I have a Lumix LZ3 and have misplaced the USB connection cable and the CD ROM. Does anyone no where I might find these? I did check out the Panasonic Website but was unable to access the parts. I thought maybe there would be a free download for the software. Any help is much appreciated. Thanks

Unfortunately the USB cable for Panasonic's current compacts isn't a standard one. It's some weird freaky thing that goes into the hybrid USB./video out port on the camera, and it's completely proprietary. It's a pity, because a standard mini USB cable would be so much simpler, and chances are you already have one for another gadget.

Heck, I couldn't even tell ya where the cable was for my TZ1. I don't think I even took it out of the packaging, to be honest.

Anyway, Googling about reveals that there are a few places that will sell you either a no-name cable or the real thing for varying amounts of money:

http://www.google.com/products?q=pa...ow=dd&scoring=p

However, I would say that you might want to just spend the money on a card reader instead, especially if you're only really interested in a Panasonic brand cable. After all, if you buy another one of these overpriced, proprietary pieces of [bleep], you're only encouraging Panasonic to keep doing this in future cameras.

Myself, I'm very partial to Sandisk's 12-in-1 reader, but that's just me. I regularly handle both SD and Compactflash cards, so a multi-format reader like this is a boon. I like the little stand that it sits in.

However, a better bargain might be Crucial's 12-in-1 reader. These can be had for under $20 and do pretty much everything that Sandisk's readers do - they just don't have a fancy schmancy stand. The lowest price I can find from a company that I'd trust is $15, here:

http://www.directron.com/ctr12afsu2.html

Like I said, I'd trust them to send you what you bought. I've gotten stuff from 'em in the past,and their score on Reseller Ratings is pretty respectable:

http://www.resellerratings.com/store/Directron

Feel free to Google around for these yourself, though...

http://www.google.com/products?q=cr...k=next&start=30

As for the CD that came with your camera, I don't reckon you're missing much. Like the cable that came with my TZ1, the CD has never been anywhere near my PC. Is there something in particular you're looking for from the CD? There are probably better alternatives out there...

Thank you for all this very valuable information. Sorry it took me awhile to return but was out of town. Wasn't really looking for anything special with the CD just thought I would check out what it had to offer, not much I guess. I'm just kind of getting into the digital picture process even though my kids gave me this camera a couple years ago. Again, thanks for all your help.

What software do you use to transfer your pictures from camera to computer? My inexperience is showing! Thanks, Jean