JM Evrard
New member
Dsappointed. I'm considering having bought a defective camera (bought in Andorre in May 2009).
PROS
Superb object.
Photo :
******
Nice pictures with wide angle.
Wide angle astounding, very clean, usable, no distorsion or whatewer.
Stab works fine.
Video
*****
Astounding quality.
CONS
Need 2 hands to operate.
Battery : it's an insult. For occasional family takes here or there, it's ok, but for covering an event, forget it.
Note this : when you buy the cam, you might say : "oh nevremind, I'll buy a third party battery".
But the firware 1.2 has come, and forbids the use of third party batteries.
So, well done Pana, customers will be customers again.
The choice button is always in the wrong position (moves by itself when you drag the cam in your pocket), this adds to the lack of responsiveness.
Video :
******
AVCHD compression is really OK for family takes, doubles the time compared to MJPEG, but sometimes can be very bad (terrible pixelisation) when extreme lights changes (fireworks display) and fast movements (ie record in car) and sometimes TERRIBLE banding with extremely lit subjects (concerts) so I suggest to keep on MJPEG HD all the time with a higher capacity SD.
And AVCHD, just can't edit : lost hours to find a software. It's possible to convert it to DIVX with free "SUPER" software or "Free AVCHD Converter" from Coyotesoft.com, but such a mess.
Then, AVCHD : what for ?
(CORRECTION> TZ6 has no HD mode, only, 848*640, but is cheaper. So TZ7 is still a bargain for those who need HD quality video.
Zoom is slow, which is ok most of the time, but when a kid runs, I lack a more responsive zoom. Impossible to anticipate with kids !
Stabilisation works ok but I find it weak ; I really need to concentrate to get steady takes, tiring.
Photo :
******
seems nice at first glance, but :
- sunny landscape : poor dynamic range in shadows ; I must compensate with Photoshop every time.
- zoom, poor : if I want to destroy my picture ? I use the zoom. Super soft, no contrast. Actually I stay on 24mm with gives good results (if I compensate the blacks).
- low light conditions : just poor a every level.
- noise, all the time, all ISOs.
Global
Poor responsiveness. I'm missing again all my shots, like 3 years ago.
Terrible banding when high lights (gigs) : kills the take.
My Ixus 40, or Finepix F30, do a better job.
Also, where is that 10 million resolution gone ? Definitely not for pixel peepers.
Price is incredibly high.
So many "automatic" options, it's quite a mess. But some of them are impressive (like face recognition, tracking moving subjetc, ...)
Conclusion
I don't like this cam.
Need video ? good choice.
Need photo ? For cheaper, you can afford a reflex !!! Nikon D40 soooo far better EVERYTIME.
Having red those complimentary reviews everywhere, I'm starting to think I bought a defective cam. So I suggest to try your unit before buying, and buying at a place where you can easily cancel your buying.
PROS
Superb object.
Photo :
******
Nice pictures with wide angle.
Wide angle astounding, very clean, usable, no distorsion or whatewer.
Stab works fine.
Video
*****
Astounding quality.
CONS
Need 2 hands to operate.
Battery : it's an insult. For occasional family takes here or there, it's ok, but for covering an event, forget it.
Note this : when you buy the cam, you might say : "oh nevremind, I'll buy a third party battery".
But the firware 1.2 has come, and forbids the use of third party batteries.
So, well done Pana, customers will be customers again.
The choice button is always in the wrong position (moves by itself when you drag the cam in your pocket), this adds to the lack of responsiveness.
Video :
******
AVCHD compression is really OK for family takes, doubles the time compared to MJPEG, but sometimes can be very bad (terrible pixelisation) when extreme lights changes (fireworks display) and fast movements (ie record in car) and sometimes TERRIBLE banding with extremely lit subjects (concerts) so I suggest to keep on MJPEG HD all the time with a higher capacity SD.
And AVCHD, just can't edit : lost hours to find a software. It's possible to convert it to DIVX with free "SUPER" software or "Free AVCHD Converter" from Coyotesoft.com, but such a mess.
Then, AVCHD : what for ?
(CORRECTION> TZ6 has no HD mode, only, 848*640, but is cheaper. So TZ7 is still a bargain for those who need HD quality video.
Zoom is slow, which is ok most of the time, but when a kid runs, I lack a more responsive zoom. Impossible to anticipate with kids !
Stabilisation works ok but I find it weak ; I really need to concentrate to get steady takes, tiring.
Photo :
******
seems nice at first glance, but :
- sunny landscape : poor dynamic range in shadows ; I must compensate with Photoshop every time.
- zoom, poor : if I want to destroy my picture ? I use the zoom. Super soft, no contrast. Actually I stay on 24mm with gives good results (if I compensate the blacks).
- low light conditions : just poor a every level.
- noise, all the time, all ISOs.
Global
Poor responsiveness. I'm missing again all my shots, like 3 years ago.
Terrible banding when high lights (gigs) : kills the take.
My Ixus 40, or Finepix F30, do a better job.
Also, where is that 10 million resolution gone ? Definitely not for pixel peepers.
Price is incredibly high.
So many "automatic" options, it's quite a mess. But some of them are impressive (like face recognition, tracking moving subjetc, ...)
Conclusion
I don't like this cam.
Need video ? good choice.
Need photo ? For cheaper, you can afford a reflex !!! Nikon D40 soooo far better EVERYTIME.
Having red those complimentary reviews everywhere, I'm starting to think I bought a defective cam. So I suggest to try your unit before buying, and buying at a place where you can easily cancel your buying.