Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5K 9MP Digital Camera with 10x Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Black) | 
| Brand: Panasonic
List Price: $349.95
Buy New: $259.00
You Save: $90.95 (26%)
New (47) Used (4) from $243.00
Rating:  185 reviews
Sales Rank: 36
Color: Black
Media: Electronics
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Batteries Included: No
Floppy Disk Drive: None
Includes Software: Yes
Optical Zoom: 10
Digital Zoom: 4
Connectivity: AV
Display Size: 3
Maximum Focal Length: 47
Minimum Focal Length: 4.7
Maximum Resolution: 9.1
Has Red Eye Reduction: Yes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.7
Dimensions (in): 2.3 x 1.4 x 4.1
MPN: DMC-TZ5K
Model: DMC-TZ5K
UPC: 037988987672
EAN: 0037988987672
ASIN: B0011Z8CCG
Release Date: March 7, 2008
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Features:
| • | 9-megapixel resolution captures enough detail for poster-sized prints | | • | 10x optical zoom Leica DC lens; Face Detection | | • | New Panasonic Venus Engine IV improves noise reduction, elevates the detection accuracy and corrective effects | | • | 3.0-inch LCD; Mega O.I.S. and Intelligent ISO | | • | Captures images to SD memory cards (not included) |
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Product Description
9-megapixel effective recording * 10X optical zoom (4X digital/40X total zoom) * 3" color LCD screen with automatic 10-step brightness adjustment * optical image stabilization * wide-angle lens for shooting landscapes and large groups * 35mm equivalent focal length: 28-280mm * top JPEG resolution: 3648 x 2736 * face detection adjusts focus and exposure settings for better portraits * scene recognition identifies shooting conditions and selects optimal settings * intelligent ISO detects subject movement and adjusts camera settings to prevent blur * high sensitivity mode for better low-light and flash-free shooting * variable ISO sensitivity (film speed equivalent) settings * variable burst mode lets you select shooting resolution and speed (up to 10 frames per second) *
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| Customer Reviews: Read 180 more reviews...
 Very good overall April 13, 2008
R. Conrad (Colorado)
290 out of 293 found this review helpful
The TZ5 is in a class of its own, offering both a wide angle lens and an excellent zoom.
In addition, the specs show an excellent 3" LCD screen and HD video recording. The TZ3 (the predecessor of the TZ5) is one of the top recommended compact cameras on many camera review sites. The other camera that consistently tops the charts is the canon sd870is. Because the canon sd870is and the TZ5 are among the few compact cameras that have a wide angle (28mm) lens, I will reference the sd870is at times during this review as a comparison. Again, please keep in mind that these cameras aren't necessarily in the same class (the canon has a 28-105mm zoom lens and the Panasonic TZ5 has a 28-280mm zoom lens). Also, while I have used a TZ3, I don't actually own one.
Design:
Excellent, in fact there are very few things I can see that they could have done better. The body of the camera is very well designed and mostly made of metal (another reviewer wrote that it is made of plastic - it's not). I haven't used/seen the black or silver cameras, but the blue color looks very nice and adds texture to the camera making it easier to grip. The TZ5 isn't as compact as some other cameras like the sd870is, and therefore isn't as pocketable. However, for the vast majority of applications, and as a travel camera, it is the perfect size. You can use this camera easily with one hand, in contrast with smaller cameras like those in the canon digital elph series. All of the controls are easy to use and access and the majority of camera looks/feels of very high quality (exceptions: the power switch and the AV door on the side are a little sketchy, also the tripod mount is plastic). The screen on the back is beautiful, but lacks anti-reflective coating like the sd870is. As other reviewers have noted, the improvement in resolution is most obvious when reviewing the photos in play back mode. When taking pictures, the increase in resolution isn't as obvious. However, this is the best screen I have ever seen on a point and shoot camera.
Menu System:
This camera is very easy to use, and the menu system is very logically designed. The Q-menu button allows access to features that you would want access to more often/quickly (e.g. white balance and ISO settings). I can't say enough about the usability of this camera, it certainly outdoes the canon. Additionally, the graphics of the menus have been improved compared to previous panasonic cameras.
Photos:
There are various scene modes to take advantage of, but the most important new feature to note is the intelligent auto mode. In the intelligent auto mode, if you are taking a picture of a person, the camera detects the face (the face detection works extremely well by the way) and puts the camera in portrait mode, automatically removing red-eye if a flash is needed (not only with a pre-flash, but digitally as well! Nice!) -This feature is available outside intelligent auto mode as well-. If you are taking a close-up of a flower or other object, the camera is automatically put in macro mode, and if you are taking a picture of a landscape the camera is put in landscape mode. It is rarely fooled and works extremely well. In the intelligent auto mode the camera automatically adjusts the ISO (which can be scary above 400). In the camera settings you can adjust the MAX ISO you want the camera to go to while set in automatic ISO. However, in the intelligent auto mode, the camera will take the ISO as high as 800 if it needs to (this doesn't happen often). The intelligent auto mode is absolutely fantastic for novices that don't want to have to worry about tinkering with the camera settings.
How is the picture quality? Very good. In fact I was extremely pleased with it until I compared it to the canon sd870is. Of course, most of the differences are not evident until you start analyzing the photos at 75-100% magnification. However, viewed at 100% the TZ5 dispalys more noise at all ISO settings than the canon and I prefer the smooth appearance of the photos produced by the canon cameras. The color saturation was only *slightly* better with the sd870is, but the sd870is tended to expose the pictures better in some situations, and was rarely bested by the TZ5.
The macro mode on the TZ5 is very good but not as good as I was expecting. The canon allows you to get much closer and tends to make *slightly* better photos in this mode. However, for the majority of people that aren't going to analyze every aspect of the photo, the TZ5 will do more than an adequate job.
Lens:
This leica lens is one of the shining points for the TZ5. The zoom is incredible, fast and quiet. Also, unlike the canon there is very little distortion and also unlike the canon, I never noticed any blurred corners. The ability to go from 28-280mm is an incredible feature. I do wish that the lens was faster (only f3.3 - 4.9) compared to the sd870is (f2.8-5.8). In addition, this allows the canon to produce more depth of field (which I prefer). Overall, this is an easy win for the TZ5, no other compact can compete.
Video Mode:
I was very excited to see the videos that this camera produces. I would call them good with average sound quality. Yes, it is nice that they are such high resolution (and you can zoom during video), but the overall quality of the videos is still lacking. I made a 640x480 video with both the sd870is and the TZ5 (obviously the TZ5 can attain much higher resolution at 1280x720, but for testing purposes I wanted to make them the same resolution; the canon can only make a 640x480 video) and the canon embarrassed the TZ5 in both video quality and sound quality. On its own and for what it is, the high definition video from the TZ5 looks good, but it won't stand up to scrutiny. Don't buy this camera for the HD video capability and expect miracles. As others have noted, this is a point and shoot camera with video recording capability, not a stand alone high definition video recorder. *As a side note, make sure you turn off the continuous focus feature for the best videos, otherwise it is always focusing in and out*
Overall, I am very impressed with this camera. The lens is first rate, the design of both the camera body and its software is excellent. While the photo quality is very good, I would like to see photo quality (color saturation, exposure and detail) more similar to the canon and of course, like everyone else, I was hoping that the HD video would have been better. Focusing takes noticably longer than the sd870is and startup time, while great, isn't as good as the sd870is. Despite the mentioned negatives, I definitely recommend this camera. When I travel what I am I going to take with as a compact camera? It is going to be the Panasonic TZ5.
I am sure I forgot to mention something, so If you have any questions or comments about this review, please post them and I will reply when I can! Thanks!
*Make sure you buy a high speed sd or sdhc card for this camera. It requires a high speed card for the HD video. I bought the SanDisk 4 GB Extreme III SDHC Card with MicroMate USB 2.0 Reader, and it works perfectly. Have fun!
 Dissapointing March 31, 2008
R. B. Litt (chicago)
111 out of 139 found this review helpful
I purchased the TZ5 because I was interested in the 28-280mm zoom lens (35mm equivalent) for a trip to SE Asia.. A couple of friends had the TZ3, which peeked my interest. However, I was ultimately dissapointed in its performance in low light situations and ISO over 200. I had read that the TZ5 would prove superior in this regard, but it turns out only minimally so.
I have spent the last two days putting the TZ5 through its paces and comparing it shot by shot with my Canon SD870. The Canon blew it away time after time, especially in low light situations. I was looking for a camera that would give me the same quality image as the Canon SD870, but also provide a more substantial zoom range in a small package. The TZ5 fell short. However, I don't know of any other compact camera outside the Lumix TZ line that offers anywhere near the zoom range, so it does benefit from occupying a very unique niche.
My advice: If you need the 28-280mm zoom lens, it's your only option. If not, go with the Canon SD870
Amazing Point and Shoot! March 22, 2008
zarchitect
105 out of 111 found this review helpful
[EDITED] 03/29/08: []-indicates modifications
I've had the camera for [about 2 weeks now] so bear in mind that not all the features were tested. Also, this is my first advanced point and shoot camera so I cannot compare it to others I didn't own. I've tested the reasons why I chose this particular camera. The high resolution, compact size (can't really test that except that it fits in my pocket great!), and its ability to shoot high resolution video.
The high resolution is amazing but only a 4 star. 4 because there will be much playing around to do in order to get the sharpest possible image. Perhaps the ISO was set too high, perhaps I didn't use the perfect setting, much playing around to be a perfectionist - and only because I am coming off a manual digital camera where you have full control.
The pre-set settings in this are incredible! It even has a pre-set setting for PETS! I shoved the camera in my spaztic cats face and as he was trying to get away, I had a clear and up close shot of his face (with FLASH!) Any other digital camera and it would have been fuzzy or non existant as the lag between shutter, flash, and actual photo would be greater than the cat's ability to dissapear within a second. I did this more than once - super sharp and ultra fast! Poor cat...
There are baby-settings where you can give it a name and birthdate! Probably so you can title your pictures automatically later - I don't know yet - but it's cool!
Face detection - perfect! 4 faces in one shot I believe. Also, the flash compensates to the distance to each face (multiple flashes) so if you're closer to one person, that person's face won't be washed out in light! That's amazing technology!
Enough tech - plenty more in there to play with - onto the video!
I wanted a camcorder replacement so I don't buy another gadget just to take the few videos I DO want to take. Something fast and easy to capture the moments as they arrive out of nowhere. This camera's ability to take 1280x720 wide-screen videos to display on our flat-screen is what I was looking for. I only give it 4 stars though - which is STILL such a feat! The reason for a missing star is the camera's inability to focus fast enough on moving objects or while you're zooming. I'm sure the motor tech will develop over subsequent cameras but for SUCH a small package to deliver such high resolution "clips" is truly a feat! The maximum length of video at the highest resolution [tested] is 2GB [turned out to be 10:38 minutes]. Most videos won't need that much continuous shooting anyway so that's not a big deal. The format is Quicktime's MOV. I'll need to play around with transfering that to DVDs but looks great on the computer! You can get the optional component cable that hooks directly onto the camera to the TV for instant enjoyment. (it comes with a VGA cable). [I hooked up the camera to a 42" HD Plasma via the AV cable and got a great resolution - better than a broadcast TV and JUST shy of HD sharpness - but I was up next to the screen so sitting back at the couch - doubt I could tell the difference. The AV cable is mono with one video out so the sound only came out of the center channel speaker. I'd give the sound 3-stars as there was a detectible background noise - I made sure to test it with little sound to decipher. Sounds and voices came out clear - but it was not high fidelity by any means. This is definately NOT a surround sound HD camcorder! The camcorder "clips" however are phenomenal!]
Oh, also, to download pictures from the camera to the computer? NOTHING REQUIRED TO INSTALL!!!! You plug the camera in the USB port, turn on the camera, choose PC on the camera (you can set it to always be that), and the computer recognizes it as a hard-drive from where you can drag and drop to your hearts content!
This is NO DSLR where you have full control - but that's not what this is for. So as you can tell, I highly recommend it and know it will be the perfect companion for pretty much all your photo-video needs in ONE tiny package (which travels VERY well!).
[I am still working on posting samples - I'm sure others will beat me to the punch now that it's widely available and on sale]
 Honestly, nine out of ten or 95 out of 100. It's just short of perfect. April 8, 2008
Christopher Wanko (Nutley, NJ USA)
92 out of 98 found this review helpful
I love this camera. I really do. I'm so happy with its performance and feature-set, I'm willing to forgive the lack of manual controls and the price drop I just saw.
I pre-ordered and also bought a 16Gb SDHC card. I plan on having this device replace my current Canon Powershot A75 and my Sony TRV-608 camcorder. I can plan this way because... this camera shoots 720p high-definition video. My big-screen LCD will really allow the captured video to shine. In my preliminary tests on a 22" LCD, the output is gorgeous, so much clearer and vibrant than the Hi-8 video I would shoot using the old Sony.
It's a wonderful progression of technology. My Sony camcorder can shoot in zero light, zooms to some ridiculous level, but I hardly ever use it because it's yet-another-device you need to carry. My Canon worked well for three years, then decided to stop running. I loved the manual controls and ability to bracket shots, but with 3x optical zoom, I was missing something. Plus, it was a family camera, and The Wife could not care less about manual controls.
The Lumix TZ5 is a perfect blend of features and performance for me. It will allow me to grab high-definition camcorder video in the same device I can just hand to The Wife and say, "Press the button". It has a removable Li-On battery with separate charger, so I can buy a spare and keep them charged and ready to travel. It does a lot, for a fair price.
I will miss the manual controls, especially for low-light shots, but in my testing I've already seen how well it can handle low-light with no flash. Pictures look remarkable, shutter lag is less than the A75, and flash recharge is not too bad. The LCD screen is huge compared to the A75, almost the size of a PDA screen. That'll take some getting used to, especially since there's no optical viewfinder. In all, I'm really happy with it, and would recommend it to anyone looking for a new point-and-shoot who needs the ability to grab quality video every now and then. With two kids, that'll be every day for me.
-C
Nice upgrade over my TZ3 March 28, 2008
D. Hentze (NJ)
90 out of 93 found this review helpful
I received my TZ5 today, and so far I'm impressed. While some of the improvements over my TZ3 are minor, some are significant. Most people will enjoy the return of zooming ability while taking video, and the introduction of HD video. The TZ5's LCD screen is the nicest I've ever seen on a camera. I've taken several dozen test pictures under different circumstances, and the results were for the most part very good. Under perfect conditions, the results weren't much different than the TZ3. Under low light conditions, the Venus IV engine seems to do a little better with noise at ISO 400 and above. I wouldn't call it a dramatic improvement though. I'm going to do a little "pixel peeping" in the near future to see how the TZ5's small sensor handles the increase in megapixels. All in all, the TZ5 is just a great camera that is loaded with features. Is it a DSLR? No, but it's not supposed to be. If you already own a TZ3, you may want to weigh whether the TZ5 has enough new features and improvements. For myself, I'm happy with the upgrade, and will give my TZ3 to my wife. The only thing I wish that I had done was get a black TZ5 instead of the silver one.
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