Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ2 Review

April 2005 | Simon Joinson

Review based on a production Panasonic DMC-LZ2

Announced just in time for PMA (February 2005), the Lumix DMC-LZ2 (and the 4 megapixel LZ1 launched simultaneously) is a major upgrade to the DMC-LC80 that doubles the lens reach (now a 6x optical) and throws in Panasonic's proven Mega Optical Image stabilization to boot. Other significant changes include a larger 2.0-inch (though lower resolution) screen, 14MB of internal memory and boosted burst mode and battery life. All this, and the price - at around $277 on the street - is well below its predecessor, and firmly at the 'entry-level' end of the market. Here's a quick run-down of the headline specification:

5 megapixel CCD
37-222mm equiv. (6x) Lumix DC Vario Optical Zoom
4x Digital Zoom
Advanced Mega Optical Image Stabilizer
Mega Burst Mode
2x AA batteries
14MB of internal memory
2.0-inch LCD
8 scene modes
Orientation sensor
Venus Engine Plus
5-area autofocus

Color options

As is increasingly the case with Panasonic Lumix cameras, the LZ2 will be available in both black and silver (though this may not be the case in all parts of the world). Again, we prefer the look of the black model (it looks a little smaller than the silver version we tested).

Panasonic DMC-LZ2 Key specifications

Street price	• US: $280 • UK: £240
Body Material	Plastic
Sensor	• 1/2.5" CCD, 5.4 million total pixels • 4.9 million effective pixels
Image sizes	• 2560 x 1920 • 2048 x 1536 • 1600 x 1200 • 1280 x 960 • 640 x 480 • 1920 x 1080 (HDTV 16:9)
Movie clips	• 320 x 240 (10 / 30 fps) • With audio • Limited only by storage (streaming)
Lens	• 37 - 222 mm equiv. (6x zoom) • F2.8 - F4.5 • MEGA OIS (Mode 1 / Mode 2) • Lumix DC Vario
Focus	• Normal: 0.5 m - Infinity • Macro: 5 cm • 5-area focusing • 3-area focusing • 1-area focusing • Spot
Shooting mode	• Portrait • Sports • Scenery • Night scenery • Night portrait • Fireworks • Party • Snow • Simple • Macro • Moving Image • Playback • Exposure bracketing +/-1EV in 1/3 EV steps • AE Compensation +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3 EV steps
Shutter speeds	8-1/2000 sec
Sensitivity	• Auto • ISO 80,100,200,400
White Balance	• Auto • Cloudy, daylight, halogen, manual (custom)
Image parameters	Colour (natural, standard, vivid)
Continuous	• 3 fps high speed, 2 fps low speed, 1.5 fps unlimited • 5 frames (standard), 3 frames (fine)
Flash	• Built-in flash • Auto, on/off, auto red-eye reduction, on/off, slow sync with red eye reduction • Range (ISO auto): W 0.3m - 4.2 m (0.98 - 13.7 ft) •T 0.5m - 2.6 m (1.6 - 8.5 ft)
Storage	• SD/MMC • 14MB internal memory
Viewfinder	None
LCD monitor	• 2.0" TFT LCD • 85,000 pixels
Connectivity	• USB 2.0 Full speed • A/V out • DC-IN
Power	2x AA battries (NiMH recommended)
In the box*	• DMC-LZ2 camera • Batteries • AV Cable • USB Connection Cable • Strap • CD-ROM
Other features	• DPOF • Mega Optical Image Stabilisation • Intelligent multi-segment metering • Record and playback histogram
Weight (inc batt)	224 g (7.9 oz)
Dimensions	101 x 64 x 33 mm (4 x 2.5 x 1.3 in)

* Supplied accessories may differ in each country or area

If you're new to digital photography you may wish to read the Digital Photography Glossary before diving into this article (it may help you understand some of the terms used).

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