Panasonic Lumix DMC-LC70

- Nice solid weight, even with two double AA batteries
- Great port covers, and nice consideration regarding button size and Mode Dial construction
- A fairly uncomplicated camera, even when using partial manual features; easily navigation within the menu, clearly defined parameters

- Slippery grip impeded appropriate holding of camera body
- The shape of the camera makes it harder to transport comfortably
- Awkward microphone placement, and a lack of any sort of playback speaker
- Size forced my large hands to wander the camera body, often placing fingers accidentally over lens, microphone, and flash

Conclusion
With an MSRP of US $299.95, a 3x optical zoom, and 4.0 total MP CCD, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LC70 has a comfortable weight and easy transportability. It is a basic camera with few added features, and is mostly intended for those users who don't want the manual controls to confuse them but do want the simplicity of a basic 35mm point-and-shoot camera in the guise of a digital still camera. And while video and audio can be feasibly captured onto memory cards, the placement of the microphone, and the camera’s overall small size, led my fingers to constantly corrupt sound and images with their wandering misdeeds. It is sleek and smooth, at times too much so, and I had a fairly hard time gripping the camera when I was sweating when testing the camera outside in the sun. If the consumer isn’t necessarily sold on the importance of audio on their digital camera, it may be a wise choice to look at the LC50 for slightly less. Both models are choices best suited for first time, no hassle point-and-shoot enthusiasts. White Balance, Exposure, Metering, and ISO are all manual features available if the user does wish to engage in some manual control.