Fuji Finepix F70EXR vs Panasonic Lumix DMC TZ7 Comparison
Fuji Finepix F70EXR
Panasonic Lumix DMC TZ7
To start with the Fuji Finepix F70EXR and the Panasonic Lumix DMC TZ7 offer extra zoom power over more standard digital cameras. They both manage to do so while retaining a fairly compact body size. Although a little on the large side for slipping easily into a typical pocket they are much smaller than more bulkier super zoom digital cameras and Digital SLRs.
Basic Specification
Fuji Finepix F70EXR
10 megapixels
10x Optical Zoom
2.7 inch LCD screen
Macro Focus: 5cm
Wide Angle Lens
Standard Definition Movies
Dimensions: 99.3 x 58.9 x 27mm
Weight: 180g
Panasonic Lumix DMC TZ7
10 megapixels
12x optical zoom
3 inch LCD screen
Macro Focus 3cm
Ultra Wide Angle Lens
High Definition Movies
Dimensions: 103.3 x 59.6 x 32.8mm
Weight: 206g
Features
Looking through the standard features the two cameras look quite evenly matched, but when you dig a bit deeper you will see that both cameras have different strong points. This gives you a fair amount of choice.
They both offer the same number of pixels and the additional 2x zoom power offered by the Lumix DMC TZ7 is useful, but does not make that much difference. There is a very useful feature that Panasonic has built in though. This allows you to steadily increase the amount of zoom available as you decrease the number of megapixels you are shooting at. So if you reduce the number of megapixels to less than 3 megapixels the total zoom at your disposal is 21.4x. If you are planning to make snapshot prints or something a bit bigger then you do not need to shoot at full resolution and the extra zoom is a very useful option.
Fuji has equipped the Finepix F70EXR with a couple of very different features. These also revolve around shooting at lower resolutions. The first helps to increase the dynamic range of the camera. This means you should see a lot more detail in the shady and brightest areas of a photo. The second feature reduces the amount of noise in a photo.
In addition there is a mode that allows you to blur the background for portrait or close up shots. This can help to give your photos a more professional look. Fuji has also added a manual exposure mode as well as aperture priority. These modes are likely to appeal to someone who sees photography as a hobby.
The Lumix DMC TZ7 fights back when it comes to the movie mode. While the Finepix F70EXR offers standard definition movies Panasonic has equipped the Lumix DMC TZ7 with the ability to shoot in high definition with stereo sound. You can also zoom in and out while shooting is in progress. This camera is one of the few to offer both stereo sound and the zoom feature.
Design
The Finepix F70EXR is the smaller of the two cameras. I like the sheen this camera has too. The Lumix DMC TZ7 looks more traditional.
Start Up and Shutter Lag
The Finepix F70EXR has the edge in terms of turn on times and also the time taken to snap a single photo.
Power Supply
Both cameras run on lithium ion batteries. Batteries and chargers are supplied by Fuji and Panasonic as standard.
Picture Quality
When you decrease the amount of pixels and select the dynamic range mode the picture quality from the Finepix F70EXR is very difficult to beat. The definition of the images the camera is able to produce is eye catching. There is a brightness and a sharpness about the photos that I really like. The Lumix DMC TZ7 does little wrong and takes a very good snapshot, but finds itself up against very tough competition here.
Ease of Use
Considering the features the two cameras have they are both fairly easy to use. I have a personal preference for the way Panasonic has laid out the menu system.
Verdict
To make your selection it is worth considering how important to you High Definition movies and additional zoom are. If you are attracted to these two features then the Panasonic Lumix DMC TZ7 is likely to feature more prominently in you mind. If you think you are likely to shoot a lot of scenic shots with lots of contrast in the scenes then the Fuji Finepix F70EXR has an edge in that area. Both cameras perform very well and it is a case of deciding which features are of the most importance to you.
Where to Buy - Fuji Finepix F70EXR
Product Shots
Front View
Fuji Finepix F70EXR
Panasonic Lumix DMC TZ7
Back View
Fuji Finepix F70EXR
Panasonic Lumix DMC TZ7
Top View
Fuji Finepix F70EXR
Panasonic Lumix DMC TZ7
