Budget-friendly Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS85 announced

[David Rasnake]

Panasonic has done some impressive work in bringing the price down on feature-rich compact cameras via its Lumix LS series, and today that lineup got a boost with the announcement of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS85.

Designed to compete on both features and cost with the likes of Canon's highly successful PowerShot A models, the Lumix LS85 features a more solid specs sheet than you might expect: a 4x zoom lens with a bright f/2.8 maximum aperture, an 8.1 megapixel CCD image sensor, optical image stabilization, and wide-format 848x480 video capture.

Stylistically, the LS85 closely resembles previous LS cameras, with a chunky but still pocketable plastic body. The LS85's display isn't a top-shelf unit, but at 2.5 inches and 230,000 dots, it still manages to best the screens on most competitive models in a specs comparison.

Ease of use is a key ingredient in the LS85's recipe, and to that end, Panasonic's newest budget model features many of the usability and performance technologies on display in the company's (much) more expensive ultracompacts. It's especially noteworthy that a camera in this class would pack features like Panasonic's Intelligent Auto mode, Intelligent Scene Selector, and a current-generation Venus Engine IV image processor.

Like previous LS cameras, the LS85 uses AA power, making it convenient to find fresh power in a pinch when traveling. Even better, though, is the fact that the use of newer low-power technologies means a CIPA average of 270 shots on a pair of alkaline batteries. Assuming the LS85 hits this number, that should place it among the more power-efficient cameras to draw juice from a pair of AAs.

The LS85's most astounding spec may well be its price: the latest Lumix, which comes in three colors, carries a suggested retail price of just $119.95. Nothing about the LS85 is cutting-edge or particularly flashy, but combine a very solid list of features that includes optical image stabilization, plenty of resolution, and a 4x zoom lens from a noted manufacturer with a presumed street price hovering near the $100 mark and, assuming performance meets expectations, the FS85 might just be the entry-level deal of the year.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LS85 Specifications

Sensor	8.1 megapixel, 1/2.5" CCD
Lens/Zoom	4x (33-132mm) Leica DC Vario-Elmarit, f/2.8-5.9
LCD/Viewfinder	2.5", 230K-dot TFT LCD
Sensitivity	ISO 80-1600 (High Sensitivity mode to ISO 6400)
Shutter Speed	8-1/2000 seconds
Shooting Modes	Intelligent Auto, Normal Picture, Scene, Motion Picture
Scene Presets	Portrait, Soft Skin, Self-Portrait, Scenery, Sports, Night Portrait, Night Scenery, Food, Party, Candle Light, Baby1, Baby2, Pet, Sunset, High sensitivity, Hi-Speed Burst, Starry Sky, Fireworks, Beach, Snow, Aerial Photo
White Balance Settings	Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Halogen, User Set
Metering Modes	Intelligent Multi
Focus Modes	Face, Multi, One Point
Drive Modes	Normal, Burst, Self Timer
Flash Modes	Auto, Red-Eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced Off
Self Timer Settings	10 seconds, 2 seconds, Off
Memory Formats	SD, SDHC
Internal Memory	50 MB
File Formats	JPEG, Motion JPEG
Max. Image Size	3264x2448
Max. Video Size	848x480, 30 fps
Zoom During Video	No
Battery	Two AA batteries
Connections	USB 2.0, AV output, DC input
Additional Features	Mega O.I.S., iA Intelligent Auto mode, Intelligent ISO, Venus Engine IV processing, face detection

[kelsci]

According to the picture displayed, the lens is a Lumix and not a Leica lens. However, in owning the LS80 and looking at videos taken with that model and the TZ5 as well as some stills, there is no question that the lens appears to be Leica made. If this new model shoots as equally as well as the LS80, for $100, it is a bargain on the market IMHO; I like the LS80 for its stills and its excellent video and audio quality that I get with that model.

[Andy Stanton]

My daughter has the LS75 - a very nice camera compared to others in its class.

[David Rasnake]

According to the picture displayed, the lens is a Lumix and not a Leica lens.

You're quite right; I'll correct the text accordingly.

What's funny is that the lens is almost certainly the same as the Leica-branded one used on the FS7, given that they show identical specs as best I can tell.

dr

[kelsci]

Hi Andy, before I bought a LS80, I was looking into the LS75. I would have bought one, however I discovered that it will has no audio recording capabilities with its video. There are a few other Panasonic models that have that feature too. If video recording is not important to you, then it is a camera to consider owning, but video recording with sound is very important to me. I would not doubt however that he LS75 can take fine pictures too.