A happy snappy snapper ! You won't regret it! (Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3)

Member Name: rosaliecullen

Product:	Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3
Date:	23/06/09 (67 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: The zoom, the features and the ease of use.

Disadvantages: Bulky compared to others

There are many technical details about this item attached to the details, so I will only go into minor detail about those.

I couldn't decide whether to buy an SLR or a super-duper compact camera. My reason for choosing this? I knew I couldn't be bothered to take a whopping great camera out with me every time I went to an event or was in a beautiful landscape. I wanted something powerful, neat, compact and easy to transport.


As far as size goes it is 10cm x 6.5 cm big and about 4cm wide, so a bit chunkier than the compact diigital cameras you can buy. I wouldn't buy this if you want something slim and lightweight as I think the design is actually quite bulky for a compact camera. The screen size is 9cm diagonally and people often marvel at how clear the picture is on the screen to look at once you have taken the photograph. The other thing about this is that it is not the most lightweight camera I have ever held, but it doesn't weigh loads either (check on the tech details for weight specs).

There is an easy on/off button that slides across on the top of the camera. It is actually a very easy camera to use. There is a wheel that has all the options for you - some of which I haven't mastered yet. These include "normal picture" so I often use this as it is ideal for beginners, then there are other choices that allow you to take "burst" shots so very very quick multiple shots within a second. There is a macro setting fortaking closeups, a motion picture for taking short videos, a playback to see your pictures, and 2 other items that Im not sure what they are.

In addition to that there are 2 "scene" options on the wheel which allow you to get the camera to setup things in various situations e.g a sunset (camera enhances colours), the beach (camera changes to accomodate glare and reflection), snow (camera changes to accomodate glare from snow). I find these options really good as the hard work of photo taking is removed, but you are able to take amazing pictures without too much effort!

There is a self timer which gives you 10 seconds to run away and pose, this is really useful and easy to use. There is a flash which is easy to put on and off and the delete options include :single shot, multi shot delete or all delete.

The camera I have is silver, but think they come in black now as per the picture here. Mine also has around 7 million pixel resolution, which isn't as much as the super resolution of 10mil or 12 mil you can now get, but 7million pixels return photos of around 4Mb when transferred onto a computer which is actually quite large when you can usually only send 10Mb by e-mail at any one time, so bear in mind that pixels are not always what matter ;)

The best feature Ive left until last. The 10 times optical zoom. It is absolutely fabulous for taking all sorts of shots. The camera does all the focus work for you, you press the button half way, it beeps which means it has focused, press the full way and bobs your uncle a perfect photo every time.

Had mine for almost 2 years and never had any problems *touch wood* it is very durable and has been dropped multiple times without any problems.

Would buy 10 more of these if I had the money. You won't regret it.

Summary: Fabulous Camera, you absolutelty wont regret buying it!

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