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

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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.
• ASIN: B000095SG4
• Item model number: DMC-LC43
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #7,264 in Camera & Photo (See Bestsellers 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).

Product Description
With compact size, lightweight, and the superb image rendering of the LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT lens, the DMC-LC43 makes it easy to take beautiful shots. The LC43 boasts a CCD with an effective pixel count of 4.0 megapixels. This digital camera offers a 3x optical zoom and features Panasonic's high-performance Venus Engine LSI for superb image quality and lightning-fast response. The DMC-LC43 lets you snap off shots at a moment's notice, so you're always ready to catch even sudden photo opportunities. And with its superior image rendering, this model is great for both casual everyday shots and artistically expressive shots - and everything in between.

See all Product Description

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

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 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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.

5 of 5 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

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).