Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS2S

Viewfinder
The Lumix LS2 does not have a viewfinder. The LCD display takes its place. In general, we see that as a wise choice for a camera at this price point– only a tiny optical viewfinder could fit on such a small camera.

LCD
A 2-inch, 87,000-pixel LCD is small and low-resolution, both in comparison to other compact cameras and as a tool to evaluate images. It may not make sense to put a larger unit in a $200 camera, but regardless of price, users will wish they had a larger, clearer view. The image is contrasty, with bright colors, and functions well in low light. We couldn't evaluate it in sunlight, which is a hard and more revealing test for displays.

The LCD is a TFT unit, and Panasonic says it's brighter than previous units. Like all LCD units, it darkens when viewed from much of an angle. Sideways views are better than the view from above and below, so it remains useful for sharing images with one or two friends. Panasonic added a "High Angle" setting, which significantly brightens the image, so the LCD is easier to see from below. This option will be useful for taking shots while holding the camera overhead.

Flash
The Lumix LS2's flash is small and close to the lens, meaning that red-eye could be a problem. The LS2 addresses this with a red-eye reduction preflash, which works, but increases the shutter lag. The flash itself produces harsh shadows, and because the flash is to the side of the lens, the shadows are cast to the side of the subject.

The flash has enough coverage to light the width of the wide angle view, and seemed to cast light evenly across the field of view. Panasonic says its reach extends 12 feet in wide angle mode, but only 6 feet in telephoto. At 6 feet, the telephoto shot will be a close-up.

Zoom Lens
The Lumix DC Vario is a 5.8 to 17.4mm zoom with a maximum aperture that runs from f/2.8 to f/5. The lens is comparable to a 35 to 105mm lens on a 35mm camera, for a moderate wide angle to a short telephoto. Snapshooters will probably find the range adequate for most of their shots. The wide angle is a little bit wider than some of the super zooms offer, and should help with group pictures. On the other end, the telephoto will be good for portraits, but isn't powerful enough for sports or wildlife.

A 3x zoom with this lens's aperture range is not a particularly ambitious design, which partly explains why it doesn't suffer from much distortion or color fringing, two problems common in more radical lenses.

MEGA O.I.S., Panasonic's trademark optical image stabilization system, is the outstanding feature in the lens. Apparently the full system, not a stripped-down economy version, the stabilization routine on the LS2 seems to be every bit as effective as it is on the more expensive cameras in the line. O.I.S. works in two modes: one stabilizes the image only while taking a picture and the other stabilizes constantly, to make it easier to frame the shot. Shooting-only mode is more effective, but constant mode can be a big help.