Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS70 Review

Click on the Lumix LS70 to take a 360° tour

Panasonic has added the Lumix DSC-LS70 to its digital camera line up for 2007. The 7.2-megapixel Lumix DMC-LS70 features Intelligent Image Stabilization with MEGA O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) and Intelligent ISO Control, and a superb LUMIX DC VARIO optical 3x zoom (equivalent to 35-105mm on a 35mm film camera) lens.

Panasonic's multi-tasking Intelligent Image Stabilization system makes it easy to capture beautiful photos every time. MEGA O.I.S., which is a standard feature across the entire line of Lumix cameras, compensates for the effects of hand-shake, making it possible to capture clear, crisp photos indoors, at night, or when taking macro close-ups. However, MEGA O.I.S. cannot suppress the motion blur caused by a subject moving as the photo is being snapped. In this case, the camera's Venus Engine III image-processing engine - detects whether the subject is moving and, as necessary, raises the ISO setting and shutter speed according to how fast the subject is moving and the light conditions.

In addition to added features, Panasonic has redesigned the full exterior of the DMC-LS70, bringing a new sleek design and bright 2.0-inch LCD to their most compact models. The user friendly menu and its graphical user interface have also been redesigned, with the colors brightened for easier viewability.

The DMC-LS70 also features:

• Easy Zoom: Shifts the lens instantly to full 3x zoom power at the touch of a dedicated button.

• Extra Optical Zoom: Provides additional magnification, extending the zoom power to 4.5x by using the center part of the CCD (3M settings and below).

• Quick Setting: Lets you quickly access and set the functions used most often.

• Date Stamp: Allows users to utilize the Lumix date stamp feature in three ways: (1) Simply stamp the date on photos, (2) Stamp the day of a trip or event on the photos, and (3) Stamp the child's age in months on the image itself.

• Wide-Aspect VGA Motion Images: Records standard VGA (640 x 480) motion images at 30 frames per second, and wide-aspect VGA (848 x 480) motion images at 30 frames per second.

The DMC-LS70 is powered by two AA batteries. Each camera comes with two Panasonic Oxyride AA batteries, which lets users take approximately 60 percent more shots than available with ordinary alkaline batteries - approximately 250 images with the DMC-LS70. The camera also accepts large-capacity SDHC memory cards, giving you more flexibility in shooting and recording.

Major DMC-LS70 Features:

• 7-megapixel effective CCD for images up to 3072 x 2304 pixels
• 3x optical zoom, equivalent to 35-105mm on a 35mm camera
• Optical image stabilization to help prevent camera shake and blurring
• High Sensitivity mode, up to ISO 3200
• 5-point AF system with focus-assist lamp
• 2.0-inch TFT color monitor
• Simple, Program AE, Macro, Intelligent ISO + 19 scene modes
• Burst capture mode
• 640x480/320x240 (4:3) or 848 x 480 (16:9) QuickTime movies, 30fps or 10fps w/out audio
• Shutter speeds from 1/2000 to 8 seconds
• Built-in flash with auto, fill, slow synchro and red-eye reduction modes
• TTL Auto White Balance, 5 presets and custom set
• 27MB internal memory plus SD/SDHC/MMC memory card slot
• Plug-n-Play USB, Mass Storage compliant
• PictBridge Direct-Print compatible
• Powered by two standard AA type batteries

The Lumix DMC-LS70 is available now with a suggested retail price of US$149.95 (June 2007). The camera comes with two AA batteries; Video cable; USB connection cable; carrying strap and software on CD-ROM.