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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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