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May 07, 2009
[REVIEW—PANASONIC LUMIX DMC-TZ7]
Price: $770
Good, but very expensive
The low-down: This 10.1 megapixel camera has a 25–300mm (film equivalent) Leica-branded, optically stabilised lens. The large (75mm) LCD screen is of decent resolution and useful even in sunlight. It takes face detection to a new level – it “recognises” people! Construction is good and all controls work well, although it is too easy to inadvertently move the mode selection dial. There is a reasonable degree of user control, although we don't like the fact that we have to move a switch between two positions to go from review mode to shooting. This camera is a sort of hybrid, working both as a still camera and a videocam that will record in a high definition format.
Like: The still image quality is outstanding, with excellent colour, sharp focus and effective image stabilisation. Even at the full, remarkable, 300mm extension images are sharp. Video quality is good, even if it is not broadcast quality. Remember that you need a high capacity SD card if you intend to shoot minutes rather than seconds of video. Naturally Panasonic have optimised the camera's connections to work with their Viera TV range, but we edited video in Adobe Premier Elements and got good playback on a standard definition wide-screen TV. The TZ7 takes video to a new level of refinement for a still camera.
Dislike: The price puts the camera up against some impressive entry level DSLRs, any one of which will produce better images, albeit without the benefit of portability and the video mode.
Verdict: This is a very good camera. Indeed it is one of the best compacts, as it should be at the price. Panasonic seem to have dealt with the noise problem that has plagued their compacts in the past. Images are now clean and sharp, at least up to ISO200, and quite acceptable at ISO400. Highly recommended.
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This is a photo taken with the Panasonic TZ7, not of the TZ7. Do not do this to your TZ7!
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Posted by terry at May 7, 2009 11:03 AM
Worth Checking Out
Digital Cameras SydneyComments
just wanting to know if you would recommend the panasonic TZ7 over the LX3?
i've been waiting for panasonic to restock the LX3 in australia for a month now, and am getting frustrated by the wait.
my parnter is a professional photographer, so we don't need an SLR, just a nice compact, that we can both get great holiday photos out of.
thanks in advance.
Posted by: luke at June 4, 2009 11:31 AM
Luke:
The TZ7 is a better holiday camera than the LX3, as fine as that camera is. The TZ7 has a much wider zoom range and also the surprisingly good HD video capability.
TL
Posted by: dpexpert at June 4, 2009 12:40 PM