Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ1 4MP Digital Camera with 6x Image Stabilized Optical Zoom

Other products by Panasonic

Product Details

• Item Weight: 3.8 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B0007OV45O
• Item model number: DMC-LZ1PP-S
• Batteries: 2 AA batteries required.
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #11,908 in Camera & Photo (See Bestsellers in Camera & Photo)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: February 8, 2005

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

From the Manufacturer Jitter from shaky hands is one of the main reasons why cameras produce blurry images. Panasonic doesn't expect everyone to have hands of stone when taking pictures--that's why Lumix cameras help solve the problem of unsteady hands with advanced Mega Optical Image Stabilizer technology.

Panasonic's Mega Optical Image Stabilizer (O.I.S.) technology solves the problem of pictures that are blurry due to shaky hands.

The DMC-LZ1 has a built-in gyrosensor that detects any hand movement and relays a signal to a tiny microcomputer inside the camera, which instantly calculates the compensation needed. A linear motor then shifts the Optical Image Stabilizer lens as necessary to guide incoming light from the image straight to the CCD. You won't even notice it working--all you'll see are the outstanding results!

6x Optical Zoom in a Compact Body
Use the 6x optical zoom together with the 4x digital zoom to enjoy up to 24x zoom power, which approximates a 888mm zoom lens on a 35mm camera, with a body size as compact as an ordinary 3x optical zoom camera.

Snap Off Consecutive Shots at 4 Frames per Second
You can take up to 7 images in Standard Mode and 4 images in Fine Mode with full resolution. In addition, the Unlimited Consecutive Shooting function lets you continue shooting until the memory card or built-in memory is full. All this is made possible by the Venus Engine Plus, which reduces power consumption by about 50% compared with Panasonic's previous Venus Engine. The multi-task image processing in the Venus Engine Plus LSI has accelerated response speed, giving you more comfortable shooting with a release time lag of 0.006 seconds minimum.

2.0-Inch Diagonal TRM LCD for Easy Viewing--Even Outdoors
This bright 2.0-inch diagonal LCD monitor is easy to see. Its TRM (Transmissive with Micro Reflective) design suppresses reflection, so you see your subject clearly even when shooting outdoors.

Two Convenient Power Sources--Alkaline or Rechargeable Batteries
The DMC-LZ1 can be powered by two AA alkaline or two rechargeable nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH) batteries. Panasonic's included two Panasonic Oxyride batteries that allow you to take up to 215 photos. Alkaline batteries let you take about 160 photos and nickel-metal hydride batteries allow up to 370 photos.

Built-In Memory--Shoot Even When You Don't Have an SD Memory Card
Take photos even when you don't have an SD memory card on hand. The built-in memory holds up to 14MB of image data, which you can later upload to an SD memory card or PC. You can also download images from a memory card or PC to the built-in memory and view them on the LCD anytime you like.

Product Description

Jitter from shaky hands is one of the main reasons why cameras produce blurry images. Panasonic does not expect everyone to have hands of stone when taking pictures - that's why Lumix cameras help solve the problem of unsteady hands with advanced MEGA Optical Image Stabilizer technology. The DMC-LZ1 has a built-in gyrosensor that detects any hand movement and relays a signal to a tiny microcomputer inside the camera, which instantly calculates the compensation needed. A linear motor then shifts the Optical Image Stabilizer lens as necessary to guide incoming light from the image straight to the CCD. You won't even notice it working - all you'll see are the outstanding results!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

53 of 55 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars AMAZING!, May 9, 2005

By	S. Turner (Northern California United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I've known what I wanted in a digital camera for several years:
1. Fast shutter release (my Canon S-200 takes 3+ sec., 5+ flash).
2. Small and light (for backpacking, travel).
3. Point and shoot zoom(5X plus with image stabilization).
4. 4+ megapixel, under $250.
5. No proprietary batteries, 2 AA preferred.

Up until now, nothing has come close. Then I read in Business Week that the LZ1 and LZ2 had become the best selling cameras in Japan within several months of their introduction. No independant reviews were available (even CNET) so I bought the LZ1 on the strength of it's technical spec's and my previous experiences with Panasonic products.

I took the LZ1 to the rodeo several days ago to test it under demanding conditions. I used the "sports" setting and burst mode(four exposures in about 1 1/2 seconds under those circumstances), all freehand. The results were stunning! No noticeable shutter lag, no blurry or out of focus pictures, all action frozen. Simply put: point, shoot, you got it!

Notes: Actual weight with 2 batteries is 8.2 ozs. The user interface is the best I've seen: full functioned and simple. Flash shots have shutter lag of approx. 1/2 second. I use Panasonic 2300 mah nmh rechargeable batteries purchased at Costco. Panasonic specs claim 370 pictures with those batteries, 30 seconds between shots, LCD on, flash every shot, full zoom in and out each shot. This camera has no optical view finder. I use a 512mb Sandisc Ultra II SD memory card- a little more expensive, but after having a Viking card quit and swallow 200 pics on another camera, I don't pinch pennies on memory.

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Splendid Little Compact Digital Camera, June 29, 2005

By	John Kwok (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

A professional photographer visiting from New Zealand showed me this camera, which he uses mainly as a sophisticated light meter for his 35mm black and white photography. He said that he's obtained excellent color images using this camera, easily enlarging them to 16 x 20" without no visible loss in quality. I was surprised how well this camera handles, fitting comfortably in the palm of my hand. And thanks to the image stabilized option, I could photograph at a shutter speed as low as 1/15 of a second. The resolution I'd seen from this camera is on par with what I have observed from the Leica Digilux models and the Contax TVS digital camera. In short, this is extraordinary performance from a 4 MP digital camera. Panasonic's latest digital camera comes with a Leica Vario-Elmarit lens, which is as good as the Leica and Zeiss lenses I have seen on other digital cameras. If I had some money to spare as well as space in my camera bag, I wouldn't hesitate buying this little optical jewel of a digital camera.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good camera with a flaw, September 11, 2005

By	L. Arney (Mesa, AZ) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

I bought this camera on the strength of other people's reviews. It does take good pictures and the optical stabilizer is great. However, I found that the lack of a viewfinder made it impossible to compose pictures in bright sunlight. This is my first digital camera, and I didn't realize what a problem it would be. I'm used to SLRs. I returned the camera and bought an Olympus C5500. It was a little more money but is WAY more versatile. I do miss the stabilizer, though.