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.
Picture Quality/Size Options
Six image quality settings—including 7MP, 5MP, 3MP, 2MP, 1MP, 0.3MP—with all but 7MP utilized in Easy Zoom mode, are possible, as well as a range of three aspect ratios, 4:3, 3:2, and 16:9.
Picture Effects Mode
Basic picture effects allow Standard, Natural, Vivid, Black-and-White, and Sepia settings, but there is no fine control in these settings. They can only be turned on and off.
