Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ2

Manual Controls
Most of the manual controls can be found within the shooting menu, although a few can be found lingering around the navigational dial as well. Despite how this may sound, there really isn’t much space to insert user control. Users can manually adjust the ISO rating and exposure compensation. There is a manual white balance option in the menu that allows users to calibrate the camera to a selected white tone. There is also a Slow Shutter option that gives users a hint of control. The Panasonic DMC-LZ2 is not really designed to provide optimal control; the camera is far better suited for the user who appreciates modes like Simple, Economy, and Auto.

Focus
Auto Focus (7.5)
The Panasonic LZ2 has several auto focus options that work quite well. The lens focuses quickly and quietly, achieving accurate focus without much hang-up until light becomes sparse. Within the AF mode in the menu, there are vague icons for the following options: 5-Area Focusing, 3-Area Focusing, 1-Area Focusing, and Spot-Focusing. When users view the scene through the LCD screen, the camera shows green boxes where the camera is focused. The 6x optical zoom lens can focus from 5 cm in macro mode or from 1.64 feet to infinity in the other auto focus modes.

Manual Focus (0.0)
There is no manual focus available on the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ2, but you can’t really expect that on a $299 model.

Metering (2.5)
The Panasonic DMC-LZ2 measures light from different points across the entire image for a balanced exposure with its Intelligent Multiple metering system. There are no other metering options; this is done automatically. For many shooters, the inability to select a mode of metering will be a major deterrent, helping to define this camera as a dressed-up point-and-shoot.

Exposure (6.5)
The Panasonic LZ2 has very basic exposure modes, including the following: Picture Mode (represented by an icon of a red camera), Economy Mode (E icon), Macro, Motion Image, Scene 1, Scene 2, and Simple Mode (heart icon). There doesn’t seem to be any striking distinction in functionality between the two scene modes, as all scenes can be accessed in both settings. The Economy mode is similar to the normal Picture mode, but it supposedly consumes less battery power. The LZ2 does have exposure compensation that can be adjusted on the navigational dial; it has a normal range from +2 to -2 with 1/3 steps. This array of modes grants selection within the automatic realm, providing added flexibility to point-and-shooters, though there is not much included to resonate with the manual crowd.

White Balance (8.0)
White balance options on the LZ2 are depicted by distinct graphics that are easy to understand. When users scroll through the icons, live views of the lighting alterations appear over the background. The following options are available: Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Halogen, Manual, and Manual Set. The manual option is easy to set, as it only requires the user to enter the Set option and take a picture of something that is "true white." There are no fluorescent presets, which is becoming standard on digital cameras. However, the manual mode is so easy to use that I didn’t miss the fluorescent option. If this range is still not enough to get a proper white, there is a handy White Balance Adjustment function that lets users tip the whites to a bluish or reddish hue. This is an extremely useful feature that will grant users the ability to shape the tonal caste of the shot in slight gradations. While this will take a bit more participation, users willing to make the effort will be grateful for the added precision and quality possible from its inclusion.

ISO (7.0)
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ2 has the following ISO options: Auto, 80, 100, 200, and 400. There are no live views within the menu, which is not expected, but it would have been a welcome inclusion. The ISO range itself is average, containing the standard sensitivity range of a compact imager. It is always nice when a point-and-shoot goes beyond the basics and includes an ISO 800 setting or drops the lowest rating down to ISO 50 to ensure clean images are attained, but it is not common in the sub-$300 price range.

Shutter Speed (0.0)
Shutter speeds range from 8 seconds to 1/2000^th of a second when the camera can automatically choose them. There is no true manual shutter speed function; however, there is a Slow Shutter option available. Within this option, users can choose 1/8-, 1/4-, 1/2, or 1-second speeds. Again, the control is limited to automatic, so those users truly interested in this section will likely overlook the LZ2, though the available range should be more then ample for point-and-shooters.

Aperture (0.0)
Users cannot manually adjust the aperture on this digital camera. In the wide zoom setting, the apertures can be either f/2.8 or f/5.6; in telephoto, f/4.5 and f/9 are available. Again, while there is no room for user involvement in this area, the f/2.8-f/9 iris range will enable users to shoot in a range of lighting and provide a variation of depths.