Panasonic Lumix DMC-LC33 3.2MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom

by Panasonic

Product Details

Product Manual [5.34mb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 1.3 x 3.8 x 2.6 inches ; 7.7 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B000095SG3
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #18,923 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: April 14, 2003

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Incorporating a Leica 3x optical zoom lens and a 3.2-megapixel resolution, the Panasonic DMC-LC33 offers professional optics in a classically styled camera at an affordable price. The DMC-LC33 also features several automated scene modes, video capture with sound, and ArcSoft image editing software.

Optics and Resolution
The DMC-LC33 captures images up to 2048 x 1526 pixels for 8 x 10 inch photo-quality prints and medium-quality 11 x 14 enlargements. Other resolution modes include 1600 x 1200, 1280 x 960, and 640 x 480. The 3x optical zoom is joined by a 3x digital zoom for a 9x total zoom.

All Panasonic Lumix digital cameras are equipped with a lens made by Leica, a world-renowned and well-respected manufacturer of precision optical technologies. The top compact lens in the world-renowned Leica family, the DC Vario-Elmarit lens combines comfortably small size with superb image rendering. Its features include:

• Seven elements in six groups
• 3x zoom lens system is equivalent to a 35mm to 105mm lens
• Three aspherical lenses
• F2.8-F4.9 brightness
• Focal distance of 5.8mm to 17.4mm
• Multi-coating technology minimizes ghosting caused by excessive light
• Fast shutter speeds

Movie Mode
In addition to taking still photos, the DMC-LC33 can also record 320 x 240 movie clips at 10 frames per second with audio. Your video length is limited only by the size of your memory card.

More Features
The Mega Burst Imaging feature allows you to take consecutive pictures at an incredible quick rate, making it perfect for capturing fast-moving objects in high resolution. You can then view your shots on the camera's LCD screen to choose the shot you want and delete the rest.

The Lumix DMC-LC33 features a Mode Dial that gives you a variety of settings to choose from to help give you the best shot possible based on your shooting environment. Modes include simple, normal picture, macro, portrait, night portrait, motion image, landscape, and playback (which lets you view images in a slideshow format on an SD memory card).

The Venus Engine LSI generates the luminance signal of the primary color CCD using all three colors (red, green, blue) for improved diagonal image resolution, compared to conventional CCDs that use only one color (green) to do so, resulting in rich, expressive images. This LSI also handles image processing, LCD functions, and writing to the memory card concurrently, for an overall quick camera response.

Other features include:

• 1.5-inch LCD screen and optical viewfinder
• Built-in flash with auto, red-eye reduction, slow synchro, and forced on/off modes
• ISO sensitivity: Auto, 50, 100, 200, and 400
• White balance modes: Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Halogen, and White Set

Storage and Transfer
Images can be stored on the included 16 MB Secure Digital memory card; the DMC-LC33 is also compatible with MultiMedia (MMC) cards. Images can be downloaded to either a Mac or PC via ultrafast USB 2.0, which means it can be connected to any USB-compatible Windows Me/2000/XP and Mac OS 8.6 or later computer without installing any software. When used with USB 1.1 connection, transfer will slow to USB 1.1 rate.

Power and Size
The camera is powered by 2 AA batteries (alkalines include, rechargeable NiMH batteries recommended). It measures 3.8 by 2.6 by 1.3 inches and weighs 7.6 ounces (excluding batteries).

What's In The Box
This package includes the Lumix DMC-LC33 digital camera, 16 MB Secure Digital card, 2 AA batteries, USB and A/V cables, and strap. The photo editing software included with all Panasonic Lumix cameras lets you turn your home computer into a virtual photo studio. The DMC-LC33 includes the following software:

• ArcSoft PhotoBase: Transfer images from an SD Memory Card to a PC and display them in a list
• ArcSoft PhotoImpression: Adjust colors and process images to create calendars, cards, etc.
• ArcSoft Panorama Maker: Merge separate photos to create a single image
• ArcSoft PhotoPrinter Pro: Select numerous photos to print together as one group
• SD Viewer for DSC: Makes it easy to check image data on an SD Memory Card. Use it to create slide shows and save them on an SD Memory Card (for Windows only).

Manufacturer Product Description

The lens on the Panasonic DMC-LC33 Lumix digital cameras has an incredible 3x optical zoom (the equivalent of a 105mm zoom on a 35mm camera) that lets you capture the details of a distant subject up close and personal. Plus, its F2.8 to F4.9 brightness provides extraordinary image-rendering performance and puts you in control over a wide variety of shooting techniques. You can capture broad, sweeping landscapes with wide-angle shots, or portraits that fix the subject in a sharp focus while a softer-focused background provides the perfect contrast.

Lumix digital cameras are equipped with world-renowned Leica DC lenses to offer you the ultimate in digital photography. Lumix digital cameras have a megapixel CCD (charged coupled device), which converts optical data into digital information. It lets you capture crisp, clear images in high resolution, and helps bring out a full range of expressive color and detail. The DMC-LC33 has a 3.34 total megapixel CCD.

The LCD screen on Lumix cameras lets you view your photos in detail before and after you take them. Our DMC-LC33 cameras feature a 1.5" screen. The built-in flash has an automatic setting, perfect for indoor use or in dim lighting, as well as a variety of manual settings, including "red eye" reduction modes.

MEGA Optical Image Stabilizer
Offsets unintentional hand movement while you're taking pictures to give you clear, sharp images even when taking handheld telephoto shots or shooting at night. This optical technology provides precise compensation for movement with no image quality degradation.

Mega Burst Imaging
This feature allows you to take consecutive pictures at an incredible quick rate, making it perfect for capturing fast-moving objects in high resolution. You can then view your shots on the camera's LCD screen to choose the shot you want and delete the rest.

Shooting Mode Dial
Most of our Lumix cameras feature a Mode Dial that gives you a variety of settings to choose from to help give you the best shot possible based on your shooting environment.

Modes include:

• Simple Mode - Chooses your setting automatically.
• Normal Picture Mode (Program AE) - Automatically sets the aperture and shutter speeds, but lets you adjust the white balance, ISO sensitivity and other settings.
• Macro Mode - For dynamic close-ups.
• Portrait Mode - Gives the background a softer focus while keeping the main subject in sharp focus.
• Night Portrait Mode - Captures people and night landscapes in clear detail.
• Motion Image Mode - Records 10 frames/sec of 320 x 240-pixel moving images (QuickTime Motion JPEG) with audio.
• Landscape Mode - Uses quick focus and crisp detail for beautiful scenery shots.
• Playback Mode - Lets you view the images on an SD card. You can create slide shows, zoom in on the images, and view them in a 9-window display.

Built-in SD Card Slot
SD Memory Cards combine high storage capacity, rapid data transfer, and flexibility - all in a card about the size of a postage stamp. Our Lumix cameras feature a built-in SD card slot, which lets you record digital images onto an SD memory card (included) or a MultiMediaCard (optional), and then transfer them to a PC3, SD printer, or SD media storage device. Click here to see the wide variety of Panasonic products that use SD memory cards.

USB Port
Faster than a standard serial interface, the USB Interface in our Lumix cameras makes transferring images from your camera to your PC4 quick and easy.

Motion Image Recording with Audio
Using the QuickTime Motion JPEG format, our Lumix digital cameras can record moving images with audio at a resolution of 320 x 240 pixels. The maximum time for each recorded segment varies depending on the camera model and SD card capacity. The speaker allows you to listen to the audio recorded on your motion and still image recording segments as you play them back on the LCD screen. The microphone allows you to record audio when using the motion and still image recording features.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

100 of 100 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Five stars - and let's clear up the confusion!!, November 1, 2003

By 

"jubalharshaw" (San Francisco, California USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Panasonic Lumix DMC-LC33 3.2MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

This is the fourth digital camera I have bought, and I love it! Before I talk about why, let me answer an earlier question from "customer in Atlanta", who asks "does the camera print the date on the photo?".

The answer is that almost all digital cameras, including this one, comply with the DPOF (Digital Print Order Form) standard. This means that they all record the date, time, aperture, shutter speed and a whole host of other information for every photo. You don't have to do anything, they do all this by themselves. As to whether you can print the date on your photo, well, that depends on your printing software, not on your camera. Therefore, with the right software, almost every digital camera will print the date on the photo. The software that comes with this camera DOES allow you to print the date on the photo.

The camera itself is superb. The lens is from Leica, the best lensmaker in the world since 1925, and you can tell by the pictures. They are as sharp as a tack, with good color saturation and contrast, and will print to 11" x 14" size with no problem at all.

I got this camera for my wife, who was a little intimidated by the SLR film cameras that we have, and by the Olympus C730 digicam that we have. She wanted something that would be point-and-shoot easy, but produce good sharp photos. This camera fits the bill perfectly. It handles well, is very light, and is just the right size in my view. There are smaller digicams (the Canon Elph and the Pentax) but they are TOO small in my opinion, and that makes them hard to hold steady and keep your fingers out of their way. (By handles well, I mean fits well in the hand, feels good, feels balanced, and you can easily keep your fingers away from the flash, light sensor, and lens).

By the way, if you read the editorial tech specs on Amazon for this camera, they talk about the "MEGA optical image stabiliser". This is a mistake, this camera does NOT have MEGA. MEGA is on Panasonic cameras with a 12x zoom, whereas this camera has a 3x zoom. The good news is that you don't need MEGA with a 3x, only with a 12x. (Long zooms such as 12x suffer from severe camera shake when fully extended).

We run our Lumix on rechargeable NiMh batteries. They are very long lasting, and work out to be a fraction of the price of any other batteries. Make sure to get NiMh's with more than 1800 mAh. Ritz Camera have a great 4-pack of "Sunpak" NiMh's at 2000 mAh for only ten bucks - half the price of Radio Shack or anyone else. Speaking of price, check the Panasonic camera web page for the MSRP of this camera - you will find that neither Amazon nor anyone else is discounting the price.

They don't have to in my view - this camera is better than others I've seen at $400. And my wife's opinion? She loves, and I mean loves, this camera. She is now excited about photography (to my delight) and takes pics just about every day. I can easily see the Lumix becoming our main camera because of its easy portability and use, and its great results.

If you plan to get a 3.2 megapixel camera like this, you should also budget for a 128Mb memory card. The 16Mb card that comes with it holds only 10 or 20 pictures (depending on the compression you choose) at 2048 x 1536.

If you are looking for a good point and shoot automatic camera, you will not regret buying this one.

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very good camera!, October 13, 2003

By 

superman2k3 "superman2k3" (On a sunny beach!) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Panasonic Lumix DMC-LC33 3.2MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

Its very hard to select a digital camera for purchase with dozens of models out there. Reviews will help but its you who has to make the final decision.

LC33 is one of the rare non-Canon's worth considering. Its got a lot of features, fast performace, sharp images and reasonable price.

Pro's,
1. The image quality is very good, sharp & clean.
2. Fast performance, quick to do everything.
3. Got a unique mega burst mode to capture 5-8 images per sec, extremely handy for sports pics.
4. Build quality is very good and camera feels perfect in hand.
5. Runs on standard NiMH AA batteries, has video out and uses standard SD/MMC cards.
6. Panasonic is running a promotion currently for free 128MB SD card and 4 NiMH batteries after a rebate.
7. Uses only 2 batteries unlike 4 for A70, making it light weight.

Con's,
1. Bigger than Canon Elph's (about the same size as Canon A70).
2. Plastic tripod mount.
3. No manual controls except white balance.
4. Some noise in photos.

Overall LC33 is better than elcheapo Fuji's, Olympus D560 and Nikon 3100. (Cameras like those from Gateway, Samsung, Vivitar, Argus etc are just pathetic in comparison, don't waste money on them.) My recommendation is to get either Panasonic LC33, Sony P72 or Canon A70.

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Dig Cam for the money & for beginners !, July 25, 2003

By 

Han38some (Orange County, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Panasonic Lumix DMC-LC33 3.2MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom (Electronics)

I have been researching for my 1st Dig cam for a month now. I have tried Minolta F300 (grainy, too complicated with manual options), Sony P72(noisy at night, pics on LCD look awesome but not on computer), Fuji 3800 (good, but awkward to hold etc). So returned all 3.

Bought this Panasonic 33, very nice ! Good pics, very accurate colors( see sony's is not natural, I will prove it to you !), Very smooth operation, no noise at all, no lags, cheaper, easy to hold, light - fits in pocket, fully auto - no manual operations, very easy for novices.

Problems:
Plasticky body (buy pana DCM F1S with metal etc if you want metal), Not great in Low light conditions (how many times we will take pics in low light ? let us face it).......it still takes good pics in normal night light conditions but not faraway ones, night scenary is not bad etc...., will have to buy AA NIMh battery, charger( get that Kodak at amazon.com - it has 5* rating), no sound in playback mode for video but it does record sound...

Overall, you won't regret if this is your first & want a pocket camera !