The Panasonic DMC TZ3 is a super zoom digital camera. Where the DMC TZ3 differs from other super zoom cameras is that it is aimed at someone who is looking for a more straightforward, point and shoot digital camera than an advanced camera. This camera does not have the typical features you normally find on a super zoom camera such as manual exposure controls.
Another major difference is the size of the DMC TZ3. It is much smaller than other cameras with this length of zoom lens. As 36mm wide it is still too large to slip into a pocket, but it is considerably more compact than you usually find. It is also much lighter too, weighing 232g.
This is a seven megapixel camera with the lens offering 10x zoom. One key feature the DMC TZ3 does have is image stabilisation. Although the importance of this feature can be overstated it can come in handy when you are zooming in, especially in lower light. In case you have not come across image stabilisation before it helps to reduce blur in a photo caused by any slight movement of the camera while a photo is being taken.
The camera has a fairly sturdy look about it. In terms of looks it is not the most spectacular camera you are likely to come across, but then again we are not talking about a petit, stylish model here. There is a raised, grip area on the front of the camera helping you to get a good hold. In fact the DMC TZ3 feels comfortable in the hand and it is large enough to get a good hold of. It is available in blue, black and silver.
If you need to hold the camera above eye level to take a shot, for example over the top of a crowd, then there is a special LCD setting called high LCD. This gives you a much better view of the screen. I also found the screen easier to see than most in bright sunny conditions, where the sun is shinning almost directly onto the screen. The LCD screen is also larger than most at three inches in size.
With less features than a typical super zoom camera I think Panasonic have made the DMC TZ3 pretty easy to use. The menu system is fairly straightforward and it is just a case of scrolling through the options to find the one you are looking for.
Power comes from a lithium ion battery. A battery and charger are supplied as standard. Panasonic suggest you should be able to take around 270 shots in between charges. In my view this is likely to be a best case scenario.
13mb of storage have been included inside the camera therefore no memory card is supplied. With a seven megapixel camera that does not go very far and I would suggest including the cost of a high capacity memory card in your budget. Fortunately these have come down a long way in price over the past 18 months and should add no more than £10 to £15 to the price of the DMC TZ3.
Another interesting feature Panasonic have introduced and included with the DMC TZ3 is a widescreen movie mode.
