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Creative versatility
Full resolution MEGA burst/Unlimited* consecutive shooting
In spite of its high 10.1 megapixel resolution, the LX3 lets you snap off consecutive shooting at 2.5 fps** with full resolution. The unlimited* consecutive shooting function lets you keep on shooting until the memory card is full. You can take a series of shots, then choose the ones you like best and delete the rest.
Intelligent LCD
The LX3 features a 3.0" LCD with a total of 460,000 dots for high resolution. Extraordinary 3:2 aspect of the LCD is familiar to those that are used to digital SLR cameras or analog film cameras. Under bright sunlight, the Auto power LCD function increases the backlight brightness in nine steps according to the ambient light intensity. In dimly lit locations, it adjusts the frame rate of live images in 2 steps according to the ambient darkness. At the highest of these 11 steps, the LCD backlight becomes 1.4x (maximum) brighter than normal. This makes both shooting and viewing photos easier and more convenient.
HD Motion images
The LX3 can record motion images in high definition (1280 x 720) resolution at 24 fps. You can also shoot smooth moving pictures at 30 fps* in WVGA (848 x 480 pixels); standard VGA size (640 x 480 pixels) at 30 fps* and QVGA (320 x 240 pixels) at 30/10 fps.*
HD output
When you are done shooting, simply connect* the camera to an HDTV and you are ready to view your still shots and motion images in high definition with incredible resolution and detail.
High quality image
1/1.63-inch 10.1 megapixel ultra-high sensitivity CCD
The LX3 puts the joy of creating beautiful, richly expressive images into every photographer's hands. Leading the list of new features is a large, newly developed, ultra-sensitive CCD. And rather than simply maximizing the pixel count as other cameras do, the DMC-LX3 makes generous use of its 10.1 megapixels in this 1/1.63-inch CCD. Each pixel is approximately 45% larger than those in ordinary 10-megapixel cameras.* This boosts both sensitivity and saturation by approximately 40% each compared to standard models. Its predecessor, the DMC-LX2, also featured a large, 1/1.65-inch CCD, but in comparison, the DMC-LX3 offers about 20% greater sensitivity and around 15% higher saturation performance than even the DMC-LX2 by maximizing the size of the photodiode in each photo cell.
 Larger CCD photodiodes
On the newly developed high sensitivity CCD, each photodiode per cell is larger than the ones found on the DMC-LX2.
In addition, newly designed circuits around the CCD improve the power supply process and provide a layered structure, while a large output buffer stabilizes the signal, further reducing noise to increase the S/N ratio by another 1.5 dB. This combined to improve the S/N ratio by a total of 3 dB. You can easily see the difference, with better colour reproduction in low lighting, where noise is typically a problem. As a result, the DMC-LX3 offers exquisite image quality with both excellent sensitivity and a wide dynamic range. It takes full advantage of the superb resolution of its 24-60mm f/2.0–2.8 LEICA DC VARIO-SUMMICRON lens.
24mm-60mm/F2.0-2.8 LEICA DC VARIO-SUMMICRON lens
The LX3 is equipped with a F2.0 24mm ultra wide-angle LEICA DC VARIO-SUMMICRON lens. The F2.0 is about twice as bright as a F2.8 lens and can shoot at higher shutter speeds to capture clear, blur-free images in dimly lit environments. In addition, the 24mm lens captures approximately 213 per cent larger viewing angle than a normal 35mm camera and 136 per cent larger compared to a 28mm wide-angle lens. The lens unit consists of eight elements in six groups with four aspherical lenses with four aspherical surfaces. As a result of the F2.0 lens, the LX3 produces high resolution and minimal distortion and artifacts – such as chromatic aberrations, ghosting and flaring.
Bright F2.0 lens
The high brightness of the fully open F2.0 aperture lends a beautiful soft focus to shots with a shallow depth of field. It is especially effective for macro shots of flowers, insects, or intricate objects. This setting is also ideal for dimly lit scenes that require greater exposure, such as deep, natural forests, dimly lit historic buildings and artwork displays.
24mm wide-angle
The 24mm wide-angle setting produces a viewing space that is approximately 213% that of a 35mm film camera. This is ideal for capturing sweeping natural landscapes and huge buildings and for portraying an expansive spatial effect with dynamic depth. The excellent image quality of the LEICA DC VARIO-SUMMICRON lens allows you to create stunning photos with minimal distortion, contrast and beautiful gradation throughout.
Multiple aspect ratios
The CCD is capable of reproducing images in three aspect ratios – 4:3, 3:2 or 16:9. The new Multi Aspect mode enables the camera to take an image in all three aspect ratios simultaneously, allowing users to choose the version that best suits their needs.
Macro mode (1 cm)
The DMC-LX3 lets you get as close as 1 cm to your subject. When the AF mode switch located on the side of the lens is set to AF Macro, or when the iA (Intelligent auto) mode is selected, Macro mode is activated automatically. This is ideal for taking dynamic, intricate close-ups of flowers and insects, or for rendering artwork and handicrafts in spectacular detail and rich expression.
MEGA O.I.S.
The MEGA O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) in the DMC-LX3 compensates for the blurring caused by hand-shake. It is now featured on the entire LUMIX range, and is highly popular with users around the world. Even slight hand-shake movement is accurately detected by a sampling frequency of 4,000 times per second, and compensated to produce sharp, clear images. It also works for macro shots, which are especially susceptible to hand-shake, and lets you shoot in dimly lit rooms or evening illumination, without a flash, to preserve the mood. The Venus Engine IV controls the shifting of the blur-stopping lens with even greater precision to further increase the detection accuracy and correction effect of MEGA O.I.S. The DMC-LX3 also features Auto mode, which tailors the corrective effect specifically for wide-angle and telephoto conditions. In short, it lets anybody take beautiful, blur-free shots with ease.
Venus Engine IV
The LX3 also incorporates the Venus Engine IV, which provides more advanced signal processing technology for producing higher-quality images with reduced noise in both luminance signal and chromatic signal processing – as compared to the Venus Engine III. The Venus Engine IV supports high sensitivity recording, enabling the DMC-LX3 to record at up to ISO 3200 at full resolution, enough to capture subjects in low lighting without using a flash* . The Venus Engine IV also supports a faster response time, allowing the camera to shoot 2.5 shots per second at full resolution and six shots per second in High-speed burst mode.
Superior noise reduction without losing image details
An advanced noise reduction system detects chromatic noise and luminance noise separately. In addition, the Venus Engine™ IV enhances this detection by effectively reducing highly noticeable low-frequency chromatic noise in advance, while delicately applying noise reduction (NR) processing to detailed areas to prevent the colour bleeding that often happens when NR is used. Together, they let you capture crisp, high-resolution images with minimal graininess even when shooting at a high ISO setting.
Intuitive manual operation
A/S/M mode
Aperture priority AE
Set the aperture value to a higher number when you want a sharp focus background. Set the aperture value to a lower number when you want a soft focus background.
Shutter priority AE
When you want to take a sharp picture of a fast moving subject, set with a faster shutter speed. When you want to create a trail effect, set to a slower shutter speed.
Manual exposure
Determine the exposure by manually setting the aperture value and the shutter speed.
Film mode
Every type of film for film cameras has its own colour tone and contrast characteristics. In film mode, you can select the colour tone of the pictures from 9 types in the same way as you would select different films for film cameras. Select different settings in film mode to match the recording situation and your picture of the recording.
Joystick operation
The joystick on the back of the camera lets you manually adjust the exposure and focus. You can set the aperture, shutter speed and focus with your thumb while viewing the LCD monitor to compose the photo. In Manual focus mode, you can use the Manual focus assist function, which enlarges the centre of the LCD image while showing the bar graph of a focal distance and depth of field to determine precise focus. By pressing and holding the joystick, you can also set four parameters (white balance, ISO sensitivity, recording image size, and image quality) instantly while viewing the subject, without having to switch to the menu screen.
Multiple exposure
Using this function, you can achieve the kind of effect that is obtained when an image is exposed two or three times. After you‘ve taken the first shot, it appears with a translucent effect, so you can use it to setup your second shot and the same for the third shot. The camera also automatically adjusts the gain to optimize the exposure.
MF Assist
If you tilt the joystick towards up/down when [MF ASSIST] is set to [MF1] or [MF2], MF assistance is activated and the screen is enlarged. This allows you to focus on the subject more easily. The focusing area can be enlarged up to 4x and is movable, which also contributes to easy and comfortable manual focusing.
Selectable AF spot
When either 1-area AF, 1-area high-speed AF, or Spot AF is selected in AF mode, you can use the joystick to move the AF frame to any location you want by pressing the Focus button. Along with the conventional half-pressing of the shutter button and manual focusing, this function adds to the available selections. This is extremely convenient for applying the AF at a specific point in the frame when the angle of view is fixed, for example, when using a tripod.
Selectable AF spot (11 Point)
When you select Multi-point AF, you can set the AF area from among six groups. This mode also prevents the system from mistakenly focusing on the area between two subjects in a vertical or horizontal composition. It is convenient, as well, for shooting with a tripod.
AF settings
AF tracking
It is possible to set the focus to a specific subject. Focus will keep following the subject automatically even if the subject moves and focus and exposure will be accordingly.
Digital red-eye reduction
iA mode also helps avoid the red-eye problem you get when taking flash shots at night. Red-eye reduction for the built-in flash works by emitting a small preliminary flash before the main flash. Furthermore, thanks to the digital red-eye correction function, red-eye problems are automatically detected and corrected digitally.
Face detection / AF tracking (Subject detection)
The face detection function detects faces anywhere in the frame and automatically chooses the optimal focus and exposure. You can take clear, beautiful portrait shots easily. It detects up to 15 faces in a photo, and automatically readjusts the settings if their positions change. In iA mode, the quick AF function automatically begins focusing without having to press the shutter button halfway, so the shooting process is smooth and easy. Also, detection accuracy has been increased in the LX3, allowing continuous AF/AE adjustment even if a face moves or turns sideways to the camera.
RAW file format compatible / Software for editing
The LX3 records original photos in RAW file format and comes bundled with SILKYPIX Developer Studio 3.0SE software application, enabling the user to freely adjust RAW data settings such as exposure bias and white balance, even after shooting, for greater editing and image development.
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