Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ7 Digital Camera Review

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ7

Digital Camera Review

Mar 09, 2007 - By Tom Warhol
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.
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Auto Mode
There is no full auto mode but there is a general shooting mode more similar to a program mode. Exposure is automatic but selections for white balance, ISO, aspect ratio, picture size and quality, and auto focus are possible.

Movie Mode
The Movie Mode allows users to change settings for White Balance, Aspect ratio (4:3, 16:9), Picture Mode (30 fps VGA, 10 fps VGA, 30 fps QVGA, 10 fps QVGA). Zooming is not possible in movie mode, but it can be selected before entering movie mode and the selected zoom setting remains while filming.

Drive/Burst Mode
The burst rate is not listed in Panasonic’s specs, but the floor personnel at PMA estimated a rate of 3 fps, which seemed reasonably accurate during the on-floor test. We will test this further when we conduct our full review on a production model. A self-timer mode with 2 and 10 second options is also available.

Playback Mode
Viewing of single images with up to 16x playback allowed for easy checking of sharpness and noise. Options for reviewing 9 images, 25 images, and calendar display are also possible, as are options for transferring files between the memory card and the internal memory. Simple trimming and resizing modes can be conducted here as well.

Custom Image Presets
There are 21 shooting presets selectable from the Mode dial, with the bulk of these accessed through SCN mode.
 
Custom Image Presets
 
Simple Mode
As the name implies, this is a simple shooting mode, with four basic functions. Picture Mode is a simple image size selection tool, with options for Enlarge, 4x6, and E-mail. Battery type allows users to change between two kinds of batteries: Nickel metal hydride or the proprietary oxyride. Beep provides the option to set sound to off, low, or high. Date and time can be altered in Clock Set.
Intelligent ISO
Automatically adjusts ISO to compensate for subject movement in low light situations.
Scene Modes
Many are self-explanatory and featured on other cameras. A more thorough accounting can be read about in our full review. Stay tuned.
Portrait
 
Soft Skin
 
Scenery
 
Sports
 
Night Portrait
 
Night Scenery
 
Food
 
Party
 
Candle
 
Fireworks
 
Starry Sky
 
Beach
 
Aerial Photo
 
Snow
 
High Sensitivity
 
Baby 1
 
Baby 2
 
Sunset
 
Pet
 
 
Design/Layout Page 6 of 12 Control Options
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