I'm a DSLR kind-of-guy. The options available in shooting with a DSLR, as the ability to compose a photo with a real viewfinder, different lenses and a bunch of settings usually make me take my Canon 50D on trips. But then there is the weight, and seeing to what effects some point-and-shots are used, which made me reconsider. This is the story of how I found a compact camera which I feel comfortable taking into the outdoors, knowing that I can bring superb photos and HD videos back home.
Earlier this year I started to leave my Canon 50D at home in favour of the
Panasonic Lumix GF1, a small size DSLR but with big skills. After returning the GF1 I got so used to the light weight around my neck, that using the 50D again seemed odd. Was I thus ready to step on step further down and try point-and-shots? As a dedicated UL backpacker and traveller, the answer was yes. A suitable camera was quickly found, as the likes of
Joe Newton,
Peter MacFarlane and
Martin Rye have used a Lumix compact camera to great lengths on their trips, taking superb photos with a camera which is both compact and light. An email was written, a business trip to Helsinki was combined with a visit, and I took home a
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ10.
Weights:
195 g TZ-10 body
022 g TZ-10 battery
001 g SDHC 8 gb memory card
218 g Total
If I compare that with the weight of the Canon 50D or even the GF1, it is so much lighter, and way more compact = Win. But can it take excellent photos? Lets see:
The amount of detail the TZ10 can capture is fabulous, check the printing on this flyer.
It also can handle fire shots like these just perfectly.
Misty mornings by the lake: Full marks.
Close-ups: Check.
Occasional holiday photos: Superb.
So far, so good. So what is special about it? Well, for one it geo-tags your photos with the GPS coordinates they were taken, and in case they were taken at a special location, like the National Opera in Oslo, for example, it will even be able to name the structure. Sweet, I hear you say, and I concur. Never again arguments with the significant other/ backpacking buddy where exactly the photo was taken - a look at the coordinates, for example in Picasa, and the mystery is solved. Some people think the GPS function drains the battery, which is, hmm, "true". I can go on a weekend backpacking trip without a second battery and come home with the camera still working, but more than that and it gets critical and a second battery is advisable.
In this screenshot from a photo uploaded on Picasa, you can see on the right the geo-tag. It is very accurate!
Back of the TZ10. Display mode in raster is the most useful, as it helps you to compose photos very well.
But that ain't all - as if superb, geo-tagged photos from afar and close-up wouldn't be enough, no, Panasonic decided to throw in a 720p HD video recording with stereo function. Pretty much all the videos I took during the last weeks were taken with the TZ10, and let me tell you that it does take superb videos, as the example underneath shows:
The layout of the camera is good, all buttons are easily reached, with exception of the video record button, which, while sitting a tad deeper, still got pushed the occasional time, but apart from that, a solid layout. The screen has gathered a couple of "Ohhhs!" and "Ahhhhs!", so sharp are the pictures on it. Panasonic also allows you to put the flash off forever, full marks for that. Deleting photos, single or multiple, goes quick and easy. The TZ10 has 12x Optical Zoom, but I honestly can't have used it more than half a dozen times, the 25 mm wide angle lens is perfect for my needs (landscape, macro, mostly).
The TZ10 has a manual exposure control, with aperture priority, shutter priority and full manual exposure. I played around with these - you'll need them for night shots - but I also think the "Intelligent Auto" does a decent job if you can't be bothered. Some of the above photos were shot with iA, and in my opinion they look as good as those shot on Manual. It doesn't do RAW, only JPEG, that's a little trouble if you like to edit in Lightroom 3, but not a dealbreaker (you can edit other formats than RAW in Lightroom 3!).
The two apps I use to edit and share photos.
Before I sum it up, a few quick words on editing. I use
Photogene on the iPad, as the intuitive and easy to use interface is superb. After editing I could upload directly from the app to Flickr, though as I am a Picasa user I use
Photo Share to upload the edited photos. If you're an iPad user (and trust me, the iPad rocks - I replaced my MacBook with it) and do any photo editing at all, consider investing the less than 4€ for those two apps.
Editing in Photogene.
Sharing with Photo Share.
Well, how to round this up? I need to return, with much sadness, I have to admit, the TZ10 again, as it was only a loan. Yesterday I took product shots for my significant other - she's a graphic designer - and as I wasn't able to get the 50D to cooperate, I took the TZ10 out and started taking photos. The small camera had no problems and did what I wanted it to do, resulting in such good photos that I was immediately entrusted with more work! I guess that means that if the TZ 10 is able to reach the high standards of a graphic designer, and at the same time is able to satisfy the heart of a UL backpacker who likes to take good photos, then the TZ10 can't be a bad deal. It is a great package, taking excellent photos, HD videos, geo-tagging both and does always cooperate, without grumbling. If you're in the market for a new camera, click the link underneath and give yourself an early present! To conclude, I reckon it means that I am not that much of an DSLR kind-of-guy after all =)
Disclosure: I have a Amazon Affiliate account and might earn something if you click and buy from above.
I'm a DSLR kind-of-guy. The options available in shooting with a DSLR, as the ability to compose a photo with a real viewfinder, different lenses and a bunch of settings usually make me take my Canon 50D on trips. But then there is the weight, and seeing to what effects some point-and-shots are used, which made me reconsider. This is the story of how I found a compact camera which I feel comfortable taking into the outdoors, knowing that I can bring superb photos and HD videos back home.
Earlier this year I started to leave my Canon 50D at home in favour of the
Panasonic Lumix GF1, a small size DSLR but with big skills. After returning the GF1 I got so used to the light weight around my neck, that using the 50D again seemed odd. Was I thus ready to step on step further down and try point-and-shots? As a dedicated UL backpacker and traveller, the answer was yes. A suitable camera was quickly found, as the likes of
Joe Newton,
Peter MacFarlane and
Martin Rye have used a Lumix compact camera to great lengths on their trips, taking superb photos with a camera which is both compact and light. An email was written, a business trip to Helsinki was combined with a visit, and I took home a
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ10.Weights:
195 g TZ-10 body
022 g TZ-10 battery
001 g SDHC 8 gb memory card
218 g Total
If I compare that with the weight of the Canon 50D or even the GF1, it is so much lighter, and way more compact = Win. But can it take excellent photos? Lets see:
The amount of detail the TZ10 can capture is fabulous, check the printing on this flyer.
It also can handle fire shots like these just perfectly.
Misty mornings by the lake: Full marks.
Close-ups: Check.
Occasional holiday photos: Superb.
So far, so good. So what is special about it? Well, for one it geo-tags your photos with the GPS coordinates they were taken, and in case they were taken at a special location, like the National Opera in Oslo, for example, it will even be able to name the structure. Sweet, I hear you say, and I concur. Never again arguments with the significant other/ backpacking buddy where exactly the photo was taken - a look at the coordinates, for example in Picasa, and the mystery is solved. Some people think the GPS function drains the battery, which is, hmm, "true". I can go on a weekend backpacking trip without a second battery and come home with the camera still working, but more than that and it gets critical and a second battery is advisable.
In this screenshot from a photo uploaded on Picasa, you can see on the right the geo-tag. It is very accurate!
Back of the TZ10. Display mode in raster is the most useful, as it helps you to compose photos very well.
But that ain't all - as if superb, geo-tagged photos from afar and close-up wouldn't be enough, no, Panasonic decided to throw in a 720p HD video recording with stereo function. Pretty much all the videos I took during the last weeks were taken with the TZ10, and let me tell you that it does take superb videos, as the example underneath shows:
The layout of the camera is good, all buttons are easily reached, with exception of the video record button, which, while sitting a tad deeper, still got pushed the occasional time, but apart from that, a solid layout. The screen has gathered a couple of "Ohhhs!" and "Ahhhhs!", so sharp are the pictures on it. Panasonic also allows you to put the flash off forever, full marks for that. Deleting photos, single or multiple, goes quick and easy. The TZ10 has 12x Optical Zoom, but I honestly can't have used it more than half a dozen times, the 25 mm wide angle lens is perfect for my needs (landscape, macro, mostly).
The TZ10 has a manual exposure control, with aperture priority, shutter priority and full manual exposure. I played around with these - you'll need them for night shots - but I also think the "Intelligent Auto" does a decent job if you can't be bothered. Some of the above photos were shot with iA, and in my opinion they look as good as those shot on Manual. It doesn't do RAW, only JPEG, that's a little trouble if you like to edit in Lightroom 3, but not a dealbreaker (you can edit other formats than RAW in Lightroom 3!).
The two apps I use to edit and share photos.
Before I sum it up, a few quick words on editing. I use
Photogene on the iPad, as the intuitive and easy to use interface is superb. After editing I could upload directly from the app to Flickr, though as I am a Picasa user I use
Photo Share to upload the edited photos. If you're an iPad user (and trust me, the iPad rocks - I replaced my MacBook with it) and do any photo editing at all, consider investing the less than 4€ for those two apps.
Editing in Photogene.
Sharing with Photo Share.
Well, how to round this up? I need to return, with much sadness, I have to admit, the TZ10 again, as it was only a loan. Yesterday I took product shots for my significant other - she's a graphic designer - and as I wasn't able to get the 50D to cooperate, I took the TZ10 out and started taking photos. The small camera had no problems and did what I wanted it to do, resulting in such good photos that I was immediately entrusted with more work! I guess that means that if the TZ 10 is able to reach the high standards of a graphic designer, and at the same time is able to satisfy the heart of a UL backpacker who likes to take good photos, then the TZ10 can't be a bad deal. It is a great package, taking excellent photos, HD videos, geo-tagging both and does always cooperate, without grumbling. If you're in the market for a new camera, click the link underneath and give yourself an early present! To conclude, I reckon it means that I am not that much of an DSLR kind-of-guy after all =)
Disclosure: I have a Amazon Affiliate account and might earn something if you click and buy from above.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ10 Review
It looks like a great camera for UL use.
ReplyDeleteAre there any manual controls on it for aperture/shutter?
Also, how do you get the pics onto the iPad?
Wow, Beautiful pictures Hendrik. I've looked at Lumix cameras for a long time. Nice. How rugged does it feel. The Olympus Tough cameras look interesting for durability.
ReplyDeleteDoes it also allow you to take your pic's in raw format, or is it strictly jpg?
ReplyDelete/ Karl
I've been using the TZ5 for a while and really like it. I'm just a snapper. My philosophy is to take as many pictures as possible and hope that some come out OK. The automatic mode (IA) is ideal for me.
ReplyDeleteReading your review, I wonder whether I should upgrade to the TZ10 because of the video and the tripod mount. On the TZ5, the tripod mount is on one side, meaning that I can't use a stick pic. The centre mount on the TZ10 is much more sensible. The TZ10 is also a bit slimmer. The only thing that is better on the TZ5 is the vertical camera grip bar.
- The pictures are okay (except for too much depth of field on many)
ReplyDelete- The videos are great
But as on every compact camera the sound is awefull : noise + very sensitive to wind... and you can't make a good wind shield on these tiny mic holes on the camera :(
That's really the most annoying thing. I'm looking for the perfect hybrid camera to take pictures and movies with good sound but I still haven't found one. Suggestions ?
IPad has only 15% battery power... :)
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures and just the camera I'm looking for. 12x Optical Zoom and GPS. Perfect!
Thanks for the good report!
Greeting, Rio
Mark, yes there are manual controls for aperature & shutter speed - added a paragraph. I use the Apple Camera Kit to get the photos on the iPad.
ReplyDeleteThanks Keith! In my opinion it is rugged enough for my needs - I usually carry it in a cuben bag to protect it from rain/ water, but as a UL backpacker I normally take care of my gear!
Karl, no RAW, JPEG only.
Robin, iA is just fine and works great. I shot many photos in iA and think they're excellent. If you plan to use a tripod and StickPic, then the TZ10 might be a good investment. I have read that people think the grip on the TZ10 is better (as in more comfortable & ergonomic) as on the TZ7, can' comment on the TZ5, though.
Olivier, there's always trade offs. Well, except with the Canon 5D Mk II which should do both most satisfactorily, but lets then not talk about weight and price then ;) In my opinion the photos are better than good, but the remark about wind noise in videos is true - check out my ULA Epic video on Youtube & you'll see!
Rio, yeah, after a long day working! Thanks for shopping ;)
Looks like a nice camera with the 12x optical zoom. But the GPS - isn't that like having video referees in football (=soccer) matches? :) Where are all those enjoyable arguments about whether this picture was taken here or there/whether that was a goal or not? :D
ReplyDeleteBut otherwise, a very decent camera, I'm definitely a pocket size camera type of person!
Interesting and informative review. I'm looking for a better camera and, as others here, want something fairly lightweight. I want a fairly wide angle for those mountain shots, but also love to do macro photos too. When most reviewers talk about macro, they show images like a whole rose, for example. That's not macro to me. My idea of macro is flowers which are less than 10mmm diameter or wee insects such as your moth and caterpillar.
ReplyDeleteHendrik - great shot of the Caterpillar. I have a TZ6 the 25mm wide angle is good for scenery. I like the idea of geo- tagging. If I don't go through my photos on a regular basis, I forget where I took the shot.
ReplyDeleteOne thing I would like is a real view finder on it.
Mark
I stopped shooting RAW ages back as I am too lazy to do much editing. Panasonic make great cameras. The photos you got from that one are great. I should do some close up like the ones with the blurry background. Next camera for me is a DCM LX5. Then there is the new Nikon P7000. Compacts that push the low end DSLR all the way.
ReplyDeleteI used this camera up in the Arctic this spring and was very impressed. Also impressed by the range up from this with inter-changeable lenses...
ReplyDeleteI need a new camera. It looks like this might be the one.
ReplyDeleteDuh! I guess I missed a paragraph when I read if the first time.
ReplyDeleteI recently turned to be a DSLR camera guy but I'm still learning that... Canon 550D seems to offer quite nice image quality and exellent HD video options, and is lighter than 50D. I just have to invest some 1000+ euros for nice optics and 100+euros for external microphone...
ReplyDeleteBefore 550D I used G10 which was really nice but unfortunately drowned... Then I bought Olmypus Mju Though 3000. It is waterproof and shoots HD video but otherwise I don't quite like it. Aperture is too small, controls are a bit tacky and the camera is overall slow. But I really like the waterproofness! It is nice to shoot HD video of friends under water... =D
I ques the TZ10 is not waterproof? Maybe I should try waterproof Lumix cameras? They might be better than the Olympus? Or then I'll switch to Canon S95 which seems to have superior specs and buy waterproof shoot-thru-bag.
Really great review Hendrik. Detailed and comprehensive. I bought a TZ10 after reading reviews on various photography forums (I am a member of Photo Radar which is very good). I love it. The IA function is sufficiently intelligent to take superb photos but it will allow me to grow as a photographer by altering shutter speed, aperture, exposure, ISO and other conditions whilst maintaining a small, UL package. I use the Lowe Pro Apex 20 AW pouch attached to the hipbelt of my Gorilla and that works very well. The HD video, even with the 12x optical zoom engaged, is superlatively sharp and detailed. It also switches on and off very quickly which is very useful in inclement weather. Great camera.
ReplyDeleteKeith: I have an Olympus Tough. It is durable, but takes awful pictures, and has no real controls beyond point-and-shoot.
ReplyDeleteGreat review! It's good to have the point of view of a DSLR user on a small camera.
ReplyDeleteCompact camera are fine to shoot outdoor pics (landscape, macro, ...). Their small sensor are great for that and they also offer good optical zoom (in a quite small package).
On the other hand, they often lack great manual controls and there is almost no way to use the aperture mode (due to the small sensor size offering big depth of field - except in macro mode).
As a DSLR user, the lack of dof control doesn't bother you?
A good tradeoff can be the new big sensor compact cameras with interchangeable lenses like the micro 4/3, Sony Nex and Samsung NX serie.
Just got a NEX3, I'll be abble to make my mind :D.
So what we need next is Panasonic to melt three of it's brilliant cameras into one. Lets have the viewfinder off the G2, the rugged housing from the TS1 and stick 'em both on the TZ10 and I think we'd have ourselves a pretty frickin' awesome outdoor camera.
ReplyDeleteIt seems to be a great point and shoot, but I'm happier with the GF1. The larger sensor, better lens, better manual controls (with dedicated buttons etc), RAW, and exchangeable lenses with filter mounts (for ND and polarizing filters) make it ideal for me. The GF1 is a perfect in-between camera - small, feature packed, better than point and shoots, more convenient than a full DSLR. PLus it'll take my Nikon lenses with an adaptor. But they both, from what I've seen, take great pictures - which ultimately is what counts.
ReplyDeleteI have both a Nikon D40 DSLR and a Canon S90 Compact. A compact can never achieve the same image quality and good handling, but neither can a DSLR be as light. It's inevitable physics. That being said my S90, and the TZ10 too it seems, takes pretty darn good photos (in low light the S90 is even better than the D40 which has a much older sensor), and it has good manual controls. And, this I consider essential, the manual controls has buttons that are easy to use, not some deep menus that in practice you never bother to fiddle with. I find that I use the P mode and adjust exposure compensation and ISO all the time. This makes a big difference. Does the TZ10 have these kinds of buttons?
ReplyDeleteThe points where the D40 is a lot better are:
1. Speed - you can capture fast situations much better
2. Portraits and depth of field shots with blurred backgrounds.
3. Stability and handling. Once you've handled a DSLR you really miss the feeling it gives you when you shoot with a compact.
4. Lens quality, especially with a nice fixed prime lens.
5. A good view finder. Makes for much more stable shots.
6. Dynamic range - The D40 doesn't blow the highlights as often.
Regardless of this I will probably bring the S90 instead of the D40 for most hiking trips in the future. The quality of landscape shots is so close that I feel it's good enough. The bottom line is also that I have so much to learn about photography that it's my own skill(or rather lack of) in framing the motive that makes the really big difference, not the camera, so I might a well bring a light one.
Hi! A lovely review! I just bought a TZ10 and am dabbling around with it. I noticed the lovely bokeh effect you managed on some of the pics. Could you tell me the settings you used to get this effect?
ReplyDeleteMauryan, thank you! The bokeh effect, hmm, I think it comes automatically if you try to frame the subject of your photo so that the subject is sharp and the rest blurry. I'm not sure if it was shot in iA or A or M mode. Just try and you'll see ;)
ReplyDeleteHi Hendrik,
ReplyDeletenice review! I own a GF1 with 14-45mm but it's still too heavy and too bulky for me on trips. You have tested both cams on your own. So would you say the image quality of the TZ10 is nearly as good as GF1? The second option for me is a 20mm obj. but that would still be bulky and would only save 100g. Also it would be much more money to spend, in case of TZ10 I could sell my GF1...
Not an easy decision! Would be nice if you could drop a few lines about a comparison of these two cams.
bye
hikinglight, GF1 allows to switch lenses, shoot in RAW, and has more options. TZ10 is lighter, has GPS functionality, and is lighter/ smaller. Both are great cameras, maybe you should compare the photos of the two reviews to see if the TZ10 can replace the GF1? I was very happy with the TZ10, and know that a few other lightweight backpackers are using it.
ReplyDeleteThe 20mm Pancake is excellent, btw ;)
I think about this since two days now. I will work on this weekend and make long hours so I will buy a TZ10 next week and compare by myself. If the TZ10 will not meet my requirements I can still buy the 20mm Pancake. I think this will be the only and best way to find out.
ReplyDeleteThanks again for your comment and the listing in your "week in review"!
hikinglight, I am looking forward to your findings in the future!
ReplyDeleteHi! A lovely review! I just bought a TZ10 and am dabbling around with it. I noticed the lovely bokeh effect you managed on some of the pics. Could you tell me the settings you used to get this effect?
ReplyDeleteSo what we need next is Panasonic to melt three of it's brilliant cameras into one. Lets have the viewfinder off the G2, the rugged housing from the TS1 and stick 'em both on the TZ10 and I think we'd have ourselves a pretty frickin' awesome outdoor camera.
ReplyDeleteGreat review! It's good to have the point of view of a DSLR user on a small camera.
ReplyDeleteCompact camera are fine to shoot outdoor pics (landscape, macro, ...). Their small sensor are great for that and they also offer good optical zoom (in a quite small package).
On the other hand, they often lack great manual controls and there is almost no way to use the aperture mode (due to the small sensor size offering big depth of field - except in macro mode).
As a DSLR user, the lack of dof control doesn't bother you?
A good tradeoff can be the new big sensor compact cameras with interchangeable lenses like the micro 4/3, Sony Nex and Samsung NX serie.
Just got a NEX3, I'll be abble to make my mind :D.
I recently turned to be a DSLR camera guy but I'm still learning that... Canon 550D seems to offer quite nice image quality and exellent HD video options, and is lighter than 50D. I just have to invest some 1000+ euros for nice optics and 100+euros for external microphone...
ReplyDeleteBefore 550D I used G10 which was really nice but unfortunately drowned... Then I bought Olmypus Mju Though 3000. It is waterproof and shoots HD video but otherwise I don't quite like it. Aperture is too small, controls are a bit tacky and the camera is overall slow. But I really like the waterproofness! It is nice to shoot HD video of friends under water... =D
I ques the TZ10 is not waterproof? Maybe I should try waterproof Lumix cameras? They might be better than the Olympus? Or then I'll switch to Canon S95 which seems to have superior specs and buy waterproof shoot-thru-bag.
IPad has only 15% battery power... :)
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures and just the camera I'm looking for. 12x Optical Zoom and GPS. Perfect!
Thanks for the good report!
Greeting, Rio
Hendrik, thanks to your post, I recently bought this camera and am very happy with it.
ReplyDeleteMy Canon DSLR with zoom lens is almost 1 kg, so I never take it.
The TZ10 slips into a small waist pouch so I can run without noticing the camera, and it takes great pictures.
The DSLR sits at home taking no pictures...that's the bottom line for me.
Many thanks again,
That is really nice to hear, Hana! Really great to see that you're happy with the purchase, though you should give the DSLR some time outdoors as well - otherwise it might get jealous ;)
ReplyDelete