Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ5

Initial Performance Observations
Speed/Timing
The LZ5 and LZ3 take a couple of seconds to start up. That's not very long, but enough to miss good candids. Users should turn these new Panasonics on before they have the impulse to shoot. Burst modes were better than we were led to expect by Panasonic's press materials – on the LZ5, we got a 5-frame burst over 4 seconds in High burst mode, and an 8-frame burst in 8 seconds in Low burst mode. Both figures include an initial delay in which the camera focused. The LZ3 got off 5 shots in 3 seconds in High, and 5 frames in 5 seconds in Low. Both shot at something around 1 frame per second in "infinite" mode, which allows very long, slow bursts.

Shutter delay varied with subjects, the amount of light, and the amount of movement in the frame – focus increased the delay. We did not notice a difference between the LZ5 and LZ3. Their shutter delay is typical of compact cameras, and the LZ5 and LZ3 have enough such that users will need to anticipate the action a little, and press the shutter before the moment they're trying to catch.

Noise
Any digital camera shows increasing noise as its ISO increases. We found the LZ5 and LZ3's noise levels at 400 very high, at a level that many users would find distracting even in casual snapshots. The cameras fare much better at ISO 80 and 100. Even at 80, neither camera produces pristine images and they are worse than average across their range. Still, we expect that many casual users will be satisfied with the results at 80, 100 and 200 ISO.

The LZ5 and LZ3 offer a low-light scene mode which boosts ISO to 800 or 1600. The noise levels at 1600 are significantly worse than at 400, yielding blotches of color in both highlights and shadows. The low light mode is unfortunately useful only as a special effect.

Both the LZ5 and LZ3 are tuned to produce punchy, rather than accurate color. Reds look unnaturally bright and saturated – so bright that some red subjects lose detail, by becoming pure red blobs. Green looks much less saturated, going dark. In general, the LZ5 and LZ3 are tuned to give people a rosy glow. The colors that people don't want in skin, greens and blues, tend to suffer.

The heavy noise reduction on both cameras really cuts into image sharpness at ISO 200 and 400, and of course in the low light mode. Even at ISO 80 and 100, it appeared as though the limiting factor on sharpness is noise reduction. In fact, all the images from the LZ5 and LZ3 show odd, pebble-textured effects of noise suppression, and the look is increasingly pronounced as the ISO rating increases. It sort of defeats the purpose. Many 5 and 6 megapixel compact cameras are much sharper than the LZ5 and LZ3, and the shortcomings of these two cameras should be apparent in 5 x 7-inch prints.

Value
Getting an image-stabilized 6x zoom in a 6 megapixel compact camera for under $280 seems like quite a coup – or getting that for under $230 in a 5 megapixel camera. We like the LZ5 and LZ3's simple interface, the solid construction and the plain styling. Panasonic's image stabilization is great – it's effective and simple to use. We give the company credit for putting it on low-priced cameras, too.

Unfortunately, image quality doesn't keep up with the cameras' other attributes. Both noise and noise suppression take a toll on image quality. The cameras bump up warm colors, which will probably please snapshooters, but the results look inaccurate to us.

Who It’s For
Point-and-Shooters - The LZ5 and LZ3 should appeal to casual users – the interface is simple and easy to use, and people will look rosy-cheeked and healthy in their pictures.

Budget Consumers - The LZ5 and LZ3 are both pretty cheap for optically-stabilized cameras with 6x zooms. Budget buyers who are happy with the image quality might enjoy the LZ3.

Gadget Freaks - The LZ5 and LZ3 are not very close to the cutting edge. Gadget lovers might want to look at the higher-end Panasonics, if image stabilization is high on their list.

Manual Control Freaks - The LZ5 and LZ3 lack basic manual controls.

Pros/Serious Hobbyists - The LZ5 and LZ3 lack both the controls and image quality this segment is after.