The Lumix’s novelty selling point is its 16:9 ratio widescreen CCD. Compared with the 4:3 sensors found on most of the other compact and D-SLR cameras, the CCD’s extra width means a greater horizontal resolution and thus wider prints. The sensor is a 10-megapixel unit, parts of which can be shut down if you want either 3:2 or 4:3 ratio pictures. This reduces the resolution to 8.5 or 7.5 megapixels respectively.

Image quality is good without coming close to budget D-SLRs that fall within $100 of the LX2’s asking price. Our images were largely clear of noise at ISO 100, but we experienced purple fringing on images with even fairly conservative contrast zones. The LX2 also tended towards under-exposure. Noise levels partially atone for this, though, remaining manageable all the way up to ISO 800. The high-resolution image sensor is also a clear plus — images will print nicely at A4, even with judicious cropping.

The body of the camera is too large to be justly described as pocket sized. It feels solid, though, and is comfortable in the hand. The controls become second nature after a few days’ use and are easily accessible. Flick the on switch at the top of the camera, though, and a design flaw becomes evident — the lens cap is totally separate from the body and, although you can attach it with the supplied lanyard, you need to remember to pop it off the Leica lens each time you use it.

Using the Lumix is a frustrating experience. Once the camera is focused, taking a shot is straightforward and fast, but getting the camera to focus took around a second for every shot we took — no use at all for sporting occasions, and tedious for portrait shots. The manual pop-up flash isn’t particularly user-friendly either, failing to notify you if you’re about to take a photo without it in a dark setting.

You’re left with a striking-looking camera with decent image quality. But its main selling point — the widescreen sensor — is more of a potentially interesting gimmick than a must-have. And, with the Canon Ixus 60 weighing in at over $250 less, it’s difficult to recommend the Lumix in spite of some redeeming features.