Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ1 Digital Camera Review

 

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.  

Shooting Menu
White Balance	Auto, presets: Daylight, Cloudy, Halogen, Custom and set custom
ISO	Auto, 80--800
Aspect Ratio	4:3, 3:2 or 16:9
Picture Size	Set pixel size from 5MP to 300KP
Quality	JPEG compression – Fine or Standard
Audio Recording	Turn on or off
AF Mode	Set autofocus pattern
Metering Mode	Set metering pattern
Continuous AF	Set autofocus to stay on while camera is on
AF Assist	Autofocus light for dark scenes
Slow Shutter	Set longest exposure time to 1/8 – 1 second
Digital Zoom	Turn on or off
Color Effect	Tint images warm, cool, black and white or sepia
Picture Adjustment	Set color “Standard,” “Vivid” or “Natural”
Flip Animation	Shoot single images to create animations in-camera

Setup Menu
Clock Set	Set Date, time and format
World Time	Set home time zone and current time zone
Monitor	Set LCD brightness
Travel Date	Set to annotate images Day 1, Day 2, etc.
Auto Review	Set to display images after shooting
Power Save	Set to “sleep” camera in 1 to 10 minutes
Economy	Set to 2 power-saving levels, or turn off
Beep	Set alert noise volume
Shutter	Set shutter noise volume
Volume	Set playback volume
Number reset	Reset image file number
Setup reset	Restore default settings
USB mode	Storage or printing
Highlight warning	Set for over-exposed areas to blink
Video out	Set format to PAL or NTSC
Scene Menu	Set to show descriptions of modes
Language	Set menu and alert language to English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Chinese Traditional or Chinese Simplified

Playback
Slideshow	Set interval, manual advance,sound on or off
Favorite	Choose favorite images
Rotate display	Show verticals upright
Rotate	Save verticals upright
DPOF print	Control direct printing, create print order
Protect	Prevent images from being deleted
Audio Dubbing	Add up to 10 seconds of sound to an image
Resize	Resave image at a smaller size
Trim	Crop an image
Aspect Conversion	Crop to a different aspect ratio
Copy	Copy between internal memory and SD card
Format	Format memory or SD card

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.