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 enlarge | Brand: Panasonic
Category: Photography
List Price: $349.95
Buy New: $226.95
You Save: $123.00 (35%)
New (42)
Avg. Customer Rating:  290 reviews
Color: Black
Media: Electronics
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Batteries Included: No
Floppy Disk Drive: None
Includes Software: Yes
Optical Zoom: 10
Digital Zoom: 4
Connectivity: AV
Display Size: 3
Maximum Focal Length: 47
Minimum Focal Length: 4.7
Maximum Resolution: 9.1
Has Red Eye Reduction: Yes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.7
Dimensions (in): 2.3 x 1.4 x 4.1
MPN: DMC-TZ5K
Model: DMC-TZ5K
UPC: 037988987665
EAN: 0037988987665
Release Date: March 7, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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| Customer Reviews:
 Disappointed March 31, 2008
33 out of 66 found this review helpful
I had been waiting for this camera to come out for a while, now that I have played with it for a few hours, I must say I am disappointed. I don't think that there are enough tech upgrades to get this model over the TZ3. The so called HD video is not HD by any means, and there are serious audio sync issues with the video I have taken. The videos are VERY grainy indoors, but better outdoors. The biggest issue is the very SLOW focus mechanism when shooting video, it's terrible. The main reason I waited for this camera was to have the option at better quality video, with the functionality of a P&S camera. It's quite large for a P&S, and frankly, there are other cameras out there with as good, if not better PQ in a smaller package. As far as the camera functionality, not much different that the TZ3. I don't think the extra pixels are worth the price. All I can say that it's going back to Amazon. BTW, Amazon, how about filling the "air bags" in the shipping box with actual air. Mine came with 3 deflated air bags, and a camera box that was loose in the package.
 LOVE IT!!! April 9, 2008
28 out of 28 found this review helpful
I also wanted to replace an older canon powershot AND an old canon camcorder. With kids, it needed to fit into my SMALL messenger bag (about 7"x9")along with diapers/wipes, etc. I was leery of the quality of the video, as I had read reviews where they noticed the camera constantly trying to focus on the images. If you turn off the autofocus and set the focus setting to the whole screen, you can alleviate this problem. The video is GREAT, the photos are awesome. I love that the battery recharges INSIDE the charger - wireless. I bought a 16gb card with reader for around $80 on amazon so I can handle about 1 hr of the highest quality video (in 9 minute increments). It's met all of my requirements. It feels sturdily built, the lcd screen is amazing (get a boxwave screen protector!), and I'm having lots of fun and finally taking the photos and videos of my kids I should have been taking for the last couple of years. Always read reviews here on amazon but never written one - will update if any problems.
Just A Great, Great Little Camera May 19, 2008
27 out of 27 found this review helpful
I came from a Sony DSC-V1 which was a terrific camera in it's day. It's downfall was a tiny little LCD screen and a limited zoom range that ended at 35mm on the wide end. I wanted a camera that went down to at least 28mm and had a clear, large LCD. I looked at the Canon 870IS and the Nikon P-80 but settled on this. Why? The Canon's LCD was not as clear as the Lumix and it had a limited zoom range on the top end. And, to be honest, it didn't have some of the 'bells and whistles' that the Lumix did. The Nikon was really not pocketable and has been getting horrible reviews all over the internet since it's recent introduction (Amazon, DPReview.com, etc.). It seems that Nikon really knows how to do dSLR's but comes up way short in the P&S category. I also briefly considered the Fuji 100SD but rejected it due to well known problems with pink banding and purple fringing. If you like to do a lot of low light, higher ISO photography though, the Fuji should be on your very short list.
I know a number of people have complained that the TZ5 is 'not as small' as they thought/hoped it would be. C'mon guys, this thing has a 10x zoom that goes down to 28mm!!! Something with those capabilities is never going to be the size of a credit card! And the thing for me is that I just can't stand geometric distortion and the Panasonic/Leica is a real champ in this regard. There's nothing worse than that horrible barrel distortion you see in so many wide angle lenses. This one has none of that. The trade off is that it gets iffy at higher ISO's. You can effectively prevent this by setting the camera to never let the ISO get above, say 400. The camera allows you to do this. The Optical Image Stabilization ("OIS") is really superb as are the exposure options. And, of course, the face recognition is a great new development that Panasonic has implemented quite well in this camera.
Now to it's video capabilities. It'll shoot 720p HD video in 16:9 which is awesome if you have a HD TV which is, of course, 16:9. Just be sure to turn off "auto-focus" when in video mode or the camera will constantly be 'hunting' for the right focus. It's depth of field is excellent so it'll be in focus most of the time anyway.
Just a couple of nits. The low light assist lamp is not terribly effective (nowhere near as good as the one on my Sony DSC-V1) and the camera sometimes takes a second or two to find the right focus in low light. And I wish there was a way to more easily control/allow for long shutter exposures as I love night photography. As it is, you have to set the camera to "Starry Night" (one of the scene modes) to get shutter speeds longer than 1 second. Not that big a deal and certainly a minor criticism of such an excellent overall camera.
Oh, and one final thing...the build quality is superb. Everything about this camera just shrieks "quality." Great job Panasonic. All at a price point of <$300. Incredible!
Awesome Point & Shoot Camera !!! April 28, 2008
26 out of 29 found this review helpful
I must say that I am very satisfied with my purchase of the TZ5. I looked at the new Casio Z200 as well as the Nikon D500/600. Went to B&H in New York City to see first hand. The Casio & Nikon left me unimpressed. Once I had the Panasonic in my hand, I instantly felt something different. Without experimenting with it, the outside & overall look of it had true sense of craftmanship. It really isn't that big for a Point & shoort & it has a nice, solid feel to it. The more I played with it, the more impressed I became. I absolutely love the fact that you can take multiple shots by simply holding down the shoot button. Great if you have a young baby or small children. It's not exactly an SLR but for a digital point & shoot, I think it works great. The pictures come out great & the 3inch screen is crystal clear. I'm not a professional photographer, & I'm sure some professionals may find some fault, but overall, I'm really impressed with this camera. Nice job Panasonic !!!
Very pleased so far! March 31, 2008
23 out of 28 found this review helpful
I pre-ordered this from Amazon and it was shipped from J&R Music World. I have had it about a week and I am very impressed. I returned my Canon SX100 because of poor battery life, this Lumix blows the Canon out of the water. Charged it for only 20 minutes out of the box and got over 3 hours of "play" time. I was concerned the first couple of indoors shots I took, kept coming out "red", with a little time spent playing with the scenes and camera I think I have figured it out. The ULTIMATE test for me is to go to a museum and take test shots. The shots I got were some of the most crisp and vibrant I have ever taken!! Zoom is INCREDIBLE and shots taken outside in bright conditions are wonderful! I love the feel of it, it has a lot of "bulk", not heavy but just feels very secure and SOLID in your hands! The TZ5 LCD has double the pixels of the TZ3 and is a simply the best LCD I have ever seen!!!!!!!!!!
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