Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS70 Digital Camera Review
By Karen M. Cheung
Reviewed.com Editorial Staff
September 05, 2007
Panasonic launched the entry-level Lumix DMC-LS70 in January 2007 for the modest price of $149, although it can be found online for $120. Though it has basic point-and-shoot features, such as 7.2 megapixels, a 2-inch LCD, and a 3x optical zoom lens, it also touts optical image stabilization, a rarity at this price point.
Thifty shoppers rejoice: there is a solid performing camera that costs less than $150. The Panasonic LS70 produces detailed pictures with excellent color. With nearly 100 percent accuracy for color saturation, the camera performs as well as some more expensive, high-end point-and-shoots.
While the LS70’s color and resolution are great, its performance suffers when taking pictures of dimly lit scenes. In low light, noise increases and dynamic range decreases, which result in grainy-looking pictures with few tones. The Canon PowerShot A550, for $50 more, performed better in low light.
The Panasonic Lumix LS70 takes a painful 3 seconds to start up. That, combined with the slow 1-second-per-picture processing time makes for missed moments.
The Panasonic LS70 is a modest-looking, bulky camera with a small, low-resolution LCD screen. The 2-inch screen has a paltry 86,400-pixel resolution, smaller than the HP Photosmart R742’s 2.5-inch screen and the Nikon Coolpix L14’s 2.4-inch screen. The Panasonic’s low monitor resolution causes photos displayed on the screen to look pixelated, making it difficult to check for focus or other details.
What makes the LS70 unique is its 3x optical zoom lens that includes Panasonic’s Mega O.I.S., which stands for optical image stabilization. Optical image stabilization, normally reserved for pricier cameras, is technology built into the lens that compensates for camera shake. It is preferable over digital image stabilization, which merely adjusts camera settings to eliminate the appearance of shaking. This can be found in competing entry-level cameras such as the HP Photosmart R742 or Kodak EasyShare C743.
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS70’s simple menu interface, 18 preset shooting modes, and Simple Shooting mode make it a point-and-shooter’s dream. However, users may be disappointed to find the LS70’s Movie mode does not record sound, unlike other $150 cameras such as the Pentax Optio E40 and the Kodak EasyShare C743.
Aimed at beginners, the Panasonic LS70 has an intuitive, user-friendly menu system consistent with the company’s other cameras. The LS70 lacks full manual controls, but its target audience probably won’t miss them too much. The LS70 doesn’t include face detection technology, an increasingly common feature in newer cameras like the Pentax E40 and Nikon L14. Face detection isn’t critical, but consumers should know that it’s available in similarly priced cameras.
With its optical image stabilization system, easy menu system, accurate color, and bargain price, the Panasonic LS70 is truly a good deal if you don’t want to spend more than $150. But for a little more, there are much better cameras available.
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