Small body, big zoom: is Panasonic's TZ30 the best travel zoom on the market? The What Digital Camera TZ30 review takes a look...

Product Overview

Overall rating:

90%

Panasonic Lumix TZ30

Overall score:90%
Value:90%
Performance:90%
Image Quality:85%
Features:95%
Design:90%

Pros:

  • Big zoom in a small body; excellent stabilisation system

Cons:

  • Still no Raw shooting; battery life could be better

Product:

Panasonic Lumix TZ30 Review

Manufacturer:

Price as reviewed:

£329.00

Value & Verdict

Panasonic Lumix TZ30 review – Value

We’ve seen a spate of pricey cameras hitting the shelves in recent months. The TZ30 carries the same SRP as its predecessor, at £349, though pre-orders are available at £329 at a variety of online stores.

Considering how much kit is crammed into the camera we think that’s very reasonable value for money. It’s not a budget compact by any means, but for those seeking the latest features it’s a measured price for a great piece of kit.

Panasonic Lumix TZ30 review – Verdict

The Panasonic Lumix TZ30 is a serious advance to the TZ-series and delivers in every area. If you’re after a pocketable, powerful and easy to use compact camera then the TZ30 is up there with the very best.

Although image quality isn’t going to see off a larger-sensor competitor, and there’s still no Raw capture, this consumer-targeted compact does show improvement compared to the TZ20 model of last year and has plenty of other positives to outweigh these small downsides.

The significant zoom range, super-fast autofocus, fantastic image stabilisation and a touchscreen that adds genuine appeal all help the camera to sell itself. Price-wise it’s far from budget, but at £329 it’s better value than the previous TZ20 release.

This is one capable compact and a serious alternative to far bulkier superzoom models. An out and out winner.

Details

Metering System:Intelligent Multiple / Center Weighted / Spot
Other:10fps burst mode or 5fps with continuous focusing; +/-3EV exposure compensation; macro and super macro for 3cm-from-subject focus (at 24mm); AF tracking /
Connectivity:miniHDMI, AV Output (PAL/NTSC), USB2.0
Exposure Modes:Program AE, Aperture Priority AE, Shutter Priority AE, Manual, C1, C2, 3D, Scene, Creative Control, intelligent Auto
Video:1080p max at 50fps; 28Mbps max in AVCHD format; 25fps at 20Mbps in MP4 format
Memory Card:SD (HC/XC)
White Balance:Auto / Daylight / Cloudy / Shade / Incandescent / White Set / White Balance Adjustment
LCD:3in, 460k-dot, touchscreen LCD
Sensor:Newly developed 14.1MP high sensitivity MOS sensor
Lens:20x optical zoom; 24-480mm (equiv.) f/3.3-6.4 with Power OIS (optical image stabilisation)
ISO Range:100-3200
Power:Li-ion battery (included); 260 shots per charge
Flash Modes:Auto, Red-eye, Forced On, Slow Sync, Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Weight:206g including battery & card
Dimensions:104.9 x 58.9 x 28.2 mm
Shutter Speeds:15-1/2000th sec
File Formats:JPEG, MPO for 3D, AVCHD/MP4 for movies
  1. 1. Panasonic Lumix TZ30 review: Key Specs:
  2. 2. Design
  3. 3. Performance
  4. 4. Image Quality
  5. 5. Value & Verdict
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