Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3S 7.2MP Digital Camera with 10x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Silver)

Best camera for price! Small, fits in pocket or purse. Takes great pictures and has good zoom qualities. Reccomend for anyone who wants an automatic camera!

I bought this when my Fuji F700 hit the pavement - too bad, that was a better camera. This one is solidly built, great screen, good features, but has three big drawbacks: it consistenly overexposes (I've manually set it to a darker exposure), the contrast and color depth seems mediocre, and it's bad in even moderately low light conditions - always uses a flash indoors even when it seems pretty bright, and you get a big overexposure on your subject when that happens.

I previously had a Panasonic DMC-LZ2 with which I was satisfied, so I was comfortable with choosing another Panasonic DMC and familiar with many of the features and menus. The DMC-TZ3 has been an amazing little camera for a point and shoot that I got for just under $200. It has many extras that my LZ2 didn't have - love the candlelight setting - and it does well in low light. I put an 8G memory card in it and purchased an extra battery - these lasted through at least 1.5 hours of video and 150 pictures - both at the maximum quality. I have been receiving rave reviews on my videos on YouTube and many questions as to what kind of camera I used... my only wish for it is that you could change the zoom level in the middle of videoing. Be sure to not have your finger over the microphone while recording - my first test video had this awful sound - fortunately I figured out why.

To see my videos - search for fanmamma on YouTube and look for video created October 28, 2008, or later. Be sure to set it to watch in high quality; as good as these are, the original files are even better.

This is the best camera I have ever used. The pictures are excellent, the zoom is phenomenal. The fast shutter speed allows me to take 4 pictures in the same time other digital cameras take one. Everyone I have shown it to or have tried to use it love the camera.

Hello, I bought this item, because it was no longer availabel here in Germany, therefore excuse my typing / errors in spelling.
Well, what can I say this camera is wonderful. It has everything, I mean everything you can ask for. This camera has received best test results in 2007/2008 and is still a hot item in 2008 eventhough the new type TZ5 was launched in the market. This camera has received a better test results regarding the speed shooting pictures in sequence. It is therfore alos good snap shot camera, but much more than this. Read more: It does not take a long time compared to other cameras to charge, focus and take a wonderful shot. It shoots brilliant picutes although the flash is super bright. It does not have manual features, but many many programs from which you can choose of for almost every surrounding the right setting is available. Also, you have two buttons you can "pre-set"with your favourite settings so it is super simple to handle.
The "only" 7.x megapixels are just fine they match to the chip that is inside the camera and that's the important part somebody told me. All pixels should have room on that chip to produce the best quality of pictures - which this camera really does.
But the best part is the super zoom, 10x and an additional digital zoom, also it has some neat functions like the "hold still button" not sure what the correct term is, but it prevents the camera or rather the image on the screen from shaking, you take quick, excellent, high resolution shots! Yeah, I love that camera, I put a fast SD-HD card inside, 4 GB so that I can use the "burst function" as well, many pics I can shoot in quick sequence. It looks nice and helps when you do a photo story.
Well, I could say much more positive things and only positive things this thing is great, remember you cover even a 28mm angle (wide angle).
Hey, if there are more of these "old" cameras on the market - go get one, the new typse not necessarily have to be better- remember this. Most of the time it is a battle among the manufactures more megapixels, but that does not count all the time. So, if you are thinking of buying a camera - this is the one, eventhough it is Japanese, but hey you know they make could quality besides the lens is I think made in Germany(!) Leica and that is still one of the top quality products / brands.
So, I hope I could give all readers a little insight of my feelings and view.