Incorporating a Leica 3x optical zoom lens and a 3.2-megapixel resolution, the Panasonic DMC-LC50 offers professional optics in a classically styled camera at an affordable price. The DMC-LC50 also features several automated scene modes and video capture with sound. It is considerably more compact and 2 ounces lighter than its predecessor, the Lumix DMC-LC33.
Optics and Resolution
The DMC-LC50 captures 3-megapixel images up to 2048 x 1526 pixels for 8 x 10 inch photo-quality prints and medium-quality 11 x 14 enlargements. Other resolution modes include 1600 x 1200, 1280 x 960, and 640 x 480. The 3x optical zoom is joined by a 3x digital zoom for a 9x total zoom.
Like all Panasonic Lumix digital cameras, the DMC-LC50 is equipped with a lens made by Leica, manufacturer of precision optical technologies. The top compact lens in the world-renowned Leica family, the DC Vario-Elmarit lens combines comfortably small size with superb image rendering. Its features include:
- Seven elements in six groups
- 3x zoom lens system is equivalent to a 35mm to 105mm lens
- Three aspherical lenses
- F2.8-F4.9 brightness
- Focal distance of 5.8mm to 17.4mm
- Multi-coating technology minimizes ghosting caused by excessive light
- Fast shutter speeds
Movie Mode
In addition to taking still photos, the DMC-LC50 can also record 320 x 240 movie clips at 10 frames per second with audio. Your video length is limited only by the size of your memory card.
More Features
The Mega Burst Imaging function allows you to take consecutive pictures at an incredible quick rate, making it perfect for capturing fast-moving objects in high resolution. The DMC-LC50 captures up to 8 consecutive images in standard mode (at either 3.5 or 2 frames per second) or 5 images in fine mode. You can then view your shots on the camera's LCD screen to choose the shot you want and delete the rest.
The Lumix DMC-LC50 features a Mode Dial that gives you a variety of settings to choose from to help give you the best shot possible based on your shooting environment. Modes include simple, normal picture, economy, macro, portrait, landscape, night portrait, and moving image.
The Venus Engine LSI generates the luminance signal of the primary color CCD using all three colors (red, green, blue) for improved diagonal image resolution, compared to conventional CCDs that use only one color (green) to do so, resulting in rich, expressive images. This LSI also handles image processing, LCD functions, and writing to the memory card concurrently, for an overall quick camera response.
Other features include:
- 1.5-inch LCD screen (114k pixels) and optical viewfinder
- Built-in flash with auto, red-eye reduction, slow synchro, and forced on/off modes
- ISO sensitivity: Auto, 50, 100, 200, and 400
- White balance modes: Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Halogen, and White Set
- Self timer of 10 and 2 seconds
Storage and Transfer
Images can be stored on the included 8 MB Secure Digital memory card; the DMC-LC50 is also compatible with MultiMedia (MMC) cards. Images can be downloaded to either a Mac or PC via USB 1.1, which means it can be connected to any USB-compatible Windows Me/2000/XP and Mac OS 8.6 or later computer without installing any software.
Power and Size
The camera is powered by 2 AA batteries (alkalines included, rechargeable NiMH batteries recommended). Using alkaline batteries, you should expect the battery to capture approximately 200 shots with the LCD on. It measures 3.44 by 2.6 by 1.39 inches (W x H x D) and weighs 5.6 ounces (excluding batteries).
What's in the Box
This package includes the Lumix DMC-LC50 digital camera, 8 MB Secure Digital card, 2 AA batteries, USB and A/V cables, and strap. The CD-ROM includes SD Viewer for DSC and Ulead Photo Explorer software.
1 VERY pleased with this camera....
I tried several different brands of cameras and I am most satisfied with this Panasonic. It takes awesome pictures...fairly fast shutter release time...lots of features...As another reviewer mentioned..it does not have audio capability but personally I would not use this feature anyway...The video mode is good enough compared to other cameras in this class...I wanted a digital camera..not a camcorder so I can live with the video mode limitations...I think by not having all the bells and whistles helps keep the price reasonable since it does have a quality Leica lens...I rather this lens and give up some other bells that I would only use now and then. I get very good indoor pictures with the flash....which to me has a better than average range...The menu is easy to use once you become familiar with it..Fairly compact size..very tiny but also chunky at the same time... Only reason I would not give this camera 5 stars is that nothing is perfect....I love this camera..
2 Beats Canon in sharpness, but this needs some fixing
I have tried everything in digital camera world - Sony, Fuji, Canon & Panasonic.
Panasonic C50 which replaced the old LC-33 produces sharper pictures than Canon A75 (i produced several prints & compared) & any other camera in this range. My wife & I finally found out that this is a hidden gem compared to other popular ones out there.
For day light pictures, this is the best ! Yes, even better than Canon - canon colors are a bit over-saturated in day light & Panasonic is well balanced. Yes, leica lens makes a diff, after using panasonic for a while, we bought Canon A75 & found out Lens was so coarse & nowhere as smooth as Panasonic.
But Panasonic has to fix these issues, if they want a leading model:
1. AF Assist Lamp for low light focussing. They are doing it in high-end models now.
2. Is 640 video mode too much to ask for ? They are all still 320 mode.
3. Can't we have speaker to play-back videos ? this is annoying. I believe LC70 has it.
4. A bit more powerful flash.
5. 1.8 LCD screen maybe ?
But still LC50 won't disappoint you. LC70 may be worth it becos of the in-built speaker for playback videos.
3 Muy satisfecho con los resultados
Adquiri esta peque–a camara hace un mes aproxidamente y tenia mis dudas acerca de la calidad de las fotos que podria obtener, pero me anime a adquirirla despues de revisar un buen numero de "reviews" publicados en Internet, y sobre todo el de Steve's Digicams, el cual ofrece imagenes de muestra en variadas circunstancias y en la maxima resolucion. Luego de efectuada la comparacion con otras camaras dentro del mismo rango de precios, llegue a la conclusion que la calidad de las fotos, en brillo, resolucion y nitidez (sharpness) eran muy similares entre la Canon A75, Nikon 3200 y esta - la LC50, estando por encima del resto de camaras, pero note que ligeramente el nivel de ruido era mejor trabajado en la LC50, ademas de tener ligeramente mas nitidez que la A70 y la Nikon 3200.
Y bueno, me decidi a adquirir esta camara y como mencione anteriormente, luego de casi un mes de uso, los resultados han sido bastante satisfactorios, he podido obtener fotos bastante claras y nitidas y las tomas nocturnas, presentan bajos niveles de ruido. El aspecto negativo vendria a ser que esta camara es hecha de plastico y seguro muchos usuarios preferiran una camara mas solida, como las que se fabrican actualmente de metal, con el objeto de tener una camara mas duradera y segura al tacto, pero los fabricante utilizan este material a fin de reducir costos y ofrecer productos al alcance de todos.
De otro lado, la camara ofrece tres niveles de ajustes para la imagen, siendo la opcion de "Vivid Colors" la que utilizo con mas frecuencia, sobre todo para retratar paisajes, monumentos, etc y el modo "Normal" para retrar personas.
Considero que esta camara es altamente recomendable, para las personas que requieran una camara portatil, ligera, de facil manejo y confiable...
Como informacion adicional, recomiendo que cuando se revise la calidad de las fotos que una camara pueda tomar, se utilize un monitor TFT LCD, ya que estas pantallas son bastante sensibles y detectan niveles de "ruido" que no son detectables con las monitores convencionales.... esto lo digo por que he leido muchos reviews y comentarios alabando las caracteristicas de ciertas camaras, cuyos defectos en la imagen son altamente perceptibles en un monitor LCD, pudiendo ser enga–osos.
