Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS70
Digital Camera Review
Aug 06, 2007
- By James Murray
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The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS70, announced at the end of January 2007, is a thick-bodied point-and-shoot with a 1/2.5-inch 7.2 megapixel CCD. This moderately-priced camera has a 3x optical zoom lens, 2-inch LCD screen, and optical image stabilization system. The camera has 18 preset shooting modes, a Simple Shooting mode, and a Motion Picture mode (although no audio recording). The Motion Picture mode is also able to shoot 16:9 video files at a reduced 848 x 480 resolution. The LS70 includes manual control over image settings like exposure compensation, white balance, a handful of shutter speed settings in Starry Sky mode, and ISO. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS70 entered the market at an initial retail price of $149 but can currently be found online for less.
| Top Point & Shoot Cameras |
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Likes
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- Excellent color performance
- Reproduced lots of fine detail (particularly for a budget camera)
- Simple, well-labeled and nicely laid-out controls that could only benefit from being larger in size
- Menus are well-organized, quick, and most carry a live view background
- Optical Image Stabilization is a great inclusion at this price
- Nice addition of a reduced resolution 848 x 480 16:9 aspect ratio (if only it recorded audio)
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Dislikes
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- Poor handling of noise throughout ISO range
- Limited low light shooting capacity
- Slow operation
- Drastic decline in dynamic range beyond ISO 200
-2-inch 86k pixel LCD was obsolete 2 years ago.
-“E Zoom” is a largely absurd and pointless addition that clutters the exterior of the camera
-Camera design lacks effective handling components
-Lagging and unresponsive zoom and zoom ring
-No audio in Movie mode
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Conclusion
With a budget-friendly $149 price tag, clean layout, and inclusion of custom image shooting modes and a Movie mode, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS70 appeals to the consumer who wants picture-taking made easy. Panasonic falls short of the mark for the manual control enthusiast; the LS70 only offers control over white balance, exposure compensation, and ISO. Other drawbacks include a lack of audio recording in Movie mode and a sluggish relationship between the lens and the zoom ring. But even with these shortcomings, features such as optical image stabilization are definitely not a common feature found on cameras in this price range, and their inclusion at this price gives the DMC-LS70 an advantage over competing manufacturers.
| Overall Impressions |
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Sample Photos |
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