Panasonic DMC-TZ3 Photos

#1 Stephen Vermeulen

An interesting look at what this camera can do (I really like the 28-280 focal range as I find that the more common 35mm wide end is rather limiting, more so than the telephoto end). If you ask me it actually looks like the TZ3 records more detail than what the FZ8 does. Most of the FZ8 photos look a bit more "smeared" close up, which is odd since they both have the same sensor and (presumably) the same image processor.

Photo #29 is particularly interesting, was it really shot at ISO 3200? The colour seems very good for such a high setting. The reduction in detail in this photo supports the ISO 3200 claim of the EXIF data, the reduction is enough that it makes me wonder why Panasonic even bothers saving this at full resolution, it looks like it could be saved at 1536x1152 (1/2 resolution) or even 1024x768 (1/3 resolution) without any loss of detail. Doing so would save a lot of storage space.

When you do a full review of this camera can you do some comparitive photos to examine what is happening at these higher ISO speeds? And perhaps also examine my claim that high ISO speed photos really wouldn't loose any (more) detail by being saved at a lower resolution.

4:34 pm - Saturday, February 3, 2007

#2 GARY POGODA

Stephen, the TZ3 and FZ8 use entirely different sensors. Even though
they are both labeled as '7.2' megapixel cameras, the TZ3 has an 8.5
megapixel sensor compared to 7.38 megapixels for the FZ8. They are
also slightly different sizes, 1/2.35" for the TZ3 and 1/2.5" for the FZ8.

5:04 pm - Saturday, February 3, 2007

#3 Stephen Vermeulen

I see what you mean now, in the press release for the TZ3 there is a second statement about the image sensor. Looks like in order to support the advertized 7.2M pixels in all the wide format modes they "oversized" the image sensor. Here is the relevant quote:

"Conventional cameras generally use almost the entire CCD area when recording an image, and the angle of view may be altered regardless of the photographer's intention. The TZ3 and TZ2 however, incorporate a 1/2.35" CCD (1/ 2.33" for TZ2) with a total of 8.50 megapixels (7.39 megapixels for the TZ2). This CCD, which is larger than those in conventional 7 megapixel and 6 megapixel class cameras, can reproduce images shot with the lens set 28mm to 280mm in any of three aspect ratios - 4:3, 3:2 or 16:9 - so you can always capture dynamic, richly expressed shots with wide perspective."

4:58 pm - Sunday, February 4, 2007

#4 GARY POGODA

Yes, basically it is a 1/2.5" CCD with a couple extra hundred columns
of pixels on each side that are not used in 4:3 mode. Some are used
in 3:2 mode and all are used in 16:9 mode, which enables these wide
modes to be implemented with less cropping from the top and bottom.

Strangely enough, the TZ1 also has an oversized CCD but doesn't use
any of these extra pixels for the wider modes, which are implemented
solely by cropping, thus reducing the total pixel count considerably.

5:40 pm - Sunday, February 4, 2007

#5 emk

I am happy to see that they did not cramp more MPIX on the sensor, but unfortunately are the low ISO pictures still very noisy. They should have gone to a 1/1.8" CCD

I am not convinced (yet) but they are on the right track

1:36 pm - Tuesday, February 6, 2007

#6 theranman

I would think that going to a 1/1.8" sensor would have made this 10X zoom camera significantly larger, no? Wouldn't you need bigger glass?

9:08 pm - Monday, February 26, 2007

#7 GARY POGODA

No question about it, Theranman. It was a struggle to keep the TZ3
as small as it is (which is not exactly pocketable), and a larger CCD
would have only made matters worse.

9:35 pm - Wednesday, February 28, 2007

#8 Theranman

That's what I figured.

I'm hoping to be able to tote the TZ3 in a suit jacket pocket or on my hip in an appropriate case. I think that if you carry ANY P&S in a case, it's kinda tough to carry in a pocket. And if you DO carry in a pocket, which pocket?
One pant pocket has keys, the other a cellphone...and don't forget the wallet. And I sure as heck ain't gonna carry it in a back pants pocket. I think most folks carry these things in cargo pockets, purses, or jacket pockets, and therefore, the difference between something like a Canon SD800IS, a Fuji F31, and the TZ3 isn't really all that big...especially if using a case.
Just my opinion.

9:49 pm - Wednesday, February 28, 2007

#9 AA

I think this will be a decent replacement for the LX2.

I can't wait to see the frame ratio comparisons at 28mm at all three frame ratios, to see how much warping the 28mm at 4x3 would be like when compared to 16x9.

4:53 am - Thursday, March 1, 2007

#10 Jeff

The US price for this appears to be about $291, so round about £150.
Looks like I will have to wait for the UK proce to come down, on principle, rather than be fleeced by UK prices.

Jeff

8:16 pm - Monday, May 14, 2007

#11 Mark Goldstein

You might be waiting for a long time Jeff!

7:24 am - Tuesday, May 15, 2007

#12 Frank Bergess

I don't see many full range color pictures.
I purcheased this camera for my wife in May.

A couple of sore points
1) Display is so reflective its nearly impossible to see it in bright light.

2) Colors are wrong. Taking pictures of purple flowers that looked blue through the LCD AND came out blue. (Washed out?) IT was daylight and so wasn't a flash issue.

3) So many options gets difficult to find the right one quickly (before the shot gets away.

Good point. Takes a GREAT movie (although you can't use the zoom on the TZ3 during a movie).

Overall I am returning this camera. I find my old Minolta Z1 does a better all around job.

Anoher point is the battery is Specific to the camera. The Z1 uses AA's which can be bought anywhere in a pinch (like when travelling).

I read several reviews of this camera which was why I bought it. Don't beleive everything you read...

For my next purchase I will get a camera that has both LCD and eyepiece. I will miss the 10X optical but 5X should be enough with 7.1Megpicels in a pocketable size

9:18 pm - Friday, June 1, 2007

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