Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5S 9MP Digital Camera with 10x Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Silver) by Panasonic
|
List Price: Our Price: $119.99 You Save: $229.96 (66%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: Digital Camera See more digital camera details and other models |
|---|
Digital camera reviews of Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5S 9MP Digital Camera with 10x Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Silver)
Digital camera Review: A good camera
Summary: 5 Stars
A very good camera. It can be used in almost all occasions. I luv the pictures that I have clicked with this one. None of the other cameras in this class offers 10x zoom.Digital camera Review: A great camera!---Easy to set up and use
Summary: 5 Stars
I have been searching for a replacement camera for an old Canon 2.3Meg digital I had for years. After much research I chose the DMC-TZ5. I couldn't be happier. It is easy to set up right out of the box and the pics are fantastic. I would set it up to normal mode which you program the settings or you can use the intelligent setting--in intelligent setting I found lower light pics tended to be yellow and underexposed. Not with "normal" mode. Pics were dead on great, every time, with color and exposure perfect. As others' have recommended in my research I would limit the ISO setting to 400 to reduce noise which you can set in "normal" mode (not "intelligent" mode).
Highly recommend a screen protector for the beautiful 3" screen (and it is unbelievably pretty and clear). Also get an extra battery just in case. Both of these I picked up on Ebay for under $30 (US). Original battery is rated 1000mAh but aftermarket's (like mine) are available that will give 1800mAh (longer use on a full charge--almost twice).
DO NOT try to get for less than $249 as I originally did. One place said "in stock", and for $179, but when the order was placed I received an e-mail (3 days later) that they are out of stock for 3-4 weeks! Then I find after I cancelled the order they raised the price to $199. Amazon.com is reasonable and the shipping was spot-on-quick (received 4 days from payment!). Stick with amazon and forget everyone else...
Digital camera Review: A great product just need a few fine tuning
Summary: 2 Stars
First let me clarify. I love this camera, Consider the size, the cost and the result. It is a great camera. the reason I give it 2 stars is because I think there are a few things the manufacturer can easily improve but they didn't.
There are enough reviews tell you about the good things, so I am only going to focus on the negative points:
* Why use Motion-JPG to record video? Not only the video file is ridiculously large, it also limits the max recording time(at 720p) to only about 10 minutes, that's way too short. Panasonic should definitely consider MP4 format. This is the single biggest issue I have with my TZ5.
* The location of the Mic is not premium, it's on top of the camera where you usually put your left hand on, easily blocked by your fingers, they should move it to below the lens.
* The quality of the sound recording is fairly poor, even at in-doors you hear enough noise, recording outside in windy condition is impossible.
* Manufacturers should stop pumping up pixel count and really do some work on low light condition and noise control. The pictures produced by TZ3(which I also own) and TZ5 does not have much difference, it doesn't justify the 2M pixel increase.
* In outdoor daylight the pictures are beautiful, but indoor low light condition is really a challenge for this camera, especially in video recording when you can't use flash.
* Panasonic should consider switching Component output to HDMI. And include an HDMI cable in the package. Most mordern LCD TV doesn't have component input on the side or front. In my case it is particularly bad since my LCD TV is mounted on the wall, I can't reach the component input located at the back. RCA output from this TZ5 is pretty bad.
* They should consider adding an accessory shoe to mount a video light.
* Some button design is not premium, like the main dial on top of the camera. I don't know why they put Scene1 and Scene2 between the Photo mode and Video mode. Photo and Video modes are the two most commonly used modes, others are barely used.
* The Optical Stability system does work, but still not enough, most videos produced without tripod are still jitty. Especially when you view them on your big screen LCD TV. Although this is a tricky one, I am not sure how much panasonic(and other manufacturers) can improve on this area.
* Optical zooming in video mode is too slow(well, better than TZ3 which can't use optical zoom during video mode), Focus while zooming(in video mode) is even worse.
Digital camera Review: Amazing Camera!
Summary: 5 Stars
I am truly amazed with this camera. It takes superb pictures no matter where you are and it is definitely the best in it's class. I did my research and Panasonic definitely had the best cameras, for having a big lens in such a small structure.
I was a bit worried about size but when I had it with me it easily fit in my pants pocket. I am truly amazed at the size and being able to hold a 10x optical lens at the same time.
The only issue I see with the camera is not having the auto rotate (not sure if that is the name) that when you review pictures it rotates it as you rotate the camera itself. Unless I've missed a step in the manual I can't find it, but nonetheless I've lived without it just fine.
Digital camera Review: An Awesome Camera with an Awesome Feature Set
Summary: 5 Stars
I have used this camera for about a week now and there is NOTHING I could really complain about. The pictures come out super sharp with really accurate colors. The stabilizer is really reliable, and the zoom is fast. The screen is OUTSTANDING....haven't seen anything clearer. I do like the quick zoom function, just press it and it maxes out the zoom for you. The lens is really useful, and the fact that it's still small enough to fit in my jeans pocket makes it a real winner.
There are tons of scenic modes that are cool but I haven't gone through many of them. The face detection works like a champ, and the intelligent auto mode is the most smartest feature that could ever be put in a camera. I hate when I have a stranger take a picture for me (like when I want to get in the picture with a group of people at a restaurant and I have our waitress take the shot) and the pic doesn't come out great. I have to always change settings or scenic modes to get a good shot. Here the camera does it for you. The intelligent auto mode makes the camera a real POINT AND SHOOT for those who don't know how to use it.
As others have mentioned the workmanship is solid, the camera feels really solid in your hand. The camera is Made in Japan so you can't go wrong. (I know some manufacturers start making stuff in Japan and later in the product's life they make it elsewhere, probably to still make a profit after price drops, so don't hold me to it if your's isn't made in Japan.)
The issues that some bring up about noise in the photos I think are overly particular and picky. If you aren't one of those kind, you gotta get this camera. Go to various review sites to see sample photos, thats how I made up my mind.