Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ2 Digital Camera Review

Connectivity
Software (8.0)
The LZ2 comes with a Panasonic Lumix CD-ROM that has a USB Driver and SD Viewer for Windows, as well as the ArcSoft Software Suite for both Windows and Macintosh systems. The ArcSoft suite includes PhotoBase 4.5, which has basic editing tools like crop, rotate, brightness, and contrast. The best feature of this program is its ability to easily email and transfer images between computers, cameras, PDAs, and web albums. Panorama Maker 3 is less useful in the ways of editing, but it has an interesting fisheye feature. PhotoImpression 5 is the last software program included in the suite. It has even better editing features than PhotoBase with automatic fixes, blurring and sharpening tools, color adjustments, and cutouts. This program also has templates for projects like photo books and calendars.

Jacks, ports, plugs (7.5)
A rubber door on the left side pops open to reveal the DC in and A/V out / USB jacks. On the other side of the camera, there is a door to cover the slot for an SD or MMC card. On the bottom of the camera, there is a sliding door for either alkaline NiMH or Panasonic’s Oxyride AA batteries. When the batteries are interchanged, the camera needs to know within its setup menu.

Direct Print Options (7.0)
In order for pictures to be printed directly from the camera, users must enter the Setup menu and change the USB Mode to PictBridge instead of PC mode. After this selection is made, users must enter the print menu in Playback mode and choose the number of prints, paper size, page layout, and whether they want the date printed on them. This is more complicated than the Kodak EasyShare method, but really is not very difficult.

Memory (7.5)
This Panasonic has 14 MB of built-in memory, which certainly isn’t enough to fully utilize the camera’s still and video capture capabilities; however, it is enough to store 8 still images at the highest resolution setting. Internal memory is always a friendly option to have in case of the rare emergency when a memory card is not available. There is a slot for SD and MMC cards, although the SD card is preferred. With the MMC, the burst mode is not guaranteed to work.

Other features (8.0)
Included accessories – Besides the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ2 camera body, the following accessories are included: software CD-ROM, operating manual, warranty, wrist strap, USB cable, and A/V out cable. There is no memory card included because of the built-in memory.

Image Stabilization – There are two modes that are easily accessible with a button on the top of the camera. When the button is pressed, a small menu pops up on the LCD screen with Mode 1, Mode 2, and Off choices. There is no explanation of which mode is which in the menu, but they both work quite well. The owner’s manual clears up the mystery: Mode 1 operates continuously, while Mode 2 operates only when the shutter release button is pressed. In both modes, I found that regular and even slightly exaggerated hand-shake can still produce clear shots with the Mega Optical Image Stabilization system.

Audio Recording – A small microphone is located on the top of the camera by the mode dial; however, there is no speaker! Users can record 10-second sound clips with each photograph and audio with movie clips, but cannot listen to it within the camera. Listening to the recorded audio can only be done with a computer or television.

Live Histograms – This feature is available only if the user pushes the Display button. Live histograms aid users in composing shots for optimal exposure.

Power Save – Within the camera’s setup menu, users can change the amount of time the LZ2 will stay awake before dozing off into its lens-retracting, LCD-blackened state. The options are 1, 2, 5, or 10 minutes and there is no way to completely turn this function off. This is a good feature for those poor overworked batteries.

Self-timer – The self-timer can capture pictures at a selectable 2 or 10 seconds after the shutter release button is pressed. An LED indicator on the front of the camera shows when the LZ2 is about to take its shot.