Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5A 9.1MP Digital Camera (Blue)

I bought this camera after playing with an older version and I have been using this little gem a lot for over 2 years. I compared and researched a lot and the promises were high enough to warrant buying it.

Performance: The pictures are really good and the ISO settings allow a lot of flexibility. The video is 720P and seems to have no limit on how long you can shoot. It plays really smooth and the sound is really good as long as you remember to keep your left index finger off the mic. You can even zoom in and out while you are shooting but the focus can sometimes go in and out rarely. I put in a 16GB card and it will use all of it no sweat so I have no idea what the memory size limit is.

I purchased an extra battery and they perform pretty well. The camera comes with a recharger and battery that easily pop in and out. Everything seems to be very well built including the standard tripod mount. I am currently upgrading to a professional level camera but I will never part with this reliable compact gem.

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I really love this camera! It's focus is bright and clear, it moves from zoom-in to wide-angle effortlessly and also quietly, it's nice and lightweight. It's very versatile, with many features I haven't had a chance to explore yet.

Great zoom, great lcd screen, better than average video, and impressive pictures, but noticeably noisy images even when well exposed at low-iso settings. This camera captures gorgeous colors and contrast, but close inspection of the images reveals them to be strangely pointilist, lacking smooth color gradations. I've found Canon digicams to do a better job at capturing clean, sharp images, but it's very hard to deny the usefulness of this long zoom range and huge lcd screen. The video it shoots is unquestionably *larger* in sheer scale than the usual video output of a point-and-shoot, but it's a far cry from true HD image quality: very grainy, desaturated, aliased, and stuttery - good for impromptu documenting, but not for capturing lasting memories.

Overall, though, I have to admit my criticisms are nitpicky - this camera produces great shots right out of the box, is the perfect size, and has powerful technical capabilities.

I wanted a camera that I could keep in my purse for all occasions and I have not been disappointed. I have a Nikon D70s and it takes great photos but is not really portable and not right for all occasions, the Lumix is. I had the TZ3 and my mom loved it so I gave it to her and got the TZ5. I have used it for all different occasions; children's candid photos, vacation photos, birthday party, etc. I have for the most part gotten good to excellent pictures. You have to find the right setting for indoor lighthting but once you do you will not have a problem. Just take some practice shots to learn what setting to put it on and you will have great photos. I have had this camera for a year or so and have had no issues with reliability. While on vacation to Sanibel Island this summer the shutter did not want to close due to the salt air (and it got splashed a couple of times as well). I left it in the room for one afternoon and just let it dry out completely and did not have a problem after that. The battery life for me has been great. I only charge it occasionally and it has always been ready when I wanted to take a photo. The video also work great for a compact camera I have gotten some good video as well. If you want a small portable camera for all occasions by all means get this one!

It came quickly. The reason why I bought this camera is because of its giant screen and its lens. It has a Zeiss Leica lens which means it's top quality. Takes very clear pictures, and gives me a lot of options. I'm a photography student, though, so I wouldn't recommend this camera to someone who knows nothing about cameras/just wants a point-and-shoot.

Takes quality photographs.