Please help me choose between these two cameras!

August 20, 2016 11:16 AM

I've been offered a free used camera. I have a choice of two: (1) a Panasonic Lumix LX7, or (2) a Panasonic Lumix ZS25 (sticker on front: 16x Optical Zoom, 32x Intelligent Zoom, Leica lens). I know nothing about cameras or photography, and I would like a camera that is easy to use. What are the main differences between these two cameras? What is each better for? Which one of these cameras should I chose, and what considerations should I be weighing? I have the two cameras here, so I can clarify anything in a follow-up. Thanks!
posted by ClaireBear to Technology (9 answers total)

The lx series always touted a really good, fast (lets in more light) and wide lens, while the ZS touts super zoom at the expense of a lens that lets in less light.

Personally, I would choose the LX7 (I still use a lx3, gonna shoot with it once I get off work!) and it's really fast lens is a boon for situations in poor light. I've had a 2 lumixes and remember their UI was pretty similar.

Usabilty wise, you should be able to simply put the camera into iA (Intelligent Auto) mode or P mode, and just press the shutter. A good read through the manual plus a browse through a site like Cambridge in Colour would help bring your technical skills up quickly.
posted by TrinsicWS at 11:37 AM on August 20, 2016 [3 favorites]

I'm not an expert, but on first view of the specs, the lx7 has a better sensor, a better aperture range. The ZS25 has a higher resolution and a better focal range, but will probably make worse pictures.
posted by Akke at 11:37 AM on August 20, 2016

The ZS25 features MOAR ZOOM, but the LX7 will do better indoors and in low light. I'd probably pick low light performance over extra zoom myself, i.e., get the LX7.

You can ignore the difference in resolution.
posted by doomsey at 11:38 AM on August 20, 2016 [2 favorites]

I'd take the LX7 because it's simply a better camera: bigger sensor, better lens, better image quality, better low light performance. It started out as a $500 camera in late 2012; the ZS25 was a $300 camera in early 2013. The LX comes from the flagship compact range; the ZS is a superzoom, so what you gain in zoom, you lose in optics. You can stick the LX in auto mode and you'll do pretty well with the IQ, but it'll also give you more room to play with settings once you get confident.
posted by holgate at 11:38 AM on August 20, 2016

I've never used a ZS25, but I own an LX5, which was predecessor to the LX7. My general impression is that the ZS25 is a more basic snapshot camera with an unusually long zoom. The LX7 is more of an enthusiast's camera, with a faster lens, better sensor and lots of granular control options, but lacking a long zoom. I'd expect the ZS25 to be easier to get the hang of, because there are fewer settings to wrap your head around, but the LX7 is capable of better pics in a lot of situations.
posted by jon1270 at 11:38 AM on August 20, 2016

I have zero experience with either camera.

They are probably both okay cameras.
The LX7 seems to be the slightly older one, and more enthusiast-oriented for a compact.
If you're interested in taking pictures in low light, this is the better one.
If you think you'd like to learn (a lot) more about photography, you'd take this one.

The ZS25 seems to be a mid-level supe-rzoom, witch means that you would be able to take photos of things farther away.
Cool for a casual walking-around camera.
Forget about the "smart zoom" stuff, it's marketing bullshit.
Links to dpreview's articles on the two cameras:
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7 Review
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS25 (Lumix DMC-TZ35)

Sorry, cant't say much more :-|
Best of luck
posted by Thug at 11:41 AM on August 20, 2016 [1 favorite]

Personally, I would choose the LX7, for some reasons already mentioned. I have a Leica-branded predecessor (D-LUX 4) which takes very good pictures because of the (relatively) large sensor and fast lens. The LX7 has an even faster lens (f/1.4 at its widest).
posted by brianogilvie at 3:07 PM on August 20, 2016

Nthing Lx7 it's a no brainer - it's in every sense a better camera, unless a long zoom is absolutely critical to you. It will make noticeably better pictures, especially at times when light is lower.
posted by smoke at 3:53 PM on August 20, 2016 [1 favorite]

And on the meta-question: the interface is going to be pretty similar in both, but I've always found that the "easiest" camera to use is the one that takes the better pictures in auto or P in nine out of ten situations, because you don't feel like you have to dig deep into the modes to coax better pictures out of it.
posted by holgate at 10:10 PM on August 20, 2016