Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ10 Review

I happen to own the Panasonic LZ-8, and as a professional digital camera instructor, I think that it offer a lot of bang for its low price. Just as does the Kodak Z-712 which is selling in the USA at $(US) 169.00.

I recently bought the LZ10 and it is certainly a flawed camera.
I found it to be at its best at the widest setting, and also for macro work.
At it's default setting I found it to be lacking in sharpness.
The ezoom settings - unlike Canon's - are a waste of time.
The movie mode is poor.

I am a professional photographer, but don't carry my pro equipment 24-7. I need a little point-and-shoot to carry all the time.

I have a Panasonic DMC-LZ5 and it is the best-point-and-shoot camera I own! Several reasons:

1) It uses AA batteries - I buy rechargable AA's but if you travel and cannot recharge you can buy new AA batteries anywhere! I found that out the hard way while on a trip and no access to plug in dead batteries. A quick stop at a local convenience store is now my backup battery plan.

2) The 6X optical zoom exceeds MOST pocket cameras in the price range. The New LZ10 is 5X zoom and again for a pocket camera it's OK - better than most!

3) It uses SD media cards which are the most universal.

I dropped the LZ5 and need to replace my favorite pocket camera now. I'm researching the series since the LZ5 to make the right choice, but I won't get anything other than a Panasonic DMC-LZ( )filling in the blank.

I recommend it for anyone needing an easy low cost pocket camera. Most people not shooting professionally will find that this economical camera will do a fine job.

Panasonic's new 10 mega pixel Touch Screen - FX520 - uses similiar internals ( with a wider lens )and it retails for $750...photoreview.com.au
YOU DO THE MATH !!!
They both have a great lens coupled with a undersized sensor - but the implementation and resulting features make for a pretty fine camera !