Product Description

The DMC-TZ3 has been given a more luxurious touch with its stylish design and metallic, stainless steel exterior. The DMC-TZ3 features a 28mm wide-angle 10x optical zoom Leica DC lens (equivalent to a 28mm-280mm zoom on a 35mm film camera) in an ultra-compact body. With the high-power 10x optical zoom, you can get clear and beautiful shots even when you can't get close to your subject. The 28mm wide-angle lens lets you easily capture large groups of people indoor or expansive architectural structures and scenes. The 10x optical zoom lets you easily capture and magnify distant subjects. 3.0-inch Polycrystalline TFT LCD (230 K Pixels) Field of View - 100% Power LCD Mode, High Angle Mode ISO Sensitivity - Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800 and 1250 (High Sensitivity Mode - 3200) Li-ion Battery Life (3.7 V, 1,000 mAh) - 270 pictures Shutter Speed - 8 - 1/2000 seconds Starry Sky Mode - 15, 30 & 60 seconds Wide Aperture - F3.3 / F8.0 (2 steps) Tele Aperture - F4.9 / F11 (2 steps) Self-Timer - 2 & 10 seconds Scene Mode - Portrait, Soft Skin, Scenery, Sports, Night Portrait, Night Scenery, Self-portrait, Food, Party, Candle, Fireworks, Starry Sky, Beach, Aerial Photo, Snow, High Sensitivity, Baby1, Baby2, Underwater, Sunset and Pet Dimensions - Width 4.20 x Height 2.37 x Depth 1.47 inch (105.0 x 59.2 x 36.7 mm) Weight - 257 grams with Battery and SD Memory Card (0.57 pounds)

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1580 in Camera & Photo
• Color: Silver
• Brand: Panasonic
• Model: DMC-TZ3-S
• Released on: 2007-03-20
• Dimensions: 2.33" h x 1.44" w x 4.13" l, .51 pounds
• Memory: 12.7MB
• Display size: 3

Features

• 7.2-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 15 x 20-inch prints
• 10x image-stabilized optical zoom; 3.0-inch LCD display
• Intelligent ISO Control (I.I.C.) reduces image blur from subject movement and low light
• Records full-size movies in wide-aspect VGA (848 x 480) at 30 frames per second
• Stores images on SD/SDHC/MMC memory cards

Manufacturer Description

The DMC-TZ3 boasts 7.2 megapixels and a large, 3.0-inch LCD, and goes a step beyond their predecessor by featuring a 28mm wide-angle Leica DC Vario-Elmar lens. While the 10x zoom lets you take close-up shots even when you cannot move closer to your subject, the wide-angle lens is helpful in situations where you cannot step back or move away from the subject. With the TZ3, you can capture portraits of people with expansive scenery or large structures in the background, and you can zoom in or out to magnify a distant subject when desired. Able to shoot from 28mm at the wide end to 280mm telephoto, this fit-in-your-pocket camera is fully equipped for any photo shooting situations you are likely to encounter on a journey. The TZ3 also incorporate the Intelligent Image Stabilization system, which comprises two features, Mega O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) and Intelligent ISO Control, that together make it easy to capture beautiful photos every time you shoot. Mega O.I.S. compensates for the effects of hand-shake, making it possible to capture clear, crisp photos indoors, at night, or when taking macro close-ups or using high-powered zooming -- situations in which hand-shake is most likely to be a problem. Even Mega O.I.S., however, cannot suppress the motion blur caused by a subject moving as the photo is being snapped. That's where Intelligent ISO Control comes in. In this system, the camera's Venus Engine III image-processing engine detects whether the subject is moving and, as necessary, raises the ISO setting and shutter speed according to how fast the subject is moving and the light conditions. This happens automatically, so you can shoot without the bother of adjusting settings every time conditions change. Lumix and its powerful Intelligent Image Stabilization system do all the work for you. You enjoy easy, trouble-free shooting in any situation and get the satisfaction that comes with capturing clear, beautiful images.

Panasonic's Extended Optical Zoom function provides additional magnification to 15x when taking photos with 3-megapixel resolution. Also, the multi-aspect-capable CCD provides a larger recording area than ordinary 7.2-megapixel cameras, making it possible to capture images from 28mm to 280mm with any of three aspect ratios -- 4:3, 3:2 or 16:9.

Other features that improve usability and convenience include a Clipboard function that holds information, several new scene modes, and a Direct Print feature that allows quick, easy printouts. Also, the lens cap is now built into the camera itself and serves as an automatic protective barrier. Around 12.7 MB of built-in memory is provided, and the camera is compatible with large-capacity SDHC memory cards. Battery life has been extended, with the result that the TZ3 can take around 270 shots on a single charge (CIPA). Add these features up, and you can see why the DMC-TZ3 is perfect for capturing images you'll want to remember forever, such as the people you meet and places you visit on a trip.

DMC-TZ3 Highlights

28mm wide-angle Leica DC lens and 10x optical zoom in a compact, stylish body The 7.2-megapixel DMC-TZ3 packages a 28mm wide-angle Leica DC Vario-Elmar lens with 10x optical zoom into a stylish, compact body. Comprising 11 elements in nine groups, including an ED (extra-low dispersion) lens and three aspherical lenses, this advanced lens unit passes Leica's stringent standards and delivers an exceptional optical performance. The 28mm wide-angle lens makes it easy to fit the whole group into a photo indoors or to capture dynamic wide-perspective shots of a sweeping landscape or large architectural structure. Further, in 3-megapixel resolution mode, the Extended Optical Zoom function provides additional magnification, extending the zoom power from 10x to 15x by using the center part of the CCD. Using this feature in combination with the 4x digital zoom provides a total zoom factor of up to 60x.

Intelligent Image Stabilization: Mega O.I.S. for hand-shake, plus Intelligent ISO Control for motion blur Panasonic drew on its cutting-edge lens technology to invent Mega O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer), an optical image stabilizer that prevents blurring from shaky hands -- the leading cause of blurry images. In Panasonic's Mega O.I.S., sensors act at a frequency of 4,000 times per second to accurately detect even slight camera movement, such as from unsteady hands, and a corrective lens in the O.I.S. lens unit is shifted to compensate. With Mega O.I.S., it is easier than ever to capture clear, sharp, beautiful images when shooting telephoto shots, indoor portraits, illuminated night scenes or even the scenery you see from a train window.

While hand-shake is the single biggest cause of blurry images, it is not the only one. Another problem is the motion blur that can occur when a subject moves as the shot is being snapped. Incorporating Panasonic's Intelligent ISO Control, Lumix cameras are the first in the world to fight motion blur. This system detects whether or not the subject is moving. If it is, the system automatically raises the ISO setting accordingly, allowing the camera to shoot at a higher shutter speed. If the subject is not moving, the camera shoots at a low ISO setting and captures beautiful, natural-looking images. Intelligent ISO Control is included as one of the corrections in certain scene modes used to shoot subjects that are often moving, such as Sports, Baby and the newly added Pet mode. Simply select the mode that best suits the subject, and Intelligent ISO Control provides the optimal corrections, making it easy to capture crisp, clear photos.

With Intelligent Image Stabilization -- Mega O.I.S. to compensate for hand-shake plus Intelligent ISO Control to prevent motion blur -- Panasonic has taken image stabilization a leap forward and equipped the new Lumix TZ3 with the industry's most advanced countermeasures against blurring.

High-quality, high-performance image-processing LSI: Venus Engine III The TZ3 features the Venus Engine III, Panasonic's advanced image-processing engine that can record at a sensitivity setting as high as ISO 1250 with full resolution. Noise reduction is also greatly improved, with picture noise removed in stages during image processing. First, critical noise is roughly undraped and chromatic noise and luminance noise are separated. The chromatic noise, which has a greater effect on picture quality, is then selectively suppressed to a substantial degree.

With its multi-task image-processing capability, the Venus Engine III also boasts outstanding response time. Shutter release time lag is as short as 0.006 second and the shutter interval is as short as 0.5 second. This fast response makes it easy to capture sudden, spur-of-the-moment shots. In burst shooting mode, the TZ3 can fire off three shots per second at full resolution. Both models also allow unlimited consecutive shooting -- you can continue snapping shots until the SDHC/SD memory card is full. Thanks to the energy-efficient Venus Engine III imaging engine, the TZ3 offers a long battery life despite its large, bright LCD. The TZ3 can also take around 270 shots (CIPA) on a single battery charge.

Capture up to 3 frames per second in burst mode

28mm wide-angle with multiple aspect ratios Conventional cameras generally use almost the entire CCD area when recording an image, and the angle of view may be altered regardless of the photographer's intention. The TZ3, however, incorporates a 1/2.35-inch CCD with a total of 8.50 megapixels. This CCD, which is larger than those in conventional 7-megapixel class cameras, can reproduce images shot with the lens set from 28mm to 280mm in any of three aspect ratios -- 4:3, 3:2 or 16:9 -- so you can always capture dynamic, richly expressive shots with a wide perspective.

Large 3.0-inch LCD with advanced features for easy shooting and playback The TZ3 boasts a large, easy-to-see 3.0-inch LCD with outstanding 230,000-pixel resolution. Taking advantage of its big screen and high resolution, the TZ3 provides a dual image playback feature that lets you display two images at the same time, one above the other, and compare them. Also, to make image playback more entertaining, the TZ3 offers an amusing new Slide Change Effect feature in place of the monotonous frame-by-frame advance.

Dual image playback displays two images at once

Also, the pixel-mixed readout method used by the CCD automatically increases the brightness of the live image on the LCD, making it much easier to shoot in low lighting. Thanks to the Power LCD function, which boosts the LCD backlighting by 40 percent, even shooting outdoors in bright sunshine is no longer a problem. The High Angle mode, which can be accessed quickly and easily via a dedicated button, makes the LCD screen extremely easy to view when the camera is held high, such as to shoot over a crowd.

Record clear, bright, wide-aspect VGA motion images -- ideal for widescreen viewing In addition to recording standard VGA (640 x 480) motion images at 30 frames per second, the TZ3 can record stunning wide-aspect VGA (848 x 480) motion images at 30 frames per second. These 16:9 motion images look extremely impressive on a wide-screen TV. The pixel-mixed readout method used by the CCD enhances image brightness, so the pictures you see are clear, bright and beautiful.

The TZ3 also offers an exceptional function that lets you select and display thumbnails of nine sequential frames from a motion image. This would be useful, for example, to analyze the way you swing a golf club or tennis racquet.

A variety of features for the perfect travel companion In addition to outstanding basic specifications, a host of traveller-friendly functions make the TZ3 the ideal travel companion. The camera body has been reduced in size to be more stylish and compact, and the lens cap is now incorporated into the body as a built-in automatic lens barrier.

The TZ3 also offers a new Clipboard function that lets you use the camera to hold and retrieve useful information on a trip. For example, you can quickly and easily take shots of a map or train schedule, and view them when needed. A wide variety of scene modes, including the new Pet and Sunset modes, also make it easy to get beautiful photos in a range of photographic situations. When used with the optional marine case housing, Underwater mode allows underwater shooting with optimal automatic settings that capture subjects and the surrounding water in beautifully natural colors.

Other great travelling features include the Travel Date Setting, which, once you have preset the date of your departure, records and displays the images in chronological order of your trip, and the World Time Setting, which lets you set the times and dates for 74 locations around the world.

The fun continues even when the shooting is done With the TZ3, the enjoyment of photography doesn't end when you're done shooting for the day. One additional function that broadens the fun of photography is Direct Print mode. To select it, simply turn the mode dial on the camera top. Then use a USB cable to connect the camera to a Pictbridge-compatible printer, and you're ready to print beautiful photos. Print all the images you shot or only your favorites, and make one copy or multiple copies as you wish. When you turn the mode dial, the mode selected is indicated on the LCD. This lets you change the mode to recording, playback or direct printing without taking your eyes off the subject.

Also interesting is the new Date Stamp function. In addition to showing the date a photo was taken, the TZ3 can show on which day of the trip a photo was taken. They can also stamp your baby's age in months on a photo, after you've taken the shots. These dates, which can be helpful when making a photo album, can be stamped on photos whether you print them yourself at home or have a photo shop do them.

Customer Reviews

Like it.
This camera is a great point and shoot. It replaced a camera purchased from somewhere else and returned due to no battery life. This has great battery life and takes fantastic pictures. I'm a little challenged with all the settings... but.. that's my fault and the reason for the 4 star rating instead of 5.

Perfect point and shoot...
This camera is really fantastic. I have owned a Sony point and shoot and an Olympus. The Sony was horrible and after a year I decided to buy a new camera and found this one.

This camera is incredibly advanced for such a small package. You can use it without ever fiddling with a setting and get great results. It also has some great advanced features if you like to play around with things like exposure compensation or ISO there is that option as well. You can adjust the color (cool, warm, natural, etc), the shutter speed, and the ISO sensitivity. There is a great continuous auto focus for moving subjects, 3 different metering modes, various focus modes (9 point, 3 point etc) and a great auto bracket mode where it will automatically take 3 pictures at 3 different exposures. There is also a continuous burst mode that allows you to take multiple pictures at 3 frames/second. Not to mention the 10X zoom is fantastic for such a small camera. The lens is also an excellent Leica 35mm film camera equivalent of 28-280mm/f3.3 to f4.9.

If you read all the reviews, you will see the negatives. It is true, at low light situations with the automatic setting it doesn't do well. You can play around with some of the adjustments and get a decent picture, but sometimes that isn't useful since by the time you make the ajustments the picture may be gone! Not to mention, if it is truly low light it can be hard to see the screen to make the necessary adjustments...

Overall I have to agree with most of the other reviewers and give this product 5 stars based on my experience with the other point and shoots I have owned.

WHAT is the name of the lens?
I rated this camera 4 stars, despite never having handled one, based upon my experience with a TZ1, which I own. I might have rated it less, based on the following problem: I LOVE my little camera, except for one thing - it lacks a viewfinder, and that is a problem with the TZ3 also. This may not seem like much, but it is, especially if you use reading glasses. Using the LCD screen alone, one needs to constantly switch back and forth between "no glasses," to see the view, and "glasses," to see the screen. This would not be such a problem if it had a viewfinder, in which case one could take photos without donning one's reading glasses! And without having to switch back and forth.

I gave it a 4 star rating because otherwise, it is outstanding! The Leica lens is superb, the amount of telephoto/wide angle range is great, and, although my TZ1 is only 5 MP, that is quite adequate for most purposes, even for 8X10 blow-ups, and 7.2 as provided in the TZ3 must eliminate most theoretical issues with resolution and sharpness.

One other issue I have is with the very extensive descriptive material on the Amazon web site. It NEVER gives the exact name of the lens, making it difficult to impossible to determine whether it is the same lens that is in my camera, or not! It sounds like the same lens, but I cannot be sure.

One other little issue is that apparently this camera is far from shockproof. I suspect, based on the info in the manual, though I haven't broken mine yet, that it is rather delicate. If it WERE at least shock resistant, it would be a whole order of magnitude more desirable, in MHO.

Anyway, if this camera, and its siblings had a viewfinder, and were a bit (maybe a lot?) tougher, I don't think there's another digital camera out there that could touch it for less than $400.