Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ2 5MP Digital Camera with 6x Image Stabilized Optical Zoom (Silver)

Details

Availability:: No longer available through SilverGelatin.net

List Price:: $249.99

Average Customer Rating:: 4.0 out of 5

Manufacturer:: Panasonic

Features

5 MP CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 13 x 17-inch prints
6x image-stabilized optical zoom; 2.0-inch LCD display
14MB built-in memory
Stores images on SD memory cards; powered by 2 AA-size batteries

Description

Jitter from shaky hands is one of the main reasons why cameras produce blurry images. Panasonic does not expect everyone to have hands of stone when taking pictures-that's why Lumix cameras help solve the problem of unsteady hands with advanced MEGA Optical Image Stabilizer technology. The DMC-LZ2 has a built-in gyrosensor that detects any hand movement and relays a signal to a tiny microcomputer inside the camera, which instantly calculates the compensation needed. A linear motor then shifts the Optical Image Stabilizer lens as necessary to guide incoming light from the image straight to the CCD. You won't even notice it working - all you'll see are the outstanding results!

As Panasonic will tell you, and we have to agree, that the most awesome thing about this camera is its Mega Optical Image Stabilization (O.I.S.) system. With a 6x optical zoom and the ability to make QuickTime films (with sound) that can be as long as your memory card is big, Mega O.I.S. really expands the image-taking capabilities of this camera.

Soldiers guarding Stockholm's
royal palace, without zoom (top)
and at 6x zoom (bottom).
(Click images for larger views.)

In the still photos at right, for example, we snapped pictures from a park bench across from the palace, first with no zoom, then with the maximum 6x zoom. With no viewfinder, photographing like this--without a tripod--means that your arms are extended and introducing camera shake into the picture. Mega O.I.S. compensates for this admirably. We were also stunned when we took the camera to a concert and shot some video; in a jostling crowd, holding the camera over the heads of people in front of us, our image was still remarkably steady.

A night shot taken
with the LZ2 with
Mega O.I.S. turned on.
(See larger image.)

The Mega O.I.S. system performs reasonably well in low-light situations, though the LZ2 experiences some other challenges in dimmer or brighter light. In low light, for example, sometimes the camera's exposure compensation is better when you use the flash, even if the flash can't possible illuminate the scene. This doesn't mean that nice low-light images aren't possible--see the image at left--but it wasn't unusual for us to take four or five images in variety of modes and settings before we landed on one we liked.

In very bright situations, on the other hand, the display becomes difficult to read. We took the camera with us on a snow outing, and again, we had to take several pictures of each thing we wanted to capture because we couldn't judge our aim from the LCD. We also couldn't show off our images in sunny situations.

The last difficulty we encountered is that the menu system is not as intuitive as those found in most other cameras. Scene modes are split between two settings on a top-of-the-camera dial, so we had to flip between main menus there before making a final selection using toggle buttons on the back of the camera. This set-up also meant that when we accidentally rotated the dial while taking out the camera or putting it away, we found ourselves having to re-select a scene mode next time we used the camera. We ended up taking a lot of pictures in the Auto and Easy modes, which have their own slots on the dial.

Some of our favorite photos taken with the LZ2.
(Click images for larger views.)

We really liked the LZ2 anyway, because it takes gorgeous pictures. At right is a sampling of some of our favorites, demonstrating that the camera can perform in a variety of shooting situations. The color palette it records is beautiful, and its fast start-up time gives you a lot of help in capturing fleeting moments--in our cases at right, fast-changing good weather and camera-avoiding friends. Also, the facts that it's powered by two AA batteries and it squeezes a lot of life out of them means that the camera really travels well. We ran out of battery juice in Sweden and on a mountain top, and getting back to shooting was as easy as popping in two fresh, readily available batteries.

If you're looking for increased optical zoom and/or a high-performance image stabilization system, the Panasonic LZ2 is a great value--packed with advanced features and lots of megapixels, but at a price that hardly hits the pocketbook.--Sarah Sternau

Pros

6x optical zoom with Mega Optical Image Stabilization
Beautiful colors and great lighting in images
Fast performance and long battery life with convenient AA batteries

Cons

No viewfinder and display is difficult to read in bright light
Complicated menu system

Spotlight customer reviews

excellent choice

[ Posted: 2008-07-03 ]

Rating: 100%

I'm just a point and shoot guy. I don't use all the fancy settings on this camera and I only glanced at the manual. The pics are awesome. I've gotten numerous compliments on my photos with very little thought and effort on my part. The colors are accurate and vivid. The feature I find most useful is the quick set up time between activation and ready to shoot. No problems in the year I've had it.

I'm IN LOVE WITH THIS CAMERA !

[ Posted: 2008-05-28 ]

Rating: 100%

I've had this camera for two years and I absolutely love it. I'm not a big electronics geek who has to have the latest and best of everything that's new on the market, but this camera has given me 2 full years of enjoyment without any problems and it has taken some incredible pictures for internet use and also just for family.

It has a video and sound feature which has been a lot of fun. I love the size. It is really well-made and easy to use. I accidentally bumped it the other day and now the lense is stuck in one position, so I am just going to get another one just like this one because there is really nothing that I don't like about this camera and some other camera's with higher megapixels don't have as much zoom as this one.

worked ok until.......

[ Posted: 2008-05-27 ]

Rating: 20%

Purchased this camera for the 6x zoom. Worked well for about a year. It is pretty much impossible to see anything in the LCD outdoors in any kind of daylight. You often have to just point and guess. When it took pictures the quality was very good. After about a year the LCD screen when black. All the menu items would show, even the flash would go, but the pictures were just black. Replacing batteries would sometimes work for a day. Enjoyed the 6x zoom and the picture quality, but really can't recommend that camera. Look for something more reliable.

Amazingly durable!

[ Posted: 2008-05-23 ]

Rating: 100%

I bought this camera in 2005. The colors of the pictures are magnificent; the 6x optical zoom rocks for such as small camera. The only problem is shooting consecutive pictures with flash - camera is too slow.

Up to now it still works wonderfully even though I've accidentally dropped it several times on cemented floors, tiles, stone, name it! I admit, I am clumsy and i am thankful that this camera is very durable.

I've been very happy with this camera

[ Posted: 2008-04-20 ]

Rating: 80%

I've had this camera and been using it heavily for several years now. The Amazon review above describes most of the camera's strengths and shortcomings but I'd like to add that the "Mega-Burst" mode where you can shoot 4 frames in rapid succession is a really great feature. I re-discovered it when my infant son started smiling and we've captured some great shots with it that we just never could have captured.

I've captured a lot of great shots with this camera and generally get the best color with the flash turned off. In retrospect, I'd buy it again.