Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3

The Lumix DMC-LX3 is Panasonic's flagship compact for enthusiasts. Coming two years after its predecessor, the new LX3 features 10.1 Megapixel resolution, full manual control, HD movie recording in the 720p format, a flash hotshoe, RAW recording, a highly detailed 3in screen, and a 2.5x optical zoom with optical stabilisation, a bright focal ratio of f2.0 and unusually wide angle coverage equivalent to 24mm. It ticks all the right boxes for enthusiasts on the lookout for a high-end compact, with the ultra-wide coverage, bright focal ratio and a sensible approach to image resolution being highlights. The LX3 is also smaller and lighter than its arch rival the Canon G11, but there’s pros and cons to each model, so if you’re shopping for a premium compact, compare both closely. Also check out Canon's S90.

Pros: 24mm coverage, bright f2.0 lens, RAW, flash hotshoe.
Cons: Maximum coverage just 60mm, annoying lens cap.
Overall: An ideal premium compact, but compare with G11 and S90.