Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5K 9MP Digital Camera with 10x Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom
 | Average Customer Rating: Recommend Now you can fit sweeping landscapes into a single frame with the 28mm wide-angle setting. Pull in subjects from far away to capture even subtle facial expressions with the dynamic 280mm telephoto setting. Ideal for traveling, the DMC-TZ5 Lumix 9.1-megapixel digital camera combines a wide-ranging LEICA DC Vario-Elmar lens with a handy, compact body. The Extra Optical Zoom function also extends the zoom to as much as 16.9x, giving… Product details and pricing info |
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290 Customer Reviews Posted
- Great Small Camera!
- I have a Pansonic DMC-FZ7 that takes excellent photos, but is a bit bulky when you don't want to look like a tourist. I've grown jealous of a friend's Panasonic DMC-TZ3 which he keeps on his belt loop in a Lowepro Rezo 30 case. It also has a wide angle lens which I don't have on the FZ7. I've purchased the TZ5 as a second camera for when I want to be a more discreet tourist without a camera bag. This may become my primary camera.
I am not a fan of small cameras as a rule. Some of them (e.g., Canon Elph) have screens and icons so small, I can't see them. But this camera has a lot of features, most also available on the TZ3 & new TZ4. (The TZ3/TZ4/TZ5 fit into the Lowepro Rezo 30 case, but no room to spare.)
The choice of which model to buy depends on your need for Megapixels and what you are willing to spend. I have used my friend's TZ3 and don't really notice any significant improvements in the workings of the TZ5 that would justify the price for routine point-and-shoot photos. However, the TZ5 has a 3 inch LCD while the TZ3 & TZ4 only have 2.5 inch. That was a deciding factor for me.
If you need a camera where you look through a traditional view finder to frame your photos, this is not the right camera for you. I prefer using the LCD screen, so I don't miss this feature.
I find the Panasonic menus easy to use to access all of the varied features. If you just want to use it as a point-and-shoot, it's easy to do. If you want to experiment, the features are there for you to play with...
There is another feature on Panasonic that is an absolute MUST for me. It is possible to set the flash "off" so it doesn't go off when you don't want it to (i.e., in places that restrict flash photography). Some of my friends have cameras where they have to turn the flash off each time. And they forget...
Another reason I opted for the Pansonic FZ/TZ series is the easy to use battery charger/rechargeable battery. The batteries that hold their charge for 1-3 days, but I do carry a spare. I'm not a fan of carrying around AA or AAA batteries. - 2008-04-07, 46 of 48 people found this review helpful, Rated:
- Awesome Camera for anyone!
- I bought this camera after 3 years of researching digital cameras. I know its a little excessive but I wanted to make sure I was getting the best for my money. A few things really caught my eye with this camera. The 10x zoom. The 460,000 pixel screen and the Intelligent Auto mode. There are so many features on the camera its hard to explain them all. It takes amazing pictures, especially for a point and shoot. There are lots of scene specific choices. It takes great night shots with the starry night mode and fantastic video in widescreen and highdef 720p. Which is amazing. I can't believe a camera this small can take this kind of video. I'm always trying to get pictures of my 8 month old nephew but he moves so fast I needed a very fast camera and this is it. I always get the shot I want. It has a rubberized grip and a spot for the thumb which helps alot because I just had wrist surgery and it helps me alot when holding the camera. Most point and shoots don't have this. It has convenient popup menu and camera or playmode switch which is really nice. I would highly recommend this camera any day to anybody. It beats out all the other point and shoots I've ever used by a long shot.
- 2008-04-06, 34 of 36 people found this review helpful, Rated:
- The best compact digicam money can buy today
- As an advanced photographer with two pro DSLRs and an array of lenses I was looking for a light compact camera that will still have some of the features I am so used to from my DSLRs. This camera has the best lens in the industry bar none. Leica is superior to any other compact point and shoot lens out there (except other Lumix cameras that all use a Leica Lens). The camera is fast wt start up and can take 3 FPS in sports mode. It packs a 10X optical zoom and on the TZ5 can go up o 17X with some resolution loss. I never use Digital zoom as I do not consider it a zoom.
The Camera ergonomics is great, may of the features photographers need are easily accessible and well though of. I have been using the TZ3 for 2 years and took more than 10000 pictures with amazing results. I take many night shots and this is really where this camera excels. It can take 15, 30 and 60 seconds exposures which no other compact can do.
Battery life es very acceptable. A second battery is a recommended inexpensive accessory. The camera build quality is good, durable materials and high quality. I have evaluated a huge number of cameras and the Lumix comes on top by far based on its image quality, image stabilization, optical zoom, Leica superior lens, form factor and overall value. The closest camera you can get with similar performance is the Canon SX 100 IS. It is bigger, bulkier, heavier, much much slower and costs about the same. When it comes to compact point and shoot with advanced features and a hefty zoom nothing beats the Lumix. - 2008-04-02, 84 of 86 people found this review helpful, Rated:
- Disappointed
- I had been waiting for this camera to come out for a while, now that I have played with it for a few hours, I must say I am disappointed. I don't think that there are enough tech upgrades to get this model over the TZ3. The so called HD video is not HD by any means, and there are serious audio sync issues with the video I have taken. The videos are VERY grainy indoors, but better outdoors. The biggest issue is the very SLOW focus mechanism when shooting video, it's terrible. The main reason I waited for this camera was to have the option at better quality video, with the functionality of a P&S camera. It's quite large for a P&S, and frankly, there are other cameras out there with as good, if not better PQ in a smaller package. As far as the camera functionality, not much different that the TZ3. I don't think the extra pixels are worth the price. All I can say that it's going back to Amazon. BTW, Amazon, how about filling the "air bags" in the shipping box with actual air. Mine came with 3 deflated air bags, and a camera box that was loose in the package.
- 2008-03-31, 32 of 68 people found this review helpful, Rated:
- Very pleased so far!
- I pre-ordered this from Amazon and it was shipped from J&R Music World. I have had it about a week and I am very impressed. I returned my Canon SX100 because of poor battery life, this Lumix blows the Canon out of the water. Charged it for only 20 minutes out of the box and got over 3 hours of "play" time. I was concerned the first couple of indoors shots I took, kept coming out "red", with a little time spent playing with the scenes and camera I think I have figured it out. The ULTIMATE test for me is to go to a museum and take test shots. The shots I got were some of the most crisp and vibrant I have ever taken!! Zoom is INCREDIBLE and shots taken outside in bright conditions are wonderful! I love the feel of it, it has a lot of "bulk", not heavy but just feels very secure and SOLID in your hands! The TZ5 LCD has double the pixels of the TZ3 and is a simply the best LCD I have ever seen!!!!!!!!!!
- 2008-03-31, 22 of 28 people found this review helpful, Rated:
