Panasonic DMC-TZ1 cameara review

The DMC-TZ1 is the first Panasonic ultra zoom to have built-in memory instead of a bundled memory card. The camera has just 13.4MB of memory built in, which holds a measly four photos at the highest quality setting. That means that you’ll want to get a memory card right away. The TZ1 uses Secure Digital cards, and I’d say that a 256MB or 512MB card is a good starter size. High speed cards are worth the extra bucks on Panasonic cameras, but you don’t need to go overboard and buy a 150X card — 50X has worked fine for me.

The Panasonic TZ1 digital camera is based around a 5 megapixel imager coupled to a prism-folded (and Leica-branded) 10x optical zoom lens with MEGA O.I.S. image stabilization, panasonic CGA-S007 battery. With effective focal lengths from 35 to 350mm, the DC Vario-Elmarit lens offers from a moderate wide-angle to a very useful telephoto — impressive given that the camera still remains fairly pocket-friendly. ISO sensitivity ranges from 80 to 800, with the option to extend this to ISO 1,600 in high sensitivity mode. Images can be previewed, or reviewed on a 2.5 inch LCD display with a higher than average resolution of 207,000 pixels. Unfortunately (but perhaps not surprisingly, given the range of the lens) there’s no optical viewfinder.

A Large, Bright 2.5″ High-Resolution LCD with High Angle Mode

With its 2.5″ size and 207,000 pixels, this high-resolution LCD monitor makes it easy to see text and small thumbnail images. The pixel-mixed readout method performed by the CCD increases the brightness level of the live image on the LCD, which greatly facilitates shooting in low lighting. If it’s difficult to see the display on a sunny day, simply press the Power LCD button and the display becomes about 40% brighter. The world’s first* developed High Angle shooting function also provides easier viewing when you’re holding the camera high to shoot over the heads of people in front of you.

Image Quality: Image quality is very good, the images have good colour (rich colours, highly saturated), with good contrast and generally good detail, although noise is high and detail is lost when ISO settings are increased. Images were slightly softer than I would have liked, however isn’t a major problem. Best results were achieved outside on sunny days, but inside noise was noticably high. Purple fringing was quite low unless the full zoom was used, and red-eye was not a problem. Exposure seemed very good inside and outside. The camera was generally very competent at focusing thanks to the focus assist lamp. I did not notice vignetting, or barrel or pincushion distortion. There is a good range of image sizes, aspect ratios, and compression options. Auto white balance seemed to be good. The camera doesn’t give you very many options to customise images – there are no sharpness or contrast controls for example. The camera’s built in optical image stabilisation is effective and helps get blur free photos in low light or when using the zoom.With its cga-s007 battery, it can shoot about 300 photos.

Design. The most impressive aspect of the Panasonic TZ1’s design is the amount of glass its lens has. Compared to the contact lenses on most digicams, this looks like a real camera lens. And most of the action is actually folded into the camera.

The lens design explains the elongated, and thick body design (and why this camera requires the included lens cap). Compared to most other 10x digicam zooms, almost all of which model themselves on dSLRs, the Panasonic TZ1 is rather unpretentious.

Basic Features

• 5.0-megapixel CCD delivering image resolutions as high as 2,560 x 1,920 pixels
• 10x, 5.2-52mm (equivalent to 35-250mm) Leica DC Vario-Elmarit optical zoom lens
• 4x digital zoom
• 2.5 inch LCD with 207,000 pixels
• Automatic exposure control
• Aperture range from f/2.8 to f/7.1, depending on zoom position
• Shutter speed of 1/2,000 to eight seconds with 60, 30, and 15-second options in Starry Sky mode
• Available aspect ratios of 4:3, 3:2, and 16:9
• Six white balance settings, including a manual option
• EV compensation in 1/3 step increments from -2 to +2 EV
• Adjustable ISO from 80 to 800 with an 800-1,600 High Sensitivity option
• Self-timer with 2-, and 10-second settings
• Built-in flash with five modes
• SD memory card storage
• 13.4MB built-in memory
• PictBridge compatible
• Power from custom rechargeable Li-ion battery pack or optional AC adapter
• USB 2.0 interface
• Panasonic Lumix software CD included
• Pansonic CGA-S007 rechargerable li-ion battery

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Special Features

• Mega O.I.S. optical image stabilization
• Venus Engine III image processor
• Five AF area modes, plus available Continuous AF
• 16 Scene modes with help screens
• Burst shooting mode
• Picture Adjustment menu for saturation control, plus Color Effects settings
• Simultaneous audio/still recording

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