Panasonic DMC-TZ3

Reviewed March 2007

Characteristics

The Lumix DMC-TZ3 uses a 1/2.35 inch CCD composed of 8.5 million pixels of which 7.2 million are used to capture a maximum image size of 3072 x 2304 pixels at a 4:3 aspect ratio. As do other current Panasonic cameras, the DMC-TZ3 is able to capture images at any one of three aspect ratios:

4:3 Aspect Ratio	3:2 Aspect Ratio	16:9 Aspect Ratio
7M: 3072 x 2304 5M : 2560 x 1920 3M : 2048 × 1536 2M : 1600 × 1200 1M : 1280 × 960 0.3M : 640 x 480	7M: 3216 x 2144 4.5M : 2560 × 1712 2.5M : 2048 × 1360	6M: 3328 x 1872 5.5M : 2560× 1440 2M : 1920 × 1080

Images can only be saved in JPEG format, but two compression levels are available: Fine, which has the highest image quality, and Standard, which applies a stronger compression, making it possible to store more images with a lower image quality.

The CCD sensitivity of the TZ3 begins at 100 ISO and can increase up to 3200 ISO, although this setting is only accessible to the High Sensitivity mode. With other modes, sensitivity ranges from 100 to 1250 ISO and with the Scene modes and the Simple mode sensitivity ranges from 100 to 800 ISO.

The DMC-TZ3 uses a Leica DC Vario-Elmarit 10X zoom lens that covers a focal length range of 4.6 to 46 mm, the equivalent of a 28 to 280 mm on a 35 mm camera. Panasonic's own optical stabilization system (Mega O.I.S.) is integrated into the lens, counteracting the effects of involuntary movements from the photographer. Apertures start at f3.3 at the wide angle end, and f4.9 at the telephoto end.

Generally, the shutter speed range of the DMC-TZ3 extends from 1/2000 to 1 second, but a long exposure time can be manually selected in the Starry Sky scene mode that extends up to 60 seconds.

The camera is also equipped with a non-interpolating digital zoom. The digital zoom takes advantage of the full resolution of the CCD to offer cropped images when the image size is set to resolutions less than the maximum, that show a field of view that would be comparable to what a lens longer than the camera's maximum telephoto would capture. Image sizes that can use the digital zoom are indicated with the letters EZ (Extended Zoom).

Equipped with a Quick Function menu that provides access to the most commonly needed functions, the full menu of the TZ3 does not have to be accessed very frequently. The full menu is displayed by pressing the MENU/SET button, whether the camera is set to capture or playback. The content of the capture menu is the same irrespective of the mode in use, but the accessibility of some options varies with the mode in use. The greatest number of options is available when the camera is set to the AE Program mode:

• White Balance provides settings for: Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Halogen (incandescent), White Set 1, and White Set which serves to set the white balance under ambient light that does not fit one of the presets, and store the setting.
• Sensitivity:
  • Set to the Normal or Macro modes this option allows selecting: Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1250 ISO.
  • Set to Intelligent ISO mode, sensitivity can be adjusted over a range of 400, 800 or 1250 ISO.
• Aspect Ratio: serves to select the aspect ratio of still images (4:3, 3:2 or 16:9), or of movies (4:3 or 16:9).

• Picture Size: serves to select the image size (see above) according to the selected aspect ratio.
• Quality: serves to choose one of the two JPEG compression levels (see above).
• Picture Mode: this option replaces the two preceding options when the camera is set to capture movies, and allows selecting the movie frame size (VGA, QVGA or 16:9) and frame rate (30 fps or 10 fps).

• Audio Rec.: serves to capture 5 seconds of sound immediately after an image's capture that will be associated with it. (This option is not available when the camera is set to the Starry Sky scene mode.)
• Metering Mode serves to select the metering pattern: Multi, Centre-weighted or Spot.
• AF Mode serves to select the way the auto focus operates:
  • 9 AF points selected by the camera.
  • 3 horizontal high speed AF points to track a moving subject.
  • 1 wide AF high speed area.
  • 1 standard AF point at the centre of the monitor.
  • 1 small AF point (spot AF) at the centre of the monitor.
• Burst: serves to capture images continuously, as explained in the Ergonomics section of the review.
• Continuous AF: allows the camera to adjust the focus continuously, which lessens the time required for the camera to finalize focus before capturing the image, but consumes more power.
• AF Assist Lamp: controls the AF assist lamp — the same lamp is used for the self-timer — which comes on automatically when the ambient light is too soft to allow the auto focus to operate reliably.
• Slow Shutter serves to select the maximum exposure time: 1/8 second in most capture modes (1/4, 1/2 or 1 second).
• Digital Zoom: On or Off. Provides control over the standard (interpolating) 4X digital zoom.
• Colour Mode serves to choose how images are recorded: Standard, Natural, Vivid, Cool, Warm, Black and White or Sepia.
• Clock Set: allows setting the internal clock and calendar of the DMC-TZ3.

The Simple Mode offers a short 4-option menu:

• Picture Mode serves to select the image size according to the use the image will be put to:
  • Enlarge: intended to make 8 x 10 inch prints (20 x 25 cm) using an image size of 3072 x 2304 pixels and a Fine compression setting.
  • 4 x 6 inch/10 x 15 cm sets the camera to record a 2048 x 1360 pixel image using a Standard compression setting.
  • E-mail captures photos at a 640 x 480 pixel size with a Standard compression.

• Auto Review decides whether or not the image is shown on the monitor immediately post-capture.
• Beep serves to adjust the volume of the sounds produced by the camera (Off, Low, High).
• Clock Set: allows setting the internal clock and calendar of the DMC-TZ3.

Clipboard Mode also has its own menu, composed of two screens with 5 options each: one that offers the capture options, the other the Playback options. The REC. On Clipboard menu offers:

• Go To Play: to see the images currently on the Clipboard.
• Picture Size: 1M or 2M.
• Audio Rec.: to record a voice annotation after the capture of an image.
• Initial Display: to decide if the selection screen for recording or playback of the Clipboard is displayed when the Mode Dial is turned to the position.
• Clock Set: allows setting the internal clock and calendar of the DMC-TZ3.

Play On Clipboard offers:

• Got To Rec.: to capture images to the Clipboard.
• Cancel Mark: cancels the zoom position in a clipboard picture (such as a zoomed-in section of a photo of a map).
• Audio Rec.: serves to add a voice annotation to an already recorded image.
• Copy: serves to copy an image from the Clipboard to a memory card.
• Initial Display: to decide if the selection screen for recording or playback of the Clipboard is displayed when the Mode Dial is turned to the position.

Set to the Playback Mode () the DMC-TZ3 offers options that are spread out over 3 screens:

• Dual Display: displays two images stacked one above the other on the monitor, making it possible to compare 2 photos of the same subject. In addition, the top and bottom images can be changed independently of each other.
• Slide Show: serves to review all images in sequence, or only those tagged as favorites. The on-screen time of each image can be selected (1, 2, 3 or 5 seconds or manual, but only for Favorites), a transition effect, and/or sound can be set as well.

• Favorites: this option allows selecting images as Favorites. All other images can then be erased, or the Favorites can be seen in a slide show.
• Rotate Display: serves to display all images captured vertically with the correct orientation.
• Rotate: serves to rotate photos in 90° increments to the right or the left.
• Date Stamp: allows superimposing the date and time of capture on images.

• DPOF Print: serves to select images for printing on a DPOF compatible printer or a DPOF service, or a PictBridge compatible printer when the DMC-TZ3 is connected to one.
• Protect: serves to tag images as Protected, which prevents them from being accidentally erased.
• Audio Dub: allows adding a 10-second voice annotation to an already captured image. Audio cannot be added to protected images.
• Resize: serves to make a smaller size copy of an image, and then save it either as a new image or overwrite the existing image.
• Trimming: makes it possible to capture a section of an image that has been zoomed in on screen and save it as a new image at the closest image size. Images with sound, or those that have been rotated, or which have been captured at 640 x 480 pixels cannot be trimmed.
• Aspect Conversion: serves to convert 16:9 aspect ratio images to 3:2 or 4:3 for printing.
• Copy: serves to copy images from the internal memory to a memory card, or vice-versa.
• Format: to format either a memory card or the internal memory.

The Lumix DMC-TZ3 is powered by a rechargeable Lithium-Ion (CGA-S007A) battery that is housed behind a solid door underneath the camera. The camera is retailed with both the battery and a charger (DE-A45) which is able to recharge a fully depleted battery in approximately 2 hours.

The battery is held in place with a spring-loaded latch when the door is opened. The memory card is housed in a slot that is next to the battery, and is protected by the same cover door.

The DMC-TZ3 is equipped with a 12.7 MB internal memory and is retailed without a memory card. It is, however, compatible with SD (Secure Digital), SDHC (Secure Digital High Capacity) and MMC (MultiMedia) cards; although MMC cards cannot be used to record video clips with the camera.

The chart below shows image and movie capacity using either the internal memory, or an optional 1 GB memory card:

Both the external connections of the DMC-TZ3 are located on the left side of the camera, protected by a solid door. The upper connection is for the USB port and the AV Out (Audio Video), depending on which cable is used (both cables are included with the camera). The USB connection is 2.0 Full Speed and the AV out signal can be se to NTSC or PAL in the Setup menu.

At the bottom is a DC-IN jack to connect the optional power adapter (DMW-AC5) which allows the camera to be run for extended periods of time using household current.