Panasonic LUMIX DMC-TZ3

Panasonic has a long line of successful digital cameras in its LUMIX range. The latest of these is the LUMIX DMC-TZ3, the TZ3 is an update of last years TZ1 model. The TZ3 offers you a whole host of features to help the professional and the amateur take the perfect digital photo. For starters the LUMIX DMC-TZ3 offers a massive 7.2 Megapixels allowing images up to 3072 x 2304 pixels. When you think how many pixels your monitor can handle (some of the top end at 1600 x 1200 pixels) then you realise how in depth shots taken at this resolution can be.

Next we move onto the zoom function. The LUMIX DMC-TZ3 is definitely one of the best in its field when it comes to Optical Zoom. Even though the TZ3 is a compact digital camera, it is still providing you with the power of 10x optical zoom at full resolution, plus when reducing the resolution to 3 Megapixels or less the TZ3 will be able to increase that zoom to a massive 15x. Remember this is optical zoom and not digital zoom. See our article on Optical vs. Digital Zoom.

To help with taking a perfect photo the DMC-TZ3 has the MEGA Optical Image Stabilizer. This wonderful piece of technology will compensate for any shaky hand movements you may have while taking the picture. Any movements of the camera are sensed and a signal is sent to a processor inside the camera which instants calculates the amount of compensation needed.

The Back of the Panasonic LUMIX DMC-TZ3 gives you a relatively massive 3 inch LCD screen to see what you are shooting and to review the shots you have taken. A neat little feature on this model is the ability to be able to place two shots next to each other for comparison. Take a few shots of the same scene and you can compare and contrast quickly and easily in order to select the shot that has come out the best. You may notice the lack of an optical viewfinder on the TZ3, this seems to be turning into the norm as the large LCD screens are easy enough to use to get the image in the right spot and focus. If you are used to using the optical viewfinder then it may take a little while to get used to but ultimately I think you will find it easy to use.

The source of power for the LUMIX DMC-TZ3 comes from a 1000mAh Lithium-ion battery pack recommended to last for around 270 shots before a recharge is required. It also comes with 12.7Mb of internal memory with extended memory coming from SD / SDHC / MMC memory cards.

Features

• 7.2-megapixel effective CCD for images up to 3072 x 2304 pixels
• Leica DC Vario-Elmarit Lens 10x optical zoom, equivalent to 28-280mm on a 35mm camera
• MEGA O.I.S. (Optical image stabilization) system
• High Sensitivity mode, up to ISO 3200
• 9-point AF system with focus-assist lamp
• 3.0-inch TFT colour monitor with (230k pixels)
• Simple, Program AE, Macro, Intelligent ISO + 21 scene modes
• Burst capture mode
• 640x480/320x240 (4:3) or 848 x 480 (16:9) QuickTime movies, 30fps or 10fps with audio
• Shutter speeds from 1/2000 to 8 seconds
• Built-in flash with auto, fill, slow synchro and red-eye reduction modes
• TTL Auto White Balance, 5 presets and custom set
• 12.7MB of internal memory plus SD/SDHC/MMC memory card slot
• Optional Underwater Case
• Plug-n-Play USB, Mass Storage compliant
• PictBridge Direct-Print compatible
• Powered by a 3.7v 1000mAh Lithium-ion Battery Pack

Manufacturers Description

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3 is the digital camera, which is renowned for packaging a remarkable 10x optical zoom in a compact, stylish body. To further add to its appeal, the DMC-TZ3 goes one step further to feature a 28mm wide-angle Leica DC lens (equivalent to 28-280mm on a 35mm film camera) for wide-angle shooting.

The 28mm wide-angle lens opens up a plethora of photographic opportunities, allowing photographers to easily capture a large group of people, or expansive architectural structures and landscapes with dynamic width and rich perspective. The wide-angle lens is particularly helpful in situations where you cannot step back or move away from a subject - ideal for shooting group portraits in a small room for example.

The diminutive size of the 7.2 megapixel DMC-TZ3 belies the wealth of technological features. Incorporating a powerful 10x optical zoom in such a slim and stylish body is impressive in itself. Add to this the incorporation of Panasonic's Mega O.I.S that prevents blurring from shaky hands, Intelligent ISO to prevent motion blur, and the high quality, high performance image-processing Venus Engine III to name but a few - and the calibre of these new additions becomes apparent.

For an in-depth look at the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3 check out the review at Steves Digicams