Panasonic Lumix DMC-LC43 4MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optcial Zoom

by Panasonic

Product Details

• 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: B000095SG4
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #32,240 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: April 14, 2003

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Incorporating a Leica 3x optical zoom lens and a 4.0-megapixel resolution, the Panasonic DMC-LC43 offers professional optics in a classically styled camera at an affordable price. The DMC-LC43 also features several automated scene modes, video capture with sound, and ArcSoft image editing software.

Optics and Resolution
The DMC-LC43 captures images up to 2304 x 1728 pixels for 11 x 14 inch photo-quality prints. 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-LC43 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-LC43 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-LC43 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-LC43 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-LC43 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-LC43 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-LC43 has a 4.23 total megapixel CCD.

The LCD screen on Lumix cameras lets you view your photos in detail before and after you take them. Our DMC-LC43 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

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A nice, easy to use camera, October 6, 2003

By 

Roger (Snohomish, WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Panasonic Lumix DMC-LC43 4MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optcial Zoom (Electronics)

If you're looking for a quick, easy to use digital camera with excellent resolution, this is it. It doesn't offer much in the way of manual operation, but it makes up for it in convenience. I got the DMC-LC43PP because it is small, fast, and has the 4 megapixel spec. Press the shutter half way to focus and determine the exposure, then fully to take the picture - it works faster than other models I compared it to. I wish the LCD screen could be pivoted to see easier, but look at the price - other cameras with the same specs are twice the price! Don't bother to buy a card reader for your computer either - the USB cable that comes with the camera will allow your computer to see the camera as another drive. Very fast. I do wish the flash had a bit more power, but like everything else, it's a trade-off. I'll use this camera more often simply because I'll carry it with me more often. Clear and sharp pictures, especially outside where there is good lighting.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Well-made, takes very good pictures., January 3, 2004

By 

Roger J. Buffington (Huntington Beach, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Panasonic Lumix DMC-LC43 4MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optcial Zoom (Electronics)

Cameras like this one are the reason that film will be nearly extinct within the next 18 months. This camera will reliably take well-focused, perfectly exposed, brilliantly colored pictures over and over again with little hassle or fuss. After evaluating several 4 megapixel pocket cameras, I selected this one for my 11 year old daughter for her Christmas present, and she now routinely takes darned good pictures with it.

Important feature: the camera has an optical viewfinder. This is very important in my opinion. I am of the opinion that it is very impractical and difficult to take pictures using just the LCD on the back of the camera as many small pocket cameras require. Not to mention the fact that this will dramatically decrease battery life. Optical viewfinders are the way to go.

Quibbles are minor. The pre-flash of this camera is somewhat intrusive, but the flash does work if you don't expect too much of it in terms of distance. The camera, in common with most pocket cameras, takes its best pictures outdoors in natural lighting, but the built-in flash can help via "fill flash" to illuminate shadows under these conditions.

This camera and others like it are why there is simply no reason for anyone to stick with film. You can produce excellent digital pictures at less cost, with immeasurably less hassle, and you can see what your pictures are like ahead of time (further reducing your cost, since you can cull the losers before printing them).

Other comments: this camera is well-made, with a nice sturdy metal body. The lens is an excellent Leica lens. One of the things I really like about the camera is that it uses the ubiquitous AA batteries, so for trips you are always going to be able to have batteries handy--many cameras of this type use proprietary batteries, requiring you to lug a dedicated charger along on trips.

Panasonic has done a good job putting it all together in this excellent camera.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars crisp clear photos, easy to use, March 22, 2004

By 

marius "writer" (princeton new jersey) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Panasonic Lumix DMC-LC43 4MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optcial Zoom (Electronics)

I was hesitant to buy a digital camera because I am know very little about film camera and nothing about digital. The amazon reviews for this camera were an enormous help in comparing with other brands. Ordered this camera from amazon reseller for &260 plus $5 handling. The reseller shipped in 2 days and I had the camera in 5 standard shpping days. It was advertized excellent condition, used. It arrived in pristine condition, not a mark on it with all in original unopened packaging. Used the quick quide to take some photos and learned how to review pics on the lcd in about 1 hour. The manual is sparse on instructon and does tell you everything you need to know if you follow step by step in using the features and in downloading the pics to your pc via usb cable (supplied with camera). The photos are clear and crisp with excellent colors and detail. I was delighted at how easy it is to take motion film with audio. Camera is compatible with my pc programs: lexmark printer/software; photoshop and paintshop pro software; generic microsoft photo software. I have 20 photos with 4 10sec. motion clips on the 16mb card that came with the camera. Will order a 128mb card for a trip upstate which will store lots more photos. The AA batteries drained after shooting pics for 1 afternoon and then downloading photos to the pc that night. Am buying the dc adapter for downloading. Will be using the supplied rechargeable batteries for the trip (with couple AA batts just in case) For the money, am very happy the camera performance and ease of use. Read the prior reviews, they are on target. Camera light enough to put in your pocket, but subtantial enough in design to feel good in your hand when taking photos. Would give 5 stars if panasonic had supplied the dc adapter (I would not mind paying the cost if it came with the camera, am annoyed at having to take time to buy it extra. It does not make sense to waste battery life in downloads to the pc).