Product Description

With both a 30mm wide-angle Leica DC Vario-Elmar lens and a 5x zoom, this is one camera that does it all. You can fit more in the photo than you can with a 35mm lens, so you can get more of a sweeping landscape in a single shot. The 5x zoom is great for capturing dramatic shots of small or distant subjects. There's also an Extra Optical Zoom function that boosts zoom power to 8.9x in 3-megapixel resolution mode. Simply set the LZ10 to iA mode and let the camera do the rest. Intelligent Scene Selector chooses the mode that best fits the situation; MEGA Optical Image Stabilization (O.I.S.) helps prevent blurring from hand-shake; Intelligent ISO Control helps prevent motion blur; and Face Detection helps produce clear portraits by optimizing the focus and exposure settings. The brightness and contrast of the large 2.5" diagonal LCD adjust automatically in 10 steps as ambient light conditions change, so images are clear, bright and easy to see day or night, indoors or outdoors. f=5.2-26mm (35mm Equiv. - 30-150mm) Focal Length 2.5 Diagonal Polycrystalline TFT LCD Display (230K dots) Focusing Area Normal - Wide 50cm/ Tele 100cm - infinity, Macro / Intelligent AUTO - Wide 5cm / Tele 100cm - infinity 8 - 1/2,000 sec. Starry Sky Mode - 15, 30, 60sec. Shutter Speed Auto / 100 / 200 / 400 / 800 / 1600 (High Sensitivity Mode - Auto(1600 - 6400) ) ISO 27MB Internal Memory (additional memory recommended to store more photos and video) Built-in Microphone and Speaker SD/SDHC, MultiMedia Card Slot Built-in Flash with Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced Off modes DC Input, AV Output (NTSC/PAL), USB Connections PictBridge Compatible Approximate Battery Life - 260 Shots (Oxide Batteries) Approximate Unit Weight - 0.33 lbs

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3054 in Camera & Photo
• Color: Black
• Brand: Panasonic
• Model: DMC-LZ10K
• Released on: 2008-03-03
• Dimensions: 3.88" h x 1.31" w x 2.44" l, .70 pounds
• Display size: 2.5

Features

• 10-megapixel resolution captures enough detail for poster-sized prints
• 5x wide-angle optical zoom; Mega Optical Image Stabilized
• 2.5-inch Intelligent LCD screen; Face Detection
• Intelligent ISO; Intelligent Scene Selector
• Captures images to SD memory cards (not included)

Manufacturer Description

The 10-megapixel Panasonic LZ10 is perfect for anyone who expects a digital camera that blends power, performance and quality, helping to maximize the digital photography experience. The LZ-Series’ lenses were developed by Panasonic, passing Leica's stringent standards to deliver an exceptional optical performance for Panasonic Lumix consumers. And with the the LZ10’s 30mm wide-angle lens, you can capture larger group photos or more expansive scenic shots.

To provide digital photographers with added creative elements and performance, the LZ10 sports manual control over aperture and shutter speed, thanks to the camera’s newly-adopted iris. When shooting manually, you can choose from three modes: A-aperture priority, S-shutter speed priority and M-manual and enjoy added control and creativity normally reserved for higher end models. Also new to the LZ10 is Advanced Scene Mode -- a feature that gives you manual control using some of the frequently-used scene modes: Portrait, Sports, Landscape and Night portrait.

While in Advanced Scene Mode, when selecting the Portrait or Sports mode, the consumer is then presented with additional settings, with the option of choosing outdoor or indoor. When selecting Landscape mode, there are options to specify if the shot is nature or architecture. For budding photographers who desire even more artistic freedom, they can choose Creative mode, which adds more manual controls over an aperture or a shutter speed.

For those not quite ready for complete manual control, the LZ10 also features Panasonic’s Intelligent Auto Mode, which is comprised of five distinct technologies designed to provide users with intuitive and automatic camera adjustments, regardless of the shooting condition and without the user having to do anything manually. Intelligent Auto Mode consists of the following features:

Mega O.I.S. Gyrosensors detect hand-shake and the lens system shifts to compensate, helping to prevent hand-shake from creating a blurry image.

Intelligent ISO Can determine if the photo subject is moving and change the ISO setting and shutter speed accordingly, thus giving a blur-free photo.

Intelligent Scene Selector Senses the ambient conditions, recognizes the shooting environment and will automatically select the appropriate scene mode from: Scenery, Portrait, Macro, Night Portrait or Night Scenery mode.

Face Detection Panasonic’s Face Detection detects up to 15 faces anywhere in the frame, even if they are moving, and automatically chooses the optimal focus and exposure settings so portraits come out clear and crisp.

Quick AF The Quick AF (auto focus) system starts focus on the subject by just pointing the camera to the subject, thus minimizing the AF time.

The LZ10 also features a new 230,000-dot high-resolution LCD, complete with the new Intelligent LCD, meaning the 2.5-inch LCD screen detects the lighting condition and controls the brightness level to offer optimal clarity in any situation, whether dark or light; indoors or outdoors. The camera also includes the popular High Angle mode which makes the LCD screen easy to view when held high, to shoot over a crowd or a tall object.

Additional highlights of the Panasonic Lumix LZ10 include:

• Newly-added speaker lets you enjoy a slide show with music, select from natural, slow, urban or swing tunes; or add voice to a motion video.
• Title Edit function which allows you to input text to accompany a photo, for instance, the names of children or travel locations.
• Ability to record WVGA (848 x 480) motion images at 30 frames per second in a 16:9 aspect ratio, ideal for viewing on High Definition televisions, such as Panasonic Viera Plasmas and LCDs.
• The ability to shoot 1920x1080 pixel High-Definition ready photos, ideal for wide-screen viewing on a 16:9 Viera Plasma or LCD.
• The DMC-LZ10 can shoot up to 160 images with the included Alkaline batteries and up to 460 images with optional Ni-MH rechargeable batteries (2600mAh).
• A record/playback mode switch, which lets the photographer switch between recording and playback modes, while always knowing the current mode.

Customer Reviews

Panasonic LZ10K
This is not your old Kodak instamatic camera, although it looks like one. This camera is miniature. Fits into any pocket or the palm of your hand. It comes with all the bells and whistles you need to take a variety of different lighting condition photographs. I chose this camera over some of the other Panasonic cameras because it allows for a manual setting for aperture and shutter speeds. Additionally it allows for timed exposure shots. So I would suggest this camera for someone a tad bit advanced in the knowledge of photography. The zoom is good and the image stabilization works fine. Over all I would give this camera an 8 out of 10. I took off 1 point because Panasonic could have fit a 3 inch viewing screen on the back rather than a 2 ½ inch and another point off for battery consumption. Keep a few batteries on hand

It Was (Nearly) Everything I Needed
I want to start off by saying I am a loyal Canon shooter. I own both film and digital SLRs and love them very much. When I needed a digital point and shoot to carry with me whenever carrying the DSLR was impractical, I saved my pennies and bought a G9. The G9 is a fantastic point and shoot which I highly recommend.

So why am I writing a review for the Panasonic DMC-LZ10? Well, about a week ago, I dropped my G9 and the lens was stuck in the open position. I have to send it in to Canon for repair. In the interim, however, I didn't want to be without a digital point and shoot. I also didn't want to spend a boat-load of money. My first instinct was to get another Canon. I tried several of the lower-cost versions, in particular the A590Is. It's a fine camera, and I liked the IQ enough (but not as much as my G9). I didn't like the feel of it in my hand or the fact that it felt a bit flimsy. So I began to look around...and at other brands.

During my research, the Lumix line kept popping up. I became curious. I did more, specific research. I then found that the LZ10 fulfilled nearly all of my needs/wants:

1) Cost--I wasn't going to spend and arm and a leg on a camera that would be used pretty much while another was in the shop.

2) Size--I wanted a camera small enough to take alone without being intrusive.

3) IQ--I wanted a camera that was able to create photographs with good, usable image quality. I wanted low noise and good resolution. I wasn't going to fool myself into thinking I'd get DSLR quality, but I also didn't want to fool around with "project" photos.

4) Control Beyond Pre-Set "Scenes"--I am very fond of being able to shoot in shutter priority, aperture priority, and manual. I will occasionally use Program mode, but often eschew the "Scene" or "Creative" modes.

5) Build Quality--I like to USE my cameras, and I tote them along with me every day. Build quality is an important issue.

6) File Format--In a perfect world I would love to have RAW capability.

7) Battery--The propitiatory batter in my G9 wasn't as much of an issue because it uses the same batteries found in my older DSLR...batteries I already had but haven't been using. I wasn't interested in starting a whole new battery collection, so standard AAs were very appealing.

8) Looks--Yes, a little bit of vanity creeps in now and again.

So, how does the DMC-LZ10 stack up? Pretty darned favorably I have to say.

1) Cost--It was right in my wheelhouse. I feel it is a good value for the money.

2) Size--The camera is surprisingly small without feeling teeny. The ergonomics are good...it feels "right" in the hand.

3) IQ--For a camera in this price range, I am very pleased with the image quality. The anti-shake works well, and my over-all hit-to-miss ratio is very favorable. The Leica lens is a good performer (although the photos will never be mistaken for those taken with an M8) and the wide angle end is very serviceable at 30mm (equivalent).

4) Control Beyond Pre-Set "Scenes"--Yup...it has shutter priority, aperture priority, manual, and program modes. Sure, it also has all the "Creative" and "Scene" modes, as well as Panasoinc's "Intelligent Automatic" which really does a lot of thinking for you.

5) Build Quality--Unlike the Canon A590Is, The DMC-LZ10 has a predominantly metal body and feels substantial.

6) File Format--Here is where the camera lets me down a bit. There is no RAW support, only JPG.

7) Battery--Double A batteries it is. I got some Eneloops and they work wonderfully.

8) Looks--I have to admit this camera does LOOK good. It's sleek, with a hint of a retro feel that I really like.

So in the end, I am very happy with my choice to get the Lumix DMC-LZ10. So happy, in fact, that I do not plan on shelving it once my G9 returns from the shop. I want to find some way to put it to use in my daily work flow.

Great camera for a great price
I bought this camera on the recommdation of my brother. He does a lot of photography and said it was one of the best priced cameras with the leica lens. I love it. The pictures come out with so much clarity. The camera picks up details that I can't see with my own eyes. The video capabilities are nice too. I purchased this with the additional memory card and rechargeable batteries.