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Product Description
Manufacturer's Description
Compact Digital Camera SZ1 - Powerful 10x Optical Zoom LEICA DC Lens in Slim, Compact Body
The DMC-SZ1 features powerful 10x optical zoom LEICA DC lens from 25mm ultra wide-angle that fits in the slim, compact body (35mm camera equivalent: 25-250mm). The new lens system makes the unit’s overall length short to fit in the slim body despite its versatile zoom range from ultra wide to telephoto. The 10x optical zoom increases its power to 20x equivalent with the Intelligent Zoom function. This is an extensive zoom function using digital zoom with minimum deterioration of image quality thanks to the Intelligent Resolution technology.
High Quality, High Speed Recording
With DMC-SZ1, there are two options to record spur-of-the-moment scenes – 16.1-megapixel high-resolution photos and HD videos. In still image recording, the Sonic Speed AF helps to catch even the most fleeting photo opportunities. In video recording, the DMC-SZ1 can record HD (1280 x 720) videos in MP4 format. This format has high compatibility with computers. A separate button lets you instantly start recording video without the need of extra settings. The 10x optical zoom is available in video recording.
MEGA O.I.S. Anti-blur Technology
The MEGA O.I.S. compensates for blurring caused by hand-shake. Even slight hand-shake movement is accurately detected by a sampling frequency of 4,000 times per second, and compensated to produce sharp, clear images. The Venus Engine controls the shifting of the blur-stopping lens to further increase the detection accuracy and correction effect of MEGA O.I.S. It works for zoom shots and macro shots, which are especially susceptible to hand-shake, and lets you shoot in dimly lit rooms or evening illumination without losing the mood.
16.1-Megapixel High-resolution CCD
The DMC-SZ1 features a 16.1-megapixel high-resolution CCD. Combined with the Venus Engine, 16.1-megapixel CCD sensor enables the recording of beautiful photos and high-definition videos with higher quality signal processing.
Creative Modes
The Miniature Effect Mode in which the peripherals are defocused while saturation and contrast is emphasized to make the picture looks like a diorama. The video recorded in this mode is played back in 10x fast-forwarding making it more comical to watch. The Panorama Shot in the Scene Mode makes it possible to shoot horizontal / vertical panoramic images by overlaying consequently shot images. The Auto Retouch function adjusts contrast and brightness to give different impression to the photo with just a press of a button.
Product Description
Compact Digital Camera SZ1 - Powerful 10x Optical Zoom LEICA DC Lens in Slim, Compact Body. The DMC-SZ1 features powerful 10x optical zoom LEICA DC lens from 25mm ultra wide-angle that fits in the slim, compact body (35mm camera equivalent: 25-250mm). The new lens system makes the units overall length short to fit in the slim body despite its versatile zoom range from ultra wide to telephoto. The 10x optical zoom increases its power to 20x equivalent with the Intelligent Zoom function. This is an extensive zoom function using digital zoom with minimum deterioration of image quality thanks to the Intelligent Resolution technology. With DMC-SZ1, there are two options to record spur-of-the-moment scenes 16.1-megapixel high-resolution photos and HD videos. In still image recording, the Sonic Speed AF helps to catch even the most fleeting photo opportunities.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
390 of 393 people found the following review helpful
Colour Name:Black
I've always used SLRs for photos but needed a good quality compact for times and places demanded something less obtrusive. This little gem hits the spot completely. A Leica lens produces brilliant sharp images, as you'd expect, enhanced with an optical image stabiliser. The x10 optical zoom is a dream, but of course at full zoom, the better the light the better the image. The HD video is excellent quality and is surprisingly easy to hand-hold and get really good images. And as a real bonus for a HD compact, it allows you to zoom in and out whilst recording. That wasn't the case on our last Sony Compact. Battery life is tops and so is the large, bright 3" LCD screen.
The camera has a range if settings from automatic to a range of pre-settings. Many are as you'd expect (sports, night scene, soft-focus portrait etc) but there's some interesting new or newish options - auto-settings for photos of food (!), photos through glass (which may just be a way of switching off the flash - haven't checked that out and two baby settings. Using these the camera will recognise up to two individual faces (and one for a pet!) Enter their date of birth and if you wish the photos can show the age of the child in question every time a photo is taken! Oh, and a panorama setting which makes taking panorama photos as easy as pie.
I bought mine in Bangkok last week and paid about the same as Amazon are now quoting (£166) but had a leather belt purse (Panasonic DMW-PSS13KK Leather Case) and 4GB card in that price. The 4GB card allows you to take about 650 - 800 photos at 6-6.5MB each, but double that number for 2-3MB photos. And for the record, it worked well in 40 C temperatures.
So lots of plusses, but the HD video tops the bill for me.
The camera has a range if settings from automatic to a range of pre-settings. Many are as you'd expect (sports, night scene, soft-focus portrait etc) but there's some interesting new or newish options - auto-settings for photos of food (!), photos through glass (which may just be a way of switching off the flash - haven't checked that out and two baby settings. Using these the camera will recognise up to two individual faces (and one for a pet!) Enter their date of birth and if you wish the photos can show the age of the child in question every time a photo is taken! Oh, and a panorama setting which makes taking panorama photos as easy as pie.
I bought mine in Bangkok last week and paid about the same as Amazon are now quoting (£166) but had a leather belt purse (Panasonic DMW-PSS13KK Leather Case) and 4GB card in that price. The 4GB card allows you to take about 650 - 800 photos at 6-6.5MB each, but double that number for 2-3MB photos. And for the record, it worked well in 40 C temperatures.
So lots of plusses, but the HD video tops the bill for me.
26 of 26 people found the following review helpful
By Roger Clark
Colour Name:Black|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is an excellent camera and great value for money. I've been taking photos for years and started with film cameras in the 1960s. And they were good cameras - Rolleiflexes, Leicas and Olympus OMs. In recent years I've used a number of these tiny Panasonic cameras and this is the best yet. The Leica lens is a dream - razor sharp right to the edges. And the colours are gorgeous - beautiful saturated colours.
To get the best results you must engage with the camera. This is easy to do as all the info required is available from the menus. For example, I find if I use the IA (Intelligent Auto) setting images come out too light. The bright tones - highlights - burn out. But there's a simple solution! Use the Normal Picture setting instead. Then click the exposure control and darken the image slightly. I normally set the exposure two notches down to -2/3EV and leave it there. The result - a full range of tones with no more burnt out highlights.
Unlike film cameras there's a slight shutter delay as this digital camera focuses. You press the shutter button slightly, pause a moment while the camera locks onto the subject and focusses, then press the shutter fully to take the picture. So these tiny compacts are not so good if you're going to do a lot of action photography where split-second timing is vital. You need a DSLR - or its equivalent - for that. But for normal use the camera produces good results. That having been said if you set the camera to SCN (Scene Mode) and then click on the sports scene mode it'll cope with movement quite well.
If you're going to take a lot of pictures at night and in very dark conditions then it might be better to buy a camera with a wider aperture lens. But think of the expense!... Read more ›
To get the best results you must engage with the camera. This is easy to do as all the info required is available from the menus. For example, I find if I use the IA (Intelligent Auto) setting images come out too light. The bright tones - highlights - burn out. But there's a simple solution! Use the Normal Picture setting instead. Then click the exposure control and darken the image slightly. I normally set the exposure two notches down to -2/3EV and leave it there. The result - a full range of tones with no more burnt out highlights.
Unlike film cameras there's a slight shutter delay as this digital camera focuses. You press the shutter button slightly, pause a moment while the camera locks onto the subject and focusses, then press the shutter fully to take the picture. So these tiny compacts are not so good if you're going to do a lot of action photography where split-second timing is vital. You need a DSLR - or its equivalent - for that. But for normal use the camera produces good results. That having been said if you set the camera to SCN (Scene Mode) and then click on the sports scene mode it'll cope with movement quite well.
If you're going to take a lot of pictures at night and in very dark conditions then it might be better to buy a camera with a wider aperture lens. But think of the expense!... Read more ›
180 of 186 people found the following review helpful
By Sark Lover
Colour Name:Black|Amazon Verified Purchase
My trusty old Canon Ixus 70 (my third Canon) finally packed up. I researched in Which?, read all the reviews, and decided to go for the Panasonic Lumix on the personal recommendation of two different people, who had one themselves. I paid a bit more for the DMCSZ1, fairly new on the market, because it offered the Leica lens and the 10x Super Zoom. I like its very simple design, its easy-to-use instructions and its intelligent auto mode which gives good clear shots and excellent colour. It also does well in evening half light, which is nice. You can also photograph quite a large object in a small room without having to stand too far away from it, which is very handy. The Lumix has a brilliant small, light and simple charger, and the memory card from my Canon camera fitted it, which was useful. In fact you don't need to use a memory card. Having got used to the new camera in grey, rainy London, I then took it to Paris in the Springtime, which was bathed in brilliant sunshine, and there one big drawback revealed itself. Unless one could find a patch of shade to stand in, it was almost impossible to take pictures in bright sunshine; all you got was a reflection of yourself in the big viewfinder. You couldn't see your subject at all and had to aim and shoot and hope for the best. This is such a pity, as the big viewfinder itself is excellent (out of the sun), and the zoom is fantastic - I took a brilliant picture of Sacre Coeur from literally miles away. Why oh why have all the manufacturers of compact cameras got rid of the small extra viewfinder that you used to be able to look through if you needed to. As a non-techie, I have not yet tried to use the advanced features, but I am sure they will all work well.... Read more ›
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
snapping
i`ve always like lsr but i thought i`d try a snap and go
i`m finding this is a very good camera for the job i`m really happy with it
its really easy to use and give great... Read more
i`m finding this is a very good camera for the job i`m really happy with it
its really easy to use and give great... Read more
Published 1 day ago by Helen
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great little camera
Good product for the price. Simple to use. Picture quality good. There are better cameras out there but you have to spend a lot more
Published 7 days ago by Rusty
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic for a camera this size
I have decreased the size of my camera as I found that I could no longer be bothered to carry a large body and lenses. Read more
Published 9 days ago by Devdoc
5.0 out of 5 stars
Just the job!!
Light weight, compact camera. Only used a couple of times but highly satisfied with the photos taken. Read more
Published 20 days ago by Mrs. C. Stratton
5.0 out of 5 stars
Perfect handy camera
Brilliant little camera that fits in a shirt pocket and takes great pictures on the move. We absolutely love it.
Published 21 days ago by maldivesfan
4.0 out of 5 stars
better than my sony cyber-shot
great little camera for the price better than expected, if at times a little complicated the quality off the pictures are great
Published 22 days ago by ernesto gaboardi
4.0 out of 5 stars
lumix camera
Bought as a gift to replace earlier model which had gone wrong. The recipient is happy but cannot comment further
Published 28 days ago by Dm
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good camera - easy to use - packed with features - great quality pics
I've been using this camera for about 2 months and so far so good. It performs extremely well in all conditions and takes really good quality pictures. Read more
Published 28 days ago by GreyBot
5.0 out of 5 stars
very good
i have not had chance to use it so can not give a full review just yet but it seems ok for what i want
Published 1 month ago by Brian Godfrey
5.0 out of 5 stars
small handbag sized camera - great picture easy to use
this camera was recommended to me and it perfect, nice and small to fit into handbag, great picture and so far easy enough to use - however, there are no English instructions so... Read more
Published 1 month ago by E. Barker
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