Product Description

6x Optical Zoom / 2.5" LCD / Mega Optical Image Stabilizer / High Sensitivity Mode / SD Memory Card Slot / PictBridge / USB / 3.88'' x 2.45'' x 1.30''

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #16758 in Camera & Photo
• Color: Silver
• Brand: Panasonic
• Model: DMC-LZ7-S
• Released on: 2007-02-27
• Dimensions: 2.45" h x 1.30" w x 3.88" l, .41 pounds
• Display size: 2.5

Features

• 7.2-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 15 x 20-inch prints
• 6x image-stabilized optical zoom; 2.5-inch LCD display
• Intelligent ISO Control (I.I.C.) reduces image blur from subject movement and low light
• Records full-size movies in wide-aspect VGA (848 x 480) at 30 frames per second
• Stores images on SD/SDHC/MMC memory cards; 27MB internal memory

Manufacturer Description
The DMC-LZ7 boasts 7.2-megapixel recording, a powerful 6x optical zoom lens (equivalent to 37-222mm on a 35mm film camera) and convenient AA battery operation. plus a bright, easy-to-see 2.5-inch LCD. Thanks to Panasonic's careful redesign inside and out, the LZ7 has a more stylish and higher-quality appearance than previous models, and is smaller and lighter despite using AA batteries.

The new Venus Engine III image processing engine gives them even higher image quality and speedier processing. The LZ7 also incorporates the Intelligent Image Stabilization system, which which comprises two features -- Mega O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) and Intelligent ISO Control -- that together make it easy to capture beautiful photos every time you shoot. Mega O.I.S. compensates for the effects of hand-shake, making it possible to capture clear, crisp photos indoors, at night, when taking macro close-ups, or using high powered zooming -- situations in which hand-shake is most likely to be a problem. Even Mega O.I.S., however, cannot suppress the motion blur caused by a subject moving as the photo is being snapped. That's where Intelligent ISO Control comes in. In this system, the camera's Venus Engine III image-processing engine detects whether the subject is moving and, as necessary, raises the ISO setting and shutter speed according to the degree of movement and light conditions. This happens automatically, so you can shoot without the bother of adjusting settings every time conditions change. Lumix and its powerful Intelligent Image Stabilization system do all the work for you. You enjoy easy, trouble-free shooting in any situation and get the satisfaction that comes with capturing clear, beautiful images.

The LZ7 offers a range of features that enhance usability and add convenience. The new Quick Setting function lets you quickly and easily access and set the functions used most often. The Easy Zoom feature shifts the lens instantly to full 6x zoom power at the touch of a dedicated button. With the new Date Stamp function, you can simply stamp the date on photos or you can take advantage of two new, original Lumix features. When travelling, you can stamp the day of the trip on the photos you take. Or, if you have a baby, you can stamp his or her age in months on your photos. The stamped information appears on photos that you print yourself at home or have printed at a photo shop.

Effective resolution has been increased to 7.2 megapixels in the LZ7, supporting enhanced functions. It features approximately 27MB of built-in memory and accepts large-capacity SDHC memory cards for extra shooting convenience and flexibility. Powered by two of Panasonic’s original, extended-life Oxyride dry cell batteries, the LZ7 can take around 250 shots (CIPA). The menu and its graphical user interface have also been redesigned, with the colors brightened for easier viewability.

Combining a powerful 6x optical zoom with Panasonic's blur-fighting Intelligent Image Stabilization, the DMC-LZ7 makes it easy for even digital camera beginners to take clear, crisp, beautiful photos every time they shoot.

DMC-LZ7 Highlights

Lumix DC Vario lens with powerful 6x optical zoom and Easy Zoom function In the DMC-LZ7, Panasonic packages a Lumix DC Vario lens featuring a 6x optical zoom -- among the most powerful available in this class -- with a 7.2-megapixel CCD into a compact, lightweight body. A crystallization of Panasonic’s advanced lens technologies, the Lumix DC Vario lens comprises eight elements in seven groups, including two lenses with a combined three aspherical surfaces, and delivers an outstanding optical performance. The powerful 6x optical zoom lets you capture impressive close-up shots of distant subjects and take beautiful photos with an attractive, softly focused background. Further, in 3-megapixel resolution mode, the Extra Optical Zoom function uses the centre part of the CCD to provide additional magnification, extending the zoom power to 9x. Using this feature in combination with the 4x digital zoom brings the total zooming power to a remarkable 36x. The Easy Zoom feature shifts the lens instantly to full 6x zoom power at the a touch of a dedicated button, and with a second touch, the lens is shifted to 9x by activating the Extra Optical Zoom function.

Intelligent Image Stabilization: Mega O.I.S. for hand-shake plus Intelligent ISO Control for motion blur Panasonic drew on its cutting-edge lens technology to invent Mega O.I.S.(Optical Image Stabilizer), an optical image stabilizer that prevents blurring from shaky hands -- the leading cause of blurry images. With Mega O.I.S., it is easier than ever to capture clear, sharp, beautiful images when shooting telephoto shots, indoor portraits, illuminated night scenes or even the scenery you see from a train window.

While hand-shake is the single biggest cause of blurry images, it is not the only one. Another problem is the motion blur that can occur when a subject moves as the shot is being snapped. Incorporating Panasonic's new Intelligent ISO Control, Lumix cameras are the first in the world to fight motion blur by themselves. This system detects whether or not the subject is moving. If it is, the system automatically raises the ISO setting accordingly, allowing the camera to shoot at a higher shutter speed. If the subject is not moving, the camera shoots at a low ISO setting and captures beautiful, natural-looking images. Intelligent ISO Control is included as one of the corrections in certain scene modes used to shoot subjects that are often moving, such as Sports, Baby and the newly added Pet mode. Simply select the mode that best suits the subject, and Intelligent ISO Control provides the optimal corrections, making it easy to capture crisp, clear photos.

With Intelligent Image Stabilization -- Mega O.I.S. to compensate for hand-shake plus Intelligent ISO Control to prevent motion blur -- Panasonic has taken image stabilization a leap forward and equipped the new Lumix DMC-LZ7 with the industry's most advanced countermeasures against blurring.

High-quality, high-performance Image-Processing LSI: Venus Engine III The DMC-LZ7 features Panasonic's Venus Engine III, an advanced image processing engine which in the past was offered only in the step-up Lumix models. It can record at a sensitivity setting as high as ISO 1250 with full resolution. Noise reduction is also greatly improved, with picture noise removed in stages during image processing. First, critical noise is roughly undraped and chromatic noise and luminance noise are separated. The chromatic noise, which has a greater effect on picture quality, is then selectively suppressed to a substantial degree.

With its multi-task image-processing capability, the Venus Engine III also boasts outstanding response time. Shutter release time lag is as short as 0.005 second. This fast response makes it easy to capture sudden, spur-of-the-moment shots. It also allows unlimited consecutive shooting -- you can continue snapping shots until the SDHC/SD memory card is full.

Record clear, bright, wide-aspect VGA motion images -- ideal for widescreen viewing In addition to recording standard VGA (640 x 480) motion images at 30 frames per second, the DMC-LZ7 can record stunning wide-aspect VGA (848 x 480) motion images at 30 frames per second. These 16:9 motion pictures look extremely impressive on a wide-screen TV. The pixel-mixed readout method used by the CCD enhances image brightness, so the pictures you see are clear, bright and beautiful.

Bright 2.5-inch LCD for easy shooting and playback The DMC-LZ7 has a large, bright 2.5-inch LCD for comfortable viewing both while monitoring shots and while playing back the results. The pixel-mixed readout method used by the CCD automatically increases the brightness of the live image on the LCD, making it much easier to shoot in low lighting. The High Angle mode, which can be accessed quickly and easily via a dedicated button, makes the LCD screen extremely easy to view when the camera is held high, such as to shoot over a crowd.

Fast, easy auto focusing To match the shooting situation and subject's position, the user can select from five auto-focusing methods: 5-point, 3-point high-speed, 1-point high-speed, 1-point normal-speed, and spot. As with all powerful zoom models in the Lumix family, the DMC-LZ7 leads the industry with its short AF time, especially in the 1 point high-speed AF, achieving quick, smooth operation. Although screen-freeze in high-speed auto focusing is now minimised, it can be entirely eliminated when taking pictures of fast-moving subjects by selecting 1-point normal-speed AF.

Extended shooting with Panasonic's Oxyride AA batteries The DMC-LZ7 runs on two AA batteries, which can be purchased anywhere. Each camera also comes with two Panasonic Oxyride AA batteries, which let you take around 65 percent more shots than you can with ordinary Panasonic alkaline batteries. The Oxyride batteries let you take around 250 shots (CIPA).

Other advanced features In addition to outstanding basic specifications, a host of other improvements make the DMC-LZ7 ideal for taking beautiful pictures with ease. Approximately 27 MB of built-in memory is provided, and the camera accommodates large-capacity SDHC memory cards. A total of 18 scene modes, including the new Pet and Sunset modes, also make it easy to get beautiful photos in a range of photographic situations. Three of the modes -- Sports, Baby and Pet -- apply Panasonic's Intelligent ISO Control to help you capture crisp, blur-free photos even if the subject moves as you shoot. Frequently used functions, such as white balance adjustment, ISO setting, picture size, quality (compression format) and consecutive shots, are quickly and easily handled with the Quick Setting function without having to enter the menu and set each of them.

The fun continues even when the shooting is done With the DMC-LZ7, the enjoyment of photography doesn't end when you're done shooting for the day. One additional function that broadens the fun of photography is Direct Print mode. To select it, simply turn the mode dial on the camera top. Then use the USB cable provided to connect the camera to a Pictbridge-compatible printer, and you're ready to print beautiful photos. Print all the images you shot or only your favourites, and make one copy or multiple copies as you wish. When you turn the mode dial, the mode selected is indicated on the LCD. This lets you change the mode to recording, playback or direct printing without taking your eyes off the subject.

Also interesting is the new Date Stamp function. In addition to showing the date a photo was taken, the LZ7 can show on which day of the trip a photo was taken. They can also stamp your baby's age in months on a photo, after you've taken the shots. These dates, which can be helpful when making a photo album, can be stamped on photos whether you print them yourself at home or have a photo shop do them.

With the optional Panasonic DMW-SDP1 HDTV Photo Player, it's easy to have a slide show of Lumix images in 1080i high-definition quality. By simply connecting the SDP1, via a component cable, to a high-definition TV such as a Panasonic Viera, and inserting the SDHC/SD memory card into its slot, users can view their photos on a large display together with family or friends. Like Lumix cameras, the DMW-SDP1 incorporates the Venus Engine III imaging engine. This provides extremely quick advancing from one slide to the next. It also allows playback of wide-aspect VGA (848x 480) motion images that fit an HDTV’s 16:9 screen.

Customer Reviews

Despite being bulky, image quality is fantastic!
PROS: Fantastic "straight outta the box" image quality. There is almost little or no shutter lag the second your press the shutter button. Auto focus is fast too. It wasn't so much that this was a standard point-and-shoot when I was looking for an ultra-slim camera - but most of the ultra-slim cameras I've tried sacrifice image quality to cram as much technology in such a little body - while boosting the price up. The LZ7 is a fantastic performer. The 6x optical zoom with OPTICAL image stabilization (not digital, I'm not a fan of "digital" image stabilization) is a plus. It's actually BETTER than the IS on the Canon SD700IS and SD800IS that I previously tested out (I returned both of them because paying DSLR body prices for a point-and-shoot camera is outrageous). The major plus of this camera is the image quality. Fantastic, sharp and decently saturated. It's one of the few cameras where I feel comfortable printing photos straight outta the camera. I even impressed a few colleagues of showing some 8x10s that I printed straight out of my silver LZ7 and they were shocked that I didn't take the shot with a DSLR. That's what I call great image quality!

CONS: This is quite a beefy camera. In the age of ultra-slim point-and-shoot cameras that boasts the same features as the LZ7, for the price I paid for it, it's totally worth it. The use of AA batteries might be convenient to some, but it sure contributes to the weight and size of this camera. I'm still pleased regardless. The image quality and pros outweigh the cons of this camera.

Camera for the point & shoot challenged
This camera shoots gorgeous pics and movies. I picked it after some pretty intensive research. I wanted a camera that would capture ALL pics even in low light with a stabilizer that would give me steady pics even if the person holding it had shaky hands. I also wanted it so simple that it had icons that was obvious. (In other words, a camera for the "point & shoot" challenged.) I wanted it to have easy to get and cheap batteries (Double A)and memory card (my 2 gig SDM cost $29) I also wanted it to download right to my pictbridge printer in the event I didn't want to power up my pc. And just to make it REALLY fun, I wanted all this for less than $250.

Does it deliver?

Oh yeah.

Panasonic DMC-LZ7
Many reviews comment about the bulkiness of this camera. That's what drew me to the LZ7,... it's size. I have large hands and cannot curl my fingers around something small like many of the cameras currently on the market. I also wanted something that was easy to use and had buttons large enough for my fingers to be able to use them without me stopping to look at the camera controls every time I wanted to take a picture.

My main use of a digital camera is to take pictures of items that I put up at internet auction sites. I didn't need something that would have such a high optical zoom that I could count the individual stitches on the picture of a sweater. But I did want something that gave me a little more clarity than my current Olympus 1.3 Megapixel without going into debt to get one. I did a lot of research and came to the conclusion this camera should suit my needs nicely for several years to come. I checked it out at a local big box retailer and was pleased with how it fit in my hand. Buttons were easy to reach and use. The shutter button is located in from the edge just over 3/4 of an inch which allows my index finger to extend out comfortably as I press down.

This is my first camera without a viewfinder and that is a little hard to get used to but it's the way of the future. The screen is not quite 2 ½" diagonally but it is generous enough. I like how the camera freezes the shot and shows it on the screen for a couple of seconds before it goes back to live mode.

My Olympus required the card to be in the camera before I could take a picture. This one does not. It has a bit of built in memory which can be a good and a bad thing. It's great if you happen to forget to put the card back in and snap an important once in a lifetime shot but it's bad in the fact that once you take the shot you have to dig out the USB cable and connect the camera to your computer to get the picture. I usually use a card reader but I'll be searching for a USB hub soon since the only free USB slots I have are in the back of my computer and I often forget to put the card back in.

The thing about this camera that has impressed me more than anything else is the clarity and colors, especially in a shot that was totally lacking of light. In testing, I went into an interior room that has no windows. The only light was a small amount under the doors but not enough for me to see anything. I set the camera on normal mode, pointed the camera toward the interior of the room and pressed the button. When I looked at the picture I was amazed at how brightly lit and clear the shot was. Colors like light lavender, turquoise, ekru and bright yellow were exact. I doubt if I will have a lot of need to take pictures in total darkness but sometimes I get into a situation where the light is not always the greatest. I know this camera will be able to handle it and give me a great picture the first time.

One review I read stated to be sure to read the manual. That gave me the impression this camera was complicated. I have not read the manual yet and have been able to take pictures with no problem. I am sure I will be reading the manual when I want to take a picture with a feature I haven't used or to delve deeper into the many different options this camera has. The pictures, all of mine have been JPG, are clear and the colors vivid. The colors weren't so vivid for me in ISO mode but that's just one of 4-5 picture modes so you have plenty of options. I haven't had the opportunity to use Scene mode yet but in playing around with it I found it very simple to select from the multitude of options and having the option name right there on the screen helps, and the animations on the option icons is an fun touch. I really like the "Heart" (simple) mode. It's great for taking my auction pictures but I have found that the other modes (Normal, ISO, Simple and Macro) are all pretty much `point and shoot' simple. I am sure they can be more complicated and I know, when I want to get into the more complicated side of this camera, it will be waiting for me. Meanwhile, it and I are quite content using the simplistic controls of this Panasonic LZ7 to get some really great shots.

If you are looking for a camera that is a little too big to stick in your shirt pocket or your cosmetic bag or your wallet but don't want something that requires a PhD to operate, consider the LZ7. I'm sure glad I did!