Customer Reviews

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ10K 10MP Digital Camera with 5x Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Black)

5 star:		(33)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I want to start off by saying I am a loyal Canon shooter. I own both film and digital SLRs and love them very much. When I needed a digital point and shoot to carry with me whenever carrying the DSLR was impractical, I saved my pennies and bought a G9. The G9 is a fantastic point and shoot which I highly recommend.

So why am I writing a review for the Panasonic DMC-LZ10? Well, about a week ago, I dropped my G9 and the lens was stuck in the open position. I have to send it in to Canon for repair. In the interim, however, I didn't want to be without a digital point and shoot. I also didn't want to spend a boat-load of money. My first instinct was to get another Canon. I tried several of the lower-cost versions, in particular the A590Is. It's a fine camera, and I liked the IQ enough (but not as much as my G9). I didn't like the feel of it in my hand or the fact that it felt a bit flimsy. So I began to look around...and at other brands.

During my research, the Lumix line kept popping up. I became curious. I did more, specific research. I then found that the LZ10 fulfilled nearly all of my needs/wants:

1) Cost--I wasn't going to spend and arm and a leg on a camera that would be used pretty much while another was in the shop.

2) Size--I wanted a camera small enough to take alone without being intrusive.

3) IQ--I wanted a camera that was able to create photographs with good, usable image quality. I wanted low noise and good resolution. I wasn't going to fool myself into thinking I'd get DSLR quality, but I also didn't want to fool around with "project" photos.

4) Control Beyond Pre-Set "Scenes"--I am very fond of being able to shoot in shutter priority, aperture priority, and manual. I will occasionally use Program mode, but often eschew the "Scene" or "Creative" modes.

5) Build Quality--I like to USE my cameras, and I tote them along with me every day. Build quality is an important issue.

6) File Format--In a perfect world I would love to have RAW capability.

7) Battery--The propitiatory batter in my G9 wasn't as much of an issue because it uses the same batteries found in my older DSLR...batteries I already had but haven't been using. I wasn't interested in starting a whole new battery collection, so standard AAs were very appealing.

8) Looks--Yes, a little bit of vanity creeps in now and again.

So, how does the DMC-LZ10 stack up? Pretty darned favorably I have to say.

1) Cost--It was right in my wheelhouse. I feel it is a good value for the money.

2) Size--The camera is surprisingly small without feeling teeny. The ergonomics are good...it feels "right" in the hand.

3) IQ--For a camera in this price range, I am very pleased with the image quality. The anti-shake works well, and my over-all hit-to-miss ratio is very favorable. The Leica lens is a good performer (although the photos will never be mistaken for those taken with an M8) and the wide angle end is very serviceable at 30mm (equivalent).

4) Control Beyond Pre-Set "Scenes"--Yup...it has shutter priority, aperture priority, manual, and program modes. Sure, it also has all the "Creative" and "Scene" modes, as well as Panasoinc's "Intelligent Automatic" which really does a lot of thinking for you.

5) Build Quality--Unlike the Canon A590Is, The DMC-LZ10 has a predominantly metal body and feels substantial.

6) File Format--Here is where the camera lets me down a bit. There is no RAW support, only JPG.

7) Battery--Double A batteries it is. I got some Eneloops and they work wonderfully.

8) Looks--I have to admit this camera does LOOK good. It's sleek, with a hint of a retro feel that I really like.

So in the end, I am very happy with my choice to get the Lumix DMC-LZ10. So happy, in fact, that I do not plan on shelving it once my G9 returns from the shop. I want to find some way to put it to use in my daily work flow.

This is not your old Kodak instamatic camera, although it looks like one. This camera is miniature. Fits into any pocket or the palm of your hand. It comes with all the bells and whistles you need to take a variety of different lighting condition photographs. I chose this camera over some of the other Panasonic cameras because it allows for a manual setting for aperture and shutter speeds. Additionally it allows for timed exposure shots. So I would suggest this camera for someone a tad bit advanced in the knowledge of photography. The zoom is good and the image stabilization works fine. Over all I would give this camera an 8 out of 10. I took off 1 point because Panasonic could have fit a 3 inch viewing screen on the back rather than a 2 ½ inch and another point off for battery consumption. Keep a few batteries on hand

I bought this camera on the recommdation of my brother. He does a lot of photography and said it was one of the best priced cameras with the leica lens. I love it. The pictures come out with so much clarity. The camera picks up details that I can't see with my own eyes. The video capabilities are nice too. I purchased this with the additional memory card and rechargeable batteries.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ10S is an excellent product. Excellent price for a ton of features. Nevertheless, one feature that it does not have and I wish I had paid attention to before purchasing it is that it only has a digital viewfinder (not the traditional little window through which you aim at your target). In my outdoors trips on sunny days this was a major drawback. The surface of the digital viewfinder is very reflective and thus, rather than clearly seeing the target I see my own face. Additionaly, because you cannot turn the digital viewfinder off, it consumes more battery power than other digital cameras I had in the past. Otherwise, I would have given it five stars.

I waited for 5 days, and got a 10 megapixel, 5x optical zoom and a 30mm wide angle optically stabilized leica lens. All this along with P, A, S, M modes which are hard to find in such point and shooot cameras. Well on paper it seems great and actually unbeatable at the price at which it is offered. So, I wont take long and will come to the point.
The cons:
-> Slight shutter lag and screen blackout after a photograph (annoying).
-> Takes a bit longer to focus while not in quick focus mode.
-> Use of AA batteries (it can be of an advantage to few but for me its not much).
-> Grip (there should have been a rubber or something instead of hard grey plastic in it).
-> If I get too complaining, I'd say the wrist strap is placed on a wrong place, it should have been somewhere on the lower right side of the camera (but again it maybe just me who doesnt likes that).

Now the pros:
-> Good image quality with assistance of optical stabilization.
-> Nice and easy to use with an intutive intelligent auto mode.
-> Good control with A, S, M modes for more knowledgable photographers (im kinda working on it).
-> 30mm wide angle is really handy in tight locations.
-> Nice flash range with good focussing even in low light situations.
-> Good widescreen videos (if you don't compare them to a camcorder).

Overall, if you want a "has it all" kind of a camera which can do almost anything with a minimal budget. This is your pic then. I have it from past 3 days and yet have a few things to discover about it.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ10K 10MP Digital Camera with 5x Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Black)

I have only had this camera for a few days but it has exceeded all expectations. Before this my favorite still camera was another Panasonic, the 8 Meg but this one is a third the size is 10 Mp and has all of the features of the bigger camera. With the Panasonic HD video camera you can carry High quality camera gear that used to require a wheeled cart in your pockets. Read the tech reviews for the details but give this camera a lot of thought. I find no downside to it at all.

I searched FOREVA on line trying to find the right camera for me. Most important factor ,to keep it simple is - look for the highest optical zoom range in your price range. Digital zoom ..ehhh is overated. The pictures become a little blurry fully zoomed. I used a 7 megapixel camera prior to purchasing this Lumix and I thought it was great (Sony powershot I think with 4 times optical zoom) Took a picture with this camera in the dark -no lights Results were incredible You would think it was taken in daylight ..Great video .Listen If your looking for high end ..spend a 800 bucks If you want a GREAT buy this is it Highly recommend this camera Good luck and stop procrastinating and click the buy button Enjoy !!!

This camera is probably about the best one you can find with the options it has for the price.

Takes incredibly good pictures. I use it mainly for city scapes, but it also did incredibly well at a my morning jacket concert. Videos are also incredibly easy to take and the microphone takes surprisingly good audio. 10 MP for 140 bucks? What are you waiting for?

Love this camera!

This camera has excellent video recording capabilities, and it does a very good job with image stabilization. The pictures are quite clear, and the various setting are user-friendly for a variety of situations. The setting are arranged in a logical way on the camera, which made it very easy to learn to operate. It does not suck battery life up, which makes for less need to carry along lots of extra batteries. I would highly recommend this camera to someone who does not do "high end" photography for a living but still would like "high end" looking results!

I purchased this camera for the variety of features. I especially like the Leica lens & it even looks similar ro a Leica. Also, I purchased this camera for a FANTASTIC price. I took it out of the box, installed the batteries, reviewed the various "bells & whistles" on the camera, & began shooting.... oh yeah, picture clarity it 3 times as good as the more expensive Olympus that I've been using.