Panasonic Lumix LX100 II in 2026: Still Worth Buying Used?

Introduction — A Different Kind of Micro Four Thirds Camera

I recently added a new Micro Four Thirds camera to my kit—but it’s probably not what you’d expect.  Instead of the latest OM System body or a new release, I picked up a used, 7+ year old Panasonic Lumix LX100 II.

With all the current interest in high-end compact cameras, I wanted to try one for myself and see if it could realistically replace my iPhone as an everyday carry camera. Something small, simple, and always with me—but still capable of producing high-quality images.

Originally, I had planned to purchase the Leica D-Lux 8, but due to customs issues (which I covered in a separate blog post), that didn’t work out. Since the LX100 II shares much of the same DNA, I decided to go with the Panasonic version instead—at a much lower price on the used market.

After several months of using this camera, it’s turned out to be a fun and capable tool—but not without its quirks.

Here’s what I like—and what I don’t.

What I Like About the Panasonic LX100 II

Aspect Ratio Dial — A Feature You’ll Actually Use

The dedicated aspect ratio dial on the top of the camera is one of the most unique—and useful—features of the LX100 II.

With this dial, you can to instantly switch between: 4:3, 3:2, 16:9, and 1:1 aspect ratios without diving into the menus.  This changes how you compose in the field. Instead of cropping later, you’re thinking about framing in real time.

It’s a small thing—but it encourages more intentional composition.

Aspect Ratio Bracketing — Creative Flexibility Built In

Taking that concept further, the LX100 II can actually bracket aspect ratios.

With a single shot, you can generate multiple compositions across different formats. This is surprisingly useful when you’re not sure which framing will work best—or when you’re shooting for multiple platforms (blog, Instagram, etc.).

It’s a creative feature you don’t see often, and it fits the camera’s philosophy really well.

Extensive Customization — 10 Function Buttons on a Compact Camera

For a camera this small, the level of customization is impressive.

You get:

• 5 physical customizable function buttons
• 5 additional virtual function buttons on the touchscreen

That’s a lot of control packed into a compact body.

Once set up, you can access key settings quickly without digging through menus. It makes the camera feel much more advanced than a typical point-and-shoot.

Classic Control Layout — A Photographer’s Camera

The LX100 II embraces a classic shooting experience:

• Aperture ring on the lens
• Shutter speed dial
• Exposure compensation dial

This combination makes the camera feel tactile and intuitive. You’re adjusting exposure directly thru the dials on the camera and lens.

For anyone used to traditional camera controls, this is a big part of the appeal—and one of the reasons the camera is so enjoyable to use.

Ergonomics — Small, Comfortable, and Truly Portable

Despite its compact size, the LX100 II feels surprisingly good in the hand. The grip is subtle but effective, and the overall balance makes it comfortable for extended shooting without feeling cramped.

What really stands out, though, is that this is a camera you can realistically carry anywhere—it easily fits into a jacket pocket, making it a true everyday carry option. It doesn’t feel like you’re compromising usability just to get a smaller form factor, which is a rare combination in a camera this size.

4K Photo Mode — Surprisingly Useful (with Pre-Burst Capability)

4K Photo mode lets you capture short bursts of video and extract individual frames as still images.

While it might sound gimmicky at first, it’s actually quite practical for:

• Capturing fleeting moments

• Getting the exact timing of motion

• Situations where timing is difficult

One feature that stands out is 4K Pre-Burst, which is similar in concept to Olympus’s Pro Capture (but not as configurable). When enabled, the camera continuously buffers frames and saves images from before you fully press the shutter, as well as after. This means you can capture moments you might otherwise miss—like a bird taking off or a quick gesture—without needing perfect timing.

The trade-off is that these are 8MP frames extracted from video rather than full-resolution RAW images, but for the right situations, the ability to capture the exact moment more than makes up for it.

It’s not something I use all the time—but when you need it, it works well.

Post Focus and Focus Stacking

The Post Focus mode allows you to select the focus point after the shot is taken, and even create focus-stacked images in-camera.

For a compact camera, this is a powerful feature—especially for:

• Close-up subjects
• Product-style shots
• Situations where precise focus is critical

It adds a layer of flexibility that you wouldn’t expect in a camera this size.

Custom Photo Styles and Filters — Flexible In-Camera Looks

The LX100 II offers a wide range of customizable photo styles and creative filters.

Photo Styles can be adjusted to your preference—letting you fine-tune parameters like contrast, sharpness, saturation, and noise reduction. This makes it easy to dial in a consistent look straight out of camera, whether you prefer something more natural or more stylized.

Creative Filters, on the other hand, are more preset-driven. While they aren’t as deeply customizable as Photo Styles, many allow limited adjustments (such as strength or effect level), giving you some control over the final look.

While I don’t rely heavily on filters, having the ability to tweak color profiles and output straight from the camera can be useful—especially for quick sharing or when you want a specific look without editing.

Panorama Mode — More Control Than Expected

The panorama mode isn’t just a basic sweep feature.

You can control:

• Direction of the pan
• Size of the final image

This gives you more flexibility in how you capture wide scenes, and it’s a nice addition for travel photography.

Quick Access Macro Mode — Simple and Effective

There’s a dedicated switch on the front of the camera for macro mode, making it easy to engage quickly.

At the wide end, you can get surprisingly close to subjects like:

• Flowers
• Textures
• Small objects

While it’s not true 1:1 macro magnification, the combination of close focus and wide angle allows for creative compositions with noticeable background separation.

Build Quality — Solid and Well Made

The LX100 II feels well-built and durable.

It has a reassuring weight and solid construction that gives confidence when using it. It doesn’t feel like a cheap compact—it feels like a premium camera. 

What I Don’t Like About the LX100 II

Slow Power Zoom — Not Ideal for Fast Shooting (Despite an Excellent Lens)

The power zoom is one of the weaker aspects of the camera—especially considering how good the lens itself is.

The built-in Leica DC Vario-Summilux 24–75mm equivalent lens with a fast f/1.7–2.8 aperture is one of the standout features of the LX100 II. It delivers excellent sharpness, contrast, and overall image quality, making it incredibly versatile for everything from wide landscapes to short telephoto compositions in a compact package.

However, the zoom mechanism doesn’t quite match that level of performance.

It’s relatively slow, which can be frustrating when you need to quickly adjust focal length. That said, Panasonic includes a useful workaround: when using autofocus, the focus ring can act as a step zoom, allowing you to jump between common focal lengths more quickly.

This helps—but it’s still not as intuitive or responsive as a true manual zoom ring, especially when you’re trying to react quickly in the field.

RAW Limitations for Advanced Features

One of the more frustrating limitations is that several of the LX100 II’s advanced features are not available when shooting in RAW.

This includes:

• Aspect ratio bracketing
• Panorama mode
• White balance bracketing
• 4K Photo modes (including Pre-Burst)
• Post Focus / Focus Stacking

These features rely on JPEG processing or video capture, which means you lose RAW flexibility when using them.

If you primarily shoot RAW (as I do), this creates a bit of a trade-off. You’ll either need to switch shooting modes when you want to take advantage of these features—or accept that you won’t be able to use them in certain situations.

It’s not a dealbreaker, but it does interrupt the workflow more than you might expect, especially on a camera that otherwise encourages creative in-camera shooting.

Moving the Focus Area — Awkward Without a Joystick

Coming from using cameras with a joystick, moving the focus point on the LX100 II feels less intuitive.

Options include:

• Using the touchscreen
• Pressing the left on the control dial to get to the AF Mode , then down, to activate focus area movement

There are workarounds—like assigning a function button to focus area selection or disabling the other arrow key functions—but none feel as natural as a dedicated joystick.

It’s usable, but not ideal—especially when shooting through the viewfinder.

No Flip or Articulating Screen

The fixed LCD screen is one of the biggest limitations in modern use.

It makes:

• Low-angle shooting harder
• Creative compositions more limited
• Certain perspectives less accessible

Once you’re used to a tilting screen, it’s something you miss here.

iA Button Placement — Too Easy to Trigger

The placement of the Intelligent Auto (iA) button feels poorly positioned for real-world use.

It’s easy to accidentally press—especially when handling the camera quickly—which can switch you into a fully automatic mode without realizing it.

It’s a small issue, but one that comes up often enough to be noticeable. However, there is an easy fix. In the Custom Menu, you can change the button behavior so you have to press and hold the button for 1 second to activate iA Mode.

Final Thoughts — Still Worth It?

The Panasonic Lumix LX100 II is not a modern camera—and it doesn’t try to be.

But what it offers is something that’s becoming harder to find:

• A compact camera with a large sensor
• A fast, versatile lens
• Physical controls that make photography enjoyable
• A balance between simplicity and capability

In 2026, it’s best thought of as a high-quality everyday carry camera—something that sits between your smartphone and your main system.

It won’t replace a full camera kit. But it doesn’t need to.

For me, it’s a camera I actually want to carry—and that alone makes it worth it.

Written by Martin Belan

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