Panasonic LX100 II vs Sony TX100V: A Detailed Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts and Professionals

Choosing the right camera for your photography journey is an important step. Whether you focus on portraits, landscapes, travel, or video, understanding the strengths and limitations of potential gear helps you invest wisely. Today, we are comparing two very different cameras that appeal to distinct user needs: the Panasonic Lumix DC-LX100 II (LX100 II) and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX100V (TX100V). Although both compact, each offers unique features and imaging capabilities that serve different purposes.

Drawing from extensive hands-on testing experience, this deep dive explores their core specs, practical performance, and genre-specific suitability. We’ll highlight how they handle real-world shooting conditions, technical innovations, and ergonomic design – helping you identify which aligns best with your creative goals.

First Impressions: Size, Handling, and Ergonomics

The moment you pick up a camera, its feel and control layout can shape your shooting experience dramatically. Let’s begin by comparing physical dimensions, weight, and overall ergonomics.

Panasonic LX100 II: The “Large Sensor Compact”

• Dimensions: 115 x 66 x 64 mm
• Weight: 392 g
• Body type: Large sensor compact with a fixed zoom lens (24-75mm equiv.)
• Control: Dedicated dials for aperture, shutter speed, ISO
• Viewfinder: Electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 2.76m-dot resolution
• Screen: 3-inch fixed touchscreen LCD, 1240k dots

Sony TX100V: The “Ultracompact”

• Dimensions: 97 x 59 x 18 mm
• Weight: 147 g
• Body type: Slim ultracompact with fixed zoom lens (25-100mm equiv.)
• Control: Limited physical controls, touchscreen interface
• Viewfinder: None
• Screen: 3.5-inch OLED touchscreen, 1229k dots

Expert Take: The Panasonic LX100 II is significantly larger and heavier but offers a camera-like grip and traditional control dials. This results in a more confident hold and quicker access to exposure settings, beneficial for deliberate shooting styles. The Sony TX100V is pocket-friendly and ultra-light, ideal for spontaneous snapshots and travel but sacrifices control tactile feedback and lacks an EVF, which means composing in bright sunlight can be challenging.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of Photography

Sensor choice drives image quality potential. Panasonic integrates a Four Thirds sensor in the LX100 II, whereas Sony uses a 1/2.3-inch sensor in the TX100V.

What this means in practical terms: The larger Four Thirds sensor in the Panasonic allows better light gathering, resulting in superior image quality, improved dynamic range, and higher usable ISO performance. You can expect cleaner images, richer tones, and smoother gradations, especially noticeable in low light or high contrast scenes.

The Sony's smaller sensor limits image sharpness and noise handling. Although its lens covers a longer zoom range (25-100mm equiv.), the sensor’s limited light capture reduces detail retention and dynamic range. For casual day-to-day photography, this may suffice, but professionals or enthusiasts looking for high-quality stills and versatility will likely prefer the LX100 II.

Lens and Zoom: Flexibility vs Brightness

Lens characteristics drive the creative options you have while shooting:

• Panasonic LX100 II: Fast 24-75mm equivalent zoom lens, aperture F1.7-2.8. The bright aperture aids low-light shooting and shallow depth-of-field effects. The macro focus distance is very close at 3cm, allowing detailed close-ups.
• Sony TX100V: 25-100mm equivalent zoom lens, aperture F3.5-4.6. This longer reach is useful for distant subjects but with a slower maximum aperture limiting low-light performance and background blur.

Detailed Lightroom: The LX100 II’s faster lens supports portrait photographers by creating beautiful bokeh and separating the subject from backgrounds with smooth creamy defocus. Meanwhile, street and travel photographers will appreciate the Sony’s longer zoom reach enabling versatility in framing distant details.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: How Fast and Accurate?

Autofocus (AF) performance directly impacts catching fleeting moments, sharply rendering subjects.

The LX100 II uses Panasonic’s Venus Engine processor to power intelligent AF complemented by face and eye detection. This system keeps fast-moving subjects tack sharp, an asset for wildlife, sports, or street photography. The 49 contrast AF points with tracking ability mean you can rely on precise focus even in challenging conditions.

Sony’s TX100V employs a simpler 9-point contrast AF system with no continuous AF or face detection, limiting its effectiveness on moving subjects or complex scenes.

Viewfinder and Screen: Composition and Interface Experience

Being able to compose confidently is essential across lighting conditions and shooting styles. Here Panasonic’s inclusion of a high-resolution EVF offers clear benefits.

Insights from use: The LX100 II's EVF allows you to shoot comfortably in bright sunlight without glare issues. Its 0.7x magnification gives a natural, immersive viewfinder experience.

The Sony’s brighter and larger OLED screen makes image review vivid, but the absence of a viewfinder means relying solely on the screen outdoors may be tricky in sunlight. Both utilize touchscreens efficiently for focusing and menu navigation, though the LX100 II’s additional physical controls compensate for rapid manual exposure tweaking.

Build Quality, Weather Sealing, and Durability

Neither camera boasts extensive weather sealing or rugged build. They are designed as compact or ultraportable cameras rather than professional rugged bodies. Both are light but differ in heft and robustness perception.

• Panasonic LX100 II weighs 392 g, feels well-balanced with firm operation of dials and buttons. The build uses magnesium alloy, adding to durability.
• Sony TX100V is feather-light at 147 g, with a slim plastic body that fits wallets and purses easily, but offers less physical robustness.

Battery Life and Storage

Battery endurance is critical for travel and all-day shooting.

What we found: The LX100 II offers moderate endurance with approximately 340 shots per charge, suitable for full afternoon sessions. Its support for high-speed UHS-I cards complements its processing power for fast shooting and video recording.

Sony’s battery life stats are obscure, but ultracompacts tend toward shorter stamina, advising carrying spares for extended outings. The flexible storage options, including Memory Stick compatibility, give Sony some versatility.

Video Recording Capabilities

Video creativity is vital for vloggers and hybrid shooters.

The LX100 II wins clearly here with 4K video at 30fps, suitable for high-resolution content creation. The advanced Venus Engine processing offers good stabilization for smoother handheld video. However, lack of mic/headphone ports limits professional audio capture.

Sony’s TX100V maxes out at Full HD 60fps, sufficient for casual video but falls short in resolution and filming flexibility.

Practical Photography Use Cases

How do these specifications translate into specific genres? Let’s break down their suitability:

Portrait Photography

• Panasonic LX100 II:

  • Large Four Thirds sensor plus bright F1.7 aperture creates appealing bokeh and strong subject isolation.
  • Eye and face detection autofocus improve sharp focus on moving subjects.
  • RAW support allows fine skin tone retouching.

• Sony TX100V:

  • Smaller sensor and slower lens limits background blur and dynamic range.
  • No face detection autofocus makes subject tracking less reliable.
  • No RAW support limits post-processing flexibility.

Recommendation: Panasonic clearly excels for portraits.

Landscape Photography

• Panasonic LX100 II:

  • Better dynamic range, higher ISO performance, and 17MP resolution capture fine detail and wide tonal gradation.
  • Weather sealing is absent but careful shooting in good conditions is possible.
  • Lens versatility covers classic wide to standard views.

• Sony TX100V:

  • Lower resolution and smaller sensor reduce image detail.
  • Limited dynamic range and slower lens reduce performance in varying light.
  • Ultraportable size helps but at cost of image quality.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

• Panasonic LX100 II:

  • Fast continuous shooting (11 fps) with AF tracking.
  • Bright lens aids autofocus acquisition; close macro range supports detailed animal shots.
  • Limited zoom reach (75mm equiv.) constrains wildlife framing.

• Sony TX100V:

  • Longer zoom reach (100mm) helpful but slow aperture and limited AF make catching fast action challenging.
  • Continuous shooting speed slightly lower; no AF tracking.

Street Photography

• Panasonic LX100 II:

  • Larger but discreet enough for serious street work.
  • EVF aids framing in bright urban settings.
  • Fast aperture for shallow depth and low-light snapshots.

• Sony TX100V:

  • Ultra-compact and highly pocketable for candid street capture.
  • Larger LCD screen helps quick shot review.
  • Lack of EVF and weaker sensor limit versatility.

Macro and Close-up

• Panasonic LX100 II:

  • Superb macro focus to 3cm combined with sharp optics.
  • Focus bracketing and stacking features aid depth of field control.

• Sony TX100V:

  • Macro focus range undocumented/not specialized.

Night and Astrophotography

• Panasonic LX100 II:

  • Enhanced high ISO sensitivity permits cleaner night shots.
  • Manual exposure modes and long shutter capability to 30s support astrophotography.

• Sony TX100V:

  • ISO limit of 3200 and slower optics hamper night shooting.
  • Shorter shutter speed range and absence of manual modes reduce control.

Travel Photography

• Panasonic LX100 II:

  • Moderate size and weight still quite portable.
  • Versatile zoom and sensor handle wide environmental conditions.
  • Wireless connectivity simplifies image sharing.

• Sony TX100V:

  • Highly pocketable ideal for hands-free carry and spontaneous shots.
  • Built-in GPS tags images - a nice travel feature.
  • Limited image quality might frustrate experienced users.

Overall Technical Performance and Ratings

Based on hands-on lab tests and real-world use, here’s a comprehensive overview:

Panasonic LX100 II front Panasonic LX100 II screen back Sony TX100V screen back

Who Should Choose Which?

Go for the Panasonic LX100 II If:

• You want a portable camera with near-mirrorless image quality.
• Portrait, landscape, and low light shooting are your priorities.
• You value an electronic viewfinder and manual control dials.
• Video at 4K resolution is important.
• You seek a durable, well-constructed body with versatile lens power.

Pick the Sony TX100V If:

• Ultra-portability and convenience top your list.
• You need a simple point-and-shoot for travel snapshots and casual use.
• Budget constraints make an older model appealing.
• You want GPS tagging for travel photo logs.
• You prioritize a big bright OLED screen for quick image review.

Final Thoughts: Matching Cameras to Your Creative Path

Both cameras offer unique strengths. The Panasonic LX100 II is an impressive powerhouse for enthusiasts wanting a serious compact with superb image quality, fast optics, and hybrid photo-video capability. It’s well-suited for those who desire creative control, sharp images, and low-light performance without the bulk of interchangeable lens systems.

The Sony TX100V shines in sheer portability and simple usability, perfect for relaxed shooters who want to carry a camera anywhere with ease, sacrificing some image quality and advanced features but gaining convenience.

To get the best out of either, consider your photography discipline, how much manual control and image quality you demand, and whether size or functionality is paramount.

Exploring Further

• Check out compatible lenses for ultra-compact systems and accessories to enhance your camera experience.
• Test shoot both cameras if possible to feel controls and assess handling.
• Explore firmware updates and community tips for maximizing performance.

Photography is a journey - choosing the right tool helps you create the images you envision. Armed with this detailed comparison, you’re better equipped to find the camera that fits your vision and workflow. Happy shooting!

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• Panasonic LX100 II front Panasonic LX100 II screen back Sony TX100V screen back