Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ1

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Features
Panasonic claims that the 5-megapixel TZ1 is the world's smallest digicam (for 1-megapixel digital still cameras or higher, as of February 14, 2006) with a 10x (35-to-350mm, 35mm equivalent) optical zoom. When taking 3-megapixel pictures, the 10x zoom can be extended to 12.5x--much like what most users would do to a high-megapixel image and crop out the unnecessary background to achieve a zooming effect.

Editors' note:

The TZ1 was erroneously reported as having a 35-to-105mm lens. The correct focal distance should be 35-to-350mm.

	The calendar display shows which days you have taken pictures.

The TZ1 features a retractable lens system with folded optics aided by the inclusion of a prism. In addition, the company includes three aspherical lenses to achieve a 10x optical zoom. Whether the inclusion of folded optics technology will affect image quality will be revealed later in the review.

If one's not enough, two should do the trick. Panasonic has incorporated a two-fold system for battling both hand shake and subject movement. Traditional to previous Lumixes, the TZ1 features the MEGA O.I.S. and a new high-sensitivity setting (up to ISO 1,600) that allows users to shoot at a faster shutter speed. For more information on the dual-image stabilization system, see our previous review on the Lumix DMC-FX01. Unlike the FX01 which offers user-selectable sensitivity levels of up to ISO 400, the TZ1 goes the extra mile at ISO 800.

However, for both the TZ1 and FX01, the High Sensitivity scene mode pushes the limits of the ISO setting up to a maximum of ISO 1,600. The catch is that image resolution suffers as a result. The TZ1 uses the pixel-mixed readout method which combines several neighboring pixels to form a single unit with much higher sensitivity. This method effectively reduces the resolution of the image, but since we were still able to take ISO 1,600 pictures at 5 megapixels, it must mean that some form of interpolation has taken place during the processing. As with all kinds of digital manipulation, there will be a loss of details.

The TZ1 offers two additional scene modes--Beach and Aerial--over the FX01's High Sensitivity and Underwater settings. The Beach mode favors shooting under strong sunlight and the Aerial mode should delight travelers who love to snap through the airplane window. However, we would advise users to comply with safety precautions onboard the plane by turning off all electronic devices during takeoff and landing.

	A graphical world map shows 74 destinations around the world.

Marketed as a companion for the traveler, the TZ1 allows a user to select the local time of their destination (a total of 74 cities around the world) via a graphical world map interface--quite a comprehensive compilation we have to say. In addition, you can set the departure date during a trip. What this means is you can view your pictures according to which day it was taken in that particular journey. For faster picture browsing, there's also a calendar display which shows which days you have taken photos and which days you haven't.

You can select from two aspect ratios when shooting movies: VGA (640 x 480 pixels) and wide-aspect (848 x 480 pixels)--both offering a 30fps rate. When in the video mode, the optical image stabilization is set to Mode 1 (always on) by default. You can also zoom when shooting motion images, a feature which is not readily available in most compact digicams.

Other features include the High Angle LCD option which allows viewing/framing of pictures at difficult overhead angles--good if you have a preference for shooting top-down images. In addition, there's also a Power LCD function where the brightness of the screen will increase to facilitate taking and framing of pictures in ambient surroundings.

What was missing on this model which we would really liked to have seen are manual (aperture- and shutter-priority) functions. It may not be an apple-to-apple comparison, but the major differences between the TZ1 and the FX01, other than size, are the 10x optical zoom and some extra handy functions for traveling.

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