Comparison of the Panasonic LX2 to TZ

Size Specifications

• The Panasonic LX2 digital camera is slightly smaller and slightly lighter than the Panasonic TZ. The LX2 has dimensions of 4.16-inches wide by 2.20-inches high by 1.04-inches deep. The TZ has dimensions of 4.41-inches wide by 2.29-inches high by 1.58-inches deep. And while the LX2 weighs 6.6 oz., or 0.41 lbs., the TZ weighs 7.3 oz., or 0.51 lbs.
  
  

Sensor and Resolution

• For capturing incoming light and converting it into electrical charges, both the Panasonic LX2 and the Panasonic TZ utilize charged coupled device (CCD) optical sensors. Unlike complimentary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) optical sensors, which are the other main types of sensors manufacturers use in digital cameras, CCD sensors output electrical charges as analog signals, as opposed to digital bits. However, while the LX2's CCD sensor has a size of 1/1.65 inches and can capture 10.2 million effective pixels, the TZ's CCD sensor has a size of 1/2.5 inches and can capture 5.0 million effective pixels. Being able to capture more pixels, or tiny squares of illumination, means that TZ can produce images with superior resolutions, or higher levels of detail.
  
  

Image Sizes/Resolutions

• In the standard 4 to 3 aspect ratio, the Panasonic LX2 can capture images with resolutions of 3168 (horizontal lines of pixels) by 2376 (vertical lines of pixels), 2880 by 2160, 2304 by 1728, 2048 by 1536, 1600 by 1200, 1280 by 960 and 640 by 480, while the TZ can capture images with resolutions of 2560 by 1920, 2048 by 1536, 1600 by 1200, 1280 by 960 and 640 by 480. In the widescreen 16 to 9 aspect ratio, the LX2 can provide 4224 by 2376, 3840 by 2160, 3072 by 1728 and 1920 by 1080 images, while the TZ can provide 2560 by 1440 and 1920 by 1080 images. In the 3 to 2 aspect ratio, the LX2 can provide 3568 by 2376, 3248 by 2160, 2560 by 1712 and 2048 by 1360 images, while the TZ can provide 2560 by 1712 and 2048 by 1360 images.
  
  

Lens

• The Panasonic LX2 and the TZ both utilize Leica DC Vario-Elmarit lenses. While the LX2's lens has a 35mm-equivalent focal length of 28mm to 112mm, the TZ's lens has a 35mm-equivalent focal length of 35mm to 350mm. Having a shorter focal length provides the LX2's lens with more optical power, as it can bend light more strongly. However, the TZ's lens has a superior optical zoom, of 10x, while the LX2 has an optical zoom of 4x. A higher optical zoom allows a camera to zoom in closer on an object without losing quality.
  
  

ISO

• ISO is a measure of how sensitive a camera is to light. Having a high ISO allows a camera to perform well in low-light situations. While the Panasonic LX2 has a maximum ISO of 3200, the TZ has a maximum ISO of 1600.
  
  

Storage

• The Panasonic LX2 provides 13 MB of internal memory, includes a 32 MB SD flash memory card and is compatible with SD, MMC and SDHC memory cards. In comparison, the Panasonic TZ provides 13.4 MB of internal memory, includes no flash memory card and is compatible only with SD and MMC memory cards.