Digital Camera Review

• 7.2-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 15 x 20-inch prints
• 6x image-stabilized optical zoom; 2.5-inch LCD display
• Intelligent ISO Control (I.I.C.) reduces image blur from subject movement and low light
• Records full-size movies in wide-aspect VGA (848 x 480) at 30 frames per second
• Stores images on SD/SDHC/MMC memory cards; 27MB internal memory

The new Venus Engine III image processing engine gives them even higher image quality and speedier processing. The LZ7 also incorporates the Intelligent Image Stabilization system, which which comprises two features — Mega O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) and Intelligent ISO Control — that together make it easy to capture beautiful photos every time you shoot. Mega O.I.S. compensates for the effects of hand-shake, making it possible to capture clear, crisp photos indoors, at night, when taking macro close-ups, or using high powered zooming — situations in which hand-shake is most likely to be a problem. Even Mega O.I.S., however, cannot suppress the motion blur caused by a subject moving as the photo is being snapped. That’s where Intelligent ISO Control comes in. In this system, 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 the degree of movement and light conditions. This happens automatically, so you can shoot without the bother of adjusting settings every time conditions change. Lumix and its powerful Intelligent Image Stabilization system do all the work for you. You enjoy easy, trouble-free shooting in any situation and get the satisfaction that comes with capturing clear, beautiful images.

The LZ7 offers a range of features that enhance usability and add convenience. The new Quick Setting function lets you quickly and easily access and set the functions used most often. The Easy Zoom feature shifts the lens instantly to full 6x zoom power at the touch of a dedicated button. With the new Date Stamp function, you can simply stamp the date on photos or you can take advantage of two new, original Lumix features. When travelling, you can stamp the day of the trip on the photos you take. Or, if you have a baby, you can stamp his or her age in months on your photos. The stamped information appears on photos that you print yourself at home or have printed at a photo shop.

Effective resolution has been increased to 7.2 megapixels in the LZ7, supporting enhanced functions. It features approximately 27MB of built-in memory and accepts large-capacity SDHC memory cards for extra shooting convenience and flexibility. Powered by two of Panasonic’s original, extended-life Oxyride dry cell batteries, the LZ7 can take around 250 shots (CIPA). The menu and its graphical user interface have also been redesigned, with the colors brightened for easier viewability.

Combining a powerful 6x optical zoom with Panasonic’s blur-fighting Intelligent Image Stabilization, the DMC-LZ7 makes it easy for even digital camera beginners to take clear, crisp, beautiful photos every time they shoot.

With the DMC-LZ7, the enjoyment of photography doesn’t end when you’re done shooting for the day. One additional function that broadens the fun of photography is Direct Print mode. To select it, simply turn the mode dial on the camera top. Then use the USB cable provided to connect the camera to a Pictbridge-compatible printer, and you’re ready to print beautiful photos. Print all the images you shot or only your favourites, and make one copy or multiple copies as you wish. When you turn the mode dial, the mode selected is indicated on the LCD. This lets you change the mode to recording, playback or direct printing without taking your eyes off the subject.Also interesting is the new Date Stamp function. In addition to showing the date a photo was taken, the LZ7 can show on which day of the trip a photo was taken. They can also stamp your baby’s age in months on a photo, after you’ve taken the shots. These dates, which can be helpful when making a photo album, can be stamped on photos whether you print them yourself at home or have a photo shop do them.

With the optional Panasonic DMW-SDP1 HDTV Photo Player, it’s easy to have a slide show of Lumix images in 1080i high-definition quality. By simply connecting the SDP1, via a component cable, to a high-definition TV such as a Panasonic Viera, and inserting the SDHC/SD memory card into its slot, users can view their photos on a large display together with family or friends. Like Lumix cameras, the DMW-SDP1 incorporates the Venus Engine III imaging engine. This provides extremely quick advancing from one slide to the next. It also allows playback of wide-aspect VGA (848x 480) motion images that fit an HDTV’s 16:9 screen.

• 10 megapixel, image resolution, 5X optical, 2.7-Inch LCD underwater / land camera in rubber armored housing
• NEW Easy Set-up mode – Easy 1-2-3 graphic on screen guide-takes the guess work out of setting up the camera for great pictures
• 4 Underwater Modes for sharp, colorful underwater pictures. Includes: Sea mode with 4 UW color correction settings for blue and green water conditions at shallow or deeper depths.
• 640 X 480 AVI Video Mode with sound
• High Capacity rechargeable lithium-ion battery up to 2 hour or 200+ underwater photos. SD and SDHC card capatible up to 16 GB

The newest addition to the SeaLife line debuts the Easy Set-up mode – a graphic on-screen guide that takes the guess work out of setting up the camera for great pictures on land or underwater. The DC1000 includes four new specially designed underwater modes that make it simple and easy to take perfect pictures in any water setting and its updated design includes an ergonomic design, large shutter button and well-spaced buttons make the camera easy to handle and user-friendly.

Easily expand the camera with the SeaLife wide angle lens or up to two SeaLife Digital Pro Flashes accessories. Quick shutter response for fast action photography. Long lasting lithium battery for all day of diving. Automatic focus from 2″ to infinity. Large format continuous video recording with sound. Depth tested to 200ft. Fully rubber armored for shock protection. 1-year warranty covers the underwater housing and camera.

Product Features

Technical Details

Pros
-Housing is the best thing about it – great quality, very well-made and easy to use, no hint of leakage during multiple uses.
-Camera floats while in housing
-Under ideal conditions (Sunny Weather, clear water, used near the surface) the image results can be superb for such a cheap camera
-Considering most of the cost is probably in the housing, it does better than expected as a general purpose cheap land camera

Cons
- Flash is useless in housing. Need expensive off-camera flash for good results in less than ideal conditions (without direct sunlight, or at any significant depth)
- Shutter delay is substantial and can be tricky to use – you have to lead moving subjects a little which takes practice

• 8.1 MP resolution with choice of 5 digital camera resolutions settings- 8M,5M, 3M, 2M and 0.3M
• 2.4 inch TFT LCD screen
• Movie mode. Digital Video resolutions (without sound) 640×480 (VGA), 320×240( QVGA).
• 64MB Internal Flash memory, and supports SD Card memory compatible up to 8GB.
• 8x Digital Zoom

Pros:
- Water resistant up to 30 feet!
- Supports an external SD memory card in up to 8GBs in size!
- Uses AA size batteries.
- Reasonably large LCD screen on the camera at 2.4 inches.
- Can record photos AND video.
- Comes with an adjustable wrist strap so it’s easy to secure to your wrist–however, should it come off your wrist the bright yellow color of this camera makes it easy to spot to retrieve unlike the blue model.
- Sinks somewhat, so you won’t have to deal with too much resistance to keep it staying underwater.
- Has the screw hole on the camera’s base for mounting to a tripod.
- When powering off the camera it clearly displays “Bye-Bye” on the LCD screen.
- Easy 1 touch “Mode” button to switch between capturing still photos or video.
- Lightning bolt button easily lets you change from auto-flash, flash (for all photos), or no-flash.
- Can take photos with Super Fine, Fine, or Normal settings.
- Although the camera is 8.1MP, you have the choice of shooting photos in the following resolutions (8M, 5M, 3M, 2M, 0.3M)-This can be great if you’re limited on how much space is on your memory card.
- You can adjust the white balance in Still Photo mode OR in Video mode. It defaults to “AWB” (auto white balance) but if you know how you’re lighting will affect your photos you can change it between Auto, Day Light, Tungsten, Fluorescent, and Cloudy.
- There are 3 Color Effect options to shoot photos in: Color, Sepia and Monochrome.
- There’s the option of changing the exposure setting from (-2.0 to +2.0): -2.0, -1.5, -1.0, -0.5, Auto, +0.5, +1.0, +1.5, +2.0
- It offers a Self Timer of either 10 seconds or 20 seconds.
- Date stamp is optional.
- A “Burst Snapshot” feature allows you to set up the camera to take 3 continuous images as you move the camera.
- Video’s are recorded in *.AVI format which are compatible with most Windows type movie-maker programs (ex: Windows Movie Maker, Corel VideoStudio, and many others)
- You can change the resolution of the video recording from 640×480 or 320×240. AND change how many frames per second it records (15fps or 30fps)
- You can “lock” the pictures you’ve taken to prevent them from being accidentally deleted.
- A Rotate option allows you to rotate photos taken at a 5M resolution or lower, on the camera.
- English not your primary language? No problem. There are 7 language options to choose from on the submenu: English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese and Chinese.
- You can set the light frequency from 50Hz to 60Hz.
- The beep/buzzer sound on the camera isn’t annoying loud, but you can disable it if you’d like.
- Comes with a USB/TV-out cable so that you can play back your photos on the TV or even take photos or video’s while hooked up to the TV! Just use the USB cable provided, plug the small end into the camera and then the yellow jack to your yellow jack on your TV, and then turn on the camera! (I’ve never had this feature before and I think this is awesome!)

Cons:
- There is a very apparent shutter-lag.
- The locking/closing mechanism on the camera for the area where the SD card and battery compartment is feels a little cheap to me.
- Buttons on the camera seem a little stiff to press down on, this is probably due to the type of engineering required for this type of cameras purpose.
- The Vivitar 8400 is a little larger and heavier than my Samsung S700.
- There’s no lens cap to protect it when not in use.
- No separate “delete” button function.
- After taking a picture, there is very little delay and it disappears very shortly off the LCD screen so there’s no time to check it.
- No sound on Video recordings which I think is a bummer given that the lower grade model-though priced higher (seen here: Vivitar VIVICAM-6200W 6.0
- No regular viewfinder like on standard cameras so that you don’t use up battery power with the live-view LCD screen.
- When switching from auto-flash, flash (for all photos), or no-flash mode using the lightning bolt sometimes it “hangs up” and gets caught switching and the screen will go blank and a blue light beside the screen will flash.
- The Rotate option does not allows you to rotate photos taken at the highest 8M resolution, on the camera.
- The 61 page user manual is on the CD that comes with the PhoTags software.
- The Photags Express software is not compatible on Macintosh computers.
- Does not come with batteries.