Cameras with optical zoom more than 10x and compact body are one of Panasonic specialties. Lumix TZ10 manages to stand out by several top facilities and gives us an idea as how this segment could develop. In terms of used technologies, the camera does not bring anything revolutionary, but the image quality and few other amenities will certainly attract the amateur photographers. Since removing it from the pack, Panasonic TZ10 gives you the impression of a solid camera. The metal body contributes seriously to the camera’s 218 grams and this is a construction with which the manufacturer already accustomed us. The same can be said about the buttons. Their dimensions are reduced, but even those with large fingers will be able to easily tap. The grip doesn’t reach the level of the off lens, but it provides an acceptable support. The slot for SD / SDHC / SDXC are still near the battery, and the MiniHDMI video output and the data cable proprietary port are on the side. As we are already used, the HDMI cable is not included in the package.
It’s very easy to notice that Panasonic Lumix TZ10 camera has a higher area on the upper side, right above the lens. It is marked with the GPS letters and could be the integrated mode antenna. The device cannot be used as a navigation system, but when the module is enabled, all pictures and videos will be marked with the coordinates of where the shutter was pressed. If images are uploaded to Flikr, for example, the location is indicated on a small map next to the picture.
Panasonic Lumix DMC TZ10 with AVCHD LITE and GPS mode
Panasonic TZ10′s screen might seem a normal 3 “, but a closer look convinced us that things are not quite so. Most of the screens used in compact cameras have 230,000 pixels. In our case, the number of pixels is double and display seems to be identical to that used in the Micro Four Thirds cameras. The angles of vision are very good and you can easily take pictures when the device is lifted. A button on the back of the device is dedicated to shooting, and another activates what Pansonic calls Quick Menu. It provides access to several important settings without entering the menu. This function much like the standard on Canon cameras, but the options are arranged on the upper side of the screen. Another button, above which is written Exposure, allows the access to manual settings such as shutter speed and aperture. For those interested, the access to settings and using the with one hand device is possible.
Lumix DMC TZ10 includes Intelligent Resolution Technology
Although it hasn’t a large sensor, Pansonic TZ10 handles very well with the image noise. The pictures look very good even at ISO 400, where a careful eye may notice a slight lock detail and some processing artifacts. The algorithm of noise reduction strongly enters in action at ISO 800, with loss of fine details and many artifacts visible. The images taken with ISO 1600 are only for those who don’t want or cannot use flash and who totally disregard their quality. As we expected, the quality of images obtained with the Panasonic Lumix TZ10 is a very good one for the compact’s segment. The lens of the effective optical stabilization allows the use of lower ISO values even when the light isn’t excellent and the chromatic aberrations are almost virtually. Regarding the pictures taken at night, you’ll notice an underexposed inclination when the flash isn’t used. It can be adjusted by the exposure compensation. White balance is accurate in almost all situations, for connoisseurs there is available a mode of manually setting. Colours are well reproduced without super-saturation, those interested in having available a Vivid mode. Amateur photographers with more knowledge have at their disposal the full range of manual settings which are typically delivered in compact cameras.
If you use an image sharing service, such as Flikr, it could take information about the location where the picture was made and show it on a map. This information is added to the photo’s EXIF data when the GPS module has been activated and the satellite connection was made. Travel Mode function allows the name of the location where pictures were taken. Using the GPS module can reduce with 20-30% of autonomy provided by the battery, an observable impact for those interested. Normally, one minute of uncompressed footage in VGA resolution takes about 100 MB. Panasonic TZ10 saves in the same area of memory a video clip for 1 minute at 1280×720 resolution, with 30 frames per second. It is compressed with AVCHD codec Lite. The icing on the cake is that the optical zoom can be activated during recording, but at reduced speed. Mechanism noise is almost imperceptible, the microphones are placed on the upper edge and not near the objective. As you can see, optical stabilization is very effective.
Lumix DMC TZ10 with HDD shooting with compression
In burst shooting mode, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ10 is limited to a speed of 2.3 fps and only three frames in the buffer. With the reduced resolution of 3 MP or less, can be achieved even 10 fps. Focus is quite fast, but can cause problems in low light. The user can choose to continue focusing as video mode to reduce the time required to achieve a snapshot. Also, the device can track a moving subject. Browsing through pictures is a bit slow, and viewing one in full resolution is very cumbersome. Battery life can go up to 250 frames if the GPS is turned off and the flash is used in moderation.
Panasonic Lumix TZ10 with GPS mode places your photos on a map
In conclusion, if you go on holiday and you want a compact device with good quality images and that can place them on a map, Pansonic Lumix TZ10 is very easy to recommend. The rich package of amenities and features, including GPS module, display quality, excellent lens and HDD shooting with compression is not exactly cheap, but justifies its price. The device can be purchased for about $ 270. If the GPS module doesn’t work up your interest and you’re not bothered by a smaller screen or a lack of compression on HD footage, then you can purchase Panasonic Lumix TZ8 with confidence. It comes with the same sensor, the same objective and performance almost identical in other respects, its price is $ 200.
