Nice digital Camera under $200 Panasonic DMC-LZ7
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Author's Rating:
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Pros: Price paid for features offered is hard to beat, plus a well built quality camera.
Cons: None yet, Really! I'll have to see what happens when it hits the floor.
The Bottom Line:
One of the best in this price range. Great buy that wont disappoint. 7 megapixel, 6X zoom, 2.5 inch screen, decent movie clips, needs only needs 2- AA batteries.
Author's Review
INTRO
I must admit having so many choices with this recent purchase it was an easier decision to make when comparing the
competitive cameras and having a knowledgeable sales person on hand to weed out the weaker ones in the price range I was shopping for. This PANASONIC DMC-L7Z not only fulfilled my requirements, it may not come up short in performance for years to come. It really distanced itself from the other comparables as I'll try and explain later in this review. I hope the following information helps for the beginner to intermediate user.
WHY I BOUGHT THIS CAMERA:
The more I looked, the more I found out how much camera $200 could buy. Having owned 2 older digital cameras with only 1 megapixel and minimal features other than settings for picture quality it was amazing what this
PANASONIC DMC-L7Zcame with for under $200. This camera was definitely a big step up for me. I did return a resent digital camera (without opening) the package due to its only 1 to 3 star rating because of "lag time" between shots. So this PANASONIC was Top Dog for only $189.
• The first feature I wanted was the ability to take high resolution photos and @ 7.2 megapixels, you get that.
• Secondly, I wanted at least 3X optical zoom, this PANASONIC has 6X stabilized optical zoom.
• Third, it's ability to take movies or capture moments on it's Motion Picture mode.
• Fourth, I wanted a large LED monitor and this PANASONIC has a 2.5 inch screen.
While having owned this camera for about 4 months now, I've not fully appreciated or used all it's other functions. I'm not a
big camera enthusiast, just an average user and do feel this camera will not disappoint you. It was quite obvious that the
more money I would spend the better quality and features would be expected. When you size this PANASONIC DMC-L7Z up to comparable cameras in it’s class you’ll notice the slight edge it has over even higher priced ones.
POINT and SHOOT plus IMAGE QUALITY:
Average pictures while moving:
Some of this cameras strong points where the first FOUR I mentioned but as you start taking pictures you do appreciate more of it's abilities. One I noticed was it's advertised Optical Image Stabilizer (OIS) ability. Most pictures were BLUR FREE except a few. Only 2 of 100 photos I took while out on a fishing trip with were in fact blurry, but these are what I considered extreme conditions! A tripod may have helped some. The main subject or object I was focusing on was not blurred, just certain back ground objects.
Panoramic views:
While heading back to the marina, the sun suddenly appeared as we approached the Golden Gate Bridge and this is where the PANASONIC DMC-L7Z did very well. I took great shots of Alcatraz Island and S.F. while seagulls were dive bombing in front of almost every shot. Surprisingly the birds looked as though frozen as well as the background I was taking pictures of.
Difficult shots:
Some of the best and first pictures I've taken were of my "Humming Birds at the Feeder" shots. Here's where the combination of the highest of challenges comes in to play as far as zoom and shutter speed go. They came out good enough to be on the cover of a National magazine! In other words "Frozen in mid air and in Hi-Def" I'll say this camera would be a beginners dream to have photos like this! Should you do the "Dog Catching the Frisbee" shots you'll be happy with this camera. My son has taken shots of our black and white tuxedo cat and they are stunning, so much detail!
Not so Good:
I only tried taking a few dark scene photos such as a trip to Morro Bay California, sunset with orange and lavender skies were impressive, yet a dimly lit parking full of hot rods and motor cycles was not a success. I’ll have to practice more and pay attention to ambient lighting vs. flash settings. It took great shots of groups of people in a darkened area as long as they weren’t to far away.
MOTION PICTURES:
OK, I did a couple of these and it was easy, especially never doing it with a digital camera before. Some were a minute or 2 and not bad, the sound was exceptional as well. With it's up to (848 X 480) image @ 30 frames per seconds you'll be impressed showing these on your big scene TV in wide screen mode or (16:9) view. Not surprisingly taking movies will take up a bit of space on your memory card.
LCD SCREEN:
Another fine attribute to this camera, in this price range is the 2.5 inch LCD and @ 115,000 pixels. Something else I’ve notice once before is the viewing angle is very good, when I held the camera over my head, I could see the LCD screen image pretty well. So in the crowd over the head shots, very good.
BATTERIES:
This camera came with 2 AA "Panasonic Oxyride" batteries. These produce a bit more life compared to standard alkaline ones. 250 pictures vs 150 with alkaline. Panasonics NI-MH are optional and can produce an advertised 460 pictures. I do
like how long the batteries have lasted using "disposable alkalines". With the 3 battery type choices you have to go to the menu of the camera and change the setting for the camera to recognize the battery voltage. Example is simple. If you put 2 NI-MH (1.2volt) batteries in and the camera was set for alkaline it would read “low battery”. If set for Oxyride (1.7volt) the camera will think the batteries are depleted. Reverse, same problem. Having a (1.7volt) Oxyride in the camera on a NI-MH (1.2volt) setting will display an over charged. Whichever battery type used the camera will also display the level of charge.
Over time and if you use the camera a lot, the NI-MH would be economical overall as well as a good environmental choice.
SETTING UP THE CAMERA:
From out of the box to taking pictures without reading the instruction booklet takes less than 5 minutes. You'll benefit
greatly by reading it first and doing all the initial settings as well as understanding this fine piece of equipment. Although the buttons are similar or generic compared to other cameras, there are a few more notches on this one that you'll want to know about before taking pictures and as a result improve on your picture or movie taking abilities greatly. As you're setting up your camera you'll also notice and appreciate the brightly lit 2.5 inch LCD screen as it helps guide you through the initial settings process.
It's always fun to experiment, so test as many features on this camera as you can before setting out to capture that perfect
moment or shot and you won't disappoint. The zoom feature is great on this camera and impresses me on close-ups.
There was no external card included with my $189 purchase so consider this as well as a good padded digital camera bag.
Ask your friendly sales person as to the compatibility of the recommended card to purchase for taking motion pictures. I purchased a 2GB SDHC which is sufficient for me, they can be 4GB and more depending on your needs.
COMPUTER CONNECTIVITY:
This camera does come with both a USB an AV cables to connect to your computer. I have not used this feature yet as
I've used the memory card so far with windows XP media edition without a glitch.
THIS CAMERA COMES WITH: Note, doesn't come with an external storage card! Has 27 MB built in memory.
1. Batteries (good ones), 2. USB Connection Cable, 3. AV Cable, 4. CD-Rom, 5. Wrist strap.
STRONG POINTS & WHAT I LIKE
AIM-SHOOT, LESS BLUR, EASE of USE, MORE FEATURES for $$ amount paid. HAS NOT LET ME DOWN YET after 4
months. Less lag time between pictures, 6X zoom, uses only 2 AA batteries, overall speed of functions, if you forget the SD card (I have) the camera has 27 MB of internal storage or about 20-30 pictures.
FAVORITE BUTTON:
Zoom of course! Hard to find a camera at the $189 price with 6X and all the other technology this Panasonic has.
On the outside the other cameras looked a lot alike and seemed to have the same buttons, but this PANASONIC just "clicked" a little easier for me. I’ll say the Mode dial on top is going to be another good feature as you’ll easily be going from picture taking to reviewing in just a few seconds.
NOTABLE FEATURES or modes I have not used:
No way I can cover all the features and modes on the camera or may not use them either. One feature I’ll start using eventually is the Quick Setting function, it’ll let you quickly and easily access and set the functions most often used. I found so far nothing to complain about this camera except it’s where abouts. When you look below on some of the “MODES” this camera offers you’ll see what I meant about not covering all of them.
NOISE, WHAT NOISE?
I don’t mean a noisy camera, clicking or motor noise, It’s “Image Noise”. This camera has a feature called (ISO) or Intelligent Control that detects moving subjects and increases the ISO allowing the camera to use faster shutter speeds. I didn’t consider this when purchasing yet anything a camera can do this automatically that will increase the quality of the picture is a plus. Basically you can adjust the setting on this camera from 400 to 1250, auto settings at 100 to 1250 or turn it off and see the difference. Make sure your next camera purchase has this feature. Mine came set on 1250 which will reduce jitter but increase picture noise.
INSIDE THE BOX:
1. 2 Panasonic AA Oxyride batteries
2. USB Connection cable
3. AV connection cable, hook up directly to your TV
4. CD ROM, I have not and may never use it.
5. Hand strap
The following info is from the manufacturers website specifications sheet:
Sensor:
• 1/2.5 " Type CCD
• 7.38 million pixels total
• 7.2 million effective pixels
Image sizes:
• 3072 x 2304
• 2560 x 1920
• 2048 x 1536
� x 1200
• 1280 x 960
• 640 x 480
• 3072 x 2048 (3:2)
• 2048 x 1360 (3:2)
• 3072 x 1728 (16:9)
• 1920 x 1080 (16:9)
Movie clips:
• 640 x 480 @ 30 / 10fps
• 320 x 240 @ 30 / 10fps
• 848 x 480 @ 30 / 10fps (16:9)
File formats
• JPEG Exif v2.21
• DPOF
• QuickTime Motion JPEG
Lens:
• 37-222mm (35mm equiv)
• LUMIX DC VARIO
• 6x optical zoom
• Extra optical zoom (4:3: 7.2x for 5MP, 9.0x for 3, 2, 1, 0.3MP, 3:2: 9.0x for 2.5MP, 16:9: 9.0x for 2MP)
Image stabilization
Conversion lenses No
Digital zoom:......... up to 4x
AF area modes: 1-point/1-point high speed/3-point high speed/5-point/Spot
AF assist lamp...Yes
Focus distance:
• Normal: 50cm - infinity (wide) 120cm - infinity (tele)
• Macro / Simple mode / Intelligent ISO / Motion image: 5cm - infinity (wide) 30cm - infinity (tele)
Metering Intelligent Multiple
ISO sensitivity:
• Auto
• ISO 100
• ISO 200
• ISO 400
• ISO 800
• ISO 1250
• High Sensitivity mode ISO 3200
Exposure compensation +/- 2EV in 1/3EV step
Shutter speed:
• 8-1/2000 sec
• Starry Sky Mode: 15, 30, 60sec
Aperture: F2.8 /8.0 (wide: 2 steps) F4.5 / 12.7 (tele: 2 steps)
Modes:
• Program AE
• Simple
• Normal Picture
• Macro
• Scene
• Intelligent ISO
Scene modes:
• Portrait
• Soft Skin
• Scenery
• Sports
• Night Portrait
• Night Scenery
• Food
• Party
• Candle
• Fireworks
• Starry Sky
• Beach
• Aerial photo
• Snow
• High Sensitivity
• Baby 1 & 2
• Sunset
• Pet
White balance:
• Auto
• Daylight
• Cloudy
• Shade
• Halogem
• White Set
The rest of the specs can be seen at the Panisonic website:
“http://panasonic.co.jp/pavc/global/lumix/lz7_6/index.html”
Again, compliments of Panasonic.
Thanks Panisonic!
FINALLY the BOTTOM LINE:
At under $200. It’s a solid little well built camera that’s easy to use. Even though I haven't used all the features and modes I have to say it’s a 4 star plus and a great deal.
