Digital Camera Review

Digital Camera Review

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ1, available online for about $250, is a compact point-and-shoot camera with a 5-megapixel imager and a 10x Leica-branded zoom lens. With Panasonic's effective Mega Optical Image Stabilization, it promises steady shots for the casual photographer looking to bring subjects close without getting close themselves.
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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.  

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