Last update 20 April’09 – Review and Sample Photos by Photo Today
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5 is a 9.1 megapixel point and shoot digital camera that features 10x optical zoom, 3 inch LCD, optical image stabilization and a ISO range of 100 to 1600. Camera dimensions are (H x W x D) 2.33” x 4.07” x 1.44” and it weighs 0.47 lbs.
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Review Index – (updated 20 April’09)
Photo Today
“By the end of the day I’d made 207 shots with this camera in a lot of different situations and the results more than pleased me to the point that I hated to turn it back in.”
Rating: 
PhotographyReview
“Overall, I think the TZ5 is nearly perfect for tucking in my purse so I’m never without a camera. The one area where I’d like to see real improvement is image quality, particularly noise. But for now, it’s a tradeoff I’m willing to make for the privilege of carrying a 28mm-280mm lens in my purse.”
ePhotozine
“Still, vintage looks and a fancy partnership don’t help the fact that the camera can’t take good pictures. Noise is the biggest enemy of the TZ5 and it really takes a battering at the higher levels.”
Rating: 
DPInterface
“All-in-all, the Panasonic Lumix TZ5 is compact for a 10X zoom camera and combines many features like lots of scene modes, a nice lens and fancy 720p movie mode into a bring-anywhere design.”
Overall, Review was Favorable: 
TrustedReviews
“Over the week that I’ve been using the Panasonic TZ5 I have come to really like it, and will miss it when I have to give it back. It is a well designed and solidly made camera which is tough enough to survive quite a bit of rough treatment. It handles superbly, performs exceptionally well and is a genuine pleasure to use.”
Rating: 
DigicamReview reviews the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5 and they write -
” Image quality is very good – with excellent color, and high levels of saturation, contrast and detail. Noise levels were higher than average, but results were good at ISO400 or below and prints made from this camera looked excellent, and detail was very good. There was some red eye in group photos, and purple fringing was occasionally seen.”
Rating:
CNET reviews the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5 and they write -
“The good: Attractive, functional design; generally above average photo quality for its class; nice, useful feature set; lens can zoom during movie capture.
The bad: Aggressive smoothing reduces detail in indoor shots, even at low ISO sensitivities; modest performance; poorly placed microphone.”
Rating:
PCAdvisor
“The future is bright for Wi-Fi on digital cameras, and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ50 is leading the way. If Panasonic can find ways to get access to additional Wi-Fi networks (especially corporate networks), mobile workers who take a lot of photos will find this a must-have tool.”
Rating:
LetsGoDigital reviews the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5 and they write -
“The combination of an effective and powerful image stabilizer and a large optical zoom makes a very strong concept. Nothing beats having a camera loose in your inside pocket and being able to capture virtually any moment you want. The ease and user-friendliness are clearly present and we have no comments on these. If Panasonic works on the aforementioned remarks, in our opinion the concept will then be perfect.”
Rating:
PhotographyBlog reviews the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5 and they write -
“In summary the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5 is a marginally better camera than the TZ3, with improved image quality, an excellent LCD screen, useful Intelligent Auto mode for beginners, and the attraction of HD video. It’s a shame that Panasonic haven’t added any manual exposure modes, as with the recent DMC-LZ10 model, which is the only Panasonic compact camera to offer any control over aperture and shutter speed (apart from the ageing DMC-LX2). If you don’t mind sacrificing half the focal length, the 5x zoom DMC-LZ10 is an excellent alternative. But if you’re happy to accept the purely point-and-shoot nature of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5, that unchanged combination of huge focal range and compact dimensions is still too liberating to ignore.”
Rating:
DigitalCameraReview reviews the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5 and they write -
“At the end of the day, I came away with mixed feelings about the TZ5. It’s a competent package that continues to do something relatively unique, and it will still get the job done with style and speed in most cases. Choosing to break little from the heritage of the TZ line, though, I can’t help but feel that it’s not as outstanding as it easily could have been.”
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DCResource reviews the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5 and they write -
“The Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5 is quite an impressive package. It’s not perfect, but it’s arguably the best camera in the “compact” ultra zoom class. From its 28 – 280 mm lens to its 720p movie mode, the TZ5 can do just about everything. If you’re after a point-and-shoot camera with some serious zoom power, then the TZ5 should be high on your list.”
Rating:
Cameras.co.uk reviews the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5 and they write -
“Panasonic market the DMC TZ5 as a travel camera. With its long zoom lens and relatively compact body I think they have that right. Picture quality is impressive and the camera is easy to use. It is well worth a close look.”
Rating:
DPReview reviews the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5 and they write -
“In conclusion the TZ5 is a versatile, user friendly photographic tool that can produce good results outdoors in decent light but struggles when it comes to taking pictures indoors and in low light (the flash performs quite well though). If you are looking for a travel or walk around camera that is quick enough for the occasional spontaneous street shot and can also produce great quality HD video you should definitely have a closer look at the TZ5. If low light photography or indoor social snapping is more your thing or if you’re into ‘pixel-peeping’ you might want to look out for alternatives.”
Rating:
Photoxels reviews the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5 and they write -
“If you are looking for one digital camera that has pretty much everything you need for snapshooting, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5 is a well-designed ultra zoom digital camera that will make many point-and-shoot photographers happy. Just set it to iA shooting mode, Color Mode Vivid, and turn Auto Power LCD on for hassle-free shooting under almost all conditions. It’s compact enough for your trousers or coat pocket and point-and-shoot easy to obtain great shots everytime. And if you are one of the lucky ones heading for the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics, be sure to bring a Panasonic TZ5 with you!”
Rating:
PopPhoto reviews the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5 and they write -
“We’ve been big fans of the TZ series since the original Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ1 was introduced in 2006. And Panasonic keeps upping the ante in the 10x optically stabilized pocket zoom category. Despite a few quirks and faults such as the inability to disengage the EZ mode from the one-touch zoom, and confusing video settings for VGA and HD capture, and a non-included HDMI cable for HD output to your TV, overall this one’s a winner..”
Rating:
CameraLabs – 17 March’08 – reviews the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5 and thinks it’s a leader in its class. Here’s a summary of their review -
“Given its compact size and whopping 10x zoom lens this is the perfect travel camera. About the only negative marks against the TZ5 is the lack of manual control and higher ISO performance issues. With cool features like Face and Scene detection, plus a new Intelligent Exposure facility which is Panasonic’s answer to dynamic range optimization the TZ5 is at the head of travel camera class.”
Rating:
Owner Feedback
“I recommend this camera. The pictures are good, although occasionally getting the right focus takes a second try. The video capability all but eliminates the need for a separate video camera. The 10x optical zoom is a huge plus.”
User comment on Amazon.com
“The LCD screen is huge and clear. It is very user friendly and the optical image stability is great. However I miss the old fashioned view finder for outside shots in the sun.”
Portion of actual user comment on Amazon.com
“Purchased this camera after going through a survey to figure out just exactly what type of digital camera would be useful for my needs. I take casual pictures, usually on trips, and am a novice with the digital cameras. I LOVE IT!!!!”
User comment on Amazon.com
“Anyone with more experience will appreciate the simplicity of this camera and its amazing features. If I was looking for a much higher quality camera, I would expect more features and adjustment, but one would be sacrificing much quality and simplicity which most consumers are looking for in this range.”
Portion of actual user comment on Amazon.com
“This has been a superb camera for all of my adventures. It is small enough to take camping, and on long range vacations.”
User comment on Amazon.com
Sample Photos
[Sample Photos at PhotographyReview]
[Sample Photos at DPInterface]
[Sample Photos at TrustedReviews]
[Sample Photos at DigicamReview]
[Sample Photos at CNET]
[Sample Photos at LetsGoDigital]
[Sample Photos at PhotographyBlog]
[Sample Photos at DCResource]
[Sample Photos at Cameras.co.uk]
[Sample Photos at DPReview]
[Sample Test Photos at Photoxels]
[Sample Test Photos at CameraLabs]
Specifications
[Official Panasonic Specifications]
Press Excerpt
Panasonic is pleased to introduce two new Lumix digital cameras, the 9.1-megapixel DMC-TZ5 and 8.1-megapixel DMC-TZ4, each featuring a 28mm wide-angle 10x optical zoom Leica DC lens (equivalent to 28-280mm on a 35mm film camera). The 28mm wide angle lens can capture the subject or scene wider at the same standpoint than a normal 35mm camera, zooming in or out with the 10x powerful optical zoom.
The DMC-TZ5 and DMC-TZ4 are the latest members of the Lumix TZ family, which is renowned for packaging a remarkable 28mm wide angle 10x optical zoom lens in a compact body. The new DMC-TZ5 newly integrates recording capabilities for 720p HD (high-definition) motion pictures, together with its direct output function as a stills camera, allowing users to enjoy watching both still and motion images in impressive HD quality on a large-screen HDTV via an optional component cable.*
The DMC-TZ5 and DMC-TZ4 boast Intelligent LCD function, which detects lighting conditions and controls brightness levels of the LCD in 11 steps, to offer a display with the clearest image in any situation with newly developed 460,000-dot high resolution in 3.0-inch (TZ5) and 230,000-dot in 2.5-inch (TZ4).
Current Price Info At Amazon.com
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
Will the TZ5 magnify your shots in the review mode and if so, how many times?