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 |
| Movie clips | • 320 x 240 (10 / 30 fps) • With audio • Limited only by storage (streaming) |
| Lens | • 37 - 222 mm equiv. (6x zoom) |
| Focus | • Normal: 0.5 m - Infinity |
| Shooting mode | • Portrait |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Other features | • DPOF |
| 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
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