Panasonic Lumix DMC TZ7 Review – Budget Digital Camera With High End Features

May 28, 2009

The arrival of New Year 2009 spelled good news to all the Panasonic Lumix fans, as the company added yet another exciting model to its existing Lumix range, the Panasonic Lumix DMC- TZ7 hybrid camera- a combination of both a camera and a camcorder. It has been awarded multiple times for its remarkable quality and convenience of use. So keeping up with the past reputation, Panasonic launched its latest venture in January 2009 that speaks up for it’s excellent performance.

Optical Zoom

The high quality LEICA DC VARIO ELMAR 25mm ultra-wide-angle lens giving an exceptional 12.0 x optical zoom provides a range of 25- 300mm in a 35mm film equivalence which I am sure no one would expect from a camera of such a small size. Comprising of 10 elements in 8 groups, including 2 ED lenses, 3 aspherical lenses with 3 aspherical surfaces, it utilizes new lens material in its design. The TZ7 has 12.0 mega pixel CCD which can capture images up to 10 mega pixel resolution and the Extra Optical Zoom can enhance the zoom power to 21.4x with a 3 mega pixel resolution by simply using the centre part of the large CCD so that you can focus on an object without destroying the image quality. In a range of 25mm- 300mm the camera can capture in all 3 aspect ratios; 4:3, 3:2 or 16:9 and not only this you can select the photo that you like the best. This is made possible by the Multi Aspect Mode.

Still Photography and Video Capture

The AVCD Lite Option allows the user to record longer clips in the High Definition Motion in addition to the Motion JPEG Images for a time period double to that given by the conventional Motion JPEG format while the quality remains uncompromised. The Dolby Digital Stereo Creator provides an outstanding sound system. The Stereo Microphone and Wind Cut Functions prevent the disturbing noise due to the background and allows an Audio Sampling of 48 KHz. This makes the TZ7 a dual deal…a wonderful and ultimate combination of a camera and a camcorder. And not to mention the famous Intelligent Auto-iA option that ensures a smooth and easy operation. And when it comes to high power zooming, hand shakes may ruin the video clip but you don’t have to worry about it as well…the Panasonic Lumix DMC TZ7 has the option of Optical Image Stabilizer which enables the user to shoot without any turbulence. The Intelligent Exposure works throughout the movie session to adjust the proper light throw without over blowing or shadowing the scene whereas the Visual quality is continuously checked by the Intelligent Scene Selector which routinely checks the modes for Normal, Portrait, Macro, Scenery, and Low Light. The Face Detection can automatically detect and focus a face while adjusting the lighting, contrast and skin tones so that the mage looks stunning!

This camera also enlists 16 different scene modes for movie making and you can choose the three motion image quality levels available that suits you best: SH (17 Mbps), H (13 Mbps), and L (9 Mbps). Stills or motion images recorded in AVCHD Lite on SD Memory Cards can be viewed on a Panasonic VIERA TV by only inserting the card into the VIERA Image Viewer (SDHC/ SD Memory Card Slot) or DIGA Blu-ray Disc Player so that you can playback the recording and by using the optional Mini HDMI cable you can view the still and motion images directly to the TV for VIERA link. The play back functions doesn’t end over here, you can also incorporate both the stills as well as the videos in the slide shows integrated within the time line and categorize them on the basis of scene modes that you used or the calendar display or so on and all this can be controlled by a simple TV’s remote control. No worries about the editing of the recorded clips as the incorporated software PHOTOfunSTUDIO HD is available for the task. And by the way, you can also upload the videos on YOU Tube or even burn them to DVD disc for archiving.

AF Tracking and Face Recognition

But the most striking feature of all that is unique and impressive is the AF Tracking and the Face Recognition function that helps the camera to remember a familiar face that has been shot various times by giving you the option to register the face by the name of the person. Not only this, it will then prioritize that particular face or faces with respect to sharp focus and brightness, especially in a group shot so that the object of your desire appears to be more beautiful than the others plus you can add special icons such as a love heart to your loved one…how romantic! You may manually register the personal details of your friends and family and can even specify their ages. For e.g. if babies under the age of 3 years are registered then the camera will automatically switch to the Baby mode. Planning a surprise birthday collage for a friend, just enter the registered person’s name in the play back and you will get all his/ her photos shot from your camera…isn’t it great!

Other attractions that make this master piece a must buy is include its high performance and high speed Venus Engine HD which with its twin CPUs boosts up the processing capacity to 2.4x approximately thus improving the camera operations speed.
There is relatively reduced luminance and chromatic noise that further beautifies the image. This engine also speeds up the time of the shooting so that you don’t have to miss the spur-of-the-moment scenes since the shutter release lag time is just 0.006 seconds. In Burst shooting mode, the camera can take approx. 2.3 shots per second in 10.1 mega pixel full resolutions. In High Speed Burst shooting modes, it lets you capture around 10 shots per sec. whereas unlimited consecutive shooting option allows the user to shoot until the memory card id full. The newly added Flash Burst mode makes it possible to take shots one after the other with non stop emission of flash. It also boosts up the battery life to 300 shots (CIPA) per single charge.

And last but not the least…. the cost factor! The Panasonic Lumix DMC TZ7 is available at the latest price of which is a fair bargain because the quality and functions that this hybrid camera offers is difficult to find in any other model in the market. So, in my opinion its highly recommended.

Written by admin · Filed Under Panasonic Lumix Cameras

Comments

3 Responses to “Panasonic Lumix DMC TZ7 Review – Budget Digital Camera With High End Features”

Katty on June 15th, 2009 11:23 am

The article is very good. Write please more
GarykPatton on June 16th, 2009 11:38 am

Hi! I like your srticle and I would like very much to read some more information on this issue. Will you post some more?
admin on June 24th, 2009 5:39 pm

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