Panasonic Lumix DMC LX2

[padlex]

Hi! I'm planning to buy a compact camera that has manual features and I think the LX2 would be nice. However, I have been reading that the noise level is not so good specially if you go over ISO 200. Also, the noise reduction algorithm of Venus III they say is so agressive that the picture comes out having what they term as watercolor effect? Also, they commented on the color rendition specially of reds in the camera as too intense. Has anyone used this camera? What do you think of the said comments? Do you observe them in the pictures taken with the camera?

[Ellen]

I too was planning to get this camera until reading the recent reviews as you have. I have my "serious" camera, the Canon XT DSLR, but would like a good compact camera to keep with me at all times. The cameras I'm debating between now are the Canon Powershot A640 or the 710 IS. So I'm still trying to decide which might be best too.

[padlex]

I was having an idea that to get good photo you can now at our present technology with sensors and lenses, be able to do so without DSLR's but with smaller, compact cameras. I was thinking that it would be very nice to have some good imaging device that is very light and is not combersome to bring to places. Which is why LX2 has caught my attention since it still offers the manual mode, as well as raw data capabilities. And, that Leica lens, which I really would like to try. How about the Leica D-Lux 3? I understand its design is based on LX2 but does it yield similar image quality as that of the Panasonic camera? I really would like to have that Leica lens in a compact camera.

[Ellen]

Just checked the price on the Lecia and found it to be a bit more than I would like to pay for a compact. Also, I really don't know that much about the camera mentioned.