Panasonic-Leica DMC-TZ3

The real problem with small hand held digital cameras is not the memory or the number of pixels but being able to hole the camera steady. That's why tiny cell phone photographs are so abysmal.

Many small cameras now advertise shake-proof technology, which is often only and automatic reduction in the exposure time with its consequent problems in low light.

The TZ3 however does a marvelous job with truly innovative technology. The camera is a cooperative venture between Japan's Panasonic Company and Germany's Leica Company. Panasonic is expert in miniaturization, digital technology and high-zoom mechanisms in a very small body while Leica is the world's leader in lens design and manufacture. It's a winning combination.

Panasonic handles the digital control of aperture and exposure doing much the same thing as other companies who boast shake-proof technology but they also include miniature motors, which move the Leica system of lenses to counteract the shake of the hands holding the camera. It is truly amazing that these small motors can be included in a miniature camera. My tests while deliberately moving the camera give excellent sharp pictures.

The specifications of the camera show:

Weight: 9.9 oz with battery and small enough to fit in your smallest pocket. It is small enough that you never need be without a very precise camera that takes pictures that only far-more-expensive cameras could take before.

There is no viewfinder but the very clear 3" LCD screen fills the entire back of the camera. It is very adequate even in bright sun.

Zoom capability: 10x optical 40x digital starting from 28 mm wide angle. I found the optical zoom to be very adequate.

Shutter speed down to 1/2,000 second.

ISO rating: multiple up to 3200

Pixels: 8.5 Megapixels

White balance: several automatic modes as well as full control for the actual scene being photographed.

Modes: automatic, close-up to 1 cm, control of aperture, control of exposure, and a multitude of preset modes for snow, landscapes, sea, portraits, sports, underwater, parties, fireworks, night scenes and many more. One cannot go to full manual control of both aperture and exposure but with a little use of the preset modes you quickly learn absolute control.

Image resolutions: 9

Battery: internal and external with a visible battery level image

No of shots: I use an 8 GByte card, which handles over 3,000 jpegs

Movie: The video is precise and with excellent color

The specifications are far longer than this and can be accessed along with very comprehensive professional reviews by searching on Google for the DMC-TZ3.

The camera's manufacturer's retailed price is $349 but since the camera was released in mid-2007, it is available now on line for $249. There is also a new TZ4 model but this has almost the same specifications but it's digital processing of the shots has been upgraded slightly along the lines of including almost an internal Photoshop capability.

My recommendation is to buy this camera even if you also possess a large Single Lens Reflex. You'll find this camera will always be with you.

Learn more about this author, John Graham.
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