Digital Camera Review

Digital Camera Review

Jan 07, 2006 - By Patrick Singleton
Panasonic's line of image-stabilized compacts with substantial zooms has grown at the low end with the introduction of the Lumix DMC-LZ5 and DMC-LZ3. Both cameras feature the 6.1 to 36.6mm Lumix DC Vario 6x zoom lens, with MEGA O.I.S. Image stabilization, and they are built on the same frame – size, controls, and body materials are identical. For example, they both offer 14MB internal memory, direct printing, and a movie mode that can record 640 x 480 and 320 x 240 at 30 and 10 fps. The major functional difference between the two is resolution: the LZ5 has a 6 megapixel chip, and the LZ3 has a 5 megapixel one. The LZ5 also has a 2.5” LCD that’s a clear upgrade to the 2” display on the LZ3. Panasonic wants an extra $50 for the higher resolution camera. The LZ5 lists for $279.95, while the LZ3 is $229.95.
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Picture Quality / Size options
The LZ3 offers the following image sizes: 2560 x 1920, 2048 x 1536, 1600 x 1200, 1280 x 960, and 640 x 480. It can also shoot in different formats: 3:2 ratio – 2560 x 1712 and 2048 x 1360 – and 16:9 – 2560 x 1440 and 1920 x 1080.

The LZ5 offers the following image sizes: 2816 x 2112, 2048 x 1536, 1600 x 1200, 1280 x 960 and 640 x 480. It also offers different formats: 3:2 – 2816 x 1880 and 2048 x 1360 – and 16:9 – 2816 x 1584 and 1920 x 1080.

Both the LZ5 and LZ3 offer Fine and Standard quality JPEGs. We notice a significant quality improvement at Fine.

Picture Effects Mode
The LZ5 and LZ3 offer two sets of options for color adjustment. The subtle ones are under the “Picture Adjust” menu item, where the user can choose from Natural, Standard, and Vivid, which progressively increase saturation. The bolder ones are called “Color Effects” in the menu, and they include black-and-white, sepia, cool tone, and warm tone. All these effects work in movie mode as well as on stills.

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