Pros: Compact affordable 10x zoom with image stabilization. Takes good pictures in most non-flash conditions.
Cons: Loses many movie files. 75% of flash pictures unusable. 4 week repair turnaround time.
The Bottom Line: Started out as a great camera. After 1 month, it's gone haywire.
Panasonic quotes a 4week repair time instead of a replacement camera for something I've owned for 8weeks.
consumerdude's Full Review: Panasonic Lumix® DMC-TZ1 Digital Camera
==Why did you buy this product?==
It's the only compact 10x zoom with image stabilization. It's a very affordable $300. The new Canon S3 IS and SD700 cost around $500.
==What do I love about this product?==
I had a Canon S2 IS previously and it was great, but I found I left it often on the shelf because it was just too bulky to carry around constantly. I get much more value out of the DMC-TZ1 just because I have it with me all the time.
The initial experience with the camera was great. The image stabilization worked wonders for taking long range shots and candids. Movies were of very high quality.
However, after two months of use, the camera is starting to exhibit some very bad habits. I've had a six digital cameras. Nothing has ever been as buggy as this.
==What do I hate?==
1) About 3/4 of the flash pictures come out pitch black. I tried all manner of settings, including the factory settings and a various distances, but there is definitely something wrong here.
2) I got the black version DMC-TZ1K, which looks very slick. Unfortunately, this coating is very easy to scratch off on any contact with other metal. After 1 month, i already incurred a nifty scratch revealing shiny aluminum.
3) If you take a movie that fills up the memory card, the camera does not close the file properly and you end up with an invalid movie file that will not play back.
4) Even without filling out the memory card, about 25% of the movies are unplayable. Attempting to play them on a PC results in the following message: "ERROR -2048 the file is not a movie file"
5) Panasonic has at least admitted that there is something wrong with the camera, and will pay for the repair. However, the repair turn-around time is 20 business days!!! That's four weeeks! I find it hard to believe that they wouldn't replace it.
6) The camera is very skinny on features. I was very spoiled by the wealth of features on the Canon S2 IS, but then again the Panasonic is much less money.
7) Lack of manual focus. I knew this when I bought the camera, but I still miss it.
8) Poor focusing ability at 10x zoom setting. It would be nice to have a simple infinity setting here.
Recommended:
No
Amount Paid (US$): 307 This Camera is a Good Choice if You Want Something... Easy Enough for Anyone to Use
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