24. Exposure

With full auto, scene, and four possible exposure modes, the LX1 will satisfy all users, from novice to expert. Adjustments (speed and aperture) are made using a micro-joystick that's very practical, fitting nicely under your thumb; the settings you make are shown on the screen. Metering has the usual three modes: matrix, weighted, and spot.

The base sensitivity of the sensor is ISO 80, but it can be increased up through ISO 400. Naturally, as with all small sensors, noise goes up perceptibly along with sensitivity. The white balance, aside from automatic mode, has only three presets, but you can save (and recall at will) two manual adjustments. The automatic balance setting works very well.

Flash: Retractable!

For the built-in flash, Panasonic used a pop-up solution, which is rare on a compact. You press a simple mechanical control to pop it up out of its housing; among other things, this is a pretty good solution to the problem of flash units that go off at the wrong time. When it's retracted, an indicator shows that the flash is not operational. As on most compacts, there's no provision for an external flash.