I thought some of you out there would be interested in why I purchased the TZ40 over other great little compacts......
I guess it depends on what features mean the most to you, but for me I was looking for a well-rounded camera with a decent focal length, IOS range for shots in poor light, manual override, video capabilities, macro, battery life and the number of megapixels. All the other functionalities like Wi-Fi or GPS would be a bonus.
After hours of research (never actually holding a camera) I chose the Panasonic TZ40. The Panasonic TZ55 didn’t seem to offer a lot more and the touch screen on the TZ40 clinched it rather than the fold out screen for taking ‘selfie’ shots.
In the end it was down to the TZ40 and the Sony HX50. It really was close. The others were omitted on either lower ISO range (Samsung WB350F and Nikon S9600) or lower battery and megapixels (Canon SX280). So why the TZ40? The reviews were very positive from the professionals and the public.
TZ40 vs HX50
· The screen (viewfinder) on the TZ40 is much better in bright light with many users stating the HX50 is hardly useable
· The TZ40 has a touch screen which can be used to select the focal area easily and quick adjustment of settings
· TZ40 has Wi-Fi, NFC (fast pairing to mobile devices), GPS, panorama setting and 3D capabilities
· The Wi-Fi on the TZ40 has been reported to be more user friendly (however the touch screen cannot be used for this feature)
· Even though the TZ40 is 20x against the 30x optical zoom of the HX50, the reviews all point to the noise levels being poor for the Sony without a tripod. I was happy to stick with 20x zoom as I will mostly be shooting freehand.
· The TZ40 is much smaller and could fit into my pocket. The HX50 seems a beast from consumer remarks!
· The test videos I have seen for the TZ40 are amazing. The clarity when panning and zooming in and out really showcase just how much technology has moved on.
· The macro is 3cm compared to 5cm offered by the Sony
· My dad is still really impressed with his TZ25
I managed to pick up a TZ40 for £179.99 (imported from US). I have yet to take delivery but I am pretty hopeful I made the right decision.
I guess it depends on what features mean the most to you, but for me I was looking for a well-rounded camera with a decent focal length, IOS range for shots in poor light, manual override, video capabilities, macro, battery life and the number of megapixels. All the other functionalities like Wi-Fi or GPS would be a bonus.
After hours of research (never actually holding a camera) I chose the Panasonic TZ40. The Panasonic TZ55 didn’t seem to offer a lot more and the touch screen on the TZ40 clinched it rather than the fold out screen for taking ‘selfie’ shots.
In the end it was down to the TZ40 and the Sony HX50. It really was close. The others were omitted on either lower ISO range (Samsung WB350F and Nikon S9600) or lower battery and megapixels (Canon SX280). So why the TZ40? The reviews were very positive from the professionals and the public.
TZ40 vs HX50
· The screen (viewfinder) on the TZ40 is much better in bright light with many users stating the HX50 is hardly useable
· The TZ40 has a touch screen which can be used to select the focal area easily and quick adjustment of settings
· TZ40 has Wi-Fi, NFC (fast pairing to mobile devices), GPS, panorama setting and 3D capabilities
· The Wi-Fi on the TZ40 has been reported to be more user friendly (however the touch screen cannot be used for this feature)
· Even though the TZ40 is 20x against the 30x optical zoom of the HX50, the reviews all point to the noise levels being poor for the Sony without a tripod. I was happy to stick with 20x zoom as I will mostly be shooting freehand.
· The TZ40 is much smaller and could fit into my pocket. The HX50 seems a beast from consumer remarks!
· The test videos I have seen for the TZ40 are amazing. The clarity when panning and zooming in and out really showcase just how much technology has moved on.
· The macro is 3cm compared to 5cm offered by the Sony
· My dad is still really impressed with his TZ25
I managed to pick up a TZ40 for £179.99 (imported from US). I have yet to take delivery but I am pretty hopeful I made the right decision.