Panasonic DMC-TZ7

The new TZ series and especially TZ7 packs a LEICA DC VARIO-ELMAR lens with 12x optical zoom into a compact body. This versatile photographic tool lets you shoot everything from sweeping vistas at the 25mm wide-angle setting to dynamic 300mm telephoto shots. And the lens system's exquisite rendering ability lets you capture even the subtle nuances of the sights and scenes in your travels.

If you are looking to buy TZ7 and for the cheapest TZ7 price, look no further than the picture on the right.

A 25mm equivalent wide angle lens can capture a subject or scene with more than a two times wider frame from the same perspective as a conventional 35mm equivalent lens can achieve. This extra range is especially useful when you are indoors where you can be restricted in your movements by walls, corners, or furniture trying to take a photo of the family or friends, or when you want to capture a much wider landscape. The Lumix DMC-TZ7 features two aspherical lenses with three aspherical surfaces including two ED lenses. This lens system makes it possible to deliver a 25mm equivalent wide angle lens with 12x optical zoom in a compact body.

If this is a must have gift, don't delay and be sure to order now to avoid disappointment.

Panasonic quote average 300 shots, but if those 300 aren't taken consecutively and you spend a few minutes between shots, that big screen drains the battery and I reckon I get about 100 shots from a full charge.

The short battery life makes a mockery of the potential 16gb cards you can buy for this camera!! A spare battery will cost around £70-£80!! So not an economic option for many. I had to buy an in car charger facility and I find myself charging the battery at least 4 times a week.

The battery in my Canon IXUS 970is lasts about 10 times longer on average, and thats using the view screen for every shot. I also believe the Ixus 970is is a better build quality and also smaller.

Notwithstanding the above, The TZ7 this is still a great compact and versatile camera. The wide angle lens is superb. "

Features of the TZ7

• 10.1 MegaPixel CCD for the TZ7 
• 12x Optical Zoom with Leica DC Vario Elmar Lens - 35mm Equiv. 25-300mm
  
• Intelligent Auto (Ai) Technology Mode with Face Recognition and Movie iA Mode, 460,000-dot High-resolution
• 25mm Ultra Wide-angle
• Face Detection mode
• High Definition Movie Recording in AVCHD Lite with Dolby Stereo Digital Creator
  
• Advanced Mega OIS - Shake Detection
• Intelligent Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) with Wide-viewing Angle
• The TZ7 has Venus Engine HD with HDMI Compatibility and VIERA Link
  
• Build in flash: Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off 0.6 - 5.3m (Wide/ISO Auto), 1.0 - 3.6m (Tele/ISO Auto)
• Intelligent Scene Selector: Photo (Portrait, Scenery, Night Portrait, Night Scenery, Macro), & Movie (Portrait, Scenery, Low Light, Macro)
• Still Picture Recording[4:3] 3648 x 2736 (10M) / 3072 x 2304 (7M EZ) / 2560 x 1920 (5M EZ) / 2048 x 1536 (3M EZ) / 1600 x 1200 (2M EZ) / 640 x 480 (0.3M EZ) / [3:2] 3776 x 2520 (9.5M) / 3168x2112 (6.5M EZ? / 2656x1768 (4.5M EZ) / 2112x1408 (3M EZ) / 2048 x 1360 (2.5M EZ) / [16:9] 3968 x 2232 (9M) / 3328x1872 (6M EZ) / 2784x1568 (4.5M EZ) / 2208x1248 ?2.5M EZ) / 1920 x 1080 (2M EZ)

"The intelligent auto feature is superb. You don't really need to use anything else. Frame the picture, set the focus by waiting for the solid green circle in the viewfinder. Click. Perfect Picture. Macro, portrait, landscape, all sharp and optimally exposed.

It can do lots of tricks and HD video too but it is the simplicity with which it achieves great results that impress.

Why only four stars then?

If you catch bright sun at an angle behind you, the reflective screen means you have to literally guess at the picture you're taking. It's still an excellent picture and you can crop it later in a computer! It only in these extreme conditions that the viewfinder causes a problem. In all other situations it is astonishingly bright and clear

The battery life is short and you have to remove the battery to charge it. It's behind a rather delicate flap that looks like it may have a limited life in clumsey hands!

BUT. It's really is a great camera and I would not choose another model, even with the benefit of hindsight. "