both are great cameras. Both can shoot in RAW mode and have full auto and manual override. I like the Panasonic Lumix LX3 for its smaller portable size as well as the 720 HD video recording capability. The slightly larger sensor with less pixels does marginally better than the Canon Powershot G10 in higher ISO in handling noise.
The Canon G10 has better white balance control and more of a solid feel to it. More accessories available to the Canon model as well as adjustable mic level.
Here’s the firmware upgrade to the LX3 which is supposed to address the white balance issue and offer faster focusing and integration to their new portable hotshoe mounted flash. Don’t worry it’s in English.
http://panasonic.jp/support/global/cs/dsc/download/LX3/index.html
Panasonic wins in:
- Lower noise at higher ISO (barely)
- Wider focal length 24mm and larger F-stop aperture at 2.0
- 1280×720 HD movies at 24fps which does good low light
- Choice of 3 aspect ratio options
- Smaller and lighter than the G10
Canon G10 wins in:
- Higher MP count for larger prints and cropping options
- More powerful zoom range
- Better build and ergonomics
- Better white balance
- Built-in lens cap
- Better mic with adjustable levels
- Also has an optical viewfinder
Video of both cameras shot here with my trusty Canon Powershot S3 IS which does not do HD, but has stereo microphones for a fuller sound.
Panasonic Lumix LX3 specs:
Image Sensor 1/1.63″ 11.3 Megapixel CCD with Primary Color Filter
Effective Resolution 10.1 Megapixels
Color Depth 24-Bit RGB
Image File Formats JPEG, RAW, RAW+JPEG
Recorded Resolution 4:3 Aspect Ratio 3648 x 2736
3:2 Aspect Ratio 3776 x 2520
16:9 Aspect Ratio 3968 x 2232
Video Recording
QuickTime Motion JPEG with Audio
16:9 Aspect Ratio 1280 x 720 @ 24fps (HD format)
848 x 480 @ 30 or 10fps
BTW I’m not a huge fan of the 24fps in HD mode since it is being played back electronically it seems to make fast moving objects jittery. The film “look” only works when you are projecting it onto a screen from a reel, not played back at 30fps via electronic monitor.
Optical Zoom 2.5x
Lens Focal Length 5.1-12.8mm (24-60mm equivalent)
Digital Zoom 4x
Minimum Focus Distance 0.4″ (1cm)
Maximum Aperture f/2.0-2.8
Optical Image Stabilization Yes (MEGA O.I.S.)
Accessory Lens/Filter Mount No (46mm with optional DMW-LA4 lens Adapter)
Selectable ISO (80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200)
Shutter Speed 60 sec -1/2000
Aperture Range f/2.0-2.8 – f/8.0
Self Timer 2 or 10 seconds
Built-in Memory 50MB
Physical Dimensions 2.4 x 4.3 x 1.1″ (60 x 109 x 27mm)
Weight 8.0 oz. (227g)
Canon Powershot G10 specs:
Image Sensor 1/1.7″ 15.0 Megapixel CCD
Effective Resolution 14.7Mp
Color Depth 36-Bit RGB
Image File Formats JPEG, RAW
Recorded Max Resolution 4416 x 3312
Video Recording
AVI Motion JPEG with Audio
High Resolution (640 x 480 @ 30fps)
[max. file size 4GB, up to 60 minutes]
Optical Zoom 5x
Lens Focal Length 6.1-30.5mm (28mm-140mm equivalent in 35mm terms)
Digital Zoom 4x
Minimum Focus Distance 0.39″ (1cm)
Maximum Aperture f/2.8-4.5
Optical Image Stabilization Yes (Canon OIS)
Accessory Lens/Filter Mount No (58mm w/ optional LA-DC58K Lens Adapter)
Selectable ISO (80, 100, 200, 400, 800, & 1600)
Shutter Speed 15 sec – 1/4000
Aperture Range f/2.8-4.5-f/11.0 Self Timer 2 or 10 seconds
Physical Dimensions 3.1 x 4.3 x 1.8″ (78 x 109 x 46mm)
Weight 0.77 lb (350g)
I’ve since given away the G10 since I didn’t use it much. The LX3 won out in the end for its portability and wider angle lens.If I didn’t already own a DSLR, i would have kept the G10 as well.
Oh, never mind my dirty fingers, I had ash from emptying the fireplace prior to shooting this video and forgot to clean my hands.
Video shot with Canon S3IS.
Duration : 0:6:59
Comments
You may be better …
You may be better off getting an entry level DSLR which will have better image quality and low light performance and a lot more options for the same price range, although not as portable of course.
Their are models …
Their are models slightly below the G10 that have good zoom ranges, but may not offer full manual override controls. The super zoooms that look like mini DSLR have great features, but not compact by any means.
the problem is both …
the problem is both is important and i uses both of the features and function..
i do uses zoom yet compactness is important?
do you have any other recommendation?
picture quallity is wad i want too. hmmm?
AGH! This is …
AGH! This is driving me nuts. I have been considering the G9 (yeah, G9), but the noise from the cramped sensor rather puts me off. Now I think I want the LX3, despite the limited zoom range. Does anyone know if you can purchase an adaptor to use higher-zoom lenses?
I keep going back …
I keep going back and forth between these two. On one hand, the ISO performance, color reproduction and the wide-angle performance on the LX3 is VERY tempting. On the other, I do like the zoom abilities of the G9 and G10, and the built-in viewfinder. The G’s megapixel count is also slightly higher, making for slightly sharper images.
The 720 is nice, …
The 720 is nice, however the 24fps makes movement herky jerky looking.
I keep going back …
I keep going back and fourth on this one. The LX3 is more portable and fits in the pocket better, but the G10 has a more usable zoom range with a better grip.
If wide angle and compactness is important to you, then the LX3 is for you. If a wider zoom range and optical viewfinder with a solid feel and grip, with more pixels to print enlargements or cropping, then the Canon G10 will suit you well.
Agreed, the zoom …
Agreed, the zoom range on the LX3 is a bit lacking, although it does go wider than most on the wide end at 24mm.
comparing Canon G10 …
comparing Canon G10 and Panasonic LX3 which overall is highly recommended?
LX3’s zoom is so …
LX3’s zoom is so bad… Deosn’t help @ all shooting @ things cross the street .
LX’s lens makes it fast shooting capability and pic quality is so good and dynamic.. Love it but reality without sufficient zoom range? I have to think twice before purchasing..
the LX3 has better …
the LX3 has better video if that matters to anyone. 720p vs SD on the G10.
With the specs of …
With the specs of the LX3, i expected a lot better performance. it’s a good camera, don’t get me wrong, however, you would not be able to tell the difference between an image from the LX3 compared to that from the G10. This could be said for almost any camera in the same range come to think of it.
Bottom line, they are both point and shoot cameras that get easily surpassed by entry level DSLRs costing around the same rpice in terms of image quality.
Well the LX3 is a …
Well the LX3 is a better camera, super wide lens, much faster lens F2,0 it´s twise as fast as the G10´s 2,8. The LX3 uses a much larger sensor.
The extra pixels …
The extra pixels allows you to crop the image down and still retain detail. I rarely set the ISO over 200 due to the small sensor not being able to handle noise very well. The lens resolves well for what it is.
They make an add-on …
They make an add-on viewfinder that sits on the top.
wtf. the lx3. …
wtf. the lx3. it doesnt even have a viewfinder.
Nice review! Which …
Nice review! Which one would you recommend for daylight shooting of nature and landscapes. Since LX3 has wider lens, I’d say Lumix. But I have experience with Canons. Do you think G10 is a good camera for say, low ISO setting and max resolution. I need a lot of details in the picture and all color nuances have to be captured. I don’t have money for a true SLr camera. Also, 14.7Mpx, does it make a real difference? Are G10 lens capable of dealing with that kind of resolution? Thank you! 5 stars!
Yeah it looks …
Yeah it looks bigger but when you put it in the pocket they are the same…+ it doesnt have the lenscap
I don’t own the …
I don’t own the Sony so I cannot say for sure. I save my stuff as Windows Media file. YouTube converts it to what it needs to broadcast it.
hey mate i got the …
hey mate i got the camera today and i uploaded a video and the quality was great, it uploaded as MPEG-4 Movie so i had to convert it before i could use it in windows movie maker which makes it loose a bit of quality so can you upload the videos in anything other than MPEG-4 Movie for the sony cybershot t500 ?
Hello man thank for …
o man thank for your reply i orderd the sony cybershot t500 with 8GB card today but i also seen the sony cybershot DSC t500 for only £20 extra so what is the difference between the two ?
Looks like the Sony …
Looks like the Sony also shoots 720 HD video. Records in stereo sound which is a nice feature.
It does appear more compact and less expensive than the LX3. The LX3 offers more exposure options ,including full manual, which the Sony appears not to. Image stills I’ve seen is not quite where the LX3 is, especially in higher ISO noise performance.
In some ways, yes.
In some ways, yes.
is the HD on the …
is the HD on the Panasonic LX3 videos better than the Sony CyberShot t500 videos, both have HD video which is great and what im looking for with the camera aswell can’t decide which to get
canons better!!!
canons better!!!
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