The Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3 is the digital camera that I have been using for a few years now. I know that they have come out with new versions in the line (two I so far I think?), and I know that I will be upgrading to one when I am ready for a new camera. First off for the price range and the size of the camera, the zoom is incredible! And I'm not talking horrible "digital zoom" that just causes pixelation. The lens is amazing! There are also lots of different preset modes that actually work quite well for many situations and makes taking good pictures quickly a breeze. If you're a bit of a more experienced photographer, there are many manual settings to play around with as well. The battery life is pretty good for the large size of the screen and everything that the camera does, but I would like to see the battery life lengthened in newer models. I am a woman, so have probably slightly smaller than average hands, and this camera fits perfectly. The physical interface is great, with everything at an easy reach. Overall, I love the Lumix line and you should, too!!

sakiko

USA

I love my camera. I've had it for over two years now, and it still works like new. One thing I cannot stand is even the slightest blur in a photo (especially when you think a photo is clear but you zoom in on it later and it's not), and this camera definitely works for me. The picture quality is fantastic. The zoom is wonderful; I can zoom the camera all the way in and the pictures still come out crisp and clear. Videos and the sound always come out good. It's extremely easy to use, and it still has manual settings for those who actually know what they're doing. Battery life is excellent; I really don't have to charge it that often, and I never have to worry about it dying while I'm out with it. One thing that I have noticed, however, is that it sometimes takes two-three seconds between pressing the button and actually taking the picture. I haven't noticed my camera do it too often, and if you're more camera-inclined than me, you could probably figure out a way to combat this. Overall, I'd highly recommend this camera!

dadani030

USA

I bought the SZ7 to replace my old Lumix that died after 5 years of continuous use. The continuous pictures capability is one of the best I've used in a point-and-shoot. I rarely have any lag time with taking a 2nd picture, unless it's with a flash, and even then the improvement over older models is so significant that doesn't even bother me. It has a 10x zoom that really captures the smallest detail. I'm really happy with the zooming capability. My pictures come out clear, and the resolution is so high I can crop to a small corner and it looks perfect. I also love that I can zoom in and out and take pictures while recording video. The camera itself is very light, too. The only thing preventing me from rating this a 10 is the performance in low light. My older Lumix model was better at it, and most pictures that I take with the SZ7 don't come out, even when not zooming at all. For a Leica lens, this is pretty surprising. I also don't like having to buy specialty batteries - especially since this model is designed to charge with your camera plugged into your computer - so you can't use it while charging. Following the advice of another buyer, I bought a wall charger and back up batteries meant for another model that was compatible with mine, so that's rectified, but still a bad feature.

princessariane

Charlotte, NC

This little camera gets a lot of use and I'm glad to have it around, but it's a frustrating gadget that really seems to have a mind of its own. The auto-focus is overzealous and frequently darts behind the subject at the last possible second (and with no option for turning that feature off, it's doubly irritating). It's no good at all if you want to photograph a moving subject, and landscapes are iffy. If you're trying to take a picture in low lighting, forget it. There are a lot of settings to explore, which is nice, but they're not always easy to switch between. But for a still, easy shot, it does a good job, with crisp images that can handle some cropping without becoming too cell-phone-esque. If that's all you want a camera for, then this one will do fine and I wish you happy shooting. As for me, my habits towards action shots demand a little more than what this model has to offer.

Lekeila

USA

Just had this camera since Christmas time so it is still rather new but I am enjoying all the features on it and learning new things. I love that the camera has a built in memory in case I leave the memory card in the computer. Also I find it interesting that you can charge it by plugging it into the wall with the battery inside the camera. It takes really clear pictures but I have had a time with the auto making the pictures too bright. So I feel like I still have to adjust. This is just on inside pictures but it is annoying. So far the battery life has been pretty good. I also like how light the camera is--it's a little thicker than my last camera but not too heavy. Overall a great camera! It also takes good videos. Image Quality White balance can be hard to adjust

DividedHeart

Roanoke, VA

we bought this camera back in 2009 or so. and we have still been using it. it offers a lot of functions and the battery life is good. that is one of the best features of this camera; we are still on the original the battery! our camera would be better if my daughter hadn't scratched up the lens somehow, but that's no fault of the camera's. we have brought it to canada and europe and it's great for all types of shots. my only complaint is that sometimes the focus seems to take a little longer than i'd like in the intelligent auto mode.

betsily

USA

I had a canon powershot camera as my first digital camera and I was ok with it. I bought this one because I was fed up with replacing AA batteries and the under exposure problem with my powershot. This camera takes good pictures, the big lens takes in more light so that there is no need for unnecessary flashes. It saves battery and gives better results because of this. I like the life of the rechargeable battery which lasts very long - although sometimes it's a problem if you 'forget' to bring the charger or extra batteries when you go on longer trips. I love this camera and it's highly recommended.

CPHCPH

USA

I love this camera! It is easy to use and takes great pictures without a lot of manipulating. Even my 12 year old son has figured out on his own, just by playing with it, how to do some pretty neat stuff with the graphical features built into it. I didn't even know that it was capable of so many things when I bought it. Just the auto point and shoot aspect takes wonderful pictures.

okynot

USA

We have had this camera for a few years now. It gets the job done, easy to use point and shoot. Nice small design fits in my purse well, pictures turn out focused and a nice quality. It does have a lot of features that my husband enjoys playing around with. I will be upgrading to a DSLR in the near future, but this camera did the job

Melisamom

USA

This Panasonic camera is easy to use, but versatile enough to make your photo pop! Many different modes help make your pictures better. Image Quality Sharp photos, good macros and zoom photos. Performance Easy to use. One or two button pushes and settings are adjusted. Ease of Use Easy to learn to use. Only take a few button pushes to adjust camera. Durability Durable, but with a large screen, use a case to prevent scratches. Battery Life Battery life is OK, but to be safe, carry an extra battery. Portability Not a heavy camera, however, it's not the lightest.

MrsKeebler

Waukegan, IL