Digital Camera Reviews

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ7 is another 7.2 megapixel digital camera with a 6x optical zoom lens and a 2.5 inch LCD screen.

All new Lumix models, including the DMC-LZ7 and DMC-LZ6, incorporate Intelligent Image Stabilization, a new camera system that comprises MEGA O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) and Intelligent ISO Control, together making it easy to capture beautiful photos every time you shoot. 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 stabilisation a leap forward and equipped the new Lumix DMC-LZ7 and DMC-LZ6 with the industry’s most advanced countermeasures against blurring.

In addition, the new DMC-LZ7 and DMC-LZ6, which feature impressive bright 2.5-inch and 2.0-inch LCDs respectively, are equipped with the Panasonic Venus Engine III image processing engine that gives them even higher image quality and speedier processing than before. The Venus Engine III, which in the past was offered only in the higher end Lumix models, records at a sensitivity setting as high as ISO 1250 with full resolution, and aids in noise reduction by removing picture noise removed in stages during image processing. And, with its multi-task image-processing capability, the Venus Engine III boasts outstanding response time with shutter release time lag as short as 0.005 second. This fast response makes it easy to capture sudden, spur-of-the-moment shots, and allows for unlimited consecutive shooting.

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.

DMC-LZ7 Highlights

Lumix DC Vario lens with powerful 6x optical zoom and Easy Zoom function
Intelligent Image Stabilization: Mega O.I.S. for hand-shake plus Intelligent ISO Control for motion blur
High-quality, high-performance Image-Processing LSI: Venus Engine III
Record clear, bright, wide-aspect VGA motion images — ideal for widescreen viewing
Bright 2.5-inch LCD for easy shooting and playback
Extended shooting with Panasonic’s Oxyride AA batteries

Look and feel. Boxy yet still compact, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ7 should find its way into larger coat pockets and purses with no trouble. Measuring 3.88 x 2.45 x 1.30-inch size (99 x 62 x 33 millimeters) and weighing in at 8.4 ounces (239 grams) with the memory card and batteries, the DMC-LZ7 is definitely travel worthy. The plastic body panels have a textured surface to help resist minor scratches, but might crack if dropped onto hard concrete, so keep the wrist strap in place. A good-sized bump on the front panel provides a nice handgrip, balanced by a sculpted ridge on the rear panel that secures your thumb as you hold the camera one-handed.

Imaging Resource panasonic lumix dmc-lZ7 reviews the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ7 where they write - “Compact, stylish, and affordable, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ7 is priced right at under $200, offers a 6x optical zoom lens, a load of great preset shooting modes and optional controls, image stabilization, and high ISOs. On the downside, image noise is a bit high and timing is sluggish. The Panasonic LZ7’s highest ISO mode, ISO 3,200, is really not usable at all, but its ISO 1,250 still delivers good quality 4×6-inch prints. Flash performance is a little weak, so be careful shooting indoors, especially at full telephoto zoom. Among mid-size digital cameras, the Panasonic LZ7 is small, though a little thick, thanks to the 6x zoom lens. Overall, the Panasonic DMC-LZ7 is capable under a range of conditions and should suit basic photography needs well, provided you give its lens enough light.”

Amazon.com Reviews

I received the camera and tried it out. It takes nice pictures, is easy to use. The one thing that I really dislike is the fact that it does not have a view finder! Taking pictures outdoors is almost impossible. When you are out in the sunlight finding your subject using only the LCD display sucks! So much so that I am going to send the camera back and look for…

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 8×10s 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.