Model Design / Appearance (7.5)
The Lumix DMC-LZ2 has a fairly compact frame, but it is not quite pocket-sized. The thick body inhibits it from sliding neatly into a pocket. The camera falls into an odd classification of zoom cameras, emphasizing extended telephoto capabilities with an image stabilization function, yet housed in the frame of a point-and-shoot. The LZ2, as opposed to the FZ5 or other “ultra-zoom” models sacrifices some of the “ultra” zoom perspective for increased portability and compact dimensions.
The plastic-bodied camera comes in a black or silver finish and looks at times both sleek and slightly clumsy. It exceeds the petite styling but does not quite extend into the larger compact camera aesthetic. There is a wave-like grip on the front for fingers and a small lip on the back for the thumb, so holding the LZ2 comfortably shouldn’t be a problem. The front is moderately attractive, although the exterior is saturated with self-promotion and labels; i.e. “Lumix, Panasonic, 6x Optical Zoom, L, Mega Optical Image Stabilizer, 5.0 Megapixels.” The back is better looking, with a simplified, futuristic layout that is engaging without appearing intimidating to new users.
Size / Portability (7.0)
The LZ2 is compact in form, though significantly thicker than slim cameras at 3.9 x 2.5 x 1.3 inches. The body size is not excessive enough to warrant using a neck strap, and could easily be stowed in a purse or small carrying case. The lens slightly protrudes from the body, with an electronic cap to protect it from any potential damage. The camera ships with a wrist strap for easy transport. Even without the strap, the mild bulk certainly could not be construed as burdensome, weighing in at just 7.9 ounces with card and batteries.
Handling Ability (7.0)
The LZ2 has several subtle features that aim to make handling more comfortable; a shallow right-hand grip, a curved structure on the front for the index and middle fingers, and small edge on the back for the thumb. With such a shallow angle of the grip, my hand felt a little cramped after an hour or so of on and off usage (and I don’t have overly large hands as some other users might). This camera will be best for 20 minutes or so of continuous shooting, but could extremely get uncomfortable after that. The lightweight construction will enable users to shoot easily with some level of control with just one hand, though two are recommended, of course.
Control Button / Dial Positioning / Size (7.0)
The buttons on the surface of the LZ1 are a bit small, but spaced far enough apart such that they do not interfere with one another. The exposed power switch is located on top and sticks out somewhat, but it is not likely to be accidentally engaged in a book bag because the switch is a little stiff. Most control buttons are easily accessible and the mode dial is blindly recognizable with its partially protruding design. The image stabilization button is located next to the shutter release - convenient placement for maximum speed and usability. Although it’s not a feature that is needed for every shot or even every ten shots, placing it on the frame rather then in a menu offers enhanced speed and opportunity in a spontaneous situation. The image stabilization button receives prime real estate on the LZ2, where a flash mode button or some other oft-used function might have been placed. It is a trade off; perhaps it would have been more beneficial to position a more frequently utilized setting near the controlling hand, yet the placement speaks of the weight Panasonic attributes to it. All other buttons are located on the back, and are all clearly labeled and intuitive in placement.
Menu (7.5)
The menus can be accessed with the clearly labeled Menu button to the right of the LCD screen. The menu options are in text, but some of the sub-menus consist of moderately ambiguous icons. For example, “white balance” is spelled out in the menu; when it is selected, users scroll though icons of a sun and cloud, among other things. Beginners may be confused by the Manual and Manual Set icons, so a quick briefing with the owner’s manual may be necessary depending on the user’s photographic knowledge.
The menu that initially appears will depend on what mode is chosen on the main mode dial at the time. When the movie icon is selected, a short movie mode menu appears with the following options: White Balance, Motion Rate, AF Mode, Digital Zoom, and Color Effect. In the Simple mode, a colorful, more simplistic menu appears with the following options: Picture Mode, Battery Type, Beep and Clock Set. The simplified menu contains options such as Enlarge, 4 x 6, and Email, instead of pixel count sizes in the Picture Mode setting. The Scene mode also has a colorful menu with these choices: Picture Size, Quality, Audio Recording, AF Mode, Slow Shutter, and Digital Zoom. In the Macro, Economy, and Normal Picture modes, the same menu appears with the following selections: White Balance, Sensitivity, Picture Size, Quality, Audio Recording, AF Mode, Slow Shutter, Digital Zoom, Color Effect, and Picture Adjust.
The Setup menu is available from most shooting modes and offers these options: Battery Type, Monitor, Auto Review, Power Save, Beep, Clock Set, No. Reset, Reset, USB Mode, Video Out, Scene Menu, and Language. The multi-lingual Panasonic LZ2 speaks English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Chinese, and Japanese. In the Playback menu, photographers can choose Rotate Display, Rotate, Protect, DPOF Print, Slide Show, Audio Dubbing, Resize, Trimming, Copy, and Format.
Ease of Use (8.0)
The Panasonic DMC-LZ2 can be as easy to use as you make it. In the Simple mode, the menus are sooo simple and remove any shooting adjustments that would be made. When you’re in the Normal Picture mode, the LZ2 can be a basic point-and-shoot or menu options can be made available. The initial text menus are helpful, but the graphic sub-menus can sometimes be a bit too vague. Navigating through the menus is not complicated at all, as most are short and onscreen arrows always show a user where to go. A few of the menu options have live views that aid users in making decisions about which exposure settings to use. The intuitive layout and clearly labeled buttons contribute to an overall sense of simplicity.
