Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ1 Review

I was looking for about a year and a half for a very good digital camera with the largest optical zoom capability without going to a digital SLR. After all kinds of research, the Lumix TZ1 had excellent reviews, also from pros and with image stabilization and a 10x zoom, this was perfect. Have 2 kids and travel a lot, took pictures from a helicopter over glaciers in Alaska into a dogsledding camp in harsh weather, still took excellent, clear pictures. This is my 1st digital camera, very happy. It took me a long time to compare the best brands for my needs, I found it.

Had the camera about 6 months, and still waiting for my 1st disappointment. Having had a Panasonic camera before, I doubt the disappointment will every happen.

This is my work camera, and it is better than my "nice" camera that cost 3x more.

Wish it had a built in lens cap. But other than that it is GREAT!!!

This is my 7th digital camera. I take many pictures in all kinds of situations. I currently own a Canon G1 & G3. Had a Fuji 210, a Nikon 5200, a Vizio 630 and a Panasonic I-Palm. I was in search of a smaller sized camera to the G3 that would be video worthy with stabilization, which could be my "grab it and stuff it in my pocket and go camera" and found it in the TZ1. Mind you, the TZ1 is not perfect, just perfect for what I need it for.

The 10x optical zoom is excellent and used with the mega OIS system can take some amazing pictures that I couldn't dream of with my Nikon. Clear and quite crisp with very little grain or distortion at all. The video it takes are on the border of amazing compared to my other cameras, which take small framed videos at shortest length.

The TZ1's videos are clear, very stable, and with the 10x zoom useable during capture, as versatile as one could need. Not as good as a dedicated video camera, but very nice none the same. With a 2GB (Max. available) mid-high speed, 80x ATP, card, and video capture keep up very well indeed. A slower card will shut you down when it backlogs.

I had toyed with the idea of the new TZ3, but chose the more light efficient lens found on the TZ1 (3.3 vs. 2.8). As I like to snorkel, I also was looking for a smaller camera which could accommodate. Bingo, mission accomplished.

I had read reviews knocking the lack of optical viewfinder. This camera is basically all LCD on the back and the addition of a viewfinder would make the camera bigger or the LCD smaller. I'm glad they left the LCD off.

I also read the battery life was poor. Not the case. It is about 1/2 the life of my Canons. The S007 battery is tiny compared the Canon, it had to be to keep the camera small, and the new-tech 1400 battery lets me shoot for hours before I need to change. The spare battery being so small fits easily into my pocket-bags. No problem there.
It does not have as many manual settings as my Canon, but this is my take-with camera and I don't use it when I'm in my "super-mod" mode.

It also has a 37mm clip-on lens cap which is a bit of an issue. The new TZ3 has a built-in one. However, when you power-up the camera, the lens does not need to extend. I notice the cap is on, and I take it off. Most other cameras need to extend the lens to start taking pictures. This also gives the TZ1 a very fast start-up time. Nice.

Finally, I was a bit shocked to find reviews hammering this camera. This is a purpose camera, not a perfect camera. And for most purposes, this is one outstanding pocket worthy camera.

Thank You Panasonic.