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Expert Recommendation
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Overview
Sporting a sharp 5x zoom lens, the Panasonic LZ8 is a versatile compact camera. The rich feature set includes manual controls for more experienced photographers, which is uncommon for such a low price. The lens provides a wider angle view than many of its rivals. The movie mode is also one of the best in its class.
My Best In Class Pick
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ8
The Pansonic Lumix DMC-LZ8 is part of the LZ (long Zoom) series. It packs a versatile 5x zoom lens with a wide angle view in a sturdy body.
Despite being so cheap the camera is equipped with a lens, which is among the best in its class and produces little distortion across the zoom range which is commendable. The camera is a snappy performer. The rich feature set includes Aperture/Shutter priority modes and manual mode which make the camera versatile. The movie mode is good too (higher resolution).
Panasonic has improved their image processing technology over time, and the LZ8 uses their latest Venus IV processor for the task which effectively fixes the color bleed problem experienced at high ISO by its predecessor.
However the camera still uses excessive noise reduction at high ISOs, which results in images that are clean but appear coarse due to splotchiness cause by noise reduction.
The sharp lens with a versatile zoom range, the rich feature set and manual controls make the camera better value than others digital cameras in its class.
Comparison with Canon PowerShot A1000 IS
The Panasonic LZ8 is more versatile with its higher zoom range, wider angle view, manual modes and better movie mode. The Canon A1000 IS has a brighter lens, optical viewfinder and a tad better image processing (more fine details in images especially at higher ISOs). So if you prefer to use the camera in auto mode then A1000IS is better choice.
Comparison with Canon PowerShot A590 IS
The Panasonic LZ8 has a higher zoom range, wider angle view, manual modes and better movie mode.
Pros
- +Class-leading 5x zoom lens with wide angle view
- +Low distortion lens with good corner-to-corner sharpness
- +Sturdy body
- +Good image quality
- +useful Aperture/Shutter priority modes.
Cons
- -Splotchy noise reduction artifacts at higher ISOs
- -Lacks optical viewfinder
Where to buy
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ8
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Best Price:
$119
See It »
Comparing My Best In Class Pick with Other Good Choices
| Product |
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| Customer Rating |
 
(from 90 reviews)
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(from 238 reviews)
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(from 869 reviews)
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| Price | $119.00 | $159 - $549 | $229 - $1500 |
| Size (W x H x D) | 3.8 x 2.4 x 1.3 in. | 3.8 x 2.5 x 1.2 in. | 3.7 x 2.5 x 1.6 in. |
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Sensor Size
Most digital cameras, even most digital SLRs, have sensors that are smaller than a standard frame of 35 mm film (36 x 24 mm). These smaller sensors have a number of effects on the captured image and the use of the camera, including an increased depth of field, decreased light sensitivity, increased pixel noise, and increased degree of enlargement.
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5.8 x 4.3 mm | 6.0 x 4.5 mm | 5.8 x 4.3 mm |
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Effective Sensor Resolution
The Effective Sensor Resolution tells you the total number of pixels that are recorded when you take a picture. The units are MP, which stands for megapixels or millions of pixels. For outstanding fine compression prints, 3MP is required for 5x7's, 7.1MP for 8x10's, and 10.9MP for 11x14's. The effective sensor resolution is only one of many important factors that will determine the quality of the photograph when displayed or printed at different sizes.
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8.1 megapixels | 10.0 megapixels | 8.0 megapixels |
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Shutter Lag Time (including auto-focus time)
This is the time from fully pressing the shutter button until the image is captured. Longer shutter lag times make it more difficult to capture the desired moment.
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0.4 - 1.0 sec | 0.4 - 0.6 sec | 0.5 - 0.7 sec |
| Max Shooting Speed (continuous) | 1.3 frames/sec | 1.3 frames/sec | 0.8 frames/sec |
| Max Video Resolution | 848 x 480 pixels | 640 x 480 pixels | 640 x 480 pixels |
| Max Video Frame Rate (max resolution) | 30 frames/sec | 30 frames/sec | 20 frames/sec |
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Min Focal Length (35 mm equivalent)
The 35 mm equivalent focal length is a measure that indicates the angle of view of a particular combination of a camera lens and the sensor size. The term originates from the time when the vast majority of photography was done with 35 mm film. On any 35 mm film camera, a 30 mm or less lens is considered a wide-angle lens.
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32 mm | 35 mm | 35 mm |
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Max Focal Length (35 mm equivalent)
The 35 mm equivalent focal length is a measure that indicates the angle of view of a particular combination of a camera lens and the sensor size. The term originates from the time when the vast majority of photography was done with 35 mm film. Larger max focal lengths make distant objects appear more magnified.
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160 mm | 140 mm | 140 mm |
| Optical Zoom | 5.0x | 4.0x | 4.0x |
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Max Aperture (wide-angle)
The aperture refers to the size of the opening in the lens that determines the amount of light falling onto the sensor. The maximum aperture (wide-angle) is the largest possible size at the wide-angle limit of the zoom lens. The lens aperture is usually specified as an f-number, the ratio of focal length to effective aperture diameter. A lower f-number denotes a greater aperture opening, which allows more light to reach the image sensor.
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f/3.3 | f/2.7 | f/2.6 |
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Max Aperture (tele-photo)
The aperture refers to the size of the opening in the lens that determines the amount of light falling onto the sensor. The maximum aperture (tele-photo) is the largest possible size at the tele-photo limit of the zoom lens. The lens aperture is usually specified as an f-number, the ratio of focal length to effective aperture diameter. A lower f-number denotes a greater aperture opening, which allows more light to reach the image sensor.
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f/5.9 | f/5.6 | f/5.5 |
| Max Usable ISO (subjective) | 800 | 800 | 800 |
| Aperture Priority Mode Available | Yes | No | Yes |
| Shutter Priority Mode Available | Yes | No | Yes |
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Viewfinder Available
A viewfinder is a window that you look through to compose the picture. Some cameras do not have a viewfinder and instead use the LCD display. The LCD display may be difficult to see in bright light and may make it more difficult to capture fast-moving subjects because of the time required to update the display.
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No | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Type | AA-size (x2) | AA-size (x2) | AA-size (x2) |
Canon PowerShot A1000 IS
The Canon PowerShot A1000 IS has high resolution 10MP resolution sensor and is equipped with a sharp 4x super-zoom lens and is a snappy performer.
Its optical viewfinder (OVF) will help extend the battery life (i.e. one can switch off LCD). The OVF also helps shoot with a stable conventional posture.
The image quality is good with rich colors and fine detail. High ISO images are a bit grainy but retain enough detail for good quality mid-sized prints (upto 8”x10” size).
Other useful features are: Face detection Adjusts the exposure based on faces in the scene and removes red-eye automatically. It also adjusts the White Balance and supports Face Select & Track. Motion detection technology Combining inputs from its Face Detection Technology, the optical Image Stabilizer, changes in scene brightness and changes from frame to frame, it raises the ISO setting to freeze the action. LP (Long Play) VGA movie mode utilizes more efficient compression for movie clips so it uses less memory card space than a normal VGA mode.
The camera runs on 2 AA batteries, which are cheap to maintain and one can always use a couple of alkalines when caught in a bind.
Comparison with Canon PowerShot A590 IS
The Canon A1000 IS has a smaller size, higher resolution, better movie mode, higher resolution LCD and more features. The Canon A590 IS offers Aperture/Shutter priority modes and a full manual mode which may be preferred by advanced users.
Pros
- +Good image quality with corner to corner sharpness
- +Optical viewfinder
- +Rich feature set
- +Uses AA batteries
- +Bang for the buck
Cons
- -Lacks a wide angle view
- -Lacks manual modes
Where to buy
Canon PowerShot A1000 IS
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Best Price:
$159
See It »
- $159 - $549 Compare Prices »
Canon PowerShot A590 IS
The Canon A590IS is the successor (with a bit more resolution & a reduction in the VGA movie frame rates) of the highly successful Canon A570 IS. The camera produces images with minimal processing artifacts, rich colors and fine details in auto mode.
It offers a useful Aperture/Shutter priority modes and a full manual mode.
However, the low resolution LCD, jerky movie mode and bulkiness makes the camera look a bit dated.
Pros
- +Good image quality
- +Good corner-to-corner sharpness
- +Ultra-compact size
Cons
- -Small zoom range
- -Lack of manual modes
Where to buy
Canon PowerShot A590 IS
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Best Price:
$229
See It »
- $229 - $1500 Compare Prices »
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