Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5S 9MP Digital Camera with 10x Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Silver)
Now you can fit sweeping landscapes into a single frame with the 28mm wide-angle setting. Pull in subjects from far away to capture even subtle facial expressions with the dynamic 280mm telephoto setting. Ideal for traveling, the DMC-TZ5 Lumix 9.1-megapixel digital camera combines a wide-ranging LEICA DC Vario-Elmar lens with a handy, compact body. The Extra Optical Zoom function also extends the zoom to as much as 16.9x, giving you even greater telephoto power. Set the TZ5 to iA mode and let the five Intelligent Auto functions team up to help prevent shooting errors. Intelligent Exposure corrects lighting differences, so images come out just the way you see them; Intelligent Scene Selector chooses the mode that best fits the situation; MEGA Optical Image Stabilization helps prevent blurring from hand-shake; Intelligent ISO Control helps prevent motion blur; and Face Detection helps produce clear portraits by optimizing the focus and exposure settings. The TZ5 can record motion images with sensational 1280 x 720 HD resolution at 30 frames per second (fps). f=4.6-46mm (35mm equiv - 28-280mm) Focal Length 3.0 Diagonal Polycrystalline TFT LCD Display (460K dots) Focusing Area Normal - Wide 50cm/Tele 200cm - infinity, Macro/Intelligent AUTO / Clipboard - Wide 5cm / Max 200cm / Tele 100cm - infinity 8 - 1/2,000 sec. Starry Sky Mode - 15, 30, 60sec. Shutter Speed Auto /100 / 200 / 400 / 800 / 1600 (High Sensitivity Mode - Auto(1600 - 6400) ) ISO 27MB Internal Memory (additional memory recommended to store more photos and video) Built-in Microphone and Speaker SD/SDHC, MultiMedia Card Slot Built-in Flash with Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced Off modes DC Input, AV Output (NTSC/PAL), HD AV Output (Component), USB Connections PictBridge Compatible Approximate Battery Life - 300 Shots (CIPA Standard) Approximate Unit Weight - 0.507 lbs
User Ratings and Reviews
5 Stars A fabulous camera
This is a fabulous camera. Fantastic zoom. Best feature is “wide angle.”
Flash is powerful, but controlled well. Best I’ve had on a small camera.
DMC-TZ5k Being replaced by a new model with even better specs.
5 Stars Easy to use for moms on the go…..
I truly enjoy using this camera!!! I am a mom on the go who loves to catch my kids “in the moment.” I am not very educated about fancy features, lighting, etc……. but I have had great luck with my pictures. I especially appreciate all the scene settings. It makes it much quicker to use and the camera knows whether or not to use the flash, based on your setting choice! I have taken many pictures of my kids running, blowing bubbles and splashing in the water; they turn out clear and vivid with no blurrs or streaks.
My only negative so far is the battery type. The battery itself works great and holds a charge for a long time; but I misplaced my charger and haven’t been able to charge the battery. I missed a picture of a bluebird in my backyard because my battery finally died. Sometimes it would be nice to be able to just throw in a couple AA batteries for a quick fix!
5 Stars Great camera for the price
This camera takes amazing shots. The clarity from image stabilization has completely changed the way I take photos, and the beautiful LCD screen displays your pictures crisply and cleanly. The zoom is amazing and the many many many modes that you can select (scenes) make this camera crazy useful.
It’s really just all around spectacular.
5 Stars Very, very impressed.
I take a ton of pictures, but I’m not a pro by any means. I wanted a good point and shoot that would get the job done right out of the box, but still give me a little flexibility with different settings in case I needed them. I read a million reviews before I settled on the TZ5, and even though I just about went crazy from reading, it really paid off.
I needed to replace my old 6.1 megapixel Kodak which was about 5 years old. It was a fantastic camera and still takes great photos, but it’s just wearing down. I was so pleased with my Kodak, I thought I would be loyal and so I focused on Kodaks. After much reading and shopping, I settled on the 12 megapixel Kodak Z1285. I got it at Wal-mart For $151. A week later I returned it and got my money back. Apparently things have gone down a bit at Kodak since I bought my last one. Side by side comparisons of my old and new Kodak photos were ridiculous. The new Kodak was awful. Inconsistent focus and shutter speed. Indoors, the flash recharge time was agonizingly slow. The HD video was nice, but more of a gimmick it seemed to me. Even my outdoor shots in bright sunlight were of poor quality, and I tried multiple settings. I just was not happy. Plain and simple.
So I continued looking, and was drawn to Canon next. I almost bought the Canon A590, but the 5+ second flash recharge time was such a drawback it was a deal-killer. I then looked at the Canon A1100, the A2000 and the SD880. I then almost got the SD880, which had great reviews and features, but honestly, once I got my hands on it, it was simply too small. This might not be a complaint for some, but I was used to my larger Kodak, and the SD880 was just too tiny with no real grip on it. Even with a wrist strap I didnt want to chance it.
Finally I got to the TZ5 through reading various other reviews, and it really seemed to have all the features I wanted. After getting it from Amazon, my first stop was my son’s baseball game. Fantastic photos with the default settings. Brilliant colors, amazing detail - I couldn’t be happier. The zoom is phenomenal and on the other end, the macro setting is equally impressive. The wide angle is something I’ve always wanted and I can’t get over how much more I can fit in the frame. It’s taken great still and action shots on the various settings, which are great for those of us who don’t really know what we’re doing. The menu is very user friendly and the layout of the buttons makes sense.
The camera is a little larger and heavier than most of the point and shoots that are coming out now, but I didn’t mind that at all. The weight just make it feel sturdy, like a real camera and not a toy. The grip is great and won’t make you think it’s going to slip out of your hand. Plenty of room for your thumb, so you don’t accidentally hit something, and the hi res LCD screen is really nice. If you’re looking for something slim to easily fit in your pants pocket, this camera is not really going to be it. Jacket pocket, yes, but in my jeans it was a bit too big.
There are plenty of features I have yet to try out, but I’m sure I’ll be impressed by them as well. A little reading of the manual will reveal a lot. I’ve aslo tried the 16:9 HD video. It was pretty nice, though the audio had a good bit of noise in it. Still great for capturing moments on video if you don’t have a designated camcorder for that.
All in all, I can’t complain about this camera. And tho the $220 price tag was a little more than I planned to spend, it’s well worth the money. The Kodak Z1285 gave me sub par photos at my son’s birthday which can’t be replaced. I wish I’d have gone with the TZ5 back then. If you’re in the under $200 range, pay the extra $20 and get this camera. You won’t regret it.
3 Stars watch the zoom
I purchased this lumex for a trip to New zealand just before the trip I used the camera to make sure I used it correctly well the zoom did not work got only 1x zoom sent it for repair came back and was able to use it Went to Africa 2nd day out zoom went again of course I could not have it repaired Thank heaven my sister had a cannon and I had to use all her photos. I am not sure I am going to repair it or get a new 10x camera not a panasonic thats for sure. I was not happy with picture quality anyway.
Filed under: Panasonic Digital Cameras