Panasonic DMC TZ5

The growing division in digital cameras is putting a number of models out in the cold. Superzoom and ultra-compact subgenres are funnelling users towards certain areas, with the larger compacts that boast decent (but no super) zooms being left in an unlabelled wilderness. The Panasonic TZ5 is just the model to bring long-zoom compacts back to the fore, boasting the kind of specs that could steer consumers away from the crowd.

It’s incredibly difficult to judge build quality from an image. Catalogues and websites may be able to reel off the specs, but displaying how solid a camera feels is tricky to show in images. Needless to say, the Panasonic TZ5 is fairly solid all round, with a metallic body that doesn’t skimp in the important areas. Even the flaps covering connections have the same degree of solidity, giving a satisfying amount of feedback when locked into place. On first impressions, the three-inch LCD screen creates a cramped environment for fingers in the remaining space. With a Playback/Review switch, D-pad and various other controls to squeeze in, it would be a fair assumption to presume that a fair amount of finger gymnastics would be needed to fully use the camera. Fortunately, the TZ5 has an intelligent button layout that ensures, to some degree, that handling is as comfortable as possible.

The space between the screen and Mode switch is around the correct size for a thumb to be rested in place. There isn’t much chance of any of the controls that lie in the potential line of fire to be pressed by accident though, as the natural positioning allows the thumb to sit just off the casing. As the D-pad sits within this area, it’s pleasing to see the directions are responsive without being lightweight. Each seems small on first impression, but the ergonomics are perfect for rolling the thumb from button to button and not hitting the incorrect area. Both the Display and Q.Menu controls are too small and simple to hit by accident and the Mode switch requires a fingernail rather than tip to change from Playback to Record. The zoom switch is well weighted with a decent amount of resistance though, allowing the 10x optical zoom to remain under control no matter how rapid or sloth-like the desired speed. Other controls, including the shutter release, serve their intended purpose perfectly well, with only the half-dial of wasted space on the mode Dial presenting a problem when between settings. The organised scattering of the controls is mainly due to the increased surface area taken up by the three-inch LCD, putting far more user attention towards the display. The amount of pixels on offer to spread across the screen isn’t increased over a 2.7-inch option at 460k, but surprisingly, the sharpness isn’t noticeably affected. All of the important information can be read easily, and the menus are kept big and basic enough to be read with clear symbols and a suitably basic colour scheme. Surprisingly, even filling the screen with the likes of a live histogram doesn’t make it appear cluttered, and still leaves enough visible to frame a shot.

Having the three-inch screen also puts more pressure on the image quality, making any shortfalls all the more obvious. The optics has both the on-paper attributes and heritage to impress, and fortunately, the sharpness rarely disappoints. At the top end of the zoom there is a fairly large delay on the focus, but with 10x magnification, it’s of little surprise that the Leica optics take their time. Having a decent image stabiliser is important as well, which again the TZ5 manages with an optical option. Again, the top end of the zoom is a problem when the wind is strong, but with a little patience the end product is sharp. Colour quality was impressively deep, even leading to the images being a little too dark in terms of exposure, but showing the reds to be vivid and eye-catching enough to print full screen. It’s worth mentioning that the Video mode is high definition and although it isn’t up to the level of a camcorder, the results are decent enough for a clip or two.

The DMC-TZ5 is certainly of a dying breed, but thankfully it keeps the merits of optics-focused models firmly in mind. The image quality is superb for those willing to spend a little time framing up, and the versatility of a 10x optical zoom will be a bonus to advanced and novice users alike. Elements such as build quality show that plenty of forethought has gone into the structure, and the button placement wasn’t forgotten about either, ensuring the three-inch screen is more of a blessing than a burden. Seeing all of these elements put together in such a solid-feeling cameras make the TZ5 something of a rarity, but a highly recommended one.