Review: Panasonic Lumix TZ25

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ25 replaces the Panasonic TZ18 as the affordable camera in the Panasonic's TZ travel zoom range, with a price tag of £269.99/AU$288/US$249.99.

Panasonic's TZ compact cameras are known for their big zooms and even bigger feature sets. And the Panasonic TZ25 - also known as the Panasonic ZS15 - doesn't disappoint. What you get here is essentially a Panasonic TZ30 lite - although physically it's chunkier and heavier by a whisker than Panasonic's flagship superzoom.

Instead of the Panasonic TZ30's 20x optical zoom, the Panasonic TZ25 stretches to 16x - the same as last year's Panasonic TZ18.

The Panasonic TZ25's lens might not have the extreme reach (24-384mm equivalent, compared to the Panasonic TZ30's 24-480mm), but it does retain the same wide setting, which comes in particularly useful for indoor shots, group portraits and scenic shots.

The Panasonic TZ25 also sheds a little effective resolution in the sensor department - offering 12.1MP compared to the Panasonic TZ30's 14.1MP. This is a decrease from the Panasonic TZ18 too, which also delivered 14.1 million effective pixels.

However, instead of using a CCD sensor like its predecessor, the Panasonic TZ25 features a high-sensitivity MOS one, the same as in the Panasonic FZ150.

We'd accept a slight drop in overall resolution in return for cleaner images from a small 1/2.3-inch sensor every time.

What else do you get for your money with the Panasonic TZ25? A high-speed burst mode that captures 10 full res files (although focus is locked throughout), Full HD video recording in AVCHD or MP4 format and POWER OIS (Optical Image Stabilisation) that's said to be twice as effective as Panasonic's excellent MEGA OIS. Plus there's in-camera HDR, 3D photos and panoramas.

Stump up the extra little bit of cash for the Panasonic TZ30 and you get a touchscreen, GPS, progressive 1920 x 1080 Full HD video with stereo sound recording (the Panasonic TZ25 records mono 1080i footage) and an extra ED lens in the construction of the zoom.

Otherwise, the specifications of the two cameras are near identical.

It doesn't matter how technically adept a camera is if it isn't easy to use. Thankfully, the Panasonic TZ25 gets the balance between menu-based controls and physical buttons and dials just right.

The camera is comfortable to hold, despite only having a small grip lined with a shiny inlay and a remarkably ineffective dotted thumb rest. All the controls fall easily to hand, too.

The top-plate of the Panasonic TZ25 features a responsive shutter release enclosed by a zoom collar, plus a direct record button for movies and a small but nicely weighted mode dial.

In addition to P, A, S, M modes, this dial also includes Intelligent Auto, Scene Mode (17 to choose from here), 3D Photo Mode and My Scene Mode, which enables you to apply one of Panasonic's creative digital filter effects. Finally, there's also the option for storing complete camera setups as Custom modes.

The rear of the camera features the familiar Panasonic setup. A four-way control pad gives direct access to exposure compensation, flash settings, macro focus and self-timer, while the centre SET/MENU button confirms a selection and brings up the Panasonic TZ25's shooting or playback menus, depending on which mode the camera's in.

Rather than forcing you to rummage around the menus to change key shooting parameters such as ISO, white balance and AF mode, Panasonic has collected these in a Quick Menu. Tapping the Q.Menu button on the bottom of the Panasonic TZ25's backplate displays this drop-down overlay on the rear screen's live view.

This is an efficient way of getting to the functions that matter, although the lineup of options depends on which of the Panasonic TZ25's shooting modes you're in: Aperture Priority gives you seven options to choose from, while the Intelligent Auto mode gives you four.

An inset Exposure button is conveniently placed mid-body: press this while shooting in Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority and Manual modes to change aperture and/or shutter speed settings.

Most of the Panasonic TZ25's switchgear is quick and precise, and a reflection of the all-round high standards of build quality. The sliding on/off switch is fairly stiff, for instance, meaning that the camera is unlikely to spring into life while being carried in a bag or pocket.

Moving from shooting mode to playback mode is also achieved through the use of a switch on the back of the camera. It's a shame that Panasonic persists in making you have to physically flick a switch to move from playback to shooting, as it disrupts the otherwise smooth flow of operating the camera.

There were a couple of other operational weak points with our Panasonic TZ25. The zoom collar, although light and precise during shooting, became much less snappy while magnifying the image during playback.

The LCD screen also exhibited a nasty green tinge when viewed from above or below, although the various brightness options available, including High Angle for shooting with the camera held over your head, are welcome.

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Review: Panasonic Lumix ZS15

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 replaces the Panasonic DMC-ZS8 as the affordable camera in the Panasonic's ZS lineup, with a price tag of $249.99.

Panasonic's TZ and ZS compact cameras are known for their big zooms and even bigger feature sets. And the Panasonic ZS15 doesn't disappoint. What you get here is essentially a Panasonic ZS20 (TZ30 in the UK) lite - although physically it's chunkier and heavier by a whisker than Panasonic's flagship superzoom.

Instead of the Panasonic ZS20's 20x optical zoom, the Panasonic ZS15 stretches to 16x - the same as last year's Panasonic ZS8.

The Panasonic ZS15's lens might not have the extreme reach (24-384mm equivalent, compared to the Panasonic ZS30's 24-480mm), but it does retain the same wide setting, which comes in particularly useful for indoor shots, group portraits and scenic shots.

The Panasonic ZS15 also sheds a little effective resolution in the sensor department - offering 12.1MP compared to the Panasonic ZS20's 14.1MP. This is a decrease from the Panasonic ZS8 too, which also delivered 14.1 million effective pixels.

However, instead of using a CCD sensor like its predecessor, the Panasonic ZS15 features a high-sensitivity MOS one, the same as in the Panasonic FZ150.

We'd accept a slight drop in overall resolution in return for cleaner images from a small 1/2.3-inch sensor every time.

What else do you get for your money with the Panasonic ZS15? A high-speed burst mode that captures 10 full res files (although focus is locked throughout), Full HD video recording in AVCHD or MP4 format and POWER OIS (Optical Image Stabilisation) that's said to be twice as effective as Panasonic's excellent MEGA OIS. Plus there's in-camera HDR, 3D photos and panoramas.

Step up the extra little bit of cash for the Panasonic ZS20 and you get a touchscreen, GPS, progressive 1920 x 1080 Full HD video with stereo sound recording (the Panasonic ZS15 records mono 1080i footage) and an extra ED lens in the construction of the zoom.

Otherwise, the specifications of the two cameras are near identical.

It doesn't matter how technically adept a camera is if it isn't easy to use. Thankfully, the Panasonic ZS15 gets the balance between menu-based controls and physical buttons and dials just right.

The camera is comfortable to hold, despite only having a small grip lined with a shiny inlay and a remarkably ineffective dotted thumb rest. All the controls fall easily to hand, too.

The top-plate of the Panasonic ZS15 features a responsive shutter release enclosed by a zoom collar, plus a direct record button for movies and a small but nicely weighted mode dial.

In addition to P, A, S, M modes, this dial also includes Intelligent Auto, Scene Mode (17 to choose from here), 3D Photo Mode and My Scene Mode, which enables you to apply one of Panasonic's creative digital filter effects. Finally, there's also the option for storing complete camera setups as Custom modes.

The rear of the camera features the familiar Panasonic setup. A four-way control pad gives direct access to exposure compensation, flash settings, macro focus and self-timer, while the center SET/MENU button confirms a selection and brings up the Panasonic ZS15's shooting or playback menus, depending on which mode the camera's in.

Rather than forcing you to rummage around the menus to change key shooting parameters such as ISO, white balance and AF mode, Panasonic has collected these in a Quick Menu. Tapping the Q.Menu button on the bottom of the Panasonic ZS15's backplate displays this drop-down overlay on the rear screen's live view.

This is an efficient way of getting to the functions that matter, although the lineup of options depends on which of the Panasonic ZS15's shooting modes you're in: Aperture Priority gives you seven options to choose from, while the Intelligent Auto mode gives you four.

An inset Exposure button is conveniently placed mid-body: press this while shooting in Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority and Manual modes to change aperture and/or shutter speed settings.

Most of the Panasonic ZS15's switchgear is quick and precise, and a reflection of the all-round high standards of build quality. The sliding on/off switch is fairly stiff, for instance, meaning that the camera is unlikely to spring into life while being carried in a bag or pocket.

Moving from shooting mode to playback mode is also achieved through the use of a switch on the back of the camera. It's a shame that Panasonic persists in making you have to physically flick a switch to move from playback to shooting, as it disrupts the otherwise smooth flow of operating the camera.

There were a couple of other operational weak points with our Panasonic ZS15. The zoom collar, although light and precise during shooting, became much less snappy while magnifying the image during playback.

The LCD screen also exhibited a nasty green tinge when viewed from above or below, although the various brightness options available, including High Angle for shooting with the camera held over your head, are welcome.

View the original article here

Review: Panasonic Lumix TZ25

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 replaces the Panasonic DMC-ZS8 as the affordable camera in the Panasonic's ZS lineup, with a price tag of $249.99.

Panasonic's TZ and ZS compact cameras are known for their big zooms and even bigger feature sets. And the Panasonic ZS15 doesn't disappoint. What you get here is essentially a Panasonic ZS20 (TZ30 in the UK) lite - although physically it's chunkier and heavier by a whisker than Panasonic's flagship superzoom.

Instead of the Panasonic ZS20's 20x optical zoom, the Panasonic ZS15 stretches to 16x - the same as last year's Panasonic ZS8.

The Panasonic ZS15's lens might not have the extreme reach (24-384mm equivalent, compared to the Panasonic ZS30's 24-480mm), but it does retain the same wide setting, which comes in particularly useful for indoor shots, group portraits and scenic shots.

The Panasonic ZS15 also sheds a little effective resolution in the sensor department - offering 12.1MP compared to the Panasonic ZS20's 14.1MP. This is a decrease from the Panasonic ZS8 too, which also delivered 14.1 million effective pixels.

However, instead of using a CCD sensor like its predecessor, the Panasonic ZS15 features a high-sensitivity MOS one, the same as in the Panasonic FZ150.

We'd accept a slight drop in overall resolution in return for cleaner images from a small 1/2.3-inch sensor every time.

What else do you get for your money with the Panasonic ZS15? A high-speed burst mode that captures 10 full res files (although focus is locked throughout), Full HD video recording in AVCHD or MP4 format and POWER OIS (Optical Image Stabilisation) that's said to be twice as effective as Panasonic's excellent MEGA OIS. Plus there's in-camera HDR, 3D photos and panoramas.

Step up the extra little bit of cash for the Panasonic ZS20 and you get a touchscreen, GPS, progressive 1920 x 1080 Full HD video with stereo sound recording (the Panasonic ZS15 records mono 1080i footage) and an extra ED lens in the construction of the zoom.

Otherwise, the specifications of the two cameras are near identical.

It doesn't matter how technically adept a camera is if it isn't easy to use. Thankfully, the Panasonic ZS15 gets the balance between menu-based controls and physical buttons and dials just right.

The camera is comfortable to hold, despite only having a small grip lined with a shiny inlay and a remarkably ineffective dotted thumb rest. All the controls fall easily to hand, too.

The top-plate of the Panasonic ZS15 features a responsive shutter release enclosed by a zoom collar, plus a direct record button for movies and a small but nicely weighted mode dial.

In addition to P, A, S, M modes, this dial also includes Intelligent Auto, Scene Mode (17 to choose from here), 3D Photo Mode and My Scene Mode, which enables you to apply one of Panasonic's creative digital filter effects. Finally, there's also the option for storing complete camera setups as Custom modes.

The rear of the camera features the familiar Panasonic setup. A four-way control pad gives direct access to exposure compensation, flash settings, macro focus and self-timer, while the center SET/MENU button confirms a selection and brings up the Panasonic ZS15's shooting or playback menus, depending on which mode the camera's in.

Rather than forcing you to rummage around the menus to change key shooting parameters such as ISO, white balance and AF mode, Panasonic has collected these in a Quick Menu. Tapping the Q.Menu button on the bottom of the Panasonic ZS15's backplate displays this drop-down overlay on the rear screen's live view.

This is an efficient way of getting to the functions that matter, although the lineup of options depends on which of the Panasonic ZS15's shooting modes you're in: Aperture Priority gives you seven options to choose from, while the Intelligent Auto mode gives you four.

An inset Exposure button is conveniently placed mid-body: press this while shooting in Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority and Manual modes to change aperture and/or shutter speed settings.

Most of the Panasonic ZS15's switchgear is quick and precise, and a reflection of the all-round high standards of build quality. The sliding on/off switch is fairly stiff, for instance, meaning that the camera is unlikely to spring into life while being carried in a bag or pocket.

Moving from shooting mode to playback mode is also achieved through the use of a switch on the back of the camera. It's a shame that Panasonic persists in making you have to physically flick a switch to move from playback to shooting, as it disrupts the otherwise smooth flow of operating the camera.

There were a couple of other operational weak points with our Panasonic ZS15. The zoom collar, although light and precise during shooting, became much less snappy while magnifying the image during playback.

The LCD screen also exhibited a nasty green tinge when viewed from above or below, although the various brightness options available, including High Angle for shooting with the camera held over your head, are welcome.

View the original article here

Review: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ200

Bridge cameras are perhaps sometimes unfairly dismissed as not being tools for 'proper photographers'. Perhaps what this niche has needed is a newcomer to storm onto the scene with a specification list that will make all the dedicated DSLR users out there do a double-take.

Perhaps the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ200 is that camera.

With an impressive list of numbers and features, the Panasonic FZ200 could very well be the first small bridge camera to truly make DSLR owners - or those thinking about upgrading to a DSLR - rethink their plans.

The signature feature of the Panasonic FZ200 is its 24x zoom lens, with a fast f/2.8 aperture that remains available across its entire equivalent 25-600mm (equivalent) focal length range.

Sure, there are bigger zooms out there, such as the Nikon Coolpix P510's 41.7x, 24-1000mm zoom range, and even the Panasonic FZ200's predecessor, the Panasonic FZ150 boasts the same 25-600mm focal range.

Panasonic Lumix FZ200 at a glance
Sensor: 12.1 megapixel, 1/2.3-inch MOS sensor
Lens: 24x zoom, 25-600mm (equivalent) f/2.8-f/8
LCD Screen: 3-inch, 461,000 dot articulated screen
ISO range: ISO 100-3200, Auto
Dimensions: 125.3mm x 86.6mm x 110.2mm (4.9 x 3.4 x 4.3 inches), 588.4g (12.9lbs)

But the maximum aperture of f/2.8 throughout (on the FZ150 it was restricted to wider focal lengths) marks - at least on paper - a breakthrough for Panasonic.

This goes some way to explain why the new Panasonic FZ200's full retail price of £568.99/AU$799/US$599.99 makes it more expensive than both the P510 and FZ150.

Also rare for cameras of this class is the Panasonic FZ200's ability to shoot raw images. And though it uses a fairly standard (for compact cameras) 1/2.3-inch sensor, Panasonic has 'only' used 12 million pixels on its sensor, to make it more capable in low-light situations.

Partnered with its fully articulated 3-inch LCD screen, EVF and a whole host of direct controls, the Panasonic Lumix FZ200 appears to breathe some new life into a stagnant market.

The Panasonic FZ200 has bags of direct controls, and the layout of the buttons is very sensible with regard to where your hand grips the camera. The deep, contoured rubber grip on the Panasonic FZ200 also makes it feel secure in your hands, while a small, raised rubber thumb rest on the back prevents it slipping.

Your index finger rests comfortably over the shutter button on the top plate, and is in close proximity to the video record, burst shooting and Fn buttons, as well as the mode dial (into which the On/Off switch has been integrated).

Underneath your thumb on the back of the camera are the Playback and AF/AE Lock (which also doubles as a second Fn button) buttons, and a multi-function wheel on the far right, above the thumb grip.

This wheel enables you to adjust aperture and shutter speed settings in manual mode, or the dominant setting in another mode and +/- 3EV exposure compensation in 1/3 stops. To alternate between the two, simply press in on the wheel.

Below the thumb grip is a third customisable Fn button and the display button, which sit above a four-way controller, with options for setting ISO, white balance, the self-timer and your AF mode. In the centre of this controller is the Menu/Set button. At the bottom is the Q Menu/Cancel button.

Finally, to the left of the viewfinder is a button to switch between using the LCD or EVF. It's a bit of a shame that there's no eye sensor to automatically switch between the two for you (and it took several moments of 'Why isn't this working?' before remembering that's not a feature on this camera). But it's a minor complaint.

Other cool controls? Yes, there are more. On the lens barrel is a switch for alternating between AF, AF Macro and Manual Focus, with a focus button beneath it. There's also a second zoom toggle if you don't want to use the one around the shutter button.

Everything feels sensibly placed, and nothing was too awkward to press or adjust. In fact, we were quite capable of changing most settings one-handed. What's more, the robust build and large grip never left us in doubt that we shouldn't be using just one hand.

The only complaint about the Panasonic FZ200's build, while seemingly small, is one that proved a frequent annoyance: it was rather difficult to open the articulated LCD. The screen has a small raised bit on the upper-right corner, but nothing on the bottom - and it's not substantial enough to make pulling it open a simple exercise. There's real exertion here.

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