Panasonic Lumix DMC-LC20S 2.1MP Digital Camera w/ Leica Lens and 3x Optical Zoom, Silver
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LC20S 2.1MP Digital Camera w/ Leica Lens and 3x Optical Zoom, Silver
Manufacturer: Panasonic
Product Type: Photography
Editorial Review:
Amazon.com Product Description
Featuring world-renowned Leica DC lenses, Panasonic's DMC-LC20S digital camera packs high-quality optics. Pictures are sure to come out sharp and brilliant thanks to the 2-megapixel CCD sensor, capable of resolutions of up to 1,600 by 1,200 pixels and prints up to 8 by 10 inches. There are two lower-quality settings that you can use to save memory and store more pictures on the included 8 MB Secure Digital (SD) memory card.
The LC20S has an optical zoom of 3x and a 2x digital zoom, making the overall zoom capable of magnifying an image up to six times. The camera has several automatic and manual controls for focus, exposure, white balance, and flash. It also has a feature that enables you to take consecutive pictures at a fast rate (either 3 or 5 frames per second), ideal for those hard-to-capture moving objects and similar to regular full-motion video. Use the large 1.5-inch LCD monitor to keep track of all these settings and manage your photos.
Since the camera has full USB connectivity, you can easily transfer your photos to a PC or Mac. Photo-editing software is also included for more creative uses of your photos. Also included in the package are an AC adapter, battery pack, video and USB cable, and strap.
Average customer rating: 
|
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LC20S 2.1MP Digital Camera w/ Leica Lens and 3x Optical Zoom, Silver
Manufacturer: Panasonic ProductGroup: Photography Binding: Electronics  All Panasonic
| Panasonic
| Camera & Photo Brands
| Camera & Photo Features
| Electronics
Digital Cameras
| Panasonic
| Camera & Photo Brands
| Camera & Photo Features
| Electronics
| 12x Optical Zoom
| 4 to 4.9 Megapixels
| 5 Megapixels & Up
| 6x Optical Zoom
| Digital Camera Accessories
Digital Cameras
| Used Photo & Camera
| Specialty Stores
| Camera & Photo Features
| Electronics
MMC Cameras
| Memory Cards
| Promotions
| Special Features
| Camera & Photo Features
| Electronics
All Digital Cameras
| Digital Cameras
| Camera & Photo
| Categories
| Electronics
2 to 2.9 Megapixels
| Digital Cameras
| Camera & Photo
| Categories
| Electronics
Under 3 Megapixels
| Digital Cameras
| Camera & Photo
| Categories
| Electronics
Under 4x Optical Zoom
| Digital Cameras
| Camera & Photo
| Categories
| Electronics
Digital Cameras
| Panasonic
| Brands
| Electronics Features
| Electronics
Accessories:
Product Features:
ASIN: B000069V22 |
Amazon.com Product Description
Featuring world-renowned Leica DC lenses, Panasonic's DMC-LC20S digital camera packs high-quality optics. Pictures are sure to come out sharp and brilliant thanks to the 2-megapixel CCD sensor, capable of resolutions of up to 1,600 by 1,200 pixels and prints up to 8 by 10 inches. There are two lower-quality settings that you can use to save memory and store more pictures on the included 8 MB Secure Digital (SD) memory card.The LC20S has an optical zoom of 3x and a 2x digital zoom, making the overall zoom capable of magnifying an image up to six times. The camera has several automatic and manual controls for focus, exposure, white balance, and flash. It also has a feature that enables you to take consecutive pictures at a fast rate (either 3 or 5 frames per second), ideal for those hard-to-capture moving objects and similar to regular full-motion video. Use the large 1.5-inch LCD monitor to keep track of all these settings and manage your photos.
Since the camera has full USB connectivity, you can easily transfer your photos to a PC or Mac. Photo-editing software is also included for more creative uses of your photos. Also included in the package are an AC adapter, battery pack, video and USB cable, and strap.
Customer Reviews:
Complete waste of money.......2004-08-19
spend your money on a good camera.......2004-03-10
A pack leader.......2003-04-19
The pictures taken with the lumix can be very sharp. I say can be, because I've ended up with more then a handful (out of hundreds) of images which have ended up fairly blurry. Usually these are when I've zoomed out to the full 3x (that's optical zoom - digital zoom is fake, and this camera sensibly lets you disable it). I may have a slightly shaky hand, or a tendency to snap the shutter button hard when I take the picture - I don't think it's very forgiving. If you have a lot of trouble with taking a steady shot you probably will not be happy with this camera. Generally though, my images are sharp and very true to life. I am not sure how much of the quality of the images is attributed to the leica lens, but the light and shadows in my images give pictures from the lumix a depth that is often missing from digital images.
As with nearly all digital cameras, your best pictures will be in bright (but not direct) natural light. And, as with most 2MP digital cameras you won't see the pixelation in the image that is so common in older digital cameras. The images will be suitable for printing at 5x7 (or maybe even 8x10), and you won't have to spend a fortune. It seems like the jump to 3MP costs quite a bit more for an only incremental increase in quality. Again, as with most digital cameras, the lumix really drains the batteries quickly. It uses 2 AA batteries and comes with 2 rechargeables and a charger. I get about 2 hours of "shooting time" with a full charge.
A really sweet feature on this camera is the last photo review. Digital cameras generally have a picture taking mode and a review mode, where you can view and delete your images. The lumix has this, but also allows you to review your last picture. You can see the image, zoom around on the details of it, and if it's bad, you can delete it. It automatically ends the review mode after a few seconds of inactivity. I am totally lost when using a camera without this feature now.
In the 2MP range this camera is definitely a pack leader.
Pros:
Capable of very sharp pictures
Sensible user interface, easy to nagviate
Last photo review is awesome
Cons:
Drains batteries
Somewhat hard to hold focus when zoomed in
"great little camera".......2003-04-06
The LC20 has good looks and feels the part - It is attractive and is ergnomically very good. Video is a bonus, but not a replacement for a video camera.
Haven't seen any barrel distortion, colour bleed or other faults. The pictures are very sharp, clearly defined and relatively undistorted. The colours are natural and not "over saturated". Some people have reported a little under exposure - rarely see this, but it is easy to compensate for with the software. Have seen some complaints with the software, but have found it okay to use.
Start up time is quick, refresh time between flash shots is up to 5 seconds. Battery use depends on lcd screen use etc. but is not too bad. I bought 4 more 1800ma/hr batteries, so won't run out of power.
Comparing the results with photos taken by friends / family digital cameras this camera more than holds its own.
A little knowledge of photography was helpful as good results in full auto mode in all situations are not always achieveable. Outdoors, just set in auto and shoot for consistently good results. Indoors in lower light situations as with most digital cameras, the flash is not particularly strong, the lcd screen is a little hard to see in low light and the auto focus sometimes takes a little time to work.
If you take the time to read the manual, and learn how to adjust the sensitivity and make exposure compensation adjustments and you will get much better results. Found that changing the sensitivity to ISO200 in low light produced good results, ISO400 can produce noisy pictures.
Positives:
Great value ... came with additional 16mb card, battery charger, case and strap; Compact; Great leans; Good macro; Bright lcd screen and very good menu functionality (intuitive); Quick start up time; Leica lens; Good quality pictures;
Negatives:
No real negatives, but use the battery door carefully. It appears a bit "plasticky" but if you take care no problems.
Great Little Camera.......2003-02-09
The quality of the pictures is really good (at normal/small prints). I am very pleased with the many opportunities digital photos give me, I can just print the pictures from home, send them to my family, edit colors etc.
The ability to see the pictures right at the spot comes in very handy (and I can just delete them if I don't like them). Once you have the camera and a printer it is completely free develop the pictures!
The only drawback this camera has is it's ability to take indoors photos in low light conditions. But using the software that comes with the camera I can easily change that. It takes a little time to learn to use the Arc photo sotware, but once you get used to it is easy (even though I only really use Arc PhotoBase).
The camera has plenty of settings for my use and they are easy to use. I have found that some pictures look better when I turn the photo compression off and set ISO to 200. The pictures will take up a little more space, but the memory is not all that expensive compared to the camera.
One function I am using a lot is the video (with sound). It is very neat to capture small video clips and transfer them to PC (very easy using USB) so you can send them via email. I can also review the pictures on TV using the cable that comes with the camera.
After having this camera two months I have taken over 300 photos, even though I didn't use to take photos at all. I have pretty much takne the camera with me every where! Most of the photos came out in a great quality due to the cameras automatic settings. This really makes it easy to take good photos!
Electronics:
Consumer Electronics
AG Neovo E-19A 19" LCD Monitor
RCA RTD200 300-Watt Progressive-Scan DVD Home Theater System
AMS Tech Rodeo 3037CX - PII 266 MHz - RAM : 64 MB - HD : 4 GB - CD - Win98 - 13.3" TFT 1024 x 768
Samsung SyncMaster 970P 19" LCD Monitor