Lumix DMC-TZ3

[clicknick]

hello all, newbie here...
the TZ3 caught my eye recently, and i'm quite keen on buying it. have been scouting around for best prices ... so far:

best denki (takashimaya) - $699 (with 2 x 1gb card)
ms color service (amk) - $610 (1gb card)
a shop in lucky plaza - $598.50 (1gb card)

the choice is quite clear for me. but i was told by that lucky plaza shop that i have to pay by cash if i want that price. otherwise, if i pay by nets/card, i'd have to pay 3% more (i assume gst). i've no problem with paying by cash, but i'm just wondering ...

other than the obvious "pros", any hidden "cons" with this sort of purchase?
i'm a little wary because this is a shop in lucky plaza. tell me if i'm just being paranoid?
:embrass:

What's the name of the shop? Or at least describe which floor if u can. Maybe some bros here have experience buying from that shop.

 

[raistlinmage]

fyi, the shop is called DG image marketing, on the first floor at lucky plaza.

 

[vnwt88]

can someone buy my TZ1 so i can change to TZ3 too

 

[rosicky]

Equotes:

Cathay: $571 b4 GST
MSColor: $569 b4 GST

Both comes with 1GB sd card, Cash/Nets Only.

 

[vnwt88]

sorry to hijack thread;

thanks for PMs to buy my TZ1;

i am a sincere seller n i want buyer to be happy too;

i will sell if it is a reasonable sincere offer;

thanks again;

hopefully, can get the TZ3 soon;


TZ3 owners: is no zoom in video mode a prob?

 

[michhy]

TZ3 owners: is no zoom in video mode a prob?

this is solely a personal preference question, I think.

 

[lujia]

Hi all,
Bought this TZ3 few days ago to replace my Nikon 3700, been using it and like it very much. Initially want to wait for the Sony H9, but consider that H9 bigger body size and not that handy to carry around. Also the TZ3 has built in lens cover.

First time Panasonic DC user, but find it quick and easy to use, because the buttons are located nicely; LCD screen menu selections are simple to set, plus a quick FUNC button to display and setting the essential: ISO, Picture size, Burst rate, White balance, Picture aspect ratio and its quality, to suit the needs.

It is a wonderful point and shoot camera:
Can remember the last zoom setting;
Very fast burst rate of 3 fps;
Very responsive;
10x optical, 28mm wide-angle zoom lens, 4x Digital zooms, from 10x up to 60x possible;
Tele Macro mode;
Image stabilizer (2 modes available);
4x and 8x zoom review to inspect the captured pictures instantly;
2x, 4x, 8x, 16x zoom in the picture playback;
Excellence built quality with reasonable picture quality;
Big LCD screen;
30 fps video at 16:9 is quite satisfying;
Able to use SDHC card, it means larger capacity memory (32MB) are available in future for longer video.

Some functions that I hope the next (TZ4?) to be included in are:
Wireless remote control; Manual and Auto focusing selection; Zoom able during video recording; LCD screen able to tilt or rotate; Voice recording; As compact as possible; Longer battery life.

Addition:
There are some to improve on the Firmware (Update?):
When connect to a TV at Playback mode to watch pictures or videos, the camera LCD screen does not allow to be switch off, hence it consume battery unnecessary, as the information on the camera screen can be seen on the TV screen already;
When the camera at other mode with its lens extruded, when switched to Playback mode, the lens does not retract back with its built in lens cover closed, the unnecessary exposure of lens during long duration viewing the pictures or videos will cause more chance for the dirt to enter into the lens, also the lens barrel to knock other objects. Have to off the power then switch to Playback mode, on the power again, so as to let the lens stay put to view the pictures or videos for long hours.

PS,
The DMC-TZ3 Receives 2007 TIPA Award for Best Superzoom Digital Camera in Europe:
http://panasonic.co.jp/pavc/global/lumix/pressrelease/index.html

And welcome to my blogs, there are pictures taken using TZ3:
http://langnilujia.blogspot.com
http://somesharing.blogspot.com

 

[cheesepies]

hi guys, i am new to this forum. i got myself a Tz3 too.

have been hunting for a tripod for it. which tripod will u guys recommend ?

i've been eyeing for the slik sprint pro gm, it's light and tall enuff.

can slik sprint pro gm take the weight of tz3 ?

thanks in advance

 

[keatz]

hi guys, i am new to this forum. i got myself a Tz3 too.

I've been following the TZ3 and am thinking of getting it, but review of high iso performance @dpreview wasn't too encouraging. Are the iso 800 & above modes OK for 4R to 8R prints, in your opinion?

Thanks in advance :dunno:

 

[raincool2005]

then i must say time to change a tripod.. even my cheapo $25 can support a d50 with kit lens that is at least 2.5x the weight of a tz3(280g according to DPreview) + a heavier front than the tz3. unless you talking about mini table tripod. :sweat:

unstable most probably, but nt to the extend of whole tripod toppling unless it really a very small and light tripod

hi, do not save money on a good tripod. A tripod will follow u for a very long time, your camera may change due to new technologies.. but tripod is standard, it never changes.

 

[qqspot]

what thinking to buy TZ3 at Alan Photos a few day back but this camera cannot fit in to my Jeans Pocket i must say...

So end up bought Ricoh R6 more cheaper around S$5xx

 

[delfichoc]

Is R6 good as compared to TZ3? Cos I have little faith in Ricoh colours. It can be quite off. Dull pink can be bright pink as seen from printout. I tried the camera at a shop n was q shocked by the effect.,

 

[raychan]

If you got friends who are going over to the US, get it from there.
I got a new set from Adorama for US $297.99 or S$449. But no SD card.

Got it delivered to my wife's hotel via UPS. No sales tax, only a delivery fee of US$6.17. Actually, delivery is free above US$200, but since I couldn't wait and neither can my wife, I took the normal delivery by paying an extra US$6 and got the camera within 4 days. It comes with a US warranty, not International Warranty.

Before I ordered the TZ3, I passed my wife the Pentax M20 so that she can take some snapshots while waiting for the TZ3 to be delivered.
However, once the TZ3 arrived, she chucked the Pentax away and used the TZ3 all the way....

Really good cam and glad it is so cheap in the US. At least I didn't burn a hole in my pocket.

 

[vtat]

how much is the TZ3 now?? anyone?

 

[ufo7777]

Hi, I am new member, nice to meet u all. I am coming from Malaysia. I will go to SG at the middle of June and stay in lucky plaza. So I try to buy TZ3 in there. Is there anybody already got his/her TZ3 in lucky plaza? Could u share some information to me? Which shop r recommended or not recommended for me to buy the TZ3 in there? Last week I got the e-quote for TZ3 from MS Color: SGD569 b4 5% GTS, free 1GB SD card and case. Is it any other lower price than this?

 

[MsBunny]

Is R6 good as compared to TZ3? Cos I have little faith in Ricoh colours. It can be quite off. Dull pink can be bright pink as seen from printout. I tried the camera at a shop n was q shocked by the effect.,

R6 is that bad ah?

I'm looking around for a affordable,versatile (in terms of zoom range) and reliable P&S camera too. R6 was in my list of consideration too as it had pretty good user reviews in 'dpreview'.:think:

TZ3 had just won the TIPA awards, so should be quite good. But somehow when I tried the TZ3 in one shop, the 'feel' of the camera in my hands is weird and the buttons were abit small (in my opinion). :sweat:

Seems like it's not easy to find the 'perfect' P&S camera for me. I want all-weather (best if water proofing!), excellent low light performance, IS/VR, swivel LCD screen, slim body, large clear LCD, low noise level even at high ISO, large zoom range (best if it has wide angle lens with negligible vignetting), fast startup & inter-snap response, cool design, affordable .... Maybe I'm just too greedy for what-to-have in a P&S. :sweatsm: Any suggestion if any P&S fits the bill? :sweat:

 

[clicknick]

Seems like it's not easy to find the 'perfect' P&S camera for me. I want all-weather (best if water proofing!), excellent low light performance, IS/VR, swivel LCD screen, slim body, large clear LCD, low noise level even at high ISO, large zoom range (best if it has wide angle lens with negligible vignetting), fast startup & inter-snap response, cool design, affordable .... Maybe I'm just too greedy for what-to-have in a P&S. :sweatsm: Any suggestion if any P&S fits the bill? :sweat:

I wanted the same P&S as u, so I decided that i have to buy:

Olympus 770SW
+
Fuji F31D
+
Panasonic TZ3

Still cheaper than a DSLR+lens

 

[kiwi2]

R6 is that bad ah?

I'm looking around for a affordable,versatile (in terms of zoom range) and reliable P&S camera too. R6 was in my list of consideration too as it had pretty good user reviews in 'dpreview'

TZ3 had just won the TIPA awards, so should be quite good. But somehow when I tried the TZ3 in one shop, the 'feel' of the camera in my hands is weird and the buttons were abit small (in my opinion).

Seems like it's not easy to find the 'perfect' P&S camera for me. I want all-weather (best if water proofing!), excellent low light performance, IS/VR, swivel LCD screen, slim body, large clear LCD, low noise level even at high ISO, large zoom range (best if it has wide angle lens with negligible vignetting), fast startup & inter-snap response, cool design, affordable .... Maybe I'm just too greedy for what-to-have in a P&S. :sweatsm: Any suggestion if any P&S fits the bill? :sweat:

Haha... :bsmilie: :sweat:

There are no P&S digital cams that can come close to your description. Not now and for an extremely long time too.

It's not slim but a DSLR with a decent lens fit most of your descriptions closely. If you want uncompromised image quality, you can't beat a DSLR compared with P&S. If you want fun and portability, then P&S is the way to go but limited in many ways of cos.

 

[wrx_sti_22b]

Ai yo, the requirements you want in a P+S... read liao... *faint*

:bsmilie: :bsmilie: :bsmilie:

 

[MsBunny]

I wanted the same P&S as u, so I decided that i have to buy:

Olympus 770SW
+
Fuji F31D
+
Panasonic TZ3

Still cheaper than a DSLR+lens

For me, maybe I'll even add a poweshot A640 for the swivel LCD screen. :sweatsm:

Haha...

There are no P&S digital cams that can come close to your description. Not now and for an extremely long time too.

It's not slim but a DSLR with a decent lens fit most of your descriptions closely. If you want uncompromised image quality, you can't beat a DSLR compared with P&S. If you want fun and portability, then P&S is the way to go but limited in many ways of cos.

That's why sometimes I wish someone can invent a SLIM DSLR, with 'pan-cake' thin interchangable lens. (I think I saw some pentax lens that were so thin!:thumbsup: ). Any wizards out there can do that to my DSLR, please PM me. :embrass:

Ai yo, the requirements you want in a P+S... read liao... *faint*

:embrass: That's why I'd been looking around for more than a month and still undecided which one to get, as none is 'perfect' enough. :cry: