Labs

Panasonic cameras have had an excellent track record in recent Shopper reviews, so we had high hopes for the DMC-LS60. Most of its specifications are typical for an entry-level camera, and its 2in, 86,000-pixel screen is disappointing, but the Lumix has a unique feature in this group: optical image stabilisation. This technology uses sensors and a tilting lens to counteract camera shake. This proved very useful in our test shots taken at dusk on automatic settings. The LS60 produced

The LS60 was excellent in our tests, waiting just 1.5 seconds between shots. Its 1.7fps continuous-shooting mode is the fastest here. Flash photography was slower, taking three seconds to recharge between shots, but this seems inevitable when using AA batteries. The menus are fast and friendly but lack metering options. However, it's great to see Panasonic's Intelligent ISO feature included. This system makes smart decisions about ISO speed depending on available light and the movement of the subject, while allowing the user to define the maximum acceptable ISO speed.

The LS60 came third in our image-quality tests, producing high-quality images in most situations. The only exceptions were the results of our low-light tests at ISO 800, where heavy noise-reduction processing still let some unsightly blotches through. Fortunately, with image stabilisation, ISO 800 is rarely necessary.

With good performance, image quality and image stabilisation, this is an excellent camera for a low price.