The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ3 sits at the bottom of Panasonic's line of midrange, 6X-zoom point-and-shoot cameras; its 5-megapixel resolution and smaller screen are all that separate it from its more expensive 6-megapixel sibling, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ5. Both incorporate the same 37mm-to-222mm (35mm-equivalent) Leica lens, optical image stabilisation, and numerous ways to control image capture. The DMC-LZ3 fares moderately well in bright environments, but poor performance and average photo quality lessen the allure of this attractively priced model.
The DMC-LZ3 is physically identical to the LZ5. It shares the same compact plastic body and button scheme as those of its bigger brother: control pad on the back; mode dial, power switch, zoom rocker, and image stabilisation button on the top. The DMC-LZ3's LCD measures a scant two inches compared to the DMC-LZ5's 2.5-inch screen. Since both cameras use the same body mould, the DMC-LZ3's LCD looks smaller than usual against its 2.5-inch bezel.
The DMC-LZ3's 37mm-to-222mm-equivalent Leica lens with Panasonic's Mega Optical Image Stabilization is its most prominent feature. Like the DMC-LZ5, it offers 15 scene presets, including a long-exposure Starry Sky mode for astrophotography. The DMC-LZ3 also has 14MB of built-in memory, the same as the DMC-LZ5.
Unfortunately, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ3's performance is as lacklustre as the DMC-LZ5's, as well. With a full second shutter lag and a flash-recycle time of 4.5 seconds, the DMC-LZ3 makes a poor choice for quick action shots. In burst-shooting mode, the DMC-LZ3 delivered an impressive 2.7fps but for only a meagre three shot burst.
Image quality proves equally disappointing, with noticeable noise and chromatic aberration even at the lowest ISO settings. Specks and blurs fill the image and purple fringing appears on object edges far too often. Even shots taken at ISO 80 are so noisy that the compression algorithm creates large colour-shifted areas, and edges become visibly jagged. Noticeable vignetting starts to appear along the corners at the wider end of the lens, but that's not surprising for a high-zoom compact snapshot camera.
Panasonic's Lumix DMC-LZ3 is seriously hurt by disappointing performance and extremely noisy images. Its features make it a decent budget high-zoom camera, but don't count on it for decent photos when the lights are low.
(Shorter bars indicate better performance)
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Typical shot-to-shot time | |
Time to first shot | |
Shutter lag (typical) |
(Longer bars indicate better performance)
NOTE: Products in this test are for comparative purposes only and are not necessarily available in the Australian market.
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pentax camera
06/06/2008, 09:37 PM
rating
7/10
Panasonic once more time a high end camera. This camera has many great features. This have stylish design. anti-shake capabilities, solid image quality and raw capture facility.
Pros: Zippy performance.
Attractive design.
Raw capture.
Solid image quality.
Cons: Large body.
Lots of noise at ISO 800 and above.
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D.A. Martin
25/08/2006, 04:49 PM
rating
8/10
Easy to use from the start - lots of advance features
I found this camera to be a very good value.
I used the camera to shot a wedding and reception for a friend and used the slower 80
ISO speeds and was able to have enlargement made to 8x10 with no problem.
I also took this camera on my vacation and used it in several different light situation and the auto feature adjusted the camera very well My wife used the camera and set it to auto everything mode and took great pictures. She to was very please with the pictures we both took.
Pros: easy to use right from the box. The Optical Image Stabilizer was a GREAT value. Uses standard AA batteries. SD memory is easy and inexpensive to buy Composition Guideline feature made setup easy
Cons: Some of the advanced features take a while to get use to. No manual shutter speed. Small internal memory. Flash only good for shot shots. No way to easily add extra lenses NO sound in movie mode.
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