Although large and heavy for a compact camera, the combination of 10x optical zoom, 28mm wide-angle, Leica lens and optical image stabilisation should make anyone considering a serious digital camera, evaluate the TZ3.
Panasonic are one of the only manufacturers to take advantage of the sensor size to lens distance ratio effect, whereby decreasing the MP (effectively decreasing the sensor size), increases the optical zoom. Reducing the TZ2 from 7.2MP to 5MP increases the zoom to almost 12x.
The dual view feature of the 3" screen enables the user to preview any two images side-by-side, making deletion comparison far more intuitive. Or you can zoom in on an image and still see the whole image with a frame representing which portion of the image is being depicted above.
These last two features should make any prospective buyer choose the TZ3 over the TZ2 which is 6MP with a 2.5" screen, so doesn't support dual view and can't drop to 5MP. The next resolution down is an unattractive 3MP.
The only down side, is the lack of optical viewfinder, but I have tested this camera in direct, bright sunlight and apart from the colours looking a bit washed out, there was no loss of detail and I didn't even use the camer's power LCD facility! (which boosts screen brigtness and contrast by 40%).
Couple all this with a 0.005 second shutter lag (wow), 21 scenes and Panasonic's Intelligent ISO (the camera dynamically increases the ISO rating thus enabling faster shutter speeds when it detects the subject moving), you will be very impressed - I am.
More details
Durability
Excellent
Reliability
Excellent
Size
Big
Weight
Heavy
Instruction Manual
Excellent
Evaluate this review
How helpful would this review be to someone making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
digital cameras, which is renowned for packaging a remarkable 10× optical zoom in a compact, stylish body. To further add to its appeal, the TZ3 go one step further t...
digital cameras, which is renowned for packaging a remarkable 10× optical zoom in a compact, stylish body. To further add to its appeal, the TZ3 go one step further t...
which is renowned for packaging a remarkable 10x optical zoom in a compact, stylish body. To further add to their appeal, the TZ3 go one step further to feature a 28...
digital cameras, which is renowned for packaging a remarkable 10x optical zoom in a compact, stylish body. To further add to its appeal, the TZ3 goes one step further ...
helpful
helpful
helpful
helpful
