Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5 - Expert Reviews

Review summary: Panasonic arguably invented the compact ultrazoom class of digicams with the release of the TZ1 in 2006, and each successive TZ model, including the new flagship Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5, has been a highly anticipated released.

Pros: 10x Leica lens still great ; Fast AF and good all-around speed ; Vibrant color with plenty of punch ; HD movie recording capabilities

Cons: Noise reduction still too intrusive ; Some weird screen bugs in bright shooting situations ; Macro mode dodgy at times ; No manual controls

Verdict: is a 9.1 megapixel compact digicam with a 10x wide-angle Leica lens. Designed as a feature-rich, all-in-one shooting solution for slightly advanced photographers, the TZ5 is nonetheless a fully auto exposure camera. Panasonic's Intelligent Auto (iA) ...

Award: Highly Recommended!

Review summary: Panasonic launched the original 'Travel Zoom' TZ1 back in February 2006. In 2007 came the TZ3 and now, almost exactly one year later, Panasonic brings us the third generation of this popular series in the shape of the TZ5 (The TZ2 and TZ4 are the ...

Pros: Very versatile 28-280mm equiv. zoom range, Excellent lens, good edge-to-edge sharpness and little distortion, High quality build, full metal body, Little (if any) color fringing, Good flash performance, White balance fine tune option, Feels fast and ...

Cons: Heavy noise reduction at all ISO settings (although less than predecessor), Smearing of fine detail (caused by NR) even at base ISO, Macro mode less effective than competitors', Unreliable Auto WB performance under artificial light, Inconvenient ...

Verdict: While the step from the TZ1 to the TZ3 was quite a big one the upgrade from TZ3 to TZ5 is more evolutionary.

Award: Editor's Choice!

Review summary: Image quality is very good at ISO 100, with low noise and good image detail. Image quality is good at ISO 200 but, as is common with all consumer digicams, tend to suffer from noise and loss of detail at higher ISOs.

Review summary: The Panasonic DMC TZ5 is an impressive camera. It is small for a camera with a 10x zoom lens. This makes it easy to carry around. It has 9 megapixels and is easy to use as well. It has a very high quality LCD screen.

Pros: Ease of use - design and build quality - overall picture quality - wide screen, (high-definition) movies - size and length of lens - wide angle lens - LCD screen quality

Cons: There is nothing that stands out

Verdict: Panasonic market the DMC TZ5 as a travel camera. With its long zoom lens and relatively compact body I think they have that right. Picture quality is impressive and the camera is easy to use. It is well worth a close look.

Review summary: Panasonic sample photos : At the PMA 2008 Panasonic introduced their next Traveler Zoom camera; the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5. Today the Panasonic Lumix TZ5 is available at your local dealer and we also received one of the test samples Panasonic provide ...