It is a very good snapshot camera for travelling and for everyday use in terms of its compact size, the 10X zoom range, the numerous built-in functions and its pretty good look.
The LCD screen is very clear and bright and the built is solid. Fits comfortably to my hands. A pleasure to use. Mega O.I.S. works quite well.
Plus it's Leica lens (under license only, I know) and made in Japan, which are strictly speaking not it's strong points bit some may have different views. You can say these are marketing points.
缺點:
Noise seems to be noticable from iso200 and moive clips, though capable of fitting in nicely on plasma TV at 848 x 480 pixels at 30fps consume a lot of memory storage.
1. very low price (water goods $2300 as of 16 Sept
2. 10x zoom & lens movement is small
3. 16:9 movie is smooth & good
4. the grip fits my big hand & no risk of dropping the DC
5. quick start up, simple operation & many scene modes
6. OIS works
I use this DC as a supplement to my RF film cameras, which are weak in tele. 10X zoom is very useful for taking snap shots when travelling. Not expecting much on quality of small DC & this DC totally fits my purpose. The charger is small too. Overall it is a very good versatile DC. I was considering the new LX2 but the price is sky high (hong $4,480). And for snap shot & the quality of lens no need to have 10M pixels.
缺點:
1. a little big & heavy but it is understandable owing to 10X capability
2. not real 16:9 CCD. 16:9 photos are taken by chopping the top & bottom of 4:3.
3. noticeable noise at higher ISO
4. max ISO 800. ISO1600 only available in scene mode
5. max. 5M for 4:3 & 3.5M for 16:9 photos is a bit low at todays standard
1. This is a specialty camera- you buy it for the long zoom & Leica lens at a compact package & good price (HK$2600 for water). If you are sports person (travel, rock-climbing, paparazzi-since it is very portable) this camera may be your choice.
2. I find the lens to be sharp; contrast & color rendition is high (turn to B/W mode to see the contrast) compared to other Panasonic pocketcams. Makes it also very suitable for portraits; particular 3/4 shots
3. The grip is good enough for single-hand holding- OK I know it is not recommeded but if you have kids then your other hand is mostly occupied
缺點:
Noise noise noise- better than previous, but still worse than some competition-when will Panasonic cure this problem!