Introduction

Ease of Use

Slotting in below the flagship LX7 model, the new DMC-LF1 is a rather surprising addition to Pansonic's extensive range of compact cameras, if for nothing else than it sports an eye-level viewfinder, something of a rarity in today's market. Sharing the same 1/1.7-inch, 12 megapixel MOS sensor as the LX7, the LF1 offers a slower but longer 7x zoom lens, equivalent to a focal range of 28mm-200mm. At £379.99 / $499.95 on launch, it's essentially the same price as the now year-old LX7, but does undercut some of its immediate premium compact rivals.

Given the overall size of the camera, the integrated electronic viewfinder is understandably rather small at just 0.2-inch, making it rather tiring to use for longer periods of time. If you think of the EVF as something to use in bright sunlight when the rear screen is difficult to see, or when you want to add some extra stability to the camera when using the full extent of the 7x zoom by holding it at eye-level, then you won't be disappointed. If you're expecting to use it for 99% of your shooting, then you will be.

Still, the EVF adds relatively little bulk or weight to the overall design of the LF1, it displays quite a lot of information, including the ability to playback images and change the camera settings, and it even comes with a diopter control for glasses wearers. So in our opinion it's well worth having, if only as a backup to the main screen.

The rear LCD is more naturally used for shot composition and review. The screen itself is a bright 3-inch model with 920k dot resolution that provides a naturalistic translation of the scene before the lens. However you will still find yourself squinting and cupping a hand around it in bright sunlight, so the electronic viewfinder is worth turning to at some points.

Both Raw and JPEG files can be committed to SD/SDHC/SDXC or Eye-Fi cards, and conveniently both can be shot in tandem, with write speeds impressive at just two to three seconds. The LF1 further boasts a 7x wide optical zoom, offering a focal range equivalent to 28-200mm in 35mm terms, which is optically stabilized to help prevent image blur from camera shake. The fast f/2.0 maximum aperture at the 28mm wide-angle setting makes it easier to achieve DSLR-like shallow depth of field and out-of-focus backgrounds, also proving invaluable when hand-holding the camera in low-light, but the aperture does quickly drop-off as you start to zoom through the focal range, reaching a rather slow f/5.9 at the full 200mm telephoto setting.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LF1 weighs a svelte 192g even with the battery and card inserted, and it easily fits inside a trouser or coat pocket, making it truly portable. Although it lacks the more premium build quality of the LX7 with its metal body, the all-plastic LF1 still feels like a quality product, with an appealingly sober matt-black finish that doesn't draw unwanted attention to itself.

Front	Rear

An intuitive control ring surrounds the lens which can be customised to change either the aperture, shutter speed, step zoom, exposure compensation, aspect ratio, ISO speed or white balance settings. Left at the default setting and used in conjunction with the control wheel on the rear, it makes it easy to alter the camera's principal creative controls. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LF1 doesn't have any kind of grip on the front, just a small rubberised thumb-rest on the rear - in practice this thankfully doesn't mean that the camera is constantly slipping out of your hand.

The LF1 has the same 12 megapixel MOS sensor as the LX7, which offers low light performance running from ISO 80 to an incredible ISO 12800, which we'll come to in the Image Quality section of our write-up. The MOS sensor also greatly increases the camera's burst shooting options, with a fastest setting of 10 frames/sec for 12 full-resolution images (focus and exposure fixed at the first frame). Slower modes of 5 frames/sec and 2 frames/sec complete with AF Tracking are also available, with the High-speed Burst mode capturing 60 frames/sec at 2.5 megapixels or 40 frames/sec at 5 megapixels.

Selected via a twist of the small, ridged top-plate shooting mode dial, there's the subject recognising and performance optimising intelligent Auto (iA) mode for point and shoot simplicity, plus an extensive range of 15 Creative Control in-camera effects. Users also get access to four Color Modes via the on-screen menu when the shooting dial is turned to a creative mode, such as program, aperture priority, shutter priority or manual.

There's a choice of auto and intelligent auto ISO settings, with a range that extends from ISO 80 up to ISO 12800, all at full resolution, the sort of spec to be found on a semi-pro DSLR, so to be welcomed at a compact level. Also present and correct is the time saving 'Q.Menu' (Quick Menu) button on the backplate. Press this and a graphical toolbar of essential shooting functions appears along the bottom of the screen which the user can tab through and make selections from courtesy of the control wheel and central 'Set' button on the camera back.

It's undoubtedly these familiar elements that will appeal to anyone trading up from a cheaper, simpler Lumix compact, and soften any perceived learning curve from what otherwise outwardly appears a more sophisticated proposition. A flick of the top-mounted on/off switch and the LF1 powers up in two seconds. The LCD fades into life and the lens extends from within its protective housing to the maximum 28mm-equivalent wideangle setting. Generally the camera is as fast and responsive as one could wish for.

Front	Top

It's from the front and top that the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LF1 most shows its enthusiast leanings, large (for a compact) 28mm wide angle Leica-branded lens staring you in the face as you tease the camera from its packaging, with an automatic sliding lens cover to protect the glass when not in use. With the new control ring encircling the lens surround as previously mentioned, above the lens and to its left is an AF assist/self timer lamp and the built-in flash unit.

On top of the LF1 we get a small hump which houses the built-in EVF, to the right of which sit the stereo microphones. Next along is the narrow profile and firm shooting mode dial with 10 options squeezed around it. As well as iAuto we get the P,A,S,M quartet plus a separate setting for the Creative Control modes, another for the scene modes (the usual family-friendly array of portrait, landscape, baby and pet settings), the improved sweep Panorama mode, and not one but two user customisable settings.

You can't set the aperture or shutter speed when shooting movies, but the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LF1 does provide access to some of the Creative Control modes when shooting video, plus the ISO settings, white balance and AF tracking are also all accessible when shooting movies. The normal bugbear of exterior location shoots is also dealt with thanks to a wind cut option among the two screen's worth of menu settings in motion picture mode. Happily, the full extent of the smooth and steady 7x optical zoom can be accessed when shooting video, its mechanical operation quiet and minimally intrusive.

Back to stills for a moment though and, if results straight out of the camera are too naturalistic for the photographer's liking, the Creative Control modes are on hand. It's here one can choose the vibrant, saturation boosting 'Expressive' setting from an expansive range of options also including 14 other effects, with the welcome ability to alter the look of each individual effect should you so desire.

Next to the shooting mode dial is the raised shutter release button ergonomically encircled by a finger-tip rocker switch for operating the zoom. As indicated the zoom glides fairly leisurely through its range, taking just over three seconds to get from maximum wideangle to extreme telephoto. Tabbing back and forth it's possible to be reasonably accurate with your framing, and there's also a Step Zoom feature for quickly jumping to key focal lengths. Just to the right of the shutter button is the slightly recessed on/off switch.

Memory Card Slot	Battery Compartment

The rear of the LF1 is well laid out, with the electronic viewfinder, diopter control and LVF button for switching between the EVF and the LCD screen positioned top-right. Alongside this is the WiFi button and indicator lamp. The built-in Wi-Fi functionaility (IEEE 802.11 b/g/n) lets you use your smartphone or mobile device to remotely change the camera settings (focus setting, exposure compensation, ISO, WB and Photo Styles) using the LUMIX App. You can even operate the 7x zoom and fire the shutter button remotely, while the auto transfer function automatically backs up your photos onto a tablet, smartphone, PC, web service, AV device or Panasonic's LUMIX Club Cloud Sync service. The DMC-LF1 is also one of the first cameras to feature NFC (Near Field Communication) technology (the same technology that's used for mobile payments), which allows you to connect the LF1 to a compatible internet enabled device or another NFC-enabled camera by simply tapping them together.

On the far-right next to the thumb-grip is the recessed 'one touch' video record button that very usefully allows the user to be up and shooting video in a thrice no matter what other (non video) mode they might have selected on the adjacent dial. Below this are the configurable Function button (we chose AE Lock) and a familiar playback button, and underneath again is the skinny but very tactile control wheel, which encircles a familiar four-way navigation pad.

This is used for tabbing through and selecting menu options, or scrolling through captured images, with a central menu/set button falling under the thumb in the middle. The top key of the quartet accesses the exposure compensation, the right key opens the flash settings options, the bottom key is for the LF1's self-timer and burst shooting options, and at nine o'clock we get access to the Focus mode settings.

Beneath this again we get the final two buttons on the camera back, the self explanatory Display - a press of which turns of the operational icons or brings up one a new range of compositional grids, including Rule of Thirds Offset, Diagonal Lines, Tunnel, Radiation 1, Radiation 2 and S-Shape - and, the Q.Menu or 'Quick Menu' button bringing up the toolbar of key shooting settings. Again, choose one of the creative shooting modes and the user has access to exposure compensation, step zoom, aspect ratio, picture size, ISO speed, white balance, AF mode and monitor luminance settings. Note that you can't customise the Quick Settings menu.

While that's it for the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LF1's backplate, the right hand side of the camera - when viewed from the back - features a terminal door covering both the HDMI (cable optional) and AV/USB out ports. There are also vacant lugs on the left and right hand flanks of the camera for attaching the provided shoulder strap. The base of the camera meanwhile features an off-centre screw thread for attaching a tripod, the other under-side feature being the compartment housing the battery, good for 250 shots from a single charge, and SD/SDHC/SDXC or Eye-Fi media cards.

So how does the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LF1 measure up as regards image quality? Read on to find out…

Image Quality

All of the sample images in this review were taken using the 12 megapixel Fine JPEG setting, which gives an average image size of around 4.5Mb.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LF1 produced images of very good quality during the review period. The LF1's low light performance is excellent for a compact camera. Up to ISO 1600 images are clean and relatively noise free. Indeed we'd suggest that performance at ISO 1600 is the equivalent of ISO 800 on lesser compacts. Stray above this and, perhaps inevitably, we start to run into problems, noise noticeably intruding at ISO 3200 and 6400, while the fastest 12800 setting should be avoided at all costs.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LF1 dealt well with chromatic aberrations, with limited purple fringing effects appearing only in high contrast situations. The pop-up flash worked well indoors, with no red-eye and adequate exposure. The night photograph was excellent, with the maximum shutter speed of 60 seconds allowing you to capture plenty of light.

Anti-shake is a feature that sets this camera apart from its competitors and one that works very well when hand-holding the camera in low-light conditions or when using the telephoto end of the zoom range. Macro performance is very good, allowing you to focus as close as 3cm away from the subject. The images were a little soft straight out of the camera at the default sharpening setting and ideally require further sharpening in an application like Adobe Photoshop, or you can change the in-camera setting if you don't like the default results. The extensive range of Creative Controls make it easy to change the look of still and panorama images, with the Sony-eque sweep panorama mode proving easy to use and effective too.

Noise

There are 9 ISO settings available on the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LF1. Here are some 100% crops which show the noise levels for each ISO setting for both JPEG and RAW file formats:

JPEG	RAW
ISO 80 (100% Crop)	ISO 80 (100% Crop)
ISO 100 (100% Crop)	ISO 100 (100% Crop)
ISO 200 (100% Crop)	ISO 200 (100% Crop)
ISO 400 (100% Crop)	ISO 400 (100% Crop)
ISO 800 (100% Crop)	ISO 800 (100% Crop)
ISO 1600 (100% Crop)	ISO 1600 (100% Crop)
ISO 3200 (100% Crop)	ISO 3200 (100% Crop)
ISO 6400 (100% Crop)	ISO 6400 (100% Crop)
ISO 12800 (100% Crop)	ISO 12800 (100% Crop)

Focal Range

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LF1's 7.1x zoom lens offers a versatile focal range, as illustrated by these examples.

28mm	200mm

Sharpening

Here are two 100% crops which have been Saved as Web - Quality 50 in Photoshop. The right-hand image has had some sharpening applied in Photoshop. The out-of-the camera images are a little soft at the default sharpening setting. Unfortunately you can't change the in-camera sharpening level if you don't like the default look.

Original (100% Crop)	Sharpened (100% Crop)

File Quality

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LF1 has 2 different JPEG image quality settings available, with Fine being the highest quality option. Here are some 100% crops which show the quality of the various options, with the file size shown in brackets.

Fine (4.48Mb) (100% Crop)	Standard (2.93Mb) (100% Crop)
RAW (14.2Mb) (100% Crop)

Chromatic Aberrations

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LF1 handled chromatic aberrations well during the review. There's some slight purple fringing between areas of high contrast, but it's only noticeable on close inspection, as shown in the examples below.

Chromatic Aberrations 1 (100% Crop)	Chromatic Aberrations 2 (100% Crop)

Macro

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LF1 offers a macro setting that allows you to focus on a subject that is 3cm away from the camera when the lens is set to 28mm wide-angle. The first image shows how close you can get to the subject (in this case a compact flash card). The second image is a 100% crop.

Macro	Macro (100% Crop)

Flash

The flash settings on the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LF1 are Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off, and Flash Synchro. These shots of a white coloured wall were taken at a distance of 1.5m.

Flash Off - Wide Angle (28mm)	Flash On - Wide Angle (28mm)
Flash Off - Telephoto (200mm)	Flash On - Telephoto (200mm)

And here are a couple of portrait shots. Neither the Forced On or Auto/Red-eye Reduction options caused any amount of red-eye.

Forced On	Forced On (100% Crop)
Auto/Red-eye Reduction	Auto/Red-eye Reduction (100% Crop)

Night

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LF1's maximum shutter speed is 60 seconds in the Manual shooting mode and the Starry Sky Mode scene mode, which is great news if you're seriously interested in night photography. The shot below was taken using a shutter speed of 15 seconds at ISO 80.

Night	Night (100% Crop)

Image Stabilisation

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LF1 has an antishake mechanism which allows you to take sharp photos at slower shutter speeds than other digital cameras. To test this, we took 2 handheld shots of the same subject with the same settings. The first shot was taken with the stabilizer turned off, the second with it turned on. As you can see, with image stabilisation turned on, the images are sharper than when it's turned off.

Shutter Speed / Focal Length	Image Stabilisation Off (100% Crop)	Image Stabilisation On (100% Crop)
1/25th / 28mm
1/4th / 200mm

Intelligent Resolution

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LF1's Intelligent Resolution feature makes a standard image look like a higher resolution one by processing the contour areas, texture areas and smooth areas individually.

Off	On

Aspect Ratios

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LF1 offers four different aspect ratios.

4:3	3:2
16:9	1:1

Creative Controls

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LF1 has an extensive range of Creative Controls, denoted by an artist's palette on the shooting mode dial, with 15 different options on offer.

Expressive	Retro
Old Days	High Key
Low Key	Sepia
Dynamic Monochrome	Impressive Art
High Dynamic	Cross Process
Toy Effect	Miniature Effect
Soft Focus	Star Filter
One Point Color

Panorama

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LF1 allows you to take panoramic images very easily by 'sweeping' with the camera. The camera does all the processing and stitching. In addition 13 of the Creative Filter effects can also be applied to panorama shots in the Creative Panorama mode.

Panorama

Panorama with the Impressive Art Filter

Sample Images

This is a selection of sample images from the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LF1 camera, which were all taken using the 12.2 megapixel Fine JPEG setting. The thumbnails below link to the full-sized versions, which have not been altered in any way.

Sample RAW Images

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LF1 enables users to capture RAW and JPEG format files. We've provided some Panasonic RAW (RW2) samples for you to download (thumbnail images shown below are not 100% representative).

Sample Movie & Video

As of February 2025, we are no longer providing full size sample images or videos for download.

Please contact us if you have any feedback on our new policy.

Product Images

Front of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LF1

Front of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LF1 / Turned On

Side of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LF1

Side of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LF1

Side of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LF1

Side of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LF1

Rear of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LF1

Rear of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LF1 / Image Displayed

Rear of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LF1 / Turned On

Rear of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LF1 / Main Menu

Rear of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LF1 / Record Menu

Rear of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LF1 / Wi-Fi Menu

Rear of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LF1 / Quick Menu

Top of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LF1

Bottom of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LF1

Side of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LF1

Side of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LF1

Front of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LF1

Front of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LF1

Memory Card Slot

Battery Compartment

Conclusion

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LF1 is a surprisingly well-realised premium compact camera, offering excellent still image and video quality complete with RAW support, built-in wireless and NFC connectivity, fast burst shooting, a longer lens than the main competition, and that rarest of things, an electronic viewfinder.

OK, so the EVF is tiny and won't be your main way of composing images, but we'd rather have one than not, especially as it doesn't prevent the LF1 from being a true pocket camera. The fast f/2.0 aperture is only available at the widest 28mm focal length, reaching a disappointingly slow f/5.9 at 200mm, but the 7.1x zoom does provide a versatile range that will suit a lot of people's needs. As will the image quality, with the same sensor from the flagship LX7 model again proving its worth in the new LF1 for both video and stills.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LF1 ultimately straddles the divide between the photographer-centric LX7 and the company's extensive range of compacts, providing both a cheaper and in some ways more capable alternative to the former, and a good upgrade path from the latter, depending on your point of view. We've been very pleasantly surprised by the LF1, so much so that we can highly recommend what is an excellent compact camera.

Ratings (out of 5)
Design	4.5
Features	4.5
Ease-of-use	4.5
Image quality	4.5
Value for money	4

Main Rivals

Listed below are some of the rivals of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LF1.

Specifications

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