Panasonic Lumix DC-LX100 II Digital Camera, Black, {17MP} with VEK0V37Z1-A Flash

Panasonic LX100 II: Four Thirds sensor, Leica glass, coat-pocket size.

The LX100 II centers on a pairing that's hard to find in a body this small: a Four Thirds CMOS sensor (17.3 x 13mm) behind a Leica DC Vario-Summilux 24-75mm f/1.7-2.8 equivalent lens. That maximum aperture at the wide end gives you real depth-of-field control and low-light ability that smaller-sensor compacts simply can't match. The Venus Engine processor pairs with Panasonic's GH5-derived color science for JPEG output that photographers actually want to use straight out of camera.

The multi-aspect sensor design lets you shoot 4:3, 3:2, 16:9, or 1:1 while maintaining the same diagonal angle of view, a genuine compositional tool, not a marketing checkbox. Burst shooting hits 11 fps, and the 49-point autofocus system responds quickly in single-shot mode. The 2,760,000-dot EVF with 100% coverage and 0.7x equivalent magnification gives you a proper eye-level shooting experience, while the 3-inch, 1,240,000-dot touchscreen supports Panasonic's Touchpad AF, letting you reposition focus points with your thumb while your eye stays at the finder.

At 392g and 115 x 66 x 64mm, this is a camera you'll actually bring. For RAW shooters, the sensor carries enough dynamic range to reward careful post-processing, and ISO extends from 100 to 25600. Photographers who want a pocketable-adjacent body with a fast fixed zoom and genuine manual controls, aperture ring, shutter speed dial, exposure compensation dial all physically present, will find the handling more engaging than most compacts at any price.

Who It's For

Travel photographers who shoot RAW and want a body that fits a day bag without a second thought will appreciate the 24-75mm f/1.7 equivalent reach and the sensor's dynamic range headroom. Street shooters benefit from the fast maximum aperture and 11 fps burst, which covers candid moments that would otherwise require a much larger kit. Landscape photographers heading into the field on foot get a body under 400g with optical stabilization and the multi-aspect sensor design for shooting different formats without reframing. Documentary and casual editorial shooters get 10 customizable physical and touch buttons, a GH5-calibrated JPEG engine, and Wi-Fi plus Bluetooth 4.2 for quick transfers, all in one body that doesn't announce itself.

Key Features

• Four Thirds 17MP CMOS sensor with multi-aspect shooting (4:3, 3:2, 16:9, 1:1)
• Leica DC Vario-Summilux 24-75mm f/1.7-2.8 equivalent lens with optical stabilization
• 49-point autofocus with depth-from-defocus single AF precision
• 11 fps burst shooting with ISO 100-25600 native range
• 2,760,000-dot EVF (100% coverage, 0.7x magnification) plus 3-inch 1,240,000-dot touchscreen
• Touchpad AF repositions focus points via rear LCD while eye at viewfinder
• RAW + JPEG capture with Venus Engine processing and GH5 color science
• 340 CIPA battery life with USB charging support

FAQ

What sensor does the LX100 II use, and how does it compare to smaller compacts?

Four Thirds CMOS (17.3 x 13mm) - larger than typical compact sensors, which gives you real depth-of-field control and low-light performance that f/1.8 sensors in smaller bodies simply can't match. The 17MP resolution is competitive with Sony RX100 models, its closest rivals.

Can I change the aspect ratio after shooting?

Not if you're shooting RAW. The camera crops the sensor to your chosen ratio (4:3, 3:2, 16:9, or 1:1) at capture, so you commit to the framing in-camera. This is the tradeoff for maintaining a consistent diagonal angle of view across formats.

How fast is the autofocus?

Single AF is fast and precise thanks to Panasonic's depth-from-defocus system. Continuous AF constantly hunts and flutters - it's not designed for tracking moving subjects. For stills work, single-shot AF is where this camera shines.

What's the viewfinder like?

2,760,000-dot equivalent EVF with 100% coverage and 0.7x magnification - plenty bright and good for eye-level composition. It uses field-sequential display (color rendered by flashing red, green, blue in sequence), which can show tearing artifacts if you blink or the scene changes between flashes. Not an OLED, and not as smooth as current Sony finders, but a real viewfinder nonetheless.

Does the touchscreen work while I'm looking through the viewfinder?

Yes. Panasonic's Touchpad AF lets you reposition focus points with your thumb on the rear LCD while your eye stays at the finder. You can choose relative (trackpad-style) or absolute positioning, though you can't limit the active touch area - your nose can accidentally lock focus if you're not careful.

How much dynamic range does the sensor deliver?

Enough to reward RAW shooting and careful post-processing, according to reviewers. JPEGs are rendered with Panasonic's GH5-derived color science, which photographers find attractive straight from the camera - less aggressive processing than older Panasonic models.

Is this camera pocketable?

At 392g and 115 x 66 x 64mm, it's coat-pocket adjacent. You'll carry it more often than a full-frame camera but less often than a true pocket compact like the Sony RX100 (299g). Reviewers describe it as 'easy to carry and travel with,' not 'pocketable.'

What's missing compared to a dedicated compact camera?

There's a 4K crop that you can't preview conveniently before shooting - a real limitation if video is important. No microphone or headphone ports. The lens zoom is slow to extend. No weatherproofing.