CNet Reviews the 10x Zoom Panasonic TZ5

[Suhit Gupta]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-cameras/panasonic-lumix-dmc-tz5/4505-6501_7-32848644.html?subj=fdba&part=rss&tag=MR_Search+Results' target='_blank'>http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-cam..._Search+Results</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>&quot;Many might find the attractions of the 9-megapixel Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5 irresistible: it's compact enough to fit in a jacket pocket, yet packs a 10x zoom lens, complete with 28mm-equivalent wide-angle view and optical image stabilizer. It also has a 3-inch LCD and some very interesting shooting features. Extremely similar to its less-expensive sibling, the DMC-TZ4, the TZ5 offers higher 9-megapixel resolution (compared with 8 megapixels for the TZ4), a 1,270x720-pixel resolution movie-capture mode and a larger LCD (2.5 inches for the TZ4). Because of the higher resolution, the TZ5's performance is also rated a bit slower, with fewer photos fitting in its memory buffer, than the TZ4. Finally, it's about 0.01 inch fatter and at 8.4 ounces, 2 ounces heavier.&quot;</em></p><p><img alt="" border="0" src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com//dht/auto/1214391127.usr14.gif" /></p><p>&nbsp;The lack of manual control, or even semi-manual controls, and the image quality do this camera in for me. Otherwise I can see this camera being one of the better options in the mid-range point and shoot category. Although for a around $275, I don't know what other camera offers the features that the Lumix TZ5 does.</p>

[onlydarksets]

It also features in-video zoom, which is a rarity for cameras in this class.

I have the TZ3, and the picture quality is great, given what the camera is (and is not). What are your concerns, quality-wise?

[Jason Dunn]

It also features in-video zoom, which is a rarity for cameras in this class.

Indeed, that's one of the very cool things about the camera: image stabilization and optical zooming while doing 720p video. Slick.

I have the TZ3, and the picture quality is great, given what the camera is (and is not). What are your concerns, quality-wise?

I did some research on this camera (I think it's the same camera: 10x optical, right?) and I thought the photos were decent, but not great. I think the biggest thing for me personally is the size - I have a Canon SD870 and that's about as big as I want to go...although I will say that I might be able to convince myself to get the bigger camera in order to get the 10x optical zoom and 720p video. I need to see one in person again and get a feel for the size.

[onlydarksets]

I did some research on this camera (I think it's the same camera: 10x optical, right?) and I thought the photos were decent, but not great.
That's what I meant by "given what it is" - for a 10x zoom, you are going to sacrifice some image quality.

I think the biggest thing for me personally is the size - I have a Canon SD870 and that's about as big as I want to go...although I will say that I might be able to convince myself to get the bigger camera in order to get the 10x optical zoom and 720p video. I need to see one in person again and get a feel for the size.
It's heavy, but not too bulky - definitely bigger than the SD870 and it's ilk. I had wanted a 5x zoom (3x is worthless to me), but, at the time, there wasn't really an option. Doing it now, I would focus on the 5-7x zooms, as 10x zoom is not too useful without a tripod or a really bright day.

[Jason Dunn]

That's what I meant by "given what it is" - for a 10x zoom, you are going to sacrifice some image quality.

I don't really agree - what does the zoom lens have to do with the image quality? It's pretty much all about the sensor, at least in terms of the issues I saw with the image quality when I was looking at some sample images. On the other hand, I might have just been pixel peeping - I was looking at the images full-size. It would be nice to have some manual controls on the camera though...it's a bit surprising they haven't included any.

I had wanted a 5x zoom (3x is worthless to me), but, at the time, there wasn't really an option. Doing it now, I would focus on the 5-7x zooms, as 10x zoom is not too useful without a tripod or a really bright day.

Yeah, the 10x zoom even with IS is rough to use in low light...although it's always cool to have the option of having more zoom than less. :)

I think I might stop at Best Buy and see if they have one in stock so I can see it in person...

[onlydarksets]

I don't really agree - what does the zoom lens have to do with the image quality? It's pretty much all about the sensor, at least in terms of the issues I saw with the image quality when I was looking at some sample images. On the other hand, I might have just been pixel peeping - I was looking at the images full-size. It would be nice to have some manual controls on the camera though...it's a bit surprising they haven't included any.
Any lens with that broad of a zoom range will suffer quality versus a lens doing a smaller zoom range. That's been my experience, anyway. I may be mixing terminology, though, if "image quality" tends to refer to the capture/processing (i.e., sensor). Photography (digital or otherwise) is not my wheelhouse, so my comments are entirely observational.

[yslee]

I don't really agree - what does the zoom lens have to do with the image quality?

Lenses don't create images for free, you know... :P

[Jason Dunn]

Lenses don't create images for free, you know... :P

I find it very hard to believe that given the sensor on most P&S cameras (meaning, the not-so-good sensors), that the quality of the glass comes into play. Point me to proof otherwise and I might reconsider. :)

[Jason Dunn]

Any lens with that broad of a zoom range will suffer quality versus a lens doing a smaller zoom range. That's been my experience, anyway.

Short of getting two Lumix cameras with identical sensors, one 5x zoom and one 10x, and doing some tests, it's virtually impossible to confirm this. The sensors matter much more than the glass does in my opinion...

[Jason Dunn]

So guess what I bought on Friday? A Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5 in blue. :D I'm not 100% sure I'm going to keep it, but so far I'm really enjoying it and I'm actually fairly impressed with the image quality...I'll probably do a front-page posting about it on Monday or Tuesday with some image comparisons between it and my Canon SD 870.

[yslee]

I find it very hard to believe that given the sensor on most P&S cameras (meaning, the not-so-good sensors), that the quality of the glass comes into play. Point me to proof otherwise and I might reconsider. :)

It does, just that the overpacked sensors tend to kill the detail first. Take a sample shot of a folded optics lens and compare it to something like a GR Digital. You'll notice differing levels of fuzziness.

[Jason Dunn]

It does, just that the overpacked sensors tend to kill the detail first. Take a sample shot of a folded optics lens and compare it to something like a GR Digital. You'll notice differing levels of fuzziness.

Right, the sensor matters more than the lens - that's my point. I don't doubt that a folded optic lens might be worse than a non-folded design, but unless you can find two cameras with the same sensor, one with a folded optic lens and one without, this is a pretty silly discussion. :)