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Introduction
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01.Physical Tour
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02.Components
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03.Design / Layout
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04.Modes
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05.Control Options
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06.Image Parameters
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07.Connectivity / Extras
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08.Overall Impressions
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09.Conclusion
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10.Comments
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ1
Previous: Page 2
ComponentsNext: Page 4
Modes
White Balance Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Fluorescent, Custom, Custom Set
Model Design / Appearance
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ1 is thin compared to other ultra zoom cameras, but thick compared to other compact models. The TZ1 is a little more than an inch and a half thick, and it’s even thicker where the right hand grips the camera. The stepped grip has a bumpy highlight in the middle with the TZ1 logo. The camera’s design is very rectangular, perhaps to allude to its widescreen capabilities? The TZ1’s metal body has a plain look with a very simple design. Its relatively traditional aesthetics are made a little more interesting with the silver and black color offerings.
Size / Portability
The TZ1 measures 2.29 x 4.41 x 1.58 inches and weighs just over a half pound without the battery. When fully loaded with the lithium-ion battery and the memory card, the camera weighs 0.58 lbs. The camera looks quite portable at this size, although it isn’t ultra slim or super light-weight. A wrist strap attaches to the right side for easier portability.
Handling Ability
The pre-production TZ1 models at PMA did not lend themselves to an accurate assessment of the camera’s handling or feel, so we will have to take a hard look at this when we conduct our full review of the TZ1 in the coming months.
Still, handling on the PMA models was comfortable considering the circumstances. There are
bumps on the back of the camera that act as a thumb grip. The front has a hand and finger grip contoured and etched from the body. Control Button / Dial Positioning / Size
There aren’t many buttons on the camera body, which is a nice feature for consumers who are intimidated by their presence. Oftentimes when a camera doesn’t have many buttons, it compensates with ridiculously long menus but that isn’t the case with the TZ1. It is just a simple camera in terms of available options. The buttons that are on the body are crammed toward the bottom and are a bit small. The most important button, the shutter release, is big and comfortable though.
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Clock Set
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Time, Date, M/D/Y
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World Time
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Destination, Home (select from world map)
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Monitor
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+/- 3 brightness
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Travel Date
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Off, Set
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Auto Review
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Off, 1, 3 sec
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Power Save
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Off, 1-10 min
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Economy
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Off, Level 1, Level 2
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Beep
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Off, Level 1, Level 2
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Shutter
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Off, Level 1, Level 2
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Volume
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5 levels
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No. Reset
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Yes, No
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Reset
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Yes, No
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USB Mode
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PC, PictBridge
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Highlight
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On, Off
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Video Out
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NTSC, PAL
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Scene Menu
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Off, Auto
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Language
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English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Chinese Traditional, Chinese Simplified
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Slide Show
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Start, Duration 1-5 sec and manual, Audio on and off
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Favorite
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On, Off, Cancel
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Rotate Display
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On, Off
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Rotate
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Set, Cancel
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DPOF Print
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Single, Multi, Cancel
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Protect
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Single, Multi, Cancel
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Audio Dubbing
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Up to 10 sec
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Resize
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Set, Cancel
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Trimming
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Set, Cancel
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Aspect Conversion
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3:2, 4:3
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Copy
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Internal Memory to Card, Card to Internal Memory
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Format
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Yes, No
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Ease of Use
The automatically oriented TZ1 is quite easy to use. It has a look that is inviting to beginners because of its plain face and lack of buttons and clutter. This Panasonic Lumix’s only drawback is its use of icons. Consumers who are not familiar with the Panasonic setup may not know that the heart icon on the mode dial represents the Simple mode – and they may not know that the Simple mode is Panasonic’s most automatic mode. It’d probably be more helpful if the heart was replaced by the actual text: "AUTO".
Shop for the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ1
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