Panasonic churns out DMC-FX66, DMC-TS2, DMC-ZS5, DMC-ZS7 and DMC-ZR3 Lumix compacts
By Richard Lai 
posted January 26th 2010 5:31AM
posted January 26th 2010 5:31AM
Panasonic's just announced quite a handful of Lumix compact cameras, featuring both the new Venus Engine VI and Venus Engine HD II that claim to perform quicker with better noise reduction. What's more exciting is that these are all compatible with the forthcoming SDXC cards too, but check out their "Happy Mode" -- it makes photos "more vivid and true to the color of the scene you memorized." Yeah, as if we'd want photos that are more, um, real. Anyway, let's break it down here (clockwise from top left; non-US model numbers in brackets):
- DMC-FX66: This one's a 14.1 megapixel slim camera with an F2.8-5.9 25-125mm (5x zoom) ultra-wide-angle lens (with Power O.I.S lens-shift stabilization). The 720p video capture and 1.06 second start-up time are sweet too, but no AVCHD Lite here. On the back there's a 2.7-inch 230k-dot screen with wide viewing angle. All this is just 5.11 ounces including battery.
- DMC-TS2 (FT2): This camera has a lot in common with the FX66 above -- same sensor, same image stabilization, same scene modes (but with three extra), same focus modes and same screen. The main differences are its AVCHD Lite 720p video format, F3.3-5.9 28-128mm (4.6x) lens and added ruggedness -- waterproof to 10m, shockproof to 2m, freezeproof to 14 degrees Fahrenheit and dustproof. It's of course slightly heavier too -- 6.63 ounces including battery.
- DMC-ZS5 (TZ8) and DMC-ZS7 (TZ10): These two appear to be twins, except the former has a smaller screen (2.7-inch with 230k dots instead of 3-inch with 460k dots) and lacks GPS, AVCHD Lite and mini-HDMI port. Both do 12.1 megapixel pictures and 720p videos, have F3.3-4.9 25-300mm (12x) lens with lens-shift stabilization, and have identical scene and focus modes. With battery these weigh 7.55 ounces and 7.69 ounces respectively.
- DMC-ZR3 (ZX3): Whoa! Another 14.1 megapixel camera which does AVCHD Lite. The specs are almost identical to the TS2 except for the lens (F3.3-5.9 25-200mm 8x ultra-wide-angle) and lack of ruggedness. It weighs 5.61 ounces with battery.
Do you know if the DMZ-TS2 has some kind of lens cover when off or not in use?
That's what turned me off it's older sibling when I was looking for a rugged camera.
@CJ I have the zs3 and it has a lens shutter, when off it shuts. These camera's look almost identical to it so I assume same thing.
Panasonic cameras are great. I am still using my FZ8.
Would have been nice if the photo was labeled so I didn't have to read through it all to figure out which camera went with which description.
@clexman
Yes, seriously. Especially in the photo galleries, it's very often hard to tell specifically what I'm supposed to be looking at.
So glad to see lens speed, not just focal length in a press release. Sorry though, at 14 MP-type noise, I'm sure I'll be frustrated at only f/3.3. Though the f/2.8 is a bit better.
It's been a while since I bought a compact camera. Is it fair to say that Panasonic now have the best line-up?
@beefiron
Buy a camera based on your needs, not who may or may not have the best line-up, as honestly, there is no such thing. Many camera manufacturers make great cameras.
Just don't buy GE's brand, or kodak. Mostly everyone else is pretty solid in some way or another, and most have at least one camera that suits one's needs.
Engadget, you disappoint me. The lenses on these camera are NOT fixed apertures. You cannot simply say that lens A is 2.8, 3.3 etc. This is specifically only for the wide angle end of the lens. As you zoom out the aperture changes
TZ 10 & 8: F3.3 - 4.9
FT2 & ZX3: F3.3 - 5.9
FX66: F2.8 - 5.9
None of these are groundbreaking, and are all in fact, very ordinary.
@davelemke Sure, you can't get fixed aperture on compacts -- it was merely an indication on where they start. Will look into fixing this. Thanks.
@Richard Lai
Although (very very) rare, you can get fixed apertures on compacts. And man, those cameras that have fixed lenses are amazing!
I wish manufactures would focus more R&D on this type of thing instead of, as the article says "making photos look more real"
Sigh.
@davelemke I think I know which ones you're talking about, but they're hardly at compact prices. ;)
Damn, and I thought I'd made up my mind to get a Sony DSC-W350 to replace my broken P&S Sony T33. The FX66 sounds like a direct competitor; and may make a better complement to my Lumix GH1 (at least, if the menus etc. are similar).
If it doesn't do AVCHD Lite, how does it record 720p video? Motion JPEG?
Having said that, the ZS7 (TZ10) sounds pretty good. I like the idea of built in GPS (keep forgetting to switch on my GPS logger!). I'm too metric to know what 7 point something ounces are; but with that big lens on it, it may be a bit bulky for my needs.
@RichyS
My sister owns the previous, 720p model to one of these, and it is indeed Motion JPEG.
@montymintypie Thanks for that. I think I'll set my GH1 to M-JPEG tonight and see how iMovie copes with it.
Although I'll never be able to afford the TZ10, goddam that thing looks good. I love my SLR, but it's not that portable :-P
f/2.8 on the fx66 looks good to me. The wide angle on that is nice too. Does anyone know who makes the widest lense for a compact? I love to take some landscape pics but don't want to carry a DSLR with me on my treks.
@poached
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonicdmclx3/
@joquarky thanks! Exactly what I was looking for!
Panasonic need to hurry up, and release the LX4 already!
The TS2 is mine when it comes out! I wanted to get the previos model but it was only waterproof to 10 feet. This is 30, so I'm in for one!
I have the zs3 and the best thing about this camera is it's anti shake system. It'll steady the shakiest hands even at high zoom and in video mode. Not so great with low lighting, but what camera is?
@nxp3
Low light is awesome on the Sony Exmor R sensors which they have the TX1 and WX1 already out and more coming. I have a camcorder with this sensor and it rocks, I will only buy cameras with this technology (brand agnostic), until something better comes along.
Very disappointed by lack of GPS in the entire lineup, especially TS2.
Overall, it looks like Sony came out on top in 2010 model cycle.
I thought the previous two were the TZ6 and TZ7. So why is it now TZ8 and TZ10. Shouldn't it be 8 and 9?
According to Panasonic's own site there are more differences between the TZ8 and TZ10: http://www.panasonic.co.uk/html/en_GB/287749/module/general/compare/products/displayResult.html?p=DMC-TZ8&p=DMC-TZ10
The TZ8 appears to have more internal memory than the TZ10, but also a fractionally longer shutter interval. Also the mic on the TZ8 only records mono, whilst the 10 does Dolby Stereo. There are other differences, read and see.
Nice additions big P! and unlike that overpriced crap from Leica posted earlier, these should be good values too~ word!
I'm looking for a compact camera and this might be it. Hope the ZS5 imporves image quality over the ZS1. How bout a price for these thing?
Engadget forgets to mention the most compelling feature of the TZ10 (ZS7): PASM!!!!! Finally, full manual control!
Finally! Full manual control for the ZS7/TZ10. This would have been the perfect camera if it had a mic input.