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| Date Reviewed: 07/06/2006 |
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Strengths: 1) 6X Zoom
2) Optical image stabilizer
3) Great price
4) Well designed
Weaknesses: None that I can see; except perhaps that it is a bit bulky.
Summary: This is a great camera. The stabilizer gives unblurred images with a 1/8 second exposure. The 6X zoom really reaches out there. It is very simple to use (I confess I lost some shots with my old Sony camera because I had stuff set wrong...) And the price! It is priced the same as other cameras with 3x zooms and no stabilization. The professional reviews say the low light performance is poor and the 2.5" display doesn't have enough resolution; those complaints made me hesitate to buy it, but I guess you have to be a professional to see them because they don't bother me now that I have it. If it were a little thinner I would give it 5 stars.
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| Date Reviewed: 07/16/2006 |
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Strengths: 6 x optical zoom in a small camera. Turns on quickly. Nice quality pictures.
Weaknesses: Easy to hit delete button or other settings with palm of hand. Wish it had a longer strap. LCD screen does show some grainy pictures. No viewfinder.
Summary: I wanted to pull the camera out of the box and try it without reading any directions to see what I got. Then once I read the directions and play with it a little more, I will add to my review.
I had heard great things about the macro setting so that was the first thing I tried. They did turn out very nice.
Then I read a little about settings and took the camera with me to an IRL driver autograph session. This is where I found I had the problem accidentally hitting the menu buttons with my palm. I was holding the camera in one hand and taking pictures while handing items to the drivers with my other hand. Normally I probably would have held the camera with both hands, but because of the speedy procedures there, that wasn't possible. Some of the pictures did come out a little blurry, but I can't blame the camera for that. If I had more time, I would have played with the settings and perhaps turned the flash on manually. But overall I am very pleased with the camera. I took 50+ pictures with the supplied oxyride batteries, and they still show full strength on the camera.
I did want to mention a couple of things about the LCD screen. It is very large and almost impossible to avoid touching or perhaps bumping into things. Therefore, I would most definitely recommend getting protectors for the it at the least. I also noticed that some pictures, particularly those taken in lower light, do appear grainy on the screen. They were not like that when I viewed the downloaded copies on my computer screen though, and that's what matters most to me.
I will be in Europe for almost 2 weeks. I'm going to read more details about the camera and use it there. When I return I will have more to add to this review. I realize I am focusing on the negatives, but there are so many positive things about this camera out there, that I just want to add the things that I haven't seen mentioned elsewhere.
It is very possible that after I throughly read the manual and figure out how to use all of the cameras features, that I will give it 5 stars.
100% of People (8/8) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 03/09/2007 |
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Strengths: 6x optical zoom; GREAT Image Stabilizer; Large 2.5" LCD display is visible in low/poor light; Indoor pictures with and without flash are great
Weaknesses: No optical viewfinder; No support for USB 2.0; Poor redeye reduction;
Summary: Shutter lag is a little long compared to the other cameras I owned but it's not too bad. Everyone should definitely get a battery charger because using regular alkaline AA batteries in the longer run would cost a fortune. Overall it is a great camera for the money. Built-in memory is way too small so get at least 1GB SD card ASAP. Don't have any fears of picking this up!! 6mpx + 6x optical zoom and Panasonic brand = great camera!
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| Date Reviewed: 09/01/2006 |
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 Great Camera at a great price Strengths: Great Price for a portable camera. The camera was very easy to use with the functions all on the rotary knob.
Weaknesses: The built in storage is good only for 5 pictures. You will need to buy the SD card for more. Pictures doesn't come out well under low light.
Summary: 2006-09-02 10:36:14 The image stablizer is better than the Olympus one and the quality is a little better also.
This camera is good for daytime pictures or well lit areas.
It doesn't replace the low light or night time shots.
If you want great pictures for all occassions, you may want to look at the higher end ones.
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| Date Reviewed: 02/09/2007 |
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Strengths: Great resolution, easy-to-understand interface, good "wobble control" and fast shutter speed
Weaknesses: Too many picture taking modes, no carrying case
Summary: This product was exactly as described, it works very well, and was a great deal for the money. We're not sure we'll use all the features, since there are so many picture taking modes that you have to really sit down and plan out your photo-taking experience well ahead of time to know which special modes you might want to use. We were disappointed that there is no carrying case.
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| Date Reviewed: 11/12/2006 |
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Strengths: Photo quality, versatility, size, ease of use
Weaknesses: None so far
Summary: I bought this as a gift for my dad this year. It was the perfect replacement for both the Olympus Advantix still camera he's been using for the last several years as well as his Sony 8mm camcorder. Although the camcorder took great quality video, he uses the video feature on this camera much more frequently because of its convenient size. He still uses the camcorder for lengthy events, but 1-2 minute clips are perfect for the LZ5K. Not being a technical genius, he has been able to get familiar with all the options available on the camera and has actually gotten quite good at navigating the menus and functions. The 2GB SD we put with it is the perfect capacity and penty big for his use.
75% of People (3/4) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 03/10/2007 |
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Strengths: High quality shots - lots of options
Weaknesses: bit bulky
Summary: I bought this after I bought the DMC-LZ7S, and I love this one almost at much. If I only knew how much I got this one for, I would have never bought the other one. This thing is a beauty. Macro is great...But I end up using the simple mode alot. No complaints with this other than size...but when I went to the store I immediatetly purchase it. It has it all and I could put it in my pocket if I had to. Takes SD cards and they are cheap. Take a chance - you will not regret.
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| Date Reviewed: 08/31/2007 |
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Strengths: 6x optical zoom, IS, decent size LCD, ease to use, uses standard AA batteries
Weaknesses: Hard to fit in shirt pocket, Bright daylight....issues viewing, could have better contrast. Requires special USB connector
Summary: For 5x7" looks phenominal, 8x10" looks just a bit grainy. For the price, I can handle that.
Super quiet when operating the lens. It's very light. When it's in my pocket it doesn't weigh me down or feel like I am carrying around a rock. 3. I love the fact that it takes AA batteries.
Overall for the price, it takes pretty decent pictures.
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| Date Reviewed: 07/17/2007 |
- xiaer928
from PA
- Member Since:
Jun 2007
View Member's:
Reviews
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Strengths: big opt zoom, high resolution, nice design
Weaknesses: heavy
Summary: It looks sturdy. It is not the slim camera but it has a higher qulity and variables. It is the best camera you can buy with the limited money. It doesnot looks fashion but just useful.
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| Date Reviewed: 06/28/2007 |
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Strengths: 6x optical zoom, image stabilization, large LCD, quick power up, breathtaking photographs, ease of use, uses standard AA batteries
Weaknesses: bulky camera size more suited to coat pocket than pants pocket, LCD is hard to see in bright light, lack of view finder, no camera case included
Summary: After extensive research, I purchased the LZ5K as a camera that I could toss in my bag and take anywhere with me. I also own a Panasonic FZ20, so the bar was set high with regard to picture quality. The main selling points for me were the 6x optical zoom, image stabilization, large LCD size, price bracket, and the fact that it uses standard AA batteries rather than a proprietary battery pack. I used the camera immediately out of the box: popped in an SD card and started shooting pictures during dinner time in low light. I was impressed with the results - in one, I froze steam rising from a dish and someone standing up, thanks to the integrated flash. During a trip to Italy, I brought this camera along so that my girlfriend could use it. As a simple point and shoot, it worked extremely well. Shooting at the highest quality yielded remarkable prints. The optical zoom performed well and the image stabilization allowed pictures to be taken at full zoom without blurring, even when on a moving boat in Venice. A set of 4 AA rechargeable batteries (2 in the camera and 2 as backup) lasted the entire week long trip with room to spare, taking approximately 200 photos, about a fourth of which used the flash. I can't rate the software that came with the camera or the USB transfer rate as I use a card reader to transfer the pictures to my computer. Video mode was what you would expect from an added feature on a digital camera - decent enough quality to use in a pinch, but I wouldn't replace a dedicated camcorder with it. I just wish that the output file wasn't in MOV format. AVI or MPEG would have been preferable as they are more easily used by Windows users. The camera fits easily into a coat pocket, but probably won't fit into a pants pockets comfortably. I believe that this is a function of having a 6x optical zoom and, in my opinion, worth the trade off. A case wasn't included and had to be bought separately. I find that the camera can be used easily with one hand for most pictures if not using full zoom or in low light. The only con I found was that, when shooting in bright sunlight, I had to shield the LCD with my other hand in order to see the image. I'd recommend picking up a LCD cover that flips up to shade it when in use. The LCD in low light can appear grainy, but is more than adequate to frame an image and determine if the picture is blurry or not. Overally, the LZ5K is a phenomenal camera for the price range and I would purchase it again if lost or damaged. From quick shots for eBay photos to travel, this camera has exceeded my expectations. I've let others use it and while some comment that it is a bit large for a compact camera, once they see the resulting picture quality in various conditions, they're usually looking into buying one for themselves.
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| Date Reviewed: 06/11/2007 |
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Strengths: 6x optical, large display, good battery life
Weaknesses: Image stabilization, no view finder, weak sound on video
Summary: The optical at 6x takes awesome photos. the image stabilization is ok for still shots, but any type of movement causes blurs. Example, we took shots of my sons birthday party at the bowling alley and it couldn't even handle people walking with the ball!! I'll try to attach shots of 1x, 6x, & 24x.
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| Date Reviewed: 05/30/2007 |
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Strengths: 6x OPTICAL zoom; Easy to use; Great image stabilization; Very good battery life; Great price
Weaknesses: No optical viewfinder; No Leica lens; Redeye problems on some photos
Summary: Excellent, easy to use camera. The 6x OPTICAL zoom is amazing. No other camera in this price range has anywhere near this much optical zoom, as well as the great image stabilization. The only problem I've had is redeye in several photos. However, it's entirely possible I'm using the wrong setting or the wrong features since I haven't read the entire manual. Overall, it's a great, simple to use camera.
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| Date Reviewed: 04/14/2007 |
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Strengths: Fast with a 6 x optical zoom in a smaller size better than other, less expensive, Great quality pictures in normal light
Weaknesses: No Leica lens, cheap case, not wide enough
Summary: What amazing is this camera with a 6X optical Zoom that is great with image stabilizer built-in. Actual it is better than the longer zoom since I have more pictures from this camera focused correct other than blurry, but still can have sort of telephotos. Very easy to take pictures in the good light condition. I am surprised to find out this camera uses 2AA batteries that is plus! Never worry about battery charge or not charge any more.
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