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| Click photo to see image quality shots. |
In bright light with high-contrast subjects, autofocus on the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5 is very quick. But lower-contrast and dim lighting conditions will slow it down a touch. It's not interminable, but it is noticeable -- particularly with telephoto subjects due to the slow f/4.9 aperture, and especially with subjects more distant than the AF beam's throw.
Zooming from wide to tele is quick, quiet, and smooth. We love the dedicated one-touch zoom button -- in theory. Unfortunately, there appears to be no way to lock out EZ optical zoom from the circuit, which drops resolution to 3 megapixels! So, it's not two touches from 28mm to 280mm and back. It's three touches with an unwanted detour into 3MP Extended zoom. I don't know about you, but I'd be pretty bummed if I accidentally tapped this and dropped my two-thirds of my megapixels for a once-in-a-lifetime moment!
Playback mode has a couple of bells and whistles, including a "dual display" review, which splits the LCD into two image preview windows, which could be handy for comparing two shots side-by-side; although it does cut the size of each photo down. We like the ability to swap images from SD to internal and vice versa, along with swapping to the "clipboard." This is a special section of the internal memory -- which can be employed to hold useful files such as a digitized version of the Paris Metro map, hotel telephone numbers, etc. And of course, as a member of the Travel Zoom tribe, there's dual time zone support -- which is a nice little touch in a camera aimed squarely at the globe-trotting photographer.
A quirky little video sub-setting
Yes, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5 can capture 720p HD video in 16:9 format, with monoaural sound and full optical zoom during capture. But it can be confusing to find the HD video settings! Switching into movie mode offers several VGA and sub-VGA sizes and frame rates. So where is the HD video capture? You'll only find this if you drop down in the LCD menu and select the 16:9 aspect ratio as the capture format! And then, once in 16:9 capture ratio, return to the previous menu item and select the 16:9H option at either 15 or 30 frames per second, since it will also record widescreen VGA video at 848x640 pixels at these same frame rates. Confusing, isn't it? And top-quality HD capture on the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5 will gobble card space at a frantic pace -- filling a 2GB class 6 SDHC card in just over seven minutes! Our advice: stock up on big fast SDHC cards before taking the TZ5 on an extended vacation. Otherwise you'll pay steep prices for whatever brand and speed SD cards the hotel gift shop happens to stock!
The Bottom Line
We've been big fans of the TZ series since the original Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ1 was introduced in 2006. And Panasonic keeps upping the ante in the 10x optically stabilized pocket zoom category. Despite a few quirks and faults such as the inability to disengage the EZ mode from the one-touch zoom, and confusing video settings for VGA and HD capture, and a non-included HDMI cable for HD output to your TV, overall this one's a winner.
Panasonic has been a leader in this category from the very beginning and they continue that trend with the Lumix DMC-TZ5. The build quality is first rate, particularly compared to the 10x pocket offerings from Sony (cameras/4898) and Canon (/cameras/4664/). Some purists may bemoan the lack of RAW and full manual controls, but we're OK with the direction Panasonic is going with the TZ5. It is a point and shoot in the truest sense of the word -- but a point and shoot that usually delivers images that will satisfy even discerning photographers who want to travel light. Throw in 720p HD video capture with full optical zoom during capture, one of the highest resolution LCDs in a pocketable camera and it gets even better.
Certified Test Results
Image Quality: Excellent: ISO 100-800
Resolution: Excellent at ISO 100 (1930) through 800 (1780), Extremely High at ISO 1600 (1575)
Color Accuracy: Excellent at ISO 100 (average Delta E: 7.9 Auto White Balance.) Extremely High at ISO 1600 (Average Delta E 8.9 Auto White Balance)
Noise: Low at ISO 100 (1.7) Very Low at ISO 200 (1.45), Low at ISO 400 (1.75) Moderately Low at ISO 800 (2.0), Moderate at ISO 1600 (2.6)
Distortion: Slight Barrel Distortion at 28mm equivalent (.15%), Slight Pincushion Distortion at 140mm equivalent (.14%) and 280mm (.16%)
Contrast: Low
Shadow/Highlight Detail: Very High
Competitive Set:
Sony CyberShot DSC-H3 (street: $299): Sony's 10x pocket camera also has optical stabilization, and an optional HDMI cable. But its lens isn't nearly as wide at wide angle -- and even with a longer minimum focal length, it can't match the TZ5's wide angle distortion control.
Canon PowerShot SX100 ($219): Canon's 8.0 megapixel 10x pocket zoomer skimps on the LCD resolution. Yes, it is optically stabilized, but again it cannot match the wide angle distortion control of the TZ5. But for those needing a lot of reach on a tight budget, it may be a good bet.
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