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  • Testing / Performance

  • Physical Tour

  • Components

  • Design / Layout

  • Modes

  • Control Options

  • Image Parameters

  • Connectivity / Extras

  • Overall Impressions

  • Conclusion

  • Specs / Ratings

  • Testing / Performance
  • Physical Tour
  • Components
  • Design / Layout
  • Modes
  • Control Options
  • Image Parameters
  • Connectivity / Extras
  • Overall Impressions
  • Conclusion
  • Specs / Ratings

Testing / Performance

We test resolution by photographing an industry-standard ISO resolution chart at a variety of apertures and focal lengths, using standardized lighting and a sturdy tripod. We use Imatest software, the industry-standard analysis tool, to quantify the results. Imatest delivers its scores in line widths per picture height (lw/ph). It's a unit which doesn't vary with sensor size, so it allows us to compare the resolution of all digital cameras equally.

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Click on the image above to view the full resolution chart](https://reviewed.usatoday.com/cameras/viewer.php?picture=PanaTZ1-ResCH-LG.jpg)

The TZ1 delivered 1695 lw/ph horizontally, with 24.3 percent oversharpening, and 1444 lw/ph vertically, with 6.93 percent  oversharpening. Oversharpening is a problem – at 24.3 percent, it's bound to produce artifacts. The vertical oversharpening is more average for a compact camera. The combination of oversharpening and only fair resolution with all that processing means that the TZ1 is a mediocre performer. Our results are from an image shot at f/3.9 at 14.1mm.

**Still Life Scene
**Below is a shot of our still life scene, recorded with the Panasonic TZ1.

[

Click on the image above to view the full resolution version](https://reviewed.usatoday.com/cameras/viewer.php?picture=PanaTZ1-StillLife-LG.jpg)

Color*(8.04) *

Color is what delights and engages us in photographs. If a camera delivers bad color, almost any user will notice, and be disappointed. Camera manufacturers know this, and they design cameras to produce bright, flattering color, especially in skin tones. Our test is predicated on the idea that accurate color is the ideal to strive for, so many cameras that boost reds and pinks don't perform as well on our tests because of their design.

We shoot a GretagMacbeth color target under tungsten light to evaluate color. We analyze our shots with Imatest software, the premiere package for testing digital image quality. The GretagMacbeth chart is made up of 24 swatches of color that are similar to colors in many real-life shooting situations. If a camera can reproduce the chart accurately, it will do well in general shooting.

Imatest produces two charts: the first chart (below) is a modified version of the camera's shot of the GretagMacbeth chart, with patches of color superimposed over each square. The outside of the square shows the TZ1's color. The inner square is the ideal color, corrected for luminance. The vertical rectangle is the color as it should be reproduced.

The second Imatest chart shows a color gammut. The center of the chart shows no color at all, or zero saturation. Colors get progressively more saturated moving out from the center. Any circle that is centered over the white spot in the chart makes a standard color wheel. Imatest plots the GretagMacbeth colors on the gamut chart. The Ideal colors are shown as small squares, and the camera's actual colors are shown as larger circles. The white, gray and black patches all belong in the middle of the chart, because they shouldn't have any color saturation. For the other colors, the distance between the square and circle shows the amount of color error. If the circle is farther from the center than the square, the color is oversaturated. If it's clockwise or counter-clockwise from the square, its hue is inaccurate.

The TZ1 delivered an image with 112.5 percent saturation and 7.85 mean color error. The oversaturation is concentrated in the reds and some blues. Some of the greens are undersaturated, and show the strongest color error. We would rather see saturation under 110 percent in compact cameras – many pro-level cameras are within a couple percentage points of perfect. A color error of 7.85 is a bit higher than we'd like to see as well – something under 7.0 would rate very well.

Noise – Manual ISO*(9.12) *

Again, we use Imatest software to analyze shots of a GretagMacbeth color chart to evaluate noise performance.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC TZ1is a little noisier than average at its low ISO settings of 80 and 100, but its scores at 400 and 800 are better than typical for compact cameras. They're higher than the 80 and 100 score, but they don't double or triple as many cameras' scores do.

Noise – Auto ISO*(3.24) *

With the TZ1's ISO set to auto, the camera produced noise that roughly equates to the camera’s ISO 200 setting. Because we shoot the chart in a very brightly-lit studio, it should really choose the lowest ISO setting.

**Low Light ***(4.0)*

The Panasonic TZ1 is too automatic to perform well in low light. The user can't set the shutter speed, and the auto ISO system often chose the lowest ISO setting when it should have gone for 400 or 800. Even though the TZ1 has Panasonic's excellent image stabilization system, it set such long shutter speeds in low light that users will need a tripod and a stationary subject in low light.

Speed / Timing
Start-up to First Shot (8.38)

The Panasonic TZ1 springs to life relatively quickly. From the moment we switched it on until it captured an image the clock ticked in at 1.62 seconds. That's quick for a compact camera, though it would be best to keep the camera on during events in which a spontaneous shot might come up.

Shot to Shot Time (9.82)
Shot to shot times refer to the speed at which cameras can take multiple shots. The TZ1 has 3 burst modes for multiple shots. High takes 3 shots in less than a second, for a rate of 4.2 frames per second. Low takes 3 frames in a second. Neither High mode nor Low mode can take more than 3 shots at a clip. "Infinite" mode takes a shot every 1.2 seconds; it keeps on plugging as long as the shutter is pressed and there is room in memory. The TZ1's speeds are quick at both the High and Low settings, but 3 shots in less than a second makes for an awfully skimpy burst.     

 

 

 

 

 

Shutter to Shot Time*(8.46)*

All cameras take a moment to respond when their shutters are pushed – the picture gets taken slightly after the user presses the button. With the Lumix TZ1 , the delay averaged 0.27 seconds in our test. That's better than average for compact cameras, a category that includes cameras with more than twice as much delay. However, when shooting fast-moving subjects, the user will need to anticipate the action.

Physical Tour

Front(7.75)
The Panasonic DMC-TZ1 looks like many other cameras in the Lumix line, with a wide, shallow handgrip and a horizontal chrome bar on the left side - embossed with a 'TZ1'. The "Lumix" logo is toward the top center, and there's a shiny, script "L" at the lower right. The lens is a large piece of glass, compared to other compact cameras, set in a polished metal ring. The slot-shaped flash is small and to the left of the lens, along the top edge of the camera.

Back(7.25)
The 2.5-inch, 207,000-pixel LCD takes up the left two-thirds of the TZ1's back. The top-right section is sculpted to form a grip, with a wedge-shaped bulge and 9 bumps for the user's thumb. The 4-way controller and two other buttons are in the lower right portion of the back. In addition to navigating the screen, the controller allows access to EV compensation, bracketing, white balance compensation, flash mode, quick image review, the self-timer, and the main menu. There are two other buttons to the left of the multi-controller. The top one sets the LCD display mode. The bottom one activates the burst modes and deletes images.

Left Side (6.25) 

A small plastic door covers the USB/AV port and a DC power input on the left side. The door snaps shut, rather than latching. It's made of thin, brittle plastic, so we'd like to see a more durable cover.

Right Side(7.0)
The wrist strap lug is set flush against the right side of the TZ1. It's big and sturdy, but it isn’t uncomfortable. Four screws hold it in place, so perhaps it has some greater role in holding the TZ1 together than one can see from the outside. 

Top(7.75)
Panasonic labeled the top of the TZ1 tastefully toward the left side. Also toward the left, a hole the size of a pencil point admits sound to the microphone. There is a row of 4 similarly-sized holes that acts as this camera’s very small speaker. The small mode dial overhangs the back edge of the top, where it's easy to reach with the user's right thumb. The shutter release is chrome, and it is nearly as big as the mode dial. A ring around the shutter release acts as the zoom control in shooting mode, and it is the magnification control in playback. The power switch slides left and right in the back right corner of the top. The image stabilization control button is conspicuous toward the front edge. To have a  button seems like a  waste,  since users should turn on stabilization and leave it on. 

Bottom (2.5)
The tripod socket is at the far left of the TZ1's bottom. It's more convenient to align a camera when the tripod socket is directly over the lens. The flimsy pocket tripods sometimes bundled with pocket cameras, coupled with the tripod socket being off center, may cause the camera's weight to tip over the whole assembly. Still, on a snapshot camera, a tripod socket probably won't see much use.

The door for the battery and memory card compartment has a large latch on it, so it's a bit more durable than ones that only snap closed – such as the USB/AV port door on the side. Unfortunately, it's not sealed against moisture or dirt, either of which could turn the TZ1 into a paperweight. 

Components

Viewfinder(0.0)

Panasonic left the optical viewfinder off the TZ1. There are two schools of thought about optical viewfinders. Some users love them because they don't take any battery power, and they work even in bright sunlight. Other users hate them because they are tiny, hard to look through, and completely inaccurate. Both schools are correct. In lieu of an optical viewfinder, the TZ1 provides live feed on the large LCD screen.

LCD Screen(7.0) 

The 2.5-inch polycrystalline LCD is not as sharp as we'd hope for a 207,000 pixel display, and it has a relatively narrow angle of view. It didn't solarize – a phenomenon where black areas and white areas reverse tones – but it got very dark when viewed from an angle. Panasonic addresses this problem with a High Angle LCD setting that boosts the brightness enormously, so that the LCD is readable when held overhead. Panasonic claims that this digital camera is the first to include such a mode, although there are other cameras on the market that provide a wider view without pushing any special buttons. The TZ1 also has an extra-bright mode called Power LCD for daylight shooting; Panasonic states that this mode brightens the screen by 40 percent.  

We'd use both features if we owned the camera, but as critics, we're moved to say we'd rather just see a sharper LCD with a wider angle of view.

Flash (5.75) 

Small flashes, like the one on the Lumix TZ1, cast particularly harsh light and shadows. Lit by the flash, blemishes and wrinkles on subjects' skin will be accentuated.

The flash mode can be set to automatic, automatic with red-eye reduction, slow shutter, slow shutter with red-eye reduction, or the flash can be turned off completely. The slow shutter setting allows the user to take pictures that mix flash and available light, even when the available light requires a long exposure.

With the ISO set to Auto, the flash is rated to about 12 feet at wide angle and less than 8 feet at telephoto. At high ISO, wide-angle ranges nearly 19 feet and telephoto reaches past 12 feet. The high ISO settings boost contrast. Since the flash light is so harsh, the results combining the two are not attractive.

**Zoom Lens ***(8.5)*

The Panasonic DMC-TZ1 has a Leica-branded DC Vario Elmarit 5.2-52mm zoom with a maximum aperture of f/2.8 at 5.2mm and f/4.2 at 52mm.  The lens acts like a 35-350mm zoom on a 35mm camera. The 10x optical zoom lens puts the Panasonic TZ1 in a unique market niche with several other compact digital cameras that have lots of zoom. Several other manufacturers such as Casio, Nikon, and Kodak have made attempts to squeeze a lot of zoom in a little package. Casio takes a similar design approach to Panasonic in that it uses an extending lens from a thin body. Nikon uses a thin body that twists into an awkward shape, and Kodak uses an interesting internal dual lens system that combines to pack in more zoom. Indeed, Panasonic folds its optics into a lens with 12 elements in 10 groups, with 3 aspherical lenses.

The TZ1 has Panasonic's MEGA Optical Image Stabilization. The implementation on the TZ1 is as effective as OIS has been on previous Lumix models, and that's very good. It can be set to run continuously, which helps with aiming and composing shots. Or it can be set to function only when the shot is taken, which saves power. The button is located near the shutter release button, although this feature should be turned on as much as possible to keep pictures blur-free and movies shake-free.

In our casual shots, we noted remarkably little color fringing and only slight barrel distortion at wide angle. The lens zooms quickly, and it is difficult to set it to a particular focal length. All in all, though, the lens is one of the TZ1's strong points.

The camera offers two digital zoom options. First, there is a standard 4x digital zoom, which resamples the image for increased magnification. Second, there is an "extended zoom" feature, which is available only for smaller file sizes of 3 megapixels or less. It uses only the center part of the sensor and doesn't resample.  

Design / Layout

 

Model Design / Apperance(7.25)

Once the nasty marketing stickers are peeled off, the Lumix line of cameras are all relatively plain – the controls are mostly small, the labeling is subtle, and the decorations are muted. The overall effect is pleasing and utilitarian. Many competing cameras are styled to look more high-tech and will probably look passè in a year or two. The TZ1 conservative design will probably stand the test of time better. 

**Size / Portability ***(6.0)*

The TZ1 falls somewhere between typical compacts and superzooms, at 2.29 x 4.41 x 1.58 inches. It might fit in the large pocket of a coat, and it wouldn't need a very large case.

Panasonic provides a separate lens cap for the TZ1 with a tether to connect it to the wrist strap. The large front element of the zoom lens certainly needs protection. Super-zoom and DSLR users can be counted on to protect their lenses, with caps or even UV filters. Snap shooters might be less careful. Many simple cameras are designed with automatic lens covers, on the assumption, that the user won't protect the lens. Given the size of the TZ1's glass, it's likely that an automatic cap would have added to the bulk and depth of the camera.

The poor environmental seals for the battery and memory card door, the USB/AV door and the lens add up to a pretty vulnerable camera. The TZ1 will last longer and give better service if it's stored in a clean protective case, with the lens cap on.  

Handling Ability****(7.75) 

The thumb rest on the back of the TZ1, simple as it is, provides a good grip, as does the grip on the front. The proportions of the camera – its thickness and width – make it a comfortable camera to hold. Operating the TZ1 is simple. Although there aren't many controls, what it does offer  is easy to access.  

 

Control Button / Dial Positioning / Size *(6.25)*

The only big control on the TZ1 is the shutter release – it's not huge, but it would be comfortable for even the largest fingers. The rest of the controls are small. The zoom control is just a nub on a ring around the shutter release. Some users will find it too small. The buttons on the back of the camera are also small, but they're spread apart. People with large hands should test the TZ1 carefully before buying – they might accidentally hit two buttons at once more often than they'd like.  

Most of the control buttons have multiple functions, and that works well. Accessing EV compensation, bracketing and white balance compensation successively with a single button is a convenient and logical progression, for instance. 

Menu *(7.5)*

As we noted in our first impressions review, the TZ1 has simple menus, given its few number of buttons.  The camera does not have many options. Those it does are organized in tabs and pages and should be easy to use for anyone who is comfortable with basic computer use or an automatic teller at the bank. The text is large and is in ALL CAPS. White balance and color effects benefit from live previews.  

Ease of Use *(7.75)*

Panasonic makes a variety of Lumix cameras for snap shooters. They are all simple to use with the TZ1 being the easiest to use. It lacks manual controls, but the TZ1's target market won't care. It's a very basic camera with a long telephoto zoom.  

Once the user learns that the heart icon on the mode dial means "automatic," there isn't much else to trip up a beginner while shooting.

Modes

Auto Mode*****(7.75)*

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ1 has a heart icon on its mode dial indicating its most automatic mode. It also has its own menu, with only 4 entries. One entry sets file size to "Enlarge, 4x6, or Email." The second activates auto review, the third controls the beep and the last sets date and time. All the user is left to do is set the zoom and press the shutter.  

The heart mode is as simple as it gets, and many users would be wise to choose it.  

Custom Image Presets (7.75)
The general notion of presets is that they set the camera about the way an experienced photographer would set a manual camera to get a particular sort of shot. The TZ1 has a typical selection. Following the practice on other Lumix cameras, the TZ1 has two scene mode positions on the mode dial. The user can choose a separate scene mode for each position and can switch between them without having to scroll through the whole list.  

 

Drive / Burst Mode*(7.5)*

The Panasonic TZ1 has three burst mode settings: High, Low and Infinity. At 3 frames in less than a second, High is a bit faster than Low, which needs the full second to shoot 3. Neither mode can take more than 3 at a time in Fine mode and full resolution. Infinity mode does not violate any laws of physics that I know of – it's not infinitely fast or anything like that. It simply keeps on going, taking shots every 1.2 seconds or so until the user stops pressing the shutter release, the battery runs down, or the memory card fills up. That might get infinitely boring, otherwise, it adds up to a large, but finite number of images.  

Playback Mode (7.5)
Playback mode on the TZ1 is pared down. Its slide show lets the user choose to show each image from 1 to 5 seconds, and it offers the option of playing audio clips attached to images. It offers thumbnail modes showing either 9 or 25 images at a time, and it shows a convenient calendar mode, which lets users who rarely download look up their images by date, rather than having to scroll through their whole collection. The display magnifies images up to 16x, which is more than the JPEG's image quality can handle – the difference between 8x and 16x is that the blurs are bigger at 16x.  

The TZ1 user can set favorite images, crop images, resize images smaller, change image aspect ratios, rotate them and print.  

Movie Mode*(7.0)*

The movie mode on the TZ1 is as good as the still mode, in a few ways. The color and image quality are good. The zoom lens works while shooting (an advance over previous point-and-shooters with video) and the image stabilization works very well in video, even when the user pans. The sound, however, is awful. A look at the tiny hole in the top of the camera which covers the microphone should give it away – the audio system could probably hide in a gnat's armpit. Though the zoom mechanism is quiet, it's audible in movie clips.   

Control Options

Manual Control Options
If only there were anything more to say about manual control for the TZ1. It is a fully automatic camera, with no manual mode. The manual options available modify automatic settings, for the most part. Logic suggests that Panasonic, which makes a large variety of similar cameras, uses a common set of parts for a range of cameras – why design a separate white balance system for every camera? It's not too much of a jump to  suggest that the TZ1 has a white-balance fine-tuning system because it's simpler to leave it in that to take it out.  

Focus*

Auto Focus (6.75)
*Like other Lumix cameras, the TZ1 has a multisensor auto focus system, with several options for setting the pattern. The basic pattern checks 9 segments that cover the middle half of the image. The horizontal pattern checks 3 spots across the middle of image. It's supposed to be a high-speed mode, which doesn't refresh the display while it's focusing. There is also a 1-segment high speed mode, which behaves the same way, but it checks only the center auto focus segment. A second 1-segment mode doesn't freeze the display, and it is supposed to be slower. The TZ1 also offers a spot focus mode, which focuses on a smaller area at the center of the image.

We didn't notice a speed improvement with the high-speed modes, which is too bad. The TZ1 focuses slowly. On the plus side, it focused well in dim light with the assistance of its auto focus assist lamp, which may be more attractive than speed to many users. The Leica lens and auto focus system can focus as close as 1.31 ft at the widest focal length and 6.56 ft when the lens is zoomed in on a subject. In the macro mode, the focus closes in to 0.16 inches-3.28 ft. In the shooting menu, there is also a continuous auto focus mode that can be turned on or off; this didn't improve the shutter lag though.

Manual Focus (0.0)
*There is no provision for manual focus on the Panasonic TZ1. Of all the manual features to lose on a compact camera, this may be the least painful to part with. The live view on the LCD display isn't sharp enough to judge focus, and the control dial doesn't have a delicate enough feel to tweak focus accurately. In short, we don't think the TZ1 could have a good manual focus option, so there's no sorrow in doing without.   
*Exposure ***(7.0)*

The TZ1 has an EV compensation control that allows the user to adjust exposure up to 2 stops above or below the metered setting, in 1/3-EV increments. 1/3-EV increments are a fine enough gradation to set an accurate exposure, but users might find that the 4-EV total range is not wide enough to achieve some effects, or to overcome tough lighting conditions. In the Simple mode, the same button that accesses the exposure compensation acts as a one-touch 'backlight compensation' that brightens the image.

**Metering ***(7.5)*

The TZ1 features 3 metering patterns: evaluative, center-weighted and spot. Evaluative metering takes many readings across the frame and compares them, using a mathematical process to arrive at a good exposure. Center-weighted takes a single reading of the whole image, but which the most sensitivity at the center of the frame. Spot reads a very small area at the center of the frame.

In general, evaluative systems are tuned to overcome common challenges such as backlighting or large dark areas in the frame. These problems can fool center-weighted metering. In practice, though, we found that the TZ1's evaluative system didn't do better than its center-weighted pattern – they performed very similarly in our use and neither handled backlighting well.

White Balance (7.5)

The Panasonic TZ1 will probably be set to Auto white balance most of the time, and it performs well enough for most users. It has an interesting set of manual options, however. First, there are only three presets – Daylight, Cloudy and Halogen. Photographers who rely on manual controls might cheer at this point, because the other common presets such as shade, tungsten and fluorescent often don't work well. There is simply too much variation in the color of light from those sources. Fluorescent tubes are an easy example – they vary by brand, and every tube changes color as it ages.  

So, if photographers want to be careful with the TZ1, they'll have to take a custom color balance, which involves taking a shot of something white. If that doesn't get the color right, the user can then fine-tune the balance, just the same way many high-end cameras allow. It's a feature worth playing with. The fine-tuning mode includes a scale that ranges +/- 10 toward blue on one end or red on the other.

ISO *(7.5)*

Again, most modes determine this setting automatically, but there is the option of setting the TZ1's ISO to 80, 100, 200, 400 or 800. The TZ1's 1600 setting can't be set manually – the camera sets it automatically in the High Sensitivity scene mode. Unfortunately, in that same mode the image size is limited to 3 megapixels.

It is good to see Panasonic including more sensitivity options on this camera and its newer releases, as past models had a scant ISO range up to 400 only.

Shutter Speed *(0.0)*

The TZ1's fastest shutter speed is 1/2000. In modes that don't require a tripod, there is a Slow Shutter option in the recording menu that lets users set the shutter speed to 1/8, 1/4, ½ or 1 second. In some scene modes, it can go higher. Night Scenery can automatically set times up to 8 seconds. Starry Sky allows manual settings from 15 seconds to 1 minute.  

Aperture (0.0)
The maximum aperture for the TZ1 ranges from f/2.8 to f/4.2, depending on the focal length. The minimum aperture runs from f/5.0 to f/7.1, again depending on the focal length. There is no option for setting aperture manually.  The aperture in the Leica lens is a two-step system, so there isn't much variation.

Image Parameters

Picture Quality / Size Options (7.75)

Since the Panasonic TZ1 offers three aspect ratios, it has a large number of image sizes. For 4:3 images, which is the standard aspect ratio for digital cameras, it can shoot 5, 3, 2, 1 or 0.3-megapixel images, with pixel dimensions of 2560x1920, 2048x1536, 1600x1200, 1280x960 or 640x480. At 3:2, it can shoot 4.5 or 2.5-megapixel images, with dimensions of 2560x1712 or 2816x1880. At 16:9, it shoots either 2560x1440 or 1920x1080 pixels. 

The TZ1 shoots only JPEGs, and all JPEGs are compressed. The TZ1's "Standard" setting makes files about half the size of its "Fine" setting, with a significant loss in quality. The difference is noticeable, even in small prints. 

Picture Effects Mode (7.5)
Panasonic doesn't generally go for the goofy stuff – their cameras have no option to create 999 custom presets, no hearts and flowers to superimpose on images, no canned music to accompany slide shows. So, the TZ1's effects are pretty straightforward.  

The TZ1 can be set to add a cool tone or a warm tone to images, or to take black and white or sepia images. It also offers picture adjustment, which changes saturation, with settings called Standard, Natural and Vivid. Standard increases saturation, but not as much as Vivid.  

Connectivity / Extras

Connectivity
Software* (6.25)*

The Lumix TZ1 ships with Lumix Simple Viewer and ArcSoft's PhotoBase, PhotoImpression, and PanoramaMaker. Simple Viewer lives up to its name – it's useful for downloading images and looking at them, with pretty weak organizational features.  

PhotoBase is a more powerful choice, with better organizational tools, a slideshow function, and minor adjustment tools, including brightness, color balance and cropping. PhotoImpressions is more of an editing tool, with enhancement and painting tools. For users who aren't ambitious, the ArcSoft package is worth exploring for occasional use. People who want to get serious about photo management and editing ought to look into Photoshop, starting with Photoshop Elements.  

Jacks, Ports, Plugs (5.0)

The TZ1 has USB 2.0 connectivity for both storage and printing, and the same jack doubles as an analog video out port. This video output can be set to NTSC or PAL standards so video can be watched anywhere in the world. There's an input for an external DC power source, which is not included with the camera. An external power source might be useful for running slide shows. 

Direct Print Options (6.0)

The Panasonic TZ1 enables direct printing through DPOF and PictBridge. With DPOF, the TZ1 can create a print order on the SD memory card, which can be downloaded at a photo lab or printing kiosk. With PictBridge, the camera is connected directly to a home printer. It's possible to choose which images to print, how many copies to make, the print size, to print more than one copy on a single sheet of paper, and to print the date on the image. Not all printers are compatible with all of these options.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*Battery (6.25)
*A 3.7-volt lithium-ion battery powers the Lumix TZ1. The battery is rechargeable, and lasted a long time between charges in our tests. Panasonic's specs claim 250 shots per charge, which is fairly accurate. We find that lithium-ion batteries last longer and are more convenient than AA cells, which power some other compact cameras. This digital camera comes packaged with a wall-mount charger too.  

Memory (4.0)

The TZ1 has about 14MB of internal memory, enough to hold four shots for snapshooters who use the camera as a brag book. The TZ1 also accepts SD media cards, the most common memory format for compact cameras. SD cards are widely available in a range of sizes and are relatively cheap. It's easy to copy images between the internal memory and an SD card. This Panasonic can also accept MMC cards, but this format won't save anything shot with the movie mode.

**Other Features ***(6.25)*
White Balance Fine Tune – The option of tweaking color balance should help users avoid post-processing, and can help handle tough lighting, such as fluorescent and mixed sources.  

Vacation Day – This option allows users to track which day of a vacation each snapshot was taken, which might be handy for scrap booking and slide shows.  

Aspect Ratio Change – The option of switching between 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 in-camera should help users avoid post-processing as well. The standard 4:3 movies can also be switched to a widescreen format.

Overall Impressions

**Comparisons **[*

Canon PowerShot S2 IS* –](https://reviewed.usatoday.com/cameras/content/Canon-PowerShot-S2-IS-Digital-Camera-Review-.htm) Like the TZ1, the Canon S2 has 5 megapixels and a lot of zoom. The PowerShot digital camera is much larger, though, as it is shaped like an SLR and will require a camera bag. The S2 has a longer 12x optical zoom lens and an optical image stabilization system that is just as effective as Panasonic’s. The S2 IS is more of a hybrid camera, with stereo audio for shooting movies and a stalk-mounted LCD. The S2 IS's LCD is smaller, though, at only 1.8 inches. It also has a lower resolution at 114,000 pixels. The camera performed well during testing, and its burst mode impressive as it filled up the memory card at a rate of 2 fps. There is a lot more manual control available on this model, along with plenty of scene and automatic modes for point-and-shooters. The Canon PowerShot S2 IS costs about $75 more than the TZ1, with online prices in the neighborhood of $300.
 *Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ7* - The Panasonic FZ7 is bulkier than the TZ1, with a housing that measures 4.43 x 3.11 x 2.84 inches and comes with a larger Leica 12x optical zoom lens. Like the TZ1, this model comes with the optical image stabilization system. This camera doesn’t try to be compact, and comes with a more comfortable hand grip and lugs to attach the included neck strap. The FZ7 comes with more resolution at 6 megapixels, and offers much more manual control though it can be set to operate as simply as the TZ1. It has a 2.5-inch LCD, which has lower-resolution than the TZ1's with only 114,000 pixels. Available online for around $285, it's about $60 more than the TZ1. Price difference aside, the big difference here is the size of the camera. 
 

Nikon Coolpix S4 – The Nikon Coolpix S4 has a 10x zoom, like the TZ1, but it offers a resolution upgrade to 6 megapixels. Featuring an unusual pivoting design, it flattens to a 1.4-inch thickness. It also has a 2.5-inch LCD, but with an inferior resolution of 110,000 pixels and a very limited viewing angle. The S4 includes Nikon's "Face Priority" system, which detects faces in the image and automatically focuses on them. This Coolpix has a range of "assist" features to help absolute beginners take reasonable pictures along with 15 scene modes. The long optical zoom lens is a nice feature, but there isn’t much to back it up. There is no image stabilization and it isn’t functional while recording video. The movie mode isn’t that desirable anyway: it can only shoot at a choppy rate of 15 fps. The S4 is a splashy offering, with a premium price. Many online retailers are asking $375 for it.  *Kodak EasyShare V610* – This digital camera came out only weeks after the Panasonic TZ1 and stole its thunder. The TZ1 was marketed as the smallest 10x zoom digital camera in the world – until the Kodak V610 came out. The EasyShare crams 10x zoom into a body 0.9 inches thick; it does this with two internal lenses that combine to form a total of 10x. Still, there’s a catch to this system. The lenses don’t line up exactly, so when zooming there is a jump between 114mm and 130mm. This is especially noticeable in the movie mode, when the 10x zoom is available. There is no optical image stabilization system to keep the ride smooth either. The Kodak V610 has other handy features though. The 6.1-megapixel digital camera has a sturdy metal body with a 2.8-inch LCD screen and far better resolution at 230,000 pixels. It has Bluetooth technology that can wirelessly send photos to cell phones, computers, printers, and other enabled devices. The V610 has its downfalls too: inaccurate colors and slow processing times are the main complaints. The camera originally retailed for $449, but can now be found for around $275 online.

**Value ***(7.0)*

The Panasonic TZ1 is a simple point-and-shoot camera with a long lens, effective image stabilization, and a lack of manual control. The camera originally retailed for $349 when it was released last year. Now it sells for about $250 online and is cheaper than the alternatives. There is a market for snapshooters who want plenty of telephoto for sports or scenics or even bluejays on the birdfeeder. The TZ1 is a good value for them – as long as they don't miss the manual controls that Panasonic left out. 

**Who It's For
***Point-and-Shooters -* The TZ1 is a simple camera to use for beginners with its image stabilization system, and zoom range.

Budget Consumers - The TZ1 is a low-cost choice for people who need an automatic point-and-shoot with a long lens.

Gadget Freaks - There isn't much that is cutting-edge or clever about the TZ1. Of the alternatives listed above, for gadget freaks, the Nikon Coolpix S4 would be a better choice.

Manual Control Freaks - Without any manual exposure option, the TZ1 is not for this market.

Pros/Serious Hobbyists - The TZ1 lacks the manual controls and image quality serious users require. 

Conclusion

**Conclusion
**The Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ1 was released last year at a time when the ultra-zoom market was beginning to expand and consumers were looking for compact options. The 5-megapixel TZ1 filled that niche, but since its release better cameras have stepped into the market. Snapshooters should be very happy to have a long zoom lens that can fit in a coat pocket. We like the lens quality, but we think Panasonic's excellent image stabilization takes much of the credit for making the long zoom useful for casual shooters. Though it's not the camera for enthusiasts who want to experiment and take control of the process, at a budget price, it doesn't need to be. This easy to use digital camera doesn't provide stellar image quality, but has a good interface and concept.

Specs / Ratings

**Specifications
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Patrick Singleton

Patrick Singleton

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