LUMIX has been releasing new compact cameras one after another in May and June.
“High-Power Zoom Compact” DC-TX3
The TX3 features a 1.0-inch back-illuminated CMOS sensor (20.1 megapixels) and a Leica-branded 15x optical zoom lens covering a range equivalent to 24-360mm in 35mm format. With 5-axis image stabilization and RAW shooting support, it’s a compact camera packed with every feature imaginable—almost enough to score a perfect hand. However, the pop-up EVF found on the TX2 has been omitted, giving it a modern design that encourages you to shoot while looking at the rear LCD.
Hmm, it’s nice, though.
If you compare the size of the body alone, it’s actually slightly bigger than the m4/3 mount GF10 I’m currently using as my compact camera. I guess that’s to be expected since it has image stabilization. Of course, when you compare them with the lenses attached, the GF10 is bulkier and heavier, but with Micro Four Thirds, you can choose fairly small lenses even for focal lengths up to about 200mm (full-frame equivalent).
It lacks a bit of the impact I was hoping for to satisfy my personal desire for a “small camera.” And with the actual market price exceeding 120,000 yen, I’m definitely hesitating a bit.
The “Premium Compact” DC-L10. As of the time of writing this article, this one hasn’t been released yet.
The L10 features a 4/3-inch back-illuminated CMOS sensor (20.1 effective megapixels) and a standard zoom lens with a 24-75mm (35mm equivalent) focal length and an aperture of F1.7-2.8. It doesn’t have in-body image stabilization—though that’s probably not just because it has an EVF. It has specs that seem decent enough for video use, and it can even read the LUT files Panasonic has been heavily promoting lately.
Since it’s a LUMIX camera, I trust that it probably won’t lack in features or performance… but I can’t really say for sure until I get my hands on the actual unit. Still, the size and weight of this camera might be a bit of a mixed bag.
LUMIX m4/3 cameras are getting heavier and bigger all the time, so I’d really like to see a model that’s just the right size. The L10, which features a “nearly m4/3” sensor, is a compact camera, yet it actually surpasses the legendary DC-GX7MK3 in terms of body size and weight. With a market price of 210,000 yen at launch, it’s hard to call it a bargain by any stretch of the imagination… I do think it’s great that it shares batteries with existing models, though… but still, hmm.
Maybe because Europe has become the center of Panasonic’s sales, they’ve stopped prioritizing “making cameras smaller” as much. So, for now, I’m in “wait-and-see” mode regarding the TX3 and L10.
