Unlike most compact digital cameras, the Panasonic LZ2 includes a 6X optical zoom lens with image stabilization. This achievement is balanced with some worse-than-average image quality problems, notably high noise levels and vignetting. Nevertheless, this is a reasonable compromise, as the LZ2 does well in other important areas such as color, resolution, white-balance accuracy, continuous shooting speed and battery life. One main problem of the LZ2, which is common with cameras in its class, is its poor focus and LCD visibility in low-light conditions.

All in all, this is a camera to consider for those who need more than a 4X optical zoom in a compact camera body, unless low-light shooting is important. Otherwise, the Canon Powershot A610 and the Fuji Finepix E550 will be better choices.