Following the very popular Panasonic TZ3, the new Lumix TZ5 does not profoundly change the concept of the long range compact. It still has the excellent 10x zoom, appreciable compactness, adds a large 3 inch screen with good definition and a high definition video mode.  Here is a detailed look at this highly versatile compact.

Handling

The TZ5 is still very compact (the same dimensions as the TZ3) and features equally serious construction.  We appreciated the 3 inch LCD (7.62 cm diagonal) with a definition of 460,000 pixels (a first) and very fluid display.  The screen is definitively too glossy for use in full sun despite the various settings offered to improve visibility.  The LCD screen takes up a large part of the back of the camera also enabling the display of up to 2 images at a time.  Moreover, it’s in play mode that the screen’s excellent definition is the most impressive. 

Ergonomics have slightly evolved.  On top of the TZ5 you will find a selection dial for exposure modes, which has been reduced to the bare minimum as there are only four: Auto Intelligent, auto, scene 1, 2 and video.  Unfortunately, there are still no priority modes to shoot more creative images.  The play control has been judiciously moved to a sliding button and you will find the excellent Q.Menu button with which it is possible to quickly modify the main shooting parameters. 

Concerning speed, there is room for improvement.  Startup takes more than 1.6 seconds, while the time between two photos is 2 seconds, a disappointing score even if there has been some progress since the TZ3.  The TZ5 offers a wide angle (28 mm) in three formats: 16/9, 4/3 and 3/2, but unfortunately it opens to 3.3 instead of 2.8 in wide angle.   On the other hand, the zoom is relatively fast.  Finally, in burst mode we obtained 3 i/s over 3 images.  In unlimited burst, the speed is seriously reduced.  The first shots are rapid at 2.5 i/s and then the camera slows down.  Over twenty photos we only measured 1.8 i/s.

Quality of images

Overall, the 10 million pixel sensor produces nice images; however, we did notice the presence of purple fringes although they are quite harmless even with A4 prints.  Generally speaking, the Venus Engine (image processor) corrects the main defects of chromatic aberrations and purple fringes very well.  The lens is still of high quality (probably identical to the one which equips the TZ3) with very low distortion (in both wide angle and telephoto) while vignetting is absent.  White balance produces accurate colors with a slight red dominance under tungsten lighting.  Optical stabilization enabled obtaining sharp photos of our test Barbie at 400 ISO and 1/5 s.  As for the flash, it was well controlled and automation (auto intelligent mode) functioned well.  Exposure is often correct and the intelligent exposure mode sometimes improves rendering depending on the situation.  There has been real progress in noise control and while slight granulation is noticeable starting at 10 ISO (the image at 100% on your computer screen), it’s unnoticeable on A4 prints up to 200 ISO.  At 400 ISO, granulation is visible but smoothing gives it a rather uniform aspect.  At 100 ISO on an A4 print, rendering is very nice with a good level of detail and rather marked accentuation.  In 1600 ISO, noise is very present; however, photos are still usable.  As for face detection, it can sometimes be fickle.  For this technology the Panasonic model is behind Fujifilm products.

There was one small disappointment concerning the macro mode because it doesn’t go under 5 cm.  On the other hand, video has noticeably evolved and you can now record your movies in 1280 x 720 pixels and 30 i/s. Quality is remarkable but we are below the capabilities of a Full HD camcorder (notably Panasonic models) while sound is still very ‘’metallic’’.  One last important point is that it is possible to zoom while recording video.  Well done Panasonic!

And the competition?

They are starting to react to the Panasonic TZ5.  We are impatiently awaiting the new Ricoh R8 (28-200 mm) while there are other cameras that may serve as potential challengers such as the Canon SX100 (with its manual modes but no wide angle) or the small Sony bridge, the H10 (10x zoom but no wide angle).  However, few cameras seem to be a real threat.