This review is from: Panasonic DMC-TZ30EB-K Compact Camera – Black (14.1MP, 20x Optical Zoom) 3 inch LCD (Electronics)
The TZ30 (or ZS20 in the US) is Panasonic’s new top of the range point and shoot travel camera. Since the release of the TZ20 competition in the sector has hotted up considerably with offerings from Canon (SX 260HS), Sony (DSC-HX30V), Nikon (Coolpix S9100) and Fuji (F770EXR) all competing with the TZ30 for a slice of the market. The “ball park” price of all these cameras is around the £300 mark.
The TZ30 packs a huge 20x optical zoom together with GPS into a genuinely pocketable package. The 14. 1 Mega pixel sensor has been redesigned to give better low light performance and is supported by a very effective anti-shake system. To me the pictures are noticeably better than the TZ20 which we also own. I can best summarise the pros and cons of this camera as follows;
Pros – The build and pocketable size combine to produce a stylish package – because of these factors this is the camera you are most likely to have on you for that once in lifetime shot. – Huge 20x zoom with effective stabilisation plus further usable digital zoom. – Pictures are pretty good most of the time (but see below) and certainly better than the TZ20. – GPS works well plus there is a mapping DVD provided with a database of over 1 million landmarks across the world – you load the region you are using the camera in and it saves the data to the SD card. – Good burst mode and fast autofocus with tracking mode. – 1080p video is very good with a wide range of formats to choose from. – Clear touch screen display. – Lots of scene modes plus, creative controls, panorama and a 3D facility. – Seems to cope well with backlit subjects. – Battery life quite good for a small camera unless you use GPS a lot.
Cons – Pictures are not noise free and follow the inevitable pattern of the higher the ISO the noisier the shot (but show me a truly pocketable camera where this isn’t the case). – GPS runs the battery life down very quickly, especially, as it remains on when the camera is off unless you switch it off. – You can’t input text via the touch screen plus, although ok, it is not as HD as some other brands – the Sony has twice as many pixels. – No raw mode, and, in IA mode the camera decides on picture quality for you. – Prone to red eye (like all small cameras where the flash and lens are close together) but there isn’t a specific camera tool to edit this (or I can’t find it).
Overall, this is an impressive camera, and, the “cons” are, in effect, limitations that all of the competitors suffer from too. In essence, it produces good results, is versatile, and, of course, there’s that huge zoom crammed into a tiny package which really does get you close to the action. Although still new, I like this camera and it’s growing on me, plus, it’s small enough to keep in my pocket. Good things can come in small packages. Recommended.
PS. Although the description of box contents on this page suggests the camera comes with a stylus for the touch screen it does not. Also, if you are looking for a “minimalist” pocket case try the Lowepro Seville 20.
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This review is from: Panasonic DMC-TZ30EB-K Compact Camera – Black (14.1MP, 20x Optical Zoom) 3 inch LCD (Electronics)
I wanted an alternative to my heavy SLR kit. Although a I had a lot of options to buy, I wanted a good quality “pocket” camera for holiday. RAW setting was not in my spec. This model can be used in semi, auto or with manual settings. Without a doubt, the greatest feature of the TZ30 is its Leica DC lens. The IS lens offers a 20x optical zoom, covering a range from an ultra-wide 24mm and zooming in to 480mm at the telephoto end (in 35mm equivalent terms). The lens is supported by Power O.I.S. to help keep images blur-free. The large 14 megapixel MOS sensor and the Intelligent Noise Reduction system in the Venus Engine ensures both photos and Full HD videos are clear with minimal noise, even at dusk. The GPS functionality allows you to automatically record your location when taking a picture and view the map and associated photos directly on the camera. It can be swithced off if required. This helps with battery power, although I have a spare battery “just in case”. Thanks to the fast continuous shooting of 10fps and light speed AF of 0.1 seconds, I was able to catch even the most fleeting of photo opportunities. The image quality is outstanding, even in low light conditions. I can thoroughly recommend this camera. The TZ30 is the perfect travelling companion.
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This review is from: Panasonic DMC-TZ30EB-K Compact Camera – Black (14.1MP, 20x Optical Zoom) 3 inch LCD (Electronics)
I wanted to write this review once I’d had a chance to become acquainted with my new camera, Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ30. I moved to using dSLR’s a few years ago and own a Canon EOS 550D which incidentally is a great camera. After using the TZ30 for little over a week since purchase, I am happy to report I think it is a fantastic little camera, packed with loads of features, and I really, really like it. Let me say first of all, in my opinion it is unfair to compare the TZ30 like for like with a dSLR that would be ridiculous. But the TZ30 can be described as an ultra compact zoom camera with built-in GPS mapping capability.
Panasonic have done a brilliant job bringing this camera to market although at a retail price of around £274 some think it is too expensive. On the other hand, performance is very good indeed and I must declare the 24mm wide angle Leica lens certainly helps to explain why I’ve been so impressed with the camera’s performance creating some first class photographs. Unfortunately you cannot shoot in RAW format, only JPEG standards are possible. Nevertheless, if I wanted to shoot in RAW format I’d probably use my Canon dSLR anyway.
Camera zoom functionality is very good with optical at 20x boosted by intelligent digital zoom up to 40x. I’ve found with landscape scenes at 20x optical zoom I think this camera takes more detailed photographs than my other Canon SX30 compact at 26x zoom. I’m not sure why this is so but on the other hand underlines the quality performance of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ30.
GPS feature works very well and I’ve had no trouble to date automatically tagging photographs with GPS switched on; although would agree with other reviewers, turning the feature off means you can take extra photographs per one battery life cycle. I cottoned on to this quickly so simply bought an extra battery to double the cycle of shots when planning to exceed 180 photographs on any one filming occasion.
Image stabilization is good but for even more flexibility I have added a quick release plate to my TZ30 and utilise a Manfrotto 680B monopod which improves the handling capability for me. This works particularly well for maximum zoom shots – remember this camera is described as an ultra zoom compact so on some occasions using a monopod or tripod certainly adds to TZ30 flexibility. Truly with big hands I find using small cameras tricky however in its stand alone state even with my cumbersome hands, controls on the TZ30 respond positively and doesn’t incur a penalty in the ergonomic design stakes. In fact I am pretty pleased with myself! (Normally I don’t use a monopod it’s just on occasions when I do, maximum zoom shots have turned out to be especially good.)
This camera is a recommended buy although keep a close eye out for added discounts, such as the £35 Panasonic cash-back bonus I managed to secure. The current offer runs through until 31st July 2012.
You pay for quality these days and certainly the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ30 is definitely a top quality camera well worth buying provided it is within your budget.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Good things do come in small packages!,
The TZ30 (or ZS20 in the US) is Panasonic’s new top of the range point and shoot travel camera. Since the release of the TZ20 competition in the sector has hotted up considerably with offerings from Canon (SX 260HS), Sony (DSC-HX30V), Nikon (Coolpix S9100) and Fuji (F770EXR) all competing with the TZ30 for a slice of the market. The “ball park” price of all these cameras is around the £300 mark.
The TZ30 packs a huge 20x optical zoom together with GPS into a genuinely pocketable package. The 14. 1 Mega pixel sensor has been redesigned to give better low light performance and is supported by a very effective anti-shake system. To me the pictures are noticeably better than the TZ20 which we also own. I can best summarise the pros and cons of this camera as follows;
Pros
– The build and pocketable size combine to produce a stylish package – because of these factors this is the camera you are most likely to have on you for that once in lifetime shot.
– Huge 20x zoom with effective stabilisation plus further usable digital zoom.
– Pictures are pretty good most of the time (but see below) and certainly better than the TZ20.
– GPS works well plus there is a mapping DVD provided with a database of over 1 million landmarks across the world – you load the region you are using the camera in and it saves the data to the SD card.
– Good burst mode and fast autofocus with tracking mode.
– 1080p video is very good with a wide range of formats to choose from.
– Clear touch screen display.
– Lots of scene modes plus, creative controls, panorama and a 3D facility.
– Seems to cope well with backlit subjects.
– Battery life quite good for a small camera unless you use GPS a lot.
Cons
– Pictures are not noise free and follow the inevitable pattern of the higher the ISO the noisier the shot (but show me a truly pocketable camera where this isn’t the case).
– GPS runs the battery life down very quickly, especially, as it remains on when the camera is off unless you switch it off.
– You can’t input text via the touch screen plus, although ok, it is not as HD as some other brands – the Sony has twice as many pixels.
– No raw mode, and, in IA mode the camera decides on picture quality for you.
– Prone to red eye (like all small cameras where the flash and lens are close together) but there isn’t a specific camera tool to edit this (or I can’t find it).
Overall, this is an impressive camera, and, the “cons” are, in effect, limitations that all of the competitors suffer from too. In essence, it produces good results, is versatile, and, of course, there’s that huge zoom crammed into a tiny package which really does get you close to the action. Although still new, I like this camera and it’s growing on me, plus, it’s small enough to keep in my pocket. Good things can come in small packages. Recommended.
PS. Although the description of box contents on this page suggests the camera comes with a stylus for the touch screen it does not. Also, if you are looking for a “minimalist” pocket case try the Lowepro Seville 20.
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|Panasonic TZ30 Compact Camera,
I wanted an alternative to my heavy SLR kit. Although a I had a lot of options to buy, I wanted a good quality “pocket” camera for holiday.
RAW setting was not in my spec. This model can be used in semi, auto or with manual settings.
Without a doubt, the greatest feature of the TZ30 is its Leica DC lens. The IS lens offers a 20x optical zoom, covering a range from an ultra-wide 24mm and zooming in to 480mm at the telephoto end (in 35mm equivalent terms). The lens is supported by Power O.I.S. to help keep images blur-free. The large 14 megapixel MOS sensor and the Intelligent Noise Reduction system in the Venus Engine ensures both photos and Full HD videos are clear with minimal noise, even at dusk. The GPS functionality allows you to automatically record your location when taking a picture and view the map and associated photos directly on the camera. It can be swithced off if required. This helps with battery power, although I have a spare battery “just in case”. Thanks to the fast continuous shooting of 10fps and light speed AF of 0.1 seconds, I was able to catch even the most fleeting of photo opportunities. The image quality is outstanding, even in low light conditions. I can thoroughly recommend this camera. The TZ30 is the perfect travelling companion.
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|Very good versatile, feature packed ultra zoom – recommended,
I wanted to write this review once I’d had a chance to become acquainted with my new camera, Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ30. I moved to using dSLR’s a few years ago and own a Canon EOS 550D which incidentally is a great camera. After using the TZ30 for little over a week since purchase, I am happy to report I think it is a fantastic little camera, packed with loads of features, and I really, really like it. Let me say first of all, in my opinion it is unfair to compare the TZ30 like for like with a dSLR that would be ridiculous. But the TZ30 can be described as an ultra compact zoom camera with built-in GPS mapping capability.
Panasonic have done a brilliant job bringing this camera to market although at a retail price of around £274 some think it is too expensive. On the other hand, performance is very good indeed and I must declare the 24mm wide angle Leica lens certainly helps to explain why I’ve been so impressed with the camera’s performance creating some first class photographs. Unfortunately you cannot shoot in RAW format, only JPEG standards are possible. Nevertheless, if I wanted to shoot in RAW format I’d probably use my Canon dSLR anyway.
Camera zoom functionality is very good with optical at 20x boosted by intelligent digital zoom up to 40x. I’ve found with landscape scenes at 20x optical zoom I think this camera takes more detailed photographs than my other Canon SX30 compact at 26x zoom. I’m not sure why this is so but on the other hand underlines the quality performance of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ30.
GPS feature works very well and I’ve had no trouble to date automatically tagging photographs with GPS switched on; although would agree with other reviewers, turning the feature off means you can take extra photographs per one battery life cycle. I cottoned on to this quickly so simply bought an extra battery to double the cycle of shots when planning to exceed 180 photographs on any one filming occasion.
Image stabilization is good but for even more flexibility I have added a quick release plate to my TZ30 and utilise a Manfrotto 680B monopod which improves the handling capability for me. This works particularly well for maximum zoom shots – remember this camera is described as an ultra zoom compact so on some occasions using a monopod or tripod certainly adds to TZ30 flexibility. Truly with big hands I find using small cameras tricky however in its stand alone state even with my cumbersome hands, controls on the TZ30 respond positively and doesn’t incur a penalty in the ergonomic design stakes. In fact I am pretty pleased with myself! (Normally I don’t use a monopod it’s just on occasions when I do, maximum zoom shots have turned out to be especially good.)
This camera is a recommended buy although keep a close eye out for added discounts, such as the £35 Panasonic cash-back bonus I managed to secure. The current offer runs through until 31st July 2012.
You pay for quality these days and certainly the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ30 is definitely a top quality camera well worth buying provided it is within your budget.
Was this review helpful to you?
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