Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3 Review

Review Date: March 26th 2007

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Conclusion

Ratings (out of 5)
Design	4.5
Features	4.5
Ease-of-Use	5
Image Quality	4.5
Value for Money	4.5

One year on from the original DMC-TZ1, and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3 is still a very distinctive camera in an even more crowded market-place, thanks to its combination of a 10x ultra-zoom lens and relatively compact dimensions. Using such a small camera with such a large zoom range opens up lots of photographic opportunities that you just won't get with similar sized models. Furthermore, Panasonic have bucked the trend of most compact digicams and widened the focal range to 28mm, which provides an entirely new angle of view when compared with conventional zoom lenses that typically start at around 35mm. 7mm may not sound like much, but it actually makes a big difference, and there isn't too much image distortion either. Some people may not like the shorter 280mm maximum telephoto, but most photographers will applaud Panasonic's decision to go wide. The ability to zoom from 28mm up to 280mm and still get sharp results thanks to Panasonic's Mega O.I.S system is a revelation. Everything from wide-angle scenics to distant close-ups is possible, all from a camera that you can just about squeeze into a (large) pocket.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3 is a noticeably faster camera that its predecessor, with improved start-up, zooming and continuous shooting timings, despite the increase to a larger 7.2 megapixel sensor. Image quality is also improved since the last generation of Lumix models. Panasonic have notably improved noise performance, so that ISO 400 on the TZ3 is about equal to ISO 200 on the older TZ1, which increases the camera's low-light capabilities. ISO 100-400 still isn't particularly versatile, but the usual excellent optical image stabilisation system makes the DMC-TZ3 a more adaptable camera than its predecessor. You can take a photo at a lower ISO and slower shutter speed than normal and still get sharp results, without adversely affecting the battery life too much. In conjunction with the Mega O.I.S system, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3 can deal with the majority of shooting situations, both indoors and out, although in low-light situations the camera still struggles to focus at the telephoto end of the zoom range. Intelligent ISO is an effective action to the DMC-TZ3's arsenal of anti-blur techniques, whilst the Extra Zoom feature is less useful.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3 is just a simple point and shoot camera in terms of creativity, with no control over aperture or shutter speeds, which is surely to prevent the TZ3 from treading on the toes of its bigger brothers, the FZ series of ultra-zoom cameras. Once you've tried the TZ3 though, you may find that the combination of focal range and compact dimensions is simply too liberating to ignore. This camera should definitely be at the top of your short list if you only require a point and shoot model. Panasonic have made some great improvements to an already effective design, which means that the DMC-TZ3 is highly recommended.

PhotographyBLOG is a member of the DIWA organisation. Our test results for the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3 have been submitted to DIWA for comparison with test results for different samples of the same camera model supplied by other DIWA member sites.

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