The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ10 is a 10 megapixel ultracompact digital camera and the top-level offering in Panasonic’s LZ series of budget-friendly pocket cams. Equipped with an optically stabilized 5x zoom that begins at a wide 30mm, the LZ10 also makes use of a large, bright, and crisp 2.5 inch LCD that takes up most of the rear of the camera.
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Unlike most of the auto-exposure only cameras priced below $200, the LZ10 offers full shutter priority, aperture priority, and manual modes for photographers who want more control over their images. Of course, like most Panasonic cameras the LZ10 also comes with an “intelligent” fully automatic mode that actively evaluates scene conditions and selects settings. A nice range of scene modes and a well thought-out approach to using them (which allows for quick switching between two different scene presets) should also appeal to auto mode users looking for easy access to a little more control. In short, the LZ10 offers photographic control for people who want it yet remains a true point-and-shoot in most ways.
One other intelligent feature of note is Panasonic’s Intelligent ISO setting: simply set the maximum allowable ISO value and the LZ10 selects an appropriate sensitivity within the specified range for a given scene or subject – just like the auto sensitivity “cap” settings found on many DSLRs. What makes Intelligent ISO different than regular Auto ISO is that it isn’t based simply on exposure values – it’s based on subject movement and camera movement. With Intelligent ISO mode enabled, if the LZ10 detects rapid subject movement or severe camera shake the ISO will be increased all the way up to ISO 1600 (or lower if you limit the maximum ISO in the menu) to capture a blur-free image.
A separate High Sensitivity mode increases maximum ISO all the way up to 6400, though given the relatively low 3 megapixel resolution at this setting, many users may find this feature less useful for prints.
The Lumix LZ10’s basic shooting modes are as follows:
* Intelligent Auto (iA): Panasonic’s exclusive improvement on conventional auto modes claims to make, as the name suggests, more intelligent exposure choices based on more involved analysis. In practice, the mode tends to work well (and includes such niceties as backlight correction for evening out backlit scenes), serving up generally good images with a highly limited selection of user adjustments.
* Program Mode (P): The LZ10’s normal setting is a program auto mode, with adjustments for white balance, sensitivity, and the like available in the quick access and main menus.
* Aperture Priority (A): The photographer selects the lens aperture and the camera selects the correct shutter speed (and ISO if the camera is set to Auto ISO or Intelligent ISO modes).
* Shutter Priority (S): The photographer selects the shutter speed and the camera selects the correct lens aperture (and ISO if the camera is set to Auto ISO or Intelligent ISO modes).
* Manual Mode (M): The photographer selects the proper shutter speed, lens aperture, and ISO for correct exposure.
* Scene: The LZ10 brings two scene mode positions in its mode menu, allowing users to select one of 21 presets (including two “Baby” modes, the nuances of which aren’t clear from the menu icons, and a dedicated preset for aerial shots) for each of the two positions. This makes cycling between two favorite scene presets a single button press away, and given that most users use only a few of the wide range of available presets on any compact camera, the idea makes a lot of sense.
* Motion Picture: Though the camera takes rich, fluid video, movie mode options on the LZ10 are less than impressive, allowing a maximum resolution/frame-rate of 640×480 at 30 fps. If you’re looking for HD or a camcorder replacement, this camera probably isn’t the best option.
In terms of in-camera editing options, the LZ10 is one of the more impressive budget compact cameras we’ve seen. Beyond the basic cropping and resizing options form the bulk of the playback mode choices, this camera has adjustable parameters for sharpness, saturation, contrast, and noise reduction (+/- 2). This is something you just don’t find on most budget compact cameras.
For a detailed listing of specs and features, take a look at the specs table found at the bottom of the review
FORM, FIT, AND FEEL
The LZ10 is an attractive, compact, and well built camera with a nice grip and small telescoping lens housing. The grip is actually much nicer than most cameras in the same price range, but Panasonic loses points in my opinion for putting a hard plastic pad on the front of the grip rather than a soft rubber insert. In hand, the LZ10 is light-weight and well balanced, making it a joy to use. The control layout is well thought out and extremely capable.
Styling and Build Quality
The LZ10 is very much in keeping with the rest of the Lumix LZ line: a reasonably compact body with a nice grip and simple controls. Everything is sleek, clean-lined, and straightforward, with a refined look that makes Lumix cameras look more expensive than the cheap plastic cameras in the same price range from other companies.