Highly Recommended
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Highly Recommended
Reviewed:
May 2009
User reviews
(18)
4.01
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The latest generation of Panasonic's popular 'travel zoom' compact camera range gets a longer 12x zoom with a true (25mm) wide angle, a resolution boost to 10MP and a wealth of new 'intelligent auto' features. Fitting a 25-300mm lens into such a small body is quite an achievement, and whilst the ZS1 (TZ6 in Europe) isn't the most highly specified long zoom compact it offers best-in-class image quality at an attractive price point. If you can live without HD video it should very high up your shortlist - otherwise take a look at its near identical HD-enabled twin the ZS3 (TZ7). (April 2009)
| Quick links: | Announcement | Review | Sample gallery | Forum |
| Announced: | Jan 27, 2009 |
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Average rating:
4.01
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Opinion: Bought this because I wanted a compact that I could stick in my pocket at gigs where a DSLR wasn't allowed - this has a 25-300 range that should suffice. First impressions are very good - images at 300mm are pleasingly sharp and the digital zoom doesn't look pixelated. It hunts in murky light, but then name me a camera that doesn't..! Still need to experiment with the scene modes more. Shame about the lack of RAW, but JPEGS are sharp and in Vivid mode, well-saturated.
Opinion: - Excellent lens capability especially at wide angle.
- Excellent capabilities in a very compact body
- Very easy to use even for beginners
- Extremely versatile, compact and capable
Overall EXCELLENT camera!
Problems: 1. The ergonomics of the body is far from perfect:
- mode wheel very loose and in the wrong position as it gets in the way when shooting or zooming (TZ5 was better)
- no thumb rest on the back (TZ5 was better)
- front grip smaller and providing worse grip than TZ5
2. Extremely annoying Record/Playback switch (if you forget it on Playback mode then when you turn the camera on you may miss the shot because of the extra seconds you need to switch back to Record mode)
3. The ISO settings do not return to Auto after the camera is shut down (so ruined a few photos because ISO setting remained at the value I set the previous day for some night shots = ISO 800)
3. Slow shot to shot speed
4. No manual controls
5. No standard mini USB connector
Opinion: The flash is poorly located so that your fingers tend to block it. Bad design there. I would recommend a pop-up in future models.
Also the flash tends to blow out the image at anything closer than 5 feet. They really should have some intelligent flash that can accommodate closeups.
I have used the Canon SX200 which is the direct competition. The Canon pop-up flash works well but kind of gets in the way for gripping. You can actually hold it down to get a better grip.
I think the physical controls on the Panasonic are superior. They are much more intuitive and ergonomic.
Even though they are almost identical in dimensions, the Canon feels fatter and slippery.
Opinion: I bought this camera from Jacobs for £229.99. I went this camera over the TZ7 because I don't do video much so I save the £70 difference between the two. The features are great on this camera. It is very quiet and almost unnoticeable. The lens is unique. Image quality is fine but, magnify pictures taken and you can see a grainy look. I have two Canon SX series cameras (SX110 & SX200) and they both are smoother and retain detail.
The scene modes work well and the iA does the job for beginners.
I tried to get a spare battery, but Panasonic have change the battery to a id lithium type. These batteries are expensive and in short supply. Any vendor who does have them in stock, sells them at a much higher price £50. This is a bad move by Panasonic to change the battery from the earlier type on the TZ4/5.
Overall this a great camera for beginners and a carry around if you don't want the bulk of an SLR.
Problems: Spare battery is hard to get and expensive.
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 | 22.3 megapixels 3.2" screen Full frame sensor |
