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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Front
The LZ7, a slightly beefy point-and-shoot, has plastic construction with metal bands running along the left side, the top panel, and surrounding the lens. The floor model we looked at was the black version with silver metal bands. The model also comes in all silver. The lens sits to the right of the front, with the bulge/battery compartment/grip on the left and the Lumix logo at the top between them. A one-half-inch wide metal band extends from the lens to the left and follows the curve of the battery compartment. Below it and to the left is the 6x Optical Zoom label. The flash, a narrow rectangular affair, lies at the top right, above the AF Assist Beam, which is a small, round lamp. A white script L sits in a square field of orange at the bottom right. The outer lens barrel ring shows the words Mega O.I.S. at the top right. The inner ring of the lens barrel displays the specifications: 1:2.8 – 4.5/6.1-36.6 Asph.
 
 
Back
The back of the camera is dominated by the large 2.5” LCD on the left. A thumb pad at the top right consists of eight small recessed dots in a 3/3/2 pattern. The 4-way control ring sits on the bottom right. The Menu/Set button is surrounded, from top clockwise around the dial, by the Exposure compensation button, the Flash button, the Review button, and the Self-timer button. Below this and to the left sits the Display/High Angle button, with the Function/Trash button to the right of that.
 
 
Right Side
The right side of the LZ7 shows the metal band that runs up the side. Two screws holding the band to the plastic casing sit at top and bottom. The wrist-strap ring lies below the top screw, and the media card door sits below that. Five raised bumps serve as the thumb anchor to press and slide the door open.
 
 
Left Side
The LZ7's left side is fairly simple, with just the door hiding the computer and power connections at the bottom.
 
 
Top
The silver band that runs along the top of the camera houses the few controls present on this side. The mode dial lies in the center, extending out the back to provide easy thumb access on the ridged edge. The camera’s name, Panasonic DMC-LZ7, is printed on the right side. The shutter button with the wide angle/telephoto toggle ring sits to the left of the mode dial toward the front of the panel. On the right edge is the E Zoom button, and the Power switch sits below.
 

 

Bottom
The bottom of this Panasonic features the tripod mount on the left, the manufacturer’s label in the middle, and the battery compartment on the right which can be accessed by pushing along three raised ridges.
 
 
Testing/Performance Expectations Page 3 of 12 Components
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