Value (7.25)
With a list price of $279.95, the Lumix LZ5 is not the cheapest snapshot camera around, but for what it offers, it's a bargain. Its 6x zoom and 6 megapixel resolution are unique at that price, and image stabilization really separates it from its competition.

What's puzzling about the Lumix LZ5 is its lack of manual controls. It's common to see cameras at the very bottom of a product line so limited, but with this resolution and zoom range, we expected more options.

Comparisons
Canon PowerShot A700 - The Canon PowerShot A700, with an online price in the $350 range, has a 6x zoom and a 6 megapixel sensor, like the Lumix LZ5. It lacks the Lumix LZ5's optical image stabilization, so strictly in terms of specs, it makes the LZ5 look like quite a bargain. On the other hand, the A700 has a much more complete feature set for manual controls, and Canons generally deliver lower noise than the Lumix line. The A700 also features a 2.5-inch, 115,000 pixel LCD. Though that resolution isn't great, it's much better than the LZ5's 85,000. All told, Canon doesn't make a case for the A700 to cost $70 more than the Lumix LZ5.



Canon PowerShot SD700 IS - Canon introduced an image-stabilized compact this year, but they want $499 for it -- $210 more than the Lumix LZ5. The SD700 features a 4x zoom, which is considerably shorter than the Lumix LZ5's. The SD700 has a very good LCD, with a resolution of 173,000 pixels, a bit more than twice the Lumix LZ5's. Like the A700, the SD700 has manual controls that put the Lumix LZ5 to shame. The SD700 has its share of unusual features, including a range of slightly goofy picture effects, and a 60 frames-per-second movie mode at 320 x 240 resolution. Still, the Lumix LZ5 makes it look expensive.


Nikon Coolpix S4 - The Nikon Coolpix S4 is a 6 megapixel compact camera with very limited manual controls. To that extent, it's like the Lumix LZ5. The S4 has a 10x zoom, which seems like a big advantage until one notes that the S4 lacks image stabilization. The prospect of using a 380mm-equivalent lens on a camera with no viewfinder pretty much begs for stabilization. With an online price of $320, it runs for substantially more than the Lumix LZ5, but in terms of basic features, it doesn't beat the Lumix LZ5 at much, and lags behind it in several ways.


Who It’s For
Point-and-Shooters - The Lumix LZ5 is a point-and-shooter's camera. Its two key features – image stabilization and simplified controls – should be very appealing to casual users who have trouble holding a camera steady, and who don't want to be confronted by complex controls.

Budget Consumers - Again, the Lumix LZ5 will find part of its market share among consumers who like hoard their nickels. It's remarkably high-res and has a long zoom for a camera under $300, and only Panasonic offers optical image stabilization at such a low price.

Gadget Freaks - The Lumix LZ5 is somewhat limited in geek appeal. Optical image stabilization is its only distinctive technology, and that can be found on trendier cameras with other new technology.

Manual Control Freaks - With little control over exposure, and none over focus, the Lumix LZ5 is the sort of camera manual control freaks should avoid.

Pros / Serious Hobbyists - The Lumix LZ5 doesn't have the controls or the image quality for this market segment at all.

Connectivity / Extras Page 10 of 13 Conclusion Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ5 Digital Camera Review Navigation