Model Design / Appearance (7.5)
The Lumix LZ5 follows Panasonic's typical design restraint. There isn't much extra decoration or detail on the LZ5, so its typical compact camera layout looks attractive yet not intimidating. The black model looks better, because of the contrast between the metal parts and the black plastic.
Size / Portability (7.0)
The Lumix LZ5 is 2.44'' x 3.94'' x 1.77'' when it's turned off, so it's a pretty small compact, though not one of the tiny pocket cams. Panasonic lists its weight as “0.41 lbs,” which translates into 6.56 ounces, or 186 grams. The camera is small and convenient to carry, though it should be kept in a case to protect it from dust and moisture – its doors and lens are not sealed well against these, and definitely not well enough to protect it in a backpack or purse.
Handling Ability (6.75)
The Lumix LZ5's simple, thoughtful design is a big practical advantage. It's not an intimidating camera for casual snapshooters. Controls are clearly marked, and its conventional shape is easy to hold. It would be a bit more secure if it had some rubber texture on the grip. Even cameras as light as the Lumix LZ5 perform better when they're held with two hands. The plain top and left sides of the camera make it easy to find a comfortable place for the user's left hand, though there is a risk of covering the flash – and covering it completely, given how small it is.
Control Button / Dial Positioning / Size (6.0)
The shutter release and zoom ring feel good in use, but they wobble a little, which suggests that they may not last. The mode dial is easy to turn, but stiff enough so that it shouldn't accidentally change settings. Unfortunately, it wobbles too, and strikes us as the most vulnerable control on the camera. The control buttons on the back feel more durable, and they're comfortable to use.
I found the image stabilization button a little too convenient to use. It's odd to say that a button is too convenient, but I think it's unlikely that users will switch the stabilization setting much, so I don't think the button needs such a prominent placement. Really, the only times a user should turn it off are those rare occasions when the Lumix LZ5 is on a tripod. It appears as though the button is up on top, near the shutter, only to remind users that they have stabilization – or to help camera salespeople nudge purchasers toward the Lumix LZ5.
Menu (7.5)
Since the Lumix LZ5 doesn't have many manual options, the shooting menu is short, and it includes some options that more complicated cameras bury in setup or customization menus. Two examples are the Slow Shutter limit setting, which prevents the user from shooting long exposures, and Picture Adjust, which sets the saturation.
Interestingly, basic controls including burst mode and EV compensation aren’t present in the menus – they’re only accessible through direct controls.
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Shooting Menu
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White Balance
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Adjust camera for type of lighting
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ISO Sensitivity
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Set Lumix LZ5's level of sensitivity to light
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Aspect Ratio
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Set shape of images to 4:3, 3:2 or 16:9
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Pict. Size
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Set image resolution
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Quality
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Set the amount of image compression on JPEG files
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Audio Rec
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Record audio memos
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AF Mode
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Select the pattern of autofocus sensors
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Slow Shutter
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Set the longest exposure available
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D. Zoom
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Set the digital zoom, or shut it off
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Col. Effect
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Set for Cool, Warm, Black and White or Sepia
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Pict. Adj.
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Set for Vivid, Natural or Normal color reproduction
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Setup
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Battery Type
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Set for rechargeables, alkalines or Panasonic's “Oxyride” AA batteries
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Clock Set
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Set time and date
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Monitor
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Set LCD brightness
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Auto Review
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Set how images display on LCD just after they're shot
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Power Save
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Set interval after which the Lumix LZ5 shuts itself off
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Beep
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Set sound the Lumix LZ5 makes when operated
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No. Reset
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Set image numbering
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Reset
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Return settings to factory default
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USB Mode
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Set to connect to a printer or a computer
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Video Out
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Set for television type: PAL or NTSC
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Scene Menu
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Set to show information about scene modes when the Lumix LZ5 is switched to scene mode
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Language
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Set menu and alert language
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A separate menu comes up in Playback mode.
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Playback
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Slide Show
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Set up slide shows
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Favorite
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Tag favorite images
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Rotate Disp
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Show vertical images upright on LCD
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Rotate
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Re-save vertical images upright
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DPOF Print
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Select images for printing
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Protect
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Prevent accidental deletion of images
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Audio Dub
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Add sound
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Resize
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Shrink images and save copies
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Trimming
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Crop images
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Copy
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Copy image from SD card to built-in memory or vice-versa
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Format
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Format memory
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Ease of Use (6.5)
The Lumix LZ5 is designed for casual users, so it automates many functions and omits or hides features that make for complicated choices. Among the missing features are some fundamental ones: there is no choice of metering modes and no manual exposure control. Its scene modes include help screens that beginners will find useful. The result is a camera that is very easy for beginners to use, but limiting for advanced photographers. That's a marketable design: many casual snapshooters complain that even simple cameras are overloaded with options and controls they don't understand or want.
Unfortunately, Panasonic's user manual for the Lumix LZ5 should be much more helpful than it is. The graphic design should indicate the divide between quick start instructions and advanced information more clearly. Sample pictures should be larger and reproduced better. The quick start section should have shorter, clearer text. The whole thing needs proofreading as well – there is no data in the memory capacity charts, and several specs that were supposed to show both metric and English equivalents show real metric figures, but only placeholders for ounces and inches. Our review sample camera is probably from the first manufacturing run, but we don't see errors like these from other companies.
