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

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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 (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000095SG3
• Item model number: DMC-LC33
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #10,326 in Camera & Photo (See Bestsellers 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).

Product Description

Quick, comfortable shooting and a slender form. Beautiful pictures and outstanding mobility. The compact LC33 makes it easy to enjoy the many features that distinguish the LUMIX series, such as the exquisite rendering of the Leica lens and the superior shooting performance made possible by Panasonic's digital imaging technologies. With the LUMIX LC33, Panasonic has established a new standard in basic digital camera performance.

See all Product Description

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

98 of 98 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 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.

31 of 31 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

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

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 !