DMC-TZ3 vs. DMC-TZ5: The question: Is it worth spending the extra $100 for the TZ5, and if so, why?
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1) HD Video taking, with zoom during movie mode 2) decluttered interface(menu ring is easier to navigate, playback mode within reach 3) one-button to zoom to max 10X, another press to activate EZ-Zoom 4) 460k LCD(its 230K during recording mode, probably to maintain the high refresh rate, but 460k in playback mode) 5) intelligent modes-&gt; automatically decide which scene mode to do, and the intelligent-exposure mode(somehow adjusts the exposures for different parts of the sensors to get a even-light shot) 6) one of my favorite modes is the multi-aspect mode, its when the camera takes 3 pictures(one for each aspect ratio 3:2,4:3,16:9) at once and saves it all to the camera, allowing you to choose which aspect ratio you want 7) higher burst rate mode 8) think its a better flash from TZ3, but still lacking 9) updates from TZ3: using flash no longer freezes exposure at 1/30.... i have the TZ3, want to upgrade to TZ5 but don't want to spend $ just yet
1595862
I was also on the fence between these cameras. Tried both out at the local camera shop. I will probably be doing a fair amount of video too, and the Nikon P500 had the worst image stabilization I have ever seen. The FZ100 was rock solid in comparison. I also recently found out that the FZ100 can have filters and telephoto extensions added to the lens. I'm going to wait a few weeks to see if it gets upgraded, but if not the FZ100 seems the way to go. The Nikon felt cheap in comparison.
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Very bad in my experience with it. It's a good camera outdoors, especially on sunny days. Indoors, the combo of the long zoom and small sensor make for dark pics and/or blurry pics. Almost all cameras are trade-offs. This one's trade0offs were not for me. The FZ150 is a much better camera and the FZ200 is probably better yet. The FZ200 is expensive, so not a truly fail comparison. It is also bigger.The best compact in the world right now (my belief and that of many others) has a 3 -4 x zoom and a 1" sensor and costs $650 --- the Sony RX100. It's the same size as the ZS15 or maybe even a bit smaller. I wish it were cheaper !!! :-). Very bad in my experience with it. It's a good camera outdoors, especially on sunny days. Indoors, the combo of the long zoom and small sensor make for dark pics and/or blurry pics. Almost all cameras are trade-offs. This one's trade0offs were not for me. The FZ150 is a much better camera and the FZ200 is probably better yet. The FZ200 is expensive, so not a truly fail comparison. It is also bigger.The best compact in the world right now (my belief and that of many others) has a 3 -4 x zoom and a 1" sensor and costs $650 --- the Sony RX100. It's the same size as the ZS15 or... » Read More Very bad in my experience with it. It's a good camera outdoors, especially on sunny days. Indoors, the combo of the long zoom and small sensor make for dark pics and/or blurry pics. Almost all cameras are trade-offs. This one's trade0offs were not for me. The FZ150 is a much better camera and the FZ200 is probably better yet. The FZ200 is expensive, so not a truly fail comparison. It is also bigger.The best compact in the world right now (my belief and that of many others) has a 3 -4 x zoom and a 1" sensor and costs $650 --- the Sony RX100. It's the same size as the ZS15 or maybe even a bit smaller. I wish it were cheaper !!! :-). « Show Less
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Hey Julie- I too had this same question so I went out and purchased the Lumix DMC-TZ5. I found the camera to be very good in the zoom department and video was nice as well. The reason I returned this camera was because of the picture quality. Panasonic seems to me, to have yellow pictures. Even though there is IS, I still had many shots that turned out to be blurry. I owned a Pansasonic in the past and had the same issues on that camera. I now own the Olympus Stylus 1010 for about 2 weeks. I had a mid-size camera for years and loved it but wanted a pocket size camera that would do justice. I am very picky and have bought and returned 4 different point and shoot cameras. The Olympus 1010 is the first camera that I have fell in love with. Very fast, very small, and the image quality is awesome! I have a very difficult shooting base but this camera far exceeds any other camera I have purchased or spent many hours playing with. I am so very satisfied with my purchase and Olympus really has come through with this camera. Hope this helps!
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I have a DMC TZ5 and it works great. I cannot say for sure about the one you're asking about. Sorry.
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I think you should get the Panasonic TZ5 (or TZ4 if you don't care about HD video). The TZ's will jump to an Optical 16.7x@ 3MEGAPIXELS, and will be in the $200- 230 area vs. the much more expensive 12x...I have both the TZ5 and SX110. They are both GREAT cameras. The TZ5 is lighter and smaller, and you can take video with optical vs digital zoom (clearer video). I bought the SX 110 , because there is a CHDK modification available for it (Google CHDK). You can do timelapse, RAW format, extend the shutter speed to 64 seconds....but if you are using the camera for the day, I would go with the TZ4 or 5, but you better hurry- all of these cameras are discontinued!
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The tz5 is a lot slower to write to its internal memory than it is to a SD card, as mentioned in the manual. The demo tz5 most likely didn't have a SD card inserted.
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To whom it may concern,On Google type DMC-ZS8 to get the characteristics, then do the same with DMC-ZS25. According to me, the best camera built by Panasonic was DMC-TZ5.A. du Mont, Montréal
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Hey frank m. This works great with a DMC fz200. I did a couple time lapses with it so far here's one at Vimeo: http://vimeo.com/73182089. It is also great for long exposures and shutter control for self portraits and anything else you can think up.M
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I have been researching the FZ35 on CNET and others. Never saw the FZ40 till I went to check prices on Amazon. Why is the FZ35 cost more if its last years model? Any ideas?
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meant the tz7..lol i am looking for the rubber type case. So I dont scratch the thing up! There is alot to learn on that camera,but there is the auto mode I been hanging in until I learn the ropes.
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DMC-ZS6 has 12.1 MP while DMC-ZS25 has 16.0 MP so the higher number model is better.
2046146
I don't own the zoom model but the main advantage of the DR-05 over the Z1 will be the screen size. More info displayed and easier to read. And the Dr-05 comes with a micro SD card saving you a few dollars. But at this price range and feature set, they are basically the same. I would go with whichever one is cheaper at the time of purchase. I use my Dr-05 inside a pouch connected to a lav mic around my waist. And sync the audio in post. The Z1 can be used the same way. Both can be mounted on to your dslr if that is how you intend to use it. Although the Z1 has a small footprint.
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Good to know and good answer, Les. Clears it up. Still, I wonder why there is only one amazon review so far. I have the FZ28 and would upgrade w more positive comments -28 would go to girlfriend or son BTW [or backup (just in case)].Oct 20: Went to the girlfriend -got the FZ40. Very pleased.
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I have just ordered an FZ35. I was previously holding out for the FZ40, but after reading the reviews on the FZ100, I have concluded that the FZ35 is a BETTER product than the FZ40 will be! According to many FZ35 owners who have purchased an FZ100 (which has the same lens, zoom, and CCD chip as the FZ40) the image quality is NOT as good on the FZ100 as it is on the FZ35. This is attributed to the increased Megapixels that are jammed onto a SMALLER CCD chip. In order to add the increased zoom, Panasonic had to shrink the size of the CCD chip, and at the same time they jammed in more pixels. Consequence: loss of image quality. Low light photos on the FZ100 are apparently grainier on the FZ100 than on the FZ35 as well. Add to that the fact that the FZ40 will only accept microchipped Panasonic batteries (at 3-4 times the price of aftermarket batteries) and the choice is clear! Stop waiting! Buy an FZ35. I just did myself!
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I won't go as far as to say FZ18 is featureless but I will say that the older one hands down takes better photos. (I have new one/brother has old one). Image quality IS not as good, even with the steadiest of hands. I'd recommend going with older one until sensor is improved in new model.
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Hmm... I'm still trying out the SX but am tempted to try out the ZS3 with all the great reviews on the camera. The Canon is working all right but not as great as I would like. It might be the fact that I'm too lazy to read the instructions. It does get tiring a bit when you have to adjust the light with each shot. How's the color and focus quality in ZS3? I noticed that TZ5 have focus problems when zoomed and trying to focus on small white objects in the light. Does ZS3 have the same problem? Is ZS3 much better than TZ5? I'm not sure if it's worth it to get ZS3 if the quality isn't too much better since the price of the 2 is very different. Hmm... I'm still trying out the SX but am tempted to try out the ZS3 with all the great reviews on the camera. The Canon is working all right but not as great as I would like. It might be the fact that I'm too lazy to read the instructions. It does get tiring a bit when you have to adjust the light with each shot. How's the color and focus quality in ZS3? I noticed that TZ5 have focus problems when zoomed and trying to focus on small white objects in the light. Does ZS3 have the same problem? Is ZS3 much better than TZ5? I'm not sure if it's worth it to get ZS3 if the quality isn't too much... » Read More Hmm... I'm still trying out the SX but am tempted to try out the ZS3 with all the great reviews on the camera. The Canon is working all right but not as great as I would like. It might be the fact that I'm too lazy to read the instructions. It does get tiring a bit when you have to adjust the light with each shot. How's the color and focus quality in ZS3? I noticed that TZ5 have focus problems when zoomed and trying to focus on small white objects in the light. Does ZS3 have the same problem? Is ZS3 much better than TZ5? I'm not sure if it's worth it to get ZS3 if the quality isn't too much better since the price of the 2 is very different. « Show Less