Panasonic Lumix DMC-LC43 Review

Click on the Lumix LC-43 to take a QuickTime VR tour

The Lumix DMC-LC43 is a compact and lightweight 4-megapixel camera that features a high quality Leica DC-VARIO ELMARIT all-glass aspherical 3x optical zoom lens. It's the "big brother" to the 3-megapixel DMC-LC33 which is physically identical with a silver colored body. The LC43 incorporates a newly developed digital signal processor that increases its processing speed and allows sequential shots to be taken quicker. Using this robust processor and its buffer memory, the camera captures up to 7 frames in high speed burst mode. To ensure the best image quality the LC43 employs the Venus Engine image processor and offers the user the ability to select from four white balance presets plus a manual custom mode, three levels of color saturation, three different color effects and two metering modes plus Auto Bracketing.

The LC43's 4-megapixel image sensor captures up to 2304 x 1728 pixel still images which are sufficient to produce up to 11 x 17" photo-quality prints. Still images are saved in standard Exif 2.1 JPEG format as Fine or Standard quality. The LC43 can also capture 320 x 240 pixel motion video at 10 frames per second with audio. The length of these QuickTime movies is limited only by available memory on the SD card. The user can select to capture 5-seconds of audio with still images or during playback you can dub up to 10-seconds of audio caption per image.

Using the LC43 is very easy. The mode dial on top lets you select the desired operating mode from Simple, Normal, Picture, Macro, Portrait, Landscape, Night Portrait or Movie. The Simple mode turns the LC43 into an easy to use Point-n-Shoot camera with a simplified menu that even the total novice can understand quickly. When you want more control just turn it to the Normal position and the full menu of options is at your disposal. The other modes let you quickly set the camera for capturing close-ups, people portraits, scenic landscapes and night portraits using a special slow-synchro flash mode and slow shutter speed.

Power is supplied by two standard AA batteries, alkaline or rechargeable type. Images and movies are stored on removable Secure Digital (SD) memory cards which are available in capacities up to 512MB. The data is easily transferred from the camera to the host PC via its built in USB port. Pictures and movies can also be replayed on a television set with the supplied audio-visual cable.

Lumix LC43 Features:

• Compact (2-1/2" x 3-4/5" x 1-1/3") and lightweight (6 oz.)
• 4-megapixel CCD for images up to 2304 x 1728 pixels
• Leica DC Vario-Elmarit 3x zoom lens (35-105mm on a 35mm camera)
• Macro focus as close as 3.9 inches in wide angle
• 1.5-inch TFT color monitor with 114,000 pixels
• Mega Burst, 4fps to 4 frames Fine/7 frames Standard
• Auto Exposure Bracketing
• QuickTime Movie mode, 10fps w/sound, length limited by available memory
• Record 5-sec audio with still image or add up to 10-sec audio memo later
• Automatic shutter speeds from 1/2000 to 8 seconds
• Adjustable ISO speed: Auto / 50 / 100 / 200 / 400
• Built-in flash with auto, fill, slow synchro and red-eye reduction modes
• Intelligent Multiple and Spot exposure metering
• Color saturation and color effect settings
• TTL Auto White Balance, 4 presets and custom set
• Secure Digital/MMC memory card slot, 16MB SD card included
• Plug-n-Play USB connectivity with PC/Windows
• USB Direct-Print compatible
• Powered by two standard AA type batteries

Lumix DMC-LC43 Specifications