Panasonic Lumix DMC TZ5: REVIEWS, Sale: -30%

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5A 9.1MP Digital Camera REVIEWS. Save 30% Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5A 9.1MP Digital Camera

• 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

REVIEWS:
5 Stars
By J. James - I did research for about two months before deciding to purchase this camera. I was originally going to buy the TZ3 for $249.99 and the day I was going to buy it I read an article that Panasonic was going to come out with the TZ5.

I decided to wait a few weeks and read what I could regarding the quality of the new TZ5. It took a few weeks but reviews started popping up online and I was able to see the features of the new camera verses the TZ3. I decided to go ahead and spend the extra $50 dollars and purchase this camera.

Pros.
+ Small compact point and shoot with large 10x zoom
+ HD video resolution (720p capture with component cable playback)
+ Zoom while capturing video (option was not available in TZ3)
+ Ai setting makes the camera easy for beginners, just turn it on and shoot.
+ Large 3.0" LCD display screen makes reviewing pictures easy (the TZ5 also has a higher resolution screen then the TZ3)
+ 9.1 megapixel
+ Able to take pictures in different aspect ratio's 4:3, 3:2, and 16:9

Cons.
- Picture review button has changed from the TZ3 model. Now instead of easily hitting down on the 4 way directional pad you have to push a switch down to go into "review mode" to see the last picture you just took. I found this a little slower than the TZ3 and one more moving part that can break. For reference see the back of the TZ5 and notice the toggle switch from "capture to review" in the upper right hand corner.
- If the camera is not set to Ai then taking a good picture straight out of the box might not be perfect. You will want to spend a little time reading the manual and adjusting some settings to get a great photo.
- Will only us SDHC memory cards. Since I did not have a memory card this was not a problem for me, but if you are upgrading from an older camera you cannot use the old standard memory card. The new SDHC cards are faster and it is suggested that you get a high speed card (transfer rate) in order to capture HD video.
- ISO Images above 800 do have artifacts (static) in the image. This does not make the photo horrible or bad looking just noticeable if you blow up the image to a large size such as an 8x10. I knew this going in and most digital cameras have this problem, some worse.

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3 Stars
By T. Tom (SF Bay Area, CA United States) This camera has a lot of features that on paper seem quite good such had a wide range zoom lens, HD video and multiple aspect ratio picture modes. However, it's just okay, not great in it's performance. So, while it seems jam packed in features, some of these features are acceptable while others are marginal at best.

Images above ISO 200 look quite grainy and dull compared to other comparably priced point and shoot cameras I've tried such as the Canon SD870IS. Also, the audio for videos is terrible, there's no other word for it. In a silent room you can hear a hissing sound and any voices sound muddy and unclear. This is a shame because it makes the HD video (or any resolution videos) out of this camera barely usable unless you want to shoot a silent video.

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By William Garrett (Sunnyvale, CA United States)
I bought the TZ5 because I was in the market for a camera with wideangle zoom (28mm equiv or wider), good telephoto zoom, good overall photo quality, modern features, manual controls, compact size, at a competitive good price. The TZ5 excels at these criteria making me happy I bought it. My wife loves it, too. It's my 5th digital camera but only the first she's been enthusiastic about using.

The one downside is the camera's weak ergonomics. Perhaps because of the small overall size and the huge LCD on the back, there's basically no right way to hold it with just one hand. Up front, the flash is positioned very close to the grip. It's too easy to cover up accidentally with my fingers. Around back, my thumb rubs against the menu button frequently, which forces the camera out of picture-taking mode until I exit the menu. My hands are relatively small; I imagine it'd be worse for most adults. The only solution is to hold the camera gingerly, with both hands. It's a nuisance that detracts from an otherwise excellent camera. With slightly better ergonomics I'd give it an enthusiastic five stars.

Canon PowerShot SD1100IS 8MP Sale: 20%

Canon PowerShot SD1100IS 8MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom

• 8.0-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 16x 22-inch prints
• 3x optical image-stabilized zoom
• 2.5-inch PureColor LCD II monitor
• Face Detection; Motion Detection Technology automatically reduces blur
• Captures images to SD memory cards (not included)

Reviews: 5 STARS I have been using a Powershot I2 IS for the last 3 years. Very good camera with a fantastic 12X Zoom. However, I wanted a camera to carry in my pocket. So many times I just didn't feel like dragging a large camera with me to various parties or events. This camera fills the bill. I carry it everywhere. The pictures it produces are stunning. The 8MP 3X zoom produces a picture that you can crop to the point that you get almost the same picture as you would have with the 5MP 12X zoom lense (my opinion). The movie feature is wonderful too, even better than the I2 IS.

The camera feels great in your hand with a solid, quality feeling. If you have used Canon cameras before the menus are very intuitive. I would not have purchased this camera (or any camera for that matter) if it did not have the Image Stabilization feature. This is especially a must as you get older.

By the way there is an advantage to the Brown color: If you have to use the optical view finder outside, the camera itself produces minimum glare for you eye to see more clearly through the small opening. The color also makes the LCD playback pop. And as a bonus, it really gives the camera a luxury look, you have to see it in person to appreciate the color.

I recently took it to a monthly card party and everyone went wild over it. So much so that one person sat right down at the computer and ordered one! If you want a sub-compact, pocketable camera that takes great pictures, I highly recommend the Canon SD1100IS. AZ Desert Rat "movie buff"
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2 STARS
I think this camera would be a great choice for someone who is looking for a cost effective digital P&S and will be only taking photos of posing adults. The features it offered were pretty neat, I really liked the option that focused on one color and made the rest of the photo black and white. Very neat.

Now for the bad, my unit was slightly defective (I assume), all of the photos were slightly out of focus, resulting in fuzzy images. But most of the reviews of this camera rave about the picture, quality, so I assume that my camera was defective and an anomaly.

The other issue this camera had was the delay between telling the camera to take a picture (i.e. pressing the button) and the camera actually taking the photo (i.e. the image is captured). The camera had about a 1/2 second delay between the two events. This sort of delay is completely acceptable if you are taking photos of adults who know to hold their pose. But if you are taking photos of 2-year olds, forget it. All you get are the backs of little heads. I guess it is possible that the delay in my camera was a result of the auto-focus defect.

But then I went to Circuit City to compare my camera to theirs (to make sure it was defective), I noticed that the Sonys were far faster than the Canons. The DSC-W150, DSC-W170, DSC-T70, and the DSC-T77 all were noticeably faster than the Canons. All of these cameras though are more expensive than the Canon SD1100, some much more so, and they also require special Sony proprietary memory, which costs extra as well. But I must say, if you are taking photos of young children, I highly recommend that you try one of the Sonys. They are the by far the fastest cameras out there. Christopher Obert