Panasonic DMC-LZ2

Reviewed May 2005

Image Quality

Attractively priced, offering a 5-megapixel resolution combined with a powerful and stabilized 6X optical zoom, the Lumix DMC-LZ2 is clearly an interesting camera.

While the DMC-LZ2 does not have have an optical viewfinder, it provides instead a 2-inch, 85,000 pixel LCD monitor whose resolution is sufficient for most situations. The screen remains legible, even when used outdoors under bright and direct sunlight.

It is only when the Economy mode is used — a mode that conserves power by decreasing the brightness of the monitor — that the lowered contrast can make it difficult to decipher outdoors.

Up to now most Lumix cameras were equipped with Leica optics. But, this new model, like its 4-megapixel twin, is equipped instead with a Lumix DC Vario lens. Nevertheless, the optical quality of this new lens is excellent, and images are sharp from edge to edge and corner to corner at all focal lengths. Similarly, distortion is well controlled, and the slight barrel distortion that can be seen with a macro subject is negligible with normal wide angle shots. Furthermore, no pin cushion distortion is detectable at telephoto end of the zoom.

Unlike many other cameras which offer more than one metering mode, the DMC-LZ2 has only one. This mode however, is multi zone and meters the frame as a number of segments, combining the readings to arrive at an average.

The result is generally excellent exposures, even when the subject is back lit, and the need for correction through the use of exposure compensation is rare.

Worth noting, when set to Simple mode the DMC-LZ2 replaces the exposure compensation option with an interesting system that compensates for backlighting effectively with a press of the up arrow.

Still, there is one area where the DMC-LZ2 lags a bit. If at 80 ISO photos are normally free of noise, starting at 100 ISO noise can become detectable in some cases. And, when the sensitivity is increased to 200 or to 400 ISO, noise become readily visible even in daylight shots that have the advantage of being captured under strong light. Happily, the zoom is relatively bright and with the assistance of the stabilizer, images can be safely captured at low shutter speeds without camera shake interfering.

In terms of image quality, the LZ2 delivers images that can be described as good to very good, and does so with the greatest ease. Its various programs have a tendency to use the lowest sensitivity possible when set to Auto ISO, limiting the chance that noise will intrude on the image.

The Lumix LZ2 can only save JPEG images, at either a Fine or Standard compression level. Still, set to the Fine mode, the compression is a bit stronger than we would prefer.

While the compression level does not appear to impact the image quality noticeably, there is little doubt that the LZ2 would have benefited from either the option of "Super fine" mode, or one that saves images without any compression as it would have made the camera more versatile.

This aside, the Lumix DMC-LZ2 indubitably offers value for money. This compact and unassuming camera packs some excellent features: a 5-megapixel resolution that allows for making large prints, and an effectively stabilized zoom that pushes back the risk of images blurred because of camera shake.

Other manufacturers should take note.