The 7.2-megapixel Lumix DMC-LZ7 is one of Panasonic’s latest entries into the point-and-shoot market. Retailing for $199.00, the LZ7 features a 6x optical zoom lens and an Easy Zoom button that quickly brings the lens to the 6x point. An additional press of the button expands the zoom to 9x but reduces the image size to 3 megapixels. The LZ7 packs in a 2.5” LCD with a resolution of 115,000 pixels. As with all of the new cameras in Panasonic’s Lumix line, the LZ7 includes Intelligent Image Stabilization, a new feature that incorporates Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) and Intelligent ISO Control that adjusts ISO for subject movement in low light conditions. The new Lumix cameras also incorporate a Venus Engine III processor, which was formerly only available in their higher end cameras.
