Home > Consumer Reviews > Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3K 7.2MP Digital Camera with 10x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Black)

I tested this camera extensively. For casual point-and-shooters, who print small prints, this camera is small, has a great zoom lens, and gives usable pictures. For those like me, who like enlarging pictures, or cropping, this camera blurs details. The Venus noise reduction system applies a blur to all images, greatly softening detail at high magnification. At close magnification of test images, my old Canon S50 pocket digital camera provides much more crisp detail, while this Panasonic TZ3 blurs all the fine details in an image. This was true in bright daylight, flash, at all ISO's, and was especially severe in low light. After testing this, I returned it.
If you want a casual point-and-shoot camera with a great zoom lens, this is a good choice. If you are into semi-serious use of the images, you will find loss of detail unacceptable.
UPDATE: I've since discovered that all current "ultracompact" cameras have worse picture quality than the compact digital cameras of a few years ago. Since people continue to buy tiny cameras, the camera makers are putting in much smaller CCD's than a few years ago. So if you're like me and you have a compact digital camera that's a few years old, don't count on any of the current ultracompact models to do as good a job.

I am a novice (so take it easy on me professionals) but after a few weeks or so of ownership I would like to try to address some of the criticisms of the camera. As many have said nothing is perfect. I have been out in the field several times in the afternoon and using the "power LCD" setting I was easily able to make out the montitor and set up my shots. I live in an extreme desert environment, so I can't imagine another area brighter than where I am at unless you go to the Sahara; you can see the monitor fine. As for the flash and night shots I have been experimenting with using the slow shutter speeds with and without immage stabalization. I was able to simulate candid shots in almost pitch dark (using the flash) by playing with the shutter speed, metering, white balance and exposure settings. I took some surpringly good pictures at lower ISO and with AUTO ISO, but did find when using 800 or 1250 the pictures did appear quite grainy or "noisy." Absolute range was probably no more than 15-20' but how much range do you expect from a point and shoot flash?
Daylight shots are great, and I am enjoying working with the cameras menus to deal with daylight issues and taking great pictures with too much direct light in many cases where i live. The 10x zoom is great and the digital zoom and addtional magnification available in smaller megapixel sizes is great. I waited quite a long time to purchase a digital camera and think the $[...] I spent on this camera is well worth the money given the picture quality, versatiliy and the options available for use through the various camera menus. A note on the bulkiness of the camera. Umm...I personally am not looking for a spy camera to play Mission Impossible. If it was any smaller it would be difficult to manipulate the controls. It fits snugly in its case and is hardly noticeable thrown around my shoulder. Highly Recommended for the traveler and the beginner digital photographer if you practice, practice, practice. If you want a camera where you set the automatic controls and literally point and shoot, this is not the camera for you. If you want an extremely compact incredibly versitile camera thats esentially "peerless" in its class and is so absolutely fun to use then get then this one. Its the very best.

First of all, I am a tough reviewer, I reserve 5 stars for perfection, which does not exist.I have owned more than six different digital cameras of different makes.This camera is a blend of two cameras, a Wide Angle and a 10X Zoom. I have owned this more than four months so here are the Pros and Cons of the TZ3.
Pros
1.The camera takes high quality great pictures, if you learn to set it properly. To me this is the most important thing about a camera.
2.The zoom works well in the daylight (with plenty of light).
3.The wide angle allows you to see more in the picture frame (groups, panoramas etc.)
4.The intelligent ISO works well in the daylight hours.
5. Beautiful huge(3 inch) and clear LCD.
6. Camera is solid feeling can be used one handed.
7. Very good Optical Image stabilization (especially when set on OIS #2.
Cons
1.The large LCD (the only view finder)eats batteries. Make sure to buy a spare (a OEM battery can be obtained on Amazon for under $20).
2.This cameras flash is only good for 10 ft or so beyond that picture will come out dark at night (no flash hot shoe). There is no way to extend this.
3.Though rated as a 10X zoom camera, this camera is actually about a 7X to 8X zoom. This is an off set for the wide angle I think.
4.The microphone is weak and does not have great sound quality. Probably not good if you shoot a lot of movies.

I bought the camera to replace a perfectly fine Canon SD550, because the TZ3 featured 10x zoom and image stabilization. After a recent vacation trip, it turns out that the feature that I like best is the wide angle end of the lens, which gives just enough additional field of view to make a noticeable difference in pictures of scenery, etc. (it is 28mm equivalent versus 35mm for the Canon and most point and shoot cameras). The surprise feature that I would rank #2 is the easy-to-set-up scene modes, which I found very useful in practice. The long zoom is startling for such a small camera too, although there are no miracles and indoor pictures in low light at high zoom can disappoint.

All in all the camera is small and light enough to bring everywhere, has versatile, intuitive controls and it delivers great pictures with no annoying compromises.

Upgrading to the TZ3 from a 4yr old Canon 3.2 megapixel. Waited a few months to purchase when I heard the TZ1 was being updated. With the TZ3, Panasonic has fixed the main complaints about the TZ1 which were: No build in lens cover, noisy images at higher ISO speeds. IMO, the build in lens cover alone is wirth the price permium over the TZ1.

As others have said, this camera has a great build quality, easy operation, and a high-quality look. I ordered the black model and was pleasantly surprised when I opened the box. It has the look of a retro 35mm cartridge camera, which is cool. The chrome (or polished stainless steel, cant tell), is first rate and looks great with the matte black case. The LCD is huge and bright. The camera's "Simple Mode" does a great job the the other modes are fully customizable. The zoom is fantastic, but you need a really steady hand at full zoom, even with Optical Stabilization turned on. I did take some surprisingly sharp shots zoomed way in from my car as I came across a herd of deer. Shot to shot speed is really great, unless you are using the flash. The red-eye reduction works better than any other digital camera I have used. Overall, I am extremely pleased. If you are looking for a great zoom camera in a small form factor, you should seriously consider the DMC-TZ3.