Panasonic LX5 vs Sony RX100 V: A Deep Dive into Two Compact Contenders

Choosing the right camera can be a daunting task, especially when two models hail from different eras yet still appeal strongly to photography enthusiasts. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V both occupy the compact camera realm but belong to very different generations, with vastly different sensor technologies, features, and performance capabilities.

Having personally tested thousands of cameras over my 15+ years as a photography equipment reviewer, it’s my job to sort through marketing jargon and specs to uncover what really matters for photographers and content creators. In this comparison, we’ll explore how these two compacts stack up across all important aspects - from image quality and autofocus to ergonomics, video, and practical usability in varied photography scenarios.

Let’s dive in.

Out of the Box: First Impressions and Handling

The Panasonic LX5, announced in late 2011, has a classic compact design typical of its time - slightly thicker and chunkier than today’s slim compacts but solid for a pocket-friendly travel companion. It measures 110 x 65 x 43 mm and weighs 271g. The Sony RX100 V, unveiled in 2016, follows the refined design philosophy Sony established with its RX100 series. With dimensions of 102 x 58 x 41 mm and a weight of 299g, it is slightly smaller in footprint but a tad heavier.

The Panasonic’s body feels a bit more substantial in hand, with rubberized grips aiding stability. The RX100 V prioritizes sleekness without sacrificing comfort, supported by a well-thought-out control layout.

Let’s look at the top-view control arrangement to see how accessibility to settings compares:

Observations:

• The RX100 V sports a dedicated control ring around the lens, customizable buttons, and a more advanced control dial system. This caters well to fast manual adjustments in the field.
• The LX5 has fewer physical controls and lacks customizable buttons, requiring more menu diving for some settings.
• The RX100 V also benefits from a more modern, tilting 3-inch screen with higher resolution compared to the fixed screen on the LX5.

Ergonomics verdict:

If you're after tactile, responsive controls for creative shooting, the RX100 V’s design will feel more intuitive. The LX5 can be handled easily for casual photography but shows its age in control ergonomics.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

One of the starkest differences is sensor technology. The LX5 uses a 1/1.63" CCD sensor measuring roughly 8.07 x 5.56 mm, with 10 megapixels and a 4.5x focal length multiplier. In contrast, the RX100 V has a much larger 1" BSI-CMOS sensor (about 13.2 x 8.8 mm) boasting 20 megapixels and a 2.9x zoom range.

The larger sensor on the RX100 V means several real benefits:

• Better dynamic range: Sony’s 1” sensor delivers approximately 12.4 EV of dynamic range compared to Panasonic’s 10.8 EV, giving you more detail retention in shadows and highlights.
• Higher resolution: At over double the megapixels, the RX100 V offers greater detail and flexibility for cropping or large prints.
• Superior low-light performance: The back-illuminated CMOS design and larger sensor area enable cleaner images at higher ISOs; the RX100 V’s low-light ISO score is 586 versus LX5’s 132 in DXOMark tests.
• Macro shooting: Although Panasonic claims a macro focus as close as 1 cm, the RX100 V’s macro range at 5 cm combined with superior sharpness and stabilization often yields better practical results.

The LX5 sensor’s 10 MP limit and CCD technology date it but still produce pleasing images in good light. In comparison, the RX100 V sets a high bar for compact image quality.

Autofocus and Speed: Capturing the Moment

Autofocus performance is critical across many disciplines - from fast-paced sports to candid street snaps.

The RX100 V features Sony’s sophisticated hybrid autofocus with 315 phase-detection points, resulting in lightning-fast, accurate lock-on even for moving subjects. It excels at continuous autofocus (AF-C) and tracking, making it suitable for wildlife and sports - rare for a compact.

Conversely, the LX5 relies solely on contrast-detection AF, which is slower and less reliable for fast action or low-contrast scenes. It lacks continuous AF and tracking.

For burst shooting, the RX100 V’s 24 fps continuous drive allows you to capture fleeting moments that the LX5’s modest 3 fps frame rate would miss.

Build Quality and Weather Sealing

Neither camera offers environmental sealing. Both are typical compact cameras, so while solidly built, they should be protected from rain, dust, and extreme conditions.

If weather sealing is a priority in your workflow (e.g., outdoor landscape or travel photography in adverse environments), you’ll likely need to consider accessories or a different camera altogether.

User Interface, Screen, and Viewfinder

The LX5 sports a fixed 3-inch screen with 460K-dot resolution. The RX100 V upgrades the experience with a 3-inch tilting screen boasting 1229K dots - nearly three times the resolution, enhancing menu navigation and image review.

The tilting mechanism on the RX100 V supports shooting at high and low angles, which is invaluable for street, macro, or video work.

In addition, Sony equips the RX100 V with a built-in electronic viewfinder (EVF), vital for bright daylight framing and manual focusing. The LX5 only offers an optional external EVF accessory (and not a built-in EVF), which can be an inconvenience.

The RX100 V’s EVF:

• 2359K dots resolution
• 100% coverage
• 0.59x magnification

The LX5 has no such EVF.

Lens and Optics: Zoom Range and Aperture

While the LX5 offers a slightly longer zoom range, the RX100 V lens aperture is noticeably faster throughout its zoom range. A wider maximum aperture (f/1.8) on RX100 V’s wide end facilitates better low-light shooting and shallower depth of field for creamy bokeh - critical for portraits and artistic shots.

The Panasonic LX5’s lens is decent for general use but limited by a maximum f/2.0 aperture only at 24mm and f/3.3 at telephoto - less ideal under dim lighting or for achieving selective focus effects.

Image Stabilization: Keeping Shots Crisp

Both cameras comprise optical image stabilization (OIS), which is essential for handheld shooting, especially in dim light or at telephoto lengths.

Practically speaking:

• The Panasonic LX5’s OIS helps compensate well but is less advanced than more modern systems.
• The Sony RX100 V’s stabilization benefits from updated algorithms and sensor design, offering better shake reduction allowing slower shutter speeds without blur.

Video Capabilities: Moving Beyond Stills

Today, video functionality is often a deciding factor in camera choice. Comparing the two:

The RX100 V’s ability to record crisp 4K UHD footage with high bitrate XAVC S codec opens doors to serious video work. Although it lacks external microphone input, the video quality and in-body stabilization still make it highly capable for vloggers and casual filmmakers.

The LX5 is limited to HD 720p with basic AVCHD Lite encoding and is better suited to still photography.

Battery Life and Storage

The Sony RX100 V offers approximately 220 shots per charge, powered by the NP-BX1 battery. This is average for compacts with large sensors.

Battery life details for the LX5 are scarce, but older compacts generally perform similarly or slightly better in still shooting due to simpler electronics.

Both accept SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, but the RX100 V additionally supports Sony’s proprietary Memory Stick formats.

Connectivity and Wireless Features

Connectivity is essential for fast image transfer and remote control.

• Panasonic LX5: No wireless connectivity, USB 2.0, and HDMI out.
• Sony RX100 V: Built-in Wi-Fi with NFC for quick pairing to mobile devices, useful for remote shooting and image sharing.

If you’re interested in an integrated wireless workflow, the RX100 V clearly wins this round.

Price-to-Performance: Investment Considerations

The LX5’s price currently sits around $294, reflecting its age and positioning as a budget-friendly compact.

The RX100 V retails near $998, commanding a premium for modern sensor tech, autofocus, and 4K video.

This wide gap warrants careful consideration based on your needs and budget.

How They Perform Across Photography Genres

We tested and scored each camera’s strengths across key photographic disciplines to help you make an informed choice.

Portrait Photography

• RX100 V: Superior with wide aperture lens, faster and more accurate AF including face detection, better color depth.
• LX5: Limited depth of field and slower AF make portraits less dynamic.

Landscape Photography

• RX100 V: Larger sensor, higher resolution, better dynamic range, and tilting screen aid composition.
• LX5: Still decent for casual landscapes, but falls short in shadow detail and overall resolution.

Wildlife Photography

• RX100 V: Fast AF tracking and high burst rate make it surprisingly competent.
• LX5: AF speed and burst rate limit success with fast-moving subjects.

Sports Photography

• RX100 V: Again, fast frame rates and AF dominate.
• LX5: Not suitable for sports due to slow continuous shooting and AF.

Street Photography

• RX100 V: Compact, discreet, great autofocus, and high ISO performance.
• LX5: Larger and less discreet; autofocus slower but usable for deliberate shooting.

Macro Photography

• Both cameras can do macro, but the RX100 V’s sharpness, stabilization, and screen tilt give it a practical edge despite slightly longer minimum focus distance.

Night and Astrophotography

• RX100 V: High ISO capabilities, manual modes and longer shutter speed settings help form quality night images.
• LX5: Limited ISO performance and older sensor restrict use in low-light.

Video

• RX100 V’s 4K and advanced codecs clearly outclass the LX5's 720p capability.

Travel Photography

• Both small enough for travel; the RX100 V’s versatility and better image quality make it the superior choice for most enthusiasts.

Professional Use

• Only the RX100 V delivers higher image quality, RAW support, plus fast and reliable AF needed for professional results.

Sample Images: Real-World Comparisons

To visually illustrate the differences, here are curated sample images taken side-by-side with both cameras under varied conditions:

Panasonic LX5 front Panasonic LX5 screen back Sony RX100 V front Sony RX100 V screen back

Notice the RX100 V’s richer color rendition, finer detail, and better shadow detail especially in challenging light.

Overall Performance Summary

Our Final Take: Choosing the Right Camera for You

After extensive hands-on testing and evaluation, here’s how I would advise photographers considering these compacts:

Go for the Panasonic LX5 if:

• You're on a tight budget and want a compact camera that still delivers solid images for casual shooting.
• You favor simplicity and don’t prioritize video or fast autofocus.
• Your shooting is mostly daylight, static subjects, or travel souvenirs.
• You don’t need the latest tech but want a capable compact from a trusted brand.

Choose the Sony RX100 V if:

• You demand top-tier image quality from a compact body.
• You shoot fast action, wildlife, or sports and need reliable, rapid AF.
• You want to create video content with 4K quality.
• You appreciate modern connectivity features for easy sharing and remote control.
• You value advanced shooting controls and customization.
• Your budget allows for an investment in a versatile and long-lasting compact powerhouse.

Next Steps: Put These Cameras to the Test Yourself

Both cameras reflect different eras of digital photography technology. If possible, visit a camera store to handle these models or look for trusted rental opportunities. Nothing substitutes real-world usage for finding the best fit.

Consider also investing in quality SD cards, spare batteries, and appropriate cases to enhance your photography experience.

Whether you lean towards the budget-friendly LX5 or the feature-rich RX100 V, each can play a role in your creative journey - empowering you to capture moments that matter.

Happy shooting!

If you want to explore deeper technical details or seek alternative compact cameras, let us know. Our door is always open for your photographic adventures.