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Rating: 
- Awful sound quality!
Whilst this camera takes decent but not outstanding pics, beware of the sound quality if you're thinking of buying it to take video clips at gigs.
Believe me, the poor quality of the sound will make your clips unuseable.
If you can get the thing to focus in the low light setting of a gig, you'll get a decent picture, but that's it.
If you can't get it to focus, you're left with a blur!(and yes, I have tried it with continuous auto focus on and off, and I've updated the firmware.
So,it's ok if you just want a point and shoot for every day snapping, but otherwise forget it!
Rating:
- Easy to use, excellent results
This was a present from my husband, and my first "serious" digital camera - and I love it!
Menu is very easy to use, very good results in the iA mode, but I also like playing about with the Scenes - using them more than I first thought I would to excellent effect.
Highly recommended
Rating: - Recommended camera
I originally ordered the new Canon from QVC (about £220) and although it was very small, perhaps too small, I found the menu system confusing. After returning it I set about trying to find a replacement for the 4 year old Panasonic that stopped working (unusual for a Panasonic). Originally I was put off because the TZ5 is bigger than the smallest compacts more easily pocketable in a coat pocket than shirt pocket. I need not have have worried as the Pansonic is certainly easily carried around without being an encumbrance. My definition is "do you know you are carrying it" and the answer to this is "no". In its favour the menu system is easy, the wide angle is great and the zoom is fantastic for such a small camera. It's HD movie mode promises to be a bonus. It feels robust in use and because it's a little larger than the real "tinies" it's actually easier to use and handle. The large screen is very detailed and a great improvement in clarity (460k I believe, whatever that means)
After lots of research on suppliers I actually bought from Big City Digital (co.uk). I called them after a credit card query and got them easily and the camera and accessories arrived the following day, all at a price beating cost. I recommend both the supplier and the camera
Rating:
- Not bad, not perfect.
The bad:
Nothing major thankfully, but....
The movies (all resolutions inc HiDef) are recorded in Apple MOV format, not Windows AVI, so not so many dvd players or tvs with card readers can play them nor can much standard PC software edit them. Apple's free "quick time" can PLAY them. Mac users should be happy I imagine.
The wrist strap has a hard-platic end piece that can "clink" against the camera case and be picked up when recording sound (yeah, picky I know).
Very thin lens iris cover. I think this is common to many compact cameras, but for one that otherwise feels good and "solid" in it's build quality, this is really lacking. I'm almost tempted to find a proper lens cover for it.
There are varying opinions on the net about it's low light performance. I would say that a lens that starts at F3.3 at 28mm is never going to be the best in low light. There are other (admittedly dearer) Lumix cameras that are better specced for that purpose.
If you buy an SDHC card, make sure it is "fast" enough. A cheap SD or SDHC card will make this feel like a "slow" camera. Not all class 6 cards are the same!
ALSO if you buy an SDHC card - and this may seem obvious - it won't work in a standard SD card reader. You'll need an SDHC card reader, or put up with using the USB connection between camera and PC. SDHC card readers can be had cheaply enough though.
The good:
Generally feels well built. Nice "proper" on/off, record/play and other buttons on the back. Proper hinged door concealing the USB and other connections (not one of those rubber things that never fits snugly again after being used a few times). Really good 3" LCD screen, though sometimes the photos look better on it than they do on your PC.
10x optical zoom, extendable to about 16 times optical if you drop the resolution (don't ask me how, but that's what the manual says). In effect, you're getting about a 28-280mm lens!
YOU CAN TAKE PHOTOS IN 3:2 FORMAT! YAY! No more getting the edges of your pics chopped off at the printers as 3:2 = 35mm Film scale like cameras from the olden days (LOL).
You can extract 2mb stills out of your 720p HD video clips (just press the shutter button whilst playing back your movie and it lets you save a still or group of consecutive stills on the memory card). On a sunny day, 2mb is fine for a 6x4" print.
In summary: Will probably last a bit longer than some cameras I have owned. Image quality fine. Built quality appears good. About right for the money. Am I a little underwhelmed after all the reaserch I put in before buying this camera? Slightly, but then maybe I should stop trying to pretend (as an ex SLR user), that a compact camera will ever match up to an SLR standard.
Rating: - Smashing video, great photos, best of both worlds!
I did not buy his item from Amazon but would have done if I could have (they do not send electronic goods to Australia).
However, I value the Amazon reviews I read so decided to contribute myself.
I wanted to replace my Olympus MJU camera because the flas was too blinding and in certain conditions was late to fire causing a semi dark photo.
After some considerable research, I decided upon this Panasonic camera.
The video was probably the biggest attraction. My Canon Camcorder is digital but cumbersome and only records standard video. The idea of getting HD quality from a compact camera was too good to resist.
The 10x optical zoom also attracted me and the 9.1 megapixels is plenty over my required minimum of 6.
So how does the camera perform?
Very well actually, in fact it exceeded my expectations. The video is stunning and although I have no HD TV to play it back on (doh!) play back on my PC is better than I have from my Canon camcorder.
The photos are also very sharp and although not to the DSLR standard (but hey, it never said it was!) are excellent for my requirements.
There are plenty of options and features, too many for me to look at until I get time (ie never!).
The menu system took me a little while to get to grips with but once you see their logic, you're on a roll.
The camera is feaitly heavy, compared to my Olympus, but having said that it gives you a sense of grip when you hold it, I found.
The auto focus does struggle a little while zooming during a video shoot. However, in the past I never had the option to zoom with my compacts so I don't mind.
I read reports that the camera zoom sound is too loud and affects the recording. Well, not bothered me - yet!
One thing I really dislike about the autofocus (and my mobile phone does the same) is that a bright orange light is emitted and I find it actually disturbed my eyes in soe ocassions - perhaps it's just me. Also I found that I was not able to snap a photo of my baby without him being attracted by the light ... which ruined a chance shot and probably annoyed his eyes!
The flash is suitabaly bright but I dont find it blinding and it fires on cue!
Battery life was also a concern after a few reports but so far I am pleasantly pleased with it and cannot complain.
I was able to buy Transcend 16GB SDHC cards for high speed video storage and they work well. Obviously some would stick to Sandisk for performance but for those with a budget, Transcend did well.
My opinion of this camera is that it a great performer for video and stills, where some may fear it is going to be average on both. It might not be to everyone's tastes, but I find it excellent!
The only reason I did not give it 5 stars is the annoying autofocus light!
Now to get an HD TV! Well, to save up for one!
- Awful sound quality!Whilst this camera takes decent but not outstanding pics, beware of the sound quality if you're thinking of buying it to take video clips at gigs.
Believe me, the poor quality of the sound will make your clips unuseable.
If you can get the thing to focus in the low light setting of a gig, you'll get a decent picture, but that's it.
If you can't get it to focus, you're left with a blur!(and yes, I have tried it with continuous auto focus on and off, and I've updated the firmware.
So,it's ok if you just want a point and shoot for every day snapping, but otherwise forget it!
Rating:
- Easy to use, excellent resultsThis was a present from my husband, and my first "serious" digital camera - and I love it!
Menu is very easy to use, very good results in the iA mode, but I also like playing about with the Scenes - using them more than I first thought I would to excellent effect.
Highly recommended
Rating:
- Recommended cameraI originally ordered the new Canon from QVC (about £220) and although it was very small, perhaps too small, I found the menu system confusing. After returning it I set about trying to find a replacement for the 4 year old Panasonic that stopped working (unusual for a Panasonic). Originally I was put off because the TZ5 is bigger than the smallest compacts more easily pocketable in a coat pocket than shirt pocket. I need not have have worried as the Pansonic is certainly easily carried around without being an encumbrance. My definition is "do you know you are carrying it" and the answer to this is "no". In its favour the menu system is easy, the wide angle is great and the zoom is fantastic for such a small camera. It's HD movie mode promises to be a bonus. It feels robust in use and because it's a little larger than the real "tinies" it's actually easier to use and handle. The large screen is very detailed and a great improvement in clarity (460k I believe, whatever that means)
After lots of research on suppliers I actually bought from Big City Digital (co.uk). I called them after a credit card query and got them easily and the camera and accessories arrived the following day, all at a price beating cost. I recommend both the supplier and the camera
Rating:
- Not bad, not perfect.The bad:
Nothing major thankfully, but....
The movies (all resolutions inc HiDef) are recorded in Apple MOV format, not Windows AVI, so not so many dvd players or tvs with card readers can play them nor can much standard PC software edit them. Apple's free "quick time" can PLAY them. Mac users should be happy I imagine.
The wrist strap has a hard-platic end piece that can "clink" against the camera case and be picked up when recording sound (yeah, picky I know).
Very thin lens iris cover. I think this is common to many compact cameras, but for one that otherwise feels good and "solid" in it's build quality, this is really lacking. I'm almost tempted to find a proper lens cover for it.
There are varying opinions on the net about it's low light performance. I would say that a lens that starts at F3.3 at 28mm is never going to be the best in low light. There are other (admittedly dearer) Lumix cameras that are better specced for that purpose.
If you buy an SDHC card, make sure it is "fast" enough. A cheap SD or SDHC card will make this feel like a "slow" camera. Not all class 6 cards are the same!
ALSO if you buy an SDHC card - and this may seem obvious - it won't work in a standard SD card reader. You'll need an SDHC card reader, or put up with using the USB connection between camera and PC. SDHC card readers can be had cheaply enough though.
The good:
Generally feels well built. Nice "proper" on/off, record/play and other buttons on the back. Proper hinged door concealing the USB and other connections (not one of those rubber things that never fits snugly again after being used a few times). Really good 3" LCD screen, though sometimes the photos look better on it than they do on your PC.
10x optical zoom, extendable to about 16 times optical if you drop the resolution (don't ask me how, but that's what the manual says). In effect, you're getting about a 28-280mm lens!
YOU CAN TAKE PHOTOS IN 3:2 FORMAT! YAY! No more getting the edges of your pics chopped off at the printers as 3:2 = 35mm Film scale like cameras from the olden days (LOL).
You can extract 2mb stills out of your 720p HD video clips (just press the shutter button whilst playing back your movie and it lets you save a still or group of consecutive stills on the memory card). On a sunny day, 2mb is fine for a 6x4" print.
In summary: Will probably last a bit longer than some cameras I have owned. Image quality fine. Built quality appears good. About right for the money. Am I a little underwhelmed after all the reaserch I put in before buying this camera? Slightly, but then maybe I should stop trying to pretend (as an ex SLR user), that a compact camera will ever match up to an SLR standard.
Rating:
- Smashing video, great photos, best of both worlds!I did not buy his item from Amazon but would have done if I could have (they do not send electronic goods to Australia).
However, I value the Amazon reviews I read so decided to contribute myself.
I wanted to replace my Olympus MJU camera because the flas was too blinding and in certain conditions was late to fire causing a semi dark photo.
After some considerable research, I decided upon this Panasonic camera.
The video was probably the biggest attraction. My Canon Camcorder is digital but cumbersome and only records standard video. The idea of getting HD quality from a compact camera was too good to resist.
The 10x optical zoom also attracted me and the 9.1 megapixels is plenty over my required minimum of 6.
So how does the camera perform?
Very well actually, in fact it exceeded my expectations. The video is stunning and although I have no HD TV to play it back on (doh!) play back on my PC is better than I have from my Canon camcorder.
The photos are also very sharp and although not to the DSLR standard (but hey, it never said it was!) are excellent for my requirements.
There are plenty of options and features, too many for me to look at until I get time (ie never!).
The menu system took me a little while to get to grips with but once you see their logic, you're on a roll.
The camera is feaitly heavy, compared to my Olympus, but having said that it gives you a sense of grip when you hold it, I found.
The auto focus does struggle a little while zooming during a video shoot. However, in the past I never had the option to zoom with my compacts so I don't mind.
I read reports that the camera zoom sound is too loud and affects the recording. Well, not bothered me - yet!
One thing I really dislike about the autofocus (and my mobile phone does the same) is that a bright orange light is emitted and I find it actually disturbed my eyes in soe ocassions - perhaps it's just me. Also I found that I was not able to snap a photo of my baby without him being attracted by the light ... which ruined a chance shot and probably annoyed his eyes!
The flash is suitabaly bright but I dont find it blinding and it fires on cue!
Battery life was also a concern after a few reports but so far I am pleasantly pleased with it and cannot complain.
I was able to buy Transcend 16GB SDHC cards for high speed video storage and they work well. Obviously some would stick to Sandisk for performance but for those with a budget, Transcend did well.
My opinion of this camera is that it a great performer for video and stills, where some may fear it is going to be average on both. It might not be to everyone's tastes, but I find it excellent!
The only reason I did not give it 5 stars is the annoying autofocus light!
Now to get an HD TV! Well, to save up for one!
