Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS70 Review

The all-glass aspherical Lumix DC VARIO ELMARIT 3x zoom lens is equivalent to a 35-105mm zoom on a 35mm camera. It has a F2.8 to F5.0 maximum aperture. No lens cap is needed, a built-in shutter protects the lens when the camera is powered down.

The MEGA Optical Image Stabilizer has a built-in gyrosensor that detects any hand movement and relays a signal to a tiny microcomputer inside the digital 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. The MEGA OIS has two modes of operation:

Mode 1 - The stabilizer operates continuously and assists during composition.

Mode 2 - The stabilizer is only activated when the shutter release is pressed. There is a greater stabilizing effect in this mode.

The TTL contrast-detect auto focus system has a working range of:
Normal: 1.64 feet (50cm) -Infinity
Macro: 0.16 feet (5 cm) -Infinity

Users may choose from selectable AF settings. In addition to the 5-point and 1-point normal speed, the LS70 can be set to 1-point high-speed autofocus. This setting nearly eliminates the time lag that often occurs with high-magnification zoom shots, letting users capture those great, spontaneous moments.

The built-in speedlight features Auto, Auto Red-eye reduction, Slow-sync Red-eye, Fill and Forced Off modes. The working flash range is: Approx. 0.98 feet (30cm) to 15.42 feet (4.7m) (Wide angle, ISO Auto.)

The 2.0-inch color LCD has only 86,400 pixels of resolution - it's used for framing, review and menu operations. There is no optical viewfinder.

Controls on the back:

The 4-way selector in Record mode toggles the flash mode when pressed "Right." When pressed "Up" it adjusts exposure compensation. Press "Left" to activate the Self-timer and press "Down" to use the Quick Review mode to examine the last image captured. In Playback mode the 4-way selector is used to select images and of course in both record and play modes it is used to navigate the menu screens. The MENU / SET button calls up and dismisses the menu system and accepts selections. The DISPLAY button toggles the amount of overlay information is shown on the LCD. The FUNCtion button gives you access to the FUNC shortcut menu in record mode, and acts as the image delete option in playback mode.

Controls on the top include the Mode dial, combination shutter release and zoom control ring, and power switch. The zoom ring is used in playback to enlarge the image or display an index page. The button to the right of the shutter release enables the Extended optical zoom option.

The Mode Dial has positions for:

SCN -Portrait, Sports, Food, Scenery, Night Scenery, Night Portrait, Food, Fireworks, Party, Sunset, Snow, Baby, Soft Skin, Starry Sky, Candle Light, Soft Skin, Baby1, Baby2, Pet, High Sensitivity, Beach, Starry Sky, Aerial Photo

heart icon - Simple mode for beginners, minimal menu choices

Play - Playback of still images, movie or audio notes

i - Intelligent ISO mode

camera icon - The normal Program AE point-n-shoot mode

flower icon - Macro focus mode for closeup photography

Movie - Capture motion JPEG with audio, length is limited only to available memory

Print Mode - Choose print settings when connected to a compatible printer

The V Out port sends the video to a television set, the video format is user selectable for NTSC or PAL standard. This is also the USB 2.0 (Full speed) data I/O port, it is Mass Storage compliant and also supports the PictBridge direct-print standard.

An optional AC power adapter or external battery pack can be connected to the 3V DC IN port.

Still images and movie clips are stored on 27MB of internal memory or optional removable SD/SDHC/MMC memory cards.

Approximate Storage Capacities

The DMC-LS70 can be powered by two AA Oxyride, alkaline rechargeable NiMH batteries. Included are two Panasonic Oxyride batteries that allow you to take up to 250 photos. Alkaline batteries let you take about 150 photos and NiMH cells allow up to 460 photos.