Panasonic TZ7 vs Panasonic TZ10

Franck Mée
Updated: June 15, 2010

On the left, the Panasonic Lumix TZ7 is the undisputed star of 2009's superzoom compact cameras. It has a 25-300 mm zoom lens, a 10-Megapixel sensor and records 720p HD video.	\| \| \| \| \| \|	On the right, the Panasonic Lumix TZ10 is set to be the TZ7's replacement. It has the same 25-300 mm zoom lens and 720p HD video function, but has a 12-Megapixel sensor and an integrated GPS receiver.
Prices unavailable Recommended alternatives Editor's Choice Canon PowerShot SX260 HS Battery Life and Video Sony Cyber-shot HX20V Quality Budget Snapper Canon Ixus 220 HS	\| \| \| \| \| \| \|	Prices unavailable Recommended alternatives Editor's Choice Canon PowerShot SX260 HS Battery Life and Video Sony Cyber-shot HX20V Quality Budget Snapper Canon Ixus 220 HS
1/2.3" 12 Megapixel CCD sensor (used: 1/2.5", 10 Megapixels )	\|	1/2.3" 14-Megapixel CCD sensor (used: 1/2.5", 12 Megapixels)
25-300 mm f/3.3-4.9	\|	25-300 mm f/3.3-4.9
Mega O.I.S. stabilisation	\|	Power O.I.S. stabilisation
720p HD video, AVCHD Lite	\|	720p HD video, AVCHD Lite
3-inch screen with 460,000 points	\|	3-inch screen with 460,000 points
Automatic exposure	\|	Automatic exposure + ASM
103 x 60 x 33 mm, 230 g	\|	103 x 60 x 33 mm, 220 g, GPS

THE BACKGROUND

The TZ7 was the superzoom compact of 2009. It was the first compact camera to zoom up to 12x, and to be designed as much for taking photos as for recording videos, thanks to its separate video record button, stereo sound, AVCHD format and multi-aspect sensor for switching to 16:9 mode without sacrificing the field of view.

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The TZ10 is designed to replace the TZ7. It has the same lens and the same video functions, but gains two Megapixels, as well as a new and supposedly more effective stabilisation system. The only real new feature in this model, however, is a GPS receiver for geotagging photos.

As the TZ7 is now a year old, its price has come down a fair bit since 2009, but even though it's last year's model it's by no means out-dated. Its sensor certainly still meets current market standards, and the replacement model only has a few new features. Save a few quid on last year's star model or pick up the latest release from spring 2010? It's your call.

HARDWARE & HANDLING: A WIN FOR THE TZ10

Simplicity: Panasonic's compacts have a fairly simple design and layout, especially since the appearance of the iA mode—the intelligent auto feature that selects the right settings for the scene in hand. There are buttons for the main settings (flash, self-timer etc.), a quick menu for day-to-day settings (picture resolution etc.) and a general menu for other settings (sounds etc.). Thanks to the separate video record button, you can easily switch between filming and taking photos without having to change the mode on the control wheel, which you'll probably leave in iA mode most of the time. The menus are clear and easy to understand.

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Controls: if it ain't broke don't fix it! The TZ10 has only one more button than the TZ7, for access to the exposure settings. It's intended for use with the new A, S and M modes on the control wheel to prioritise aperture, shutter speed or manual exposure. Fans have been requesting these settings for some time, so they'll be sure to delight more advanced users. Aside from these new extra modes, the TZ10 is almost identical in design and handling to the TZ7, with the same iA mode and the same video record button.

PERFORMANCE: THE TZ7 WINS

Start-up times: the TZ7 is ready to use in under two seconds from the moment you press the on/off button. The TZ10 takes half a second longer.

Photo-to-photo times: as with many recent digital cameras, the TZ10 does pay the price for its high resolution. With 20% more pixels, you'll have to wait exactly 20% longer for it to turn itself around between two photos. In practice, the difference isn't huge, but demanding users should still take note.

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Autofocus: Both cameras have exactly the same autofocus performances. The TZ7 was credited with being one of the fastest superzooms around, and the TZ10 maintains this speed, with autofocusing taking less than a second in all kinds of conditions.

Stabilisation: the TZ10's switch from Mega O.I.S. (one of the best stabilisation systems for compact cameras) to Power O.I.S. doesn't seem to have had any real impact. In portrait shots, both the TZ7 and the TZ10 take sharp photos at 1/4 sec.

PICTURE QUALITY: DRAW

Identical technology: the TZ10 and the TZ7 have exactly the same lens. This lens has always proved more than capable of handling the 25-300 mm optical zoom, even when it's maxed out. Note, however, that in wide-angle shots, the edges aren't quite as well defined. Panasonic uses the Venus Engine processor to correct optical faults in this lens (distortion, coloured fringes etc.), and the combination of the two leads to pictures that are sharply defined and pretty much flawless.

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Different sensors: the TZ10 has a new sensor and a new image processor. These mark a new approach to noise management for Panasonic too. In the TZ7, some granularity was visible with 200 ISO shots blown up to full size, and 800 ISO images have a fair bit of noise in spite of their overall accuracy. In the TZ10, smoothing does keep the noise in check but some finer detail is lost as a result. In other words, neither camera is really better than the other, it's up to you to choose which approach to digital noise you prefer.

VIDEO: DRAW

The TZ7 shook up the world of compact cameras with its camcorder-style video mode. It records in 720p HD in the AVCHD format, with high-quality microphones for stereo sound and a multi-aspect sensor to help you get the best out of the wide field of view. Zoom motorisation is also slowed down for super-smooth shooting.

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The TZ10 has exactly the same video mode as the TZ7. It therefore has all the same great features, except that it's no longer unique in the market. Sony in particular has been turning its attention to video, with some new Full HD compacts now available. So if video is important to you, just bear in mind that other manufacturers can now do as well or better than Panasonic.

GPS: A PLUS OR A MINUS FOR THE TZ10?

Battery life: the TZ7 can take around 300 photos per full battery charge. This is exactly the same for the TZ10 ... so long as you remember to deactivate the GPS receiver chip, which eats into the battery life considerably.

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Geotagging: with its GPS receiver, the TZ10 can remember where photos have been taken. This function does, however, somewhat guzzle up the battery power. It isn't really that effective either, as in the city centre we often had to wait several minutes for the GPS to find its location.

VERDICT: TZ10 FOR EXPERTS, TZ7 FOR A BUDGET BUY

In June 2010, the difference in price of around £50 doesn't necessarily make the TZ10 such a great deal. Not everyone will make use of its new features and the TZ7 still takes great pictures and videos, even by 2010's standards. On the whole then, the TZ7 is not out of the race yet and is still very much worth the investment.

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For anyone looking to geotag photos (all be it with the relatively limited GPS function) or to manage exposure settings manually, the TZ10 is undoubtedly the better choice, and it's also one of the best superzoom compacts released so far in 2010.

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