Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5 Digital Camera
(4 out of 5)
A nearly perfect travel camera, with a 28-280 mm zoom lens, amazing LCD display, 720p movie mode, and tons of point-and-shoot features.
Review date: May 6, 2008
In the introduction to this review, I remarked that the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3 was one of my favorite cameras of 2007. I'm pleased to report that this years model, the DMC-TZ5, is even better. It offers a big zoom lens, good photo quality, a stunning 3-inch LCD display, a 720p movie mode, and generally snappy performance, all in a relatively compact body. It has a few downsides, including above average noise, a slow lens, and sluggish low light focusing. Despite a few flaws, the TZ5 is a great camera, and one which I can highly recommend.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|
- Very good photo quality, less noise reduction than previous models
- 10X, 28 - 280 mm lens in a relatively small package
- Optical image stabilization
- Incredible 3-inch, super high resolution LCD display with great outdoor visibility
- Tons of scene modes -- Intelligent Auto Mode can pick one for you
- Well-implemented face detection feature
- Auto redeye reduction
- High resolution 720p movie mode, with optical zoom and image stabilization available
- Elaborate playback mode
- Optional underwater case, HD video cable
| - Images on the noisy side, especially in shadows
- Still some noise reduction artifacting
- Lens is "slow" at the wide end
- Sluggish low light focusing
- More manual controls would be nice
- No optical viewfinder
- Small buttons on back of camera
- Easy to accidentally block the flash or AF-assist lamp with fingers
- Flimsy door over memory card/battery compartment
- Plastic tripod mount
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