Compact camera beats any phone
The Lumix TZ100 is ideal for holidays...
With summer holidays on the horizon, I conducted a straw poll last week among some friends: how many of them would be bringing a digital camera on holiday this year versus how many would be relying on their smartphones? All except one said they’d be using their smartphones. Phone cameras may be convenient – but for those special images of a family holiday, a first step or a gold medal we really should be using something better.
Panasonic introduced the first TZ series compact camera 10 years ago, and their latest upgrade, the TZ100, could change how we perceive compact cameras.
The Lumix is a stylish, metal camera that fits in the hand – it’s just over four inches across and weighs in at only 10 ounces. And there’s little to setting it up. After an initial charge, I inserted an SD memory card into the camera and I was ready to go.
On the top of the camera there’s a few dials and buttons. There’s a straightforward on/ off button and a dedicated button for movie recording. There’s also a zoom lever, a dial to change modes and, of course, a simple shutter button. The camera also has a built-in stereo microphone for recording audio with your movies. On the back of the camera there’s a large colour touchscreen where you can see the camera view, but there’s also a traditional viewfinder.
The TZ100 is intuitive to use. Taking a photo is simple and the autofocus seems remarkably quick. Zooming is achieved through the small lever on the top of the camera and it protrudes just enough to let you feel it rather than having to look up to use it. Despite the slim body of the camera, it packs an impressive 10x optical zoom as well as a 20x intelligent zoom. Image impressive: The Lumix features 10x optical zoom and image stabilisation stabilisation is a feature that owners of higher-end cameras will be used to, but it’s ideal for travel cameras. The TZ100 has a fiveaxis image stabilisation that can take the shake out of your videos. Image quality is the crux of the matter though – and here the TZ100 performed exceptionally well. Its 20 megapixel specification coupled with its one-inch sensor means it produces wonderfully bright, vivid images. Smartphones are fine for the odd snap here and there. Those oncein-a-lifetime family trips maybe deserve something more. The TZ100 is easy to use, handy to carry and is a great memory-making travel companion.