Overview

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ5 is an interesting compact digital camera that is equipped with 6 megapixels resolution and an impressive 6 times optical zoom. The Lumix DMC-LZ5 uses Panasonic’s proven optical image stabilizer, which combined with the LZ5’s high ISO sensitivity enables you to capture fast moving objects or shoot in low light conditions, while minimizing picture blur.

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Available Reviews

• Panasonic Lumix DMC LZ5 review at LetsGoDigital
• Panasonic DMC LZ5 review at cameras.co.uk
• Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ5 review at imaging resource
• Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ5 at PCMag
• Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ5 review at DigitalCameraInfo
• Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ5 review at TrustedReviews
• Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ5 review at CNet
• Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ5 review at DCRP
• Review: Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ5 Digital Camera
• Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ5 review at Photographyblog

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Features

Optical Image Stabilizer
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ5 is equipped with optical image stabilization, which adjust the position of the lens, depending on camera shake. This reduces the risk of blurred photos when shooting with shaky hands or in low light conditions, or when taking fast action shots.

High Sensitivity
In addition to the image stabilization, the DMC-LZ5 is also capable of shooting with high ISO sensitivity of up to 1600, which combined with the image stabilizer reliably captures fast moving action or pictures taken without a flash in dim lightning.

Wide Aspect Images
The Lumix LZ5 enables you to take pictures in the 16:9 wide screen format, which is especially useful when trying to capture a panoramic scene.

6x Optical Zoom
The LZ5’s impressive 6 times optical zoom allows you to get close to your subject, where a lot of its competitors with their 3x optical zooms would have to give up.

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Specifications

Resolution: 6 megapixels
Focal Length: 35mm equivalent: 37-222mm
Optical Zoom: 6x
Exposure Modes: Program AE
Movie Mode: 640 x 480 at 30fps
Shutter Speed: 60 - 1/2,000 sec.
LCD Display: 2.5in TFT
Storage Media: SD, MMC card
Battery: 2 AA type batteries
Dimensions (H x W x D): 2.44 x 3.94 x 1.77in, 62 x 100 x 45mm
Weight: 0.41 lbs, 186g

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Press Release

Panasonic today introduces two new models for its compact, consumer friendly LZ series of Lumix digital still cameras. The six megapixel DMC-LZ5 and five megapixel DMC-LZ3 incorporate Panasonic’s top-rated MEGA Optical Image Stabilization, large and bright LCD displays, 6x optical zoom, and a 1-point high-speed autofocus feature that is new to the LZ product line.

“The DMC-LZ5 and DMC-LZ3 provide consumers with features that are easy to understand and use, but that don’t compromise on capability,” says Monica Helmer, national marketing manager for Panasonic’s Optical Group. “And while these are compact cameras, the 6x optical zoom and MEGA Optical Image Stabilization give users the tools that are usually available only in larger and more expensive cameras.”

The MEGA Optical Image Stabilization, which Panasonic puts into all of its cameras, moves the lens to compensate for the slight hand movements most people make when taking a picture. It’s hand movement that leads to most blurry pictures, a common complaint for amateur photographers. With MEGA Optical Image Stabilization, pictures come out clear, even when using the zoom feature or shooting in low light.

The LZ5 and LZ3 also have Panasonic’s Venus Engine Plus, the processor that manages image capture and energy use for the cameras. Both cameras also come packaged with Panasonic’s Oxyride AA batteries, which feature longer life and power than alkaline batteries. With Venus Engine Plus and Oxyride, users can get the most out of their picture-taking experience. With Venus Engine Plus and Oxyride, the LZ5 can take up to 235 images and the LZ3 up to 250. (The LZ5 and LZ3 also can use regular alkaline AA batteries.)

The LZ5’s 2.5-inch LCD and the LZ3’s 2.0-inch LCD are greatly improved over the previous cameras in the LZ series, with higher sensitivity for viewing in low-light situations as well as easy viewing from angles, which helps the user when holding the camera overhead for a high-angle shot.

In addition to the 5-point, 3-point high speed, 1-point normal speed and Spot autofocus, the LZ5 and LZ3 can be set to 1-point high-speed autofocus. This setting reduces autofocus time by about 40 percent compared to previous models. An autofocus assist lamp is also added for the first time to the LZ series cameras.

New features include an additional six scene modes, bringing the total to 14. That, plus Simple Mode, which offers easy shooting to novice photographers, makes these two cameras ready for just about any picture-taking situation.

Both the LZ5 and LZ3 have 14 megabytes of built-in memory, so they are ready to take pictures right out of the box. For additional picture-taking capacity, the cameras take SD Memory cards. Picture files can be transferred from the internal memory to an SD card and vice versa. Pictures can also be transferred to a computer using the included USB cable.

The DMC-LZ5 will have a retail price of $279.95 and the DMC-LZ3 will have a retail price of $229.95. Both cameras are scheduled to be at retail in March.
(source: Panasonic)