Panasonic Lumix

[phykell]

Has anyone got or used the TZ5 or similar? I've been intending to buy a new camera for ages but I'm finding it as difficult as choosing a new TV. I've settled on a Lumix with the 28mm lens but they've just brought out a couple of new ones as well.

[Desmo]

We've got the older TZ3 I think it is. Nice enough camera with 10x zoom and it takes a decent enough picture. You have a fair bit of control over the picture but nothing too advanced.

[phykell]

It's mostly for my wife's use and the usual pictures of cats, bikes, etc. That was the other thing, the Lumix has the 10x *optical* zoom. I heard battery life wasn't great though. I've asked her to try and get me some photos for potential web sites as well though so I need it to be good quality.

[Piggymon]

Battery life on ours seems to be fine :)

[jmc41]

I have the FZ50 if that helps. Seem to recall it taking about 700 photos (raw) before the battery gives out, don't tend to review them "in the field" though.

You can get spare batteries of ebay for about £5, tho it's not quite a perfect drop fit (does work though). The proper ones are better but will set you back abot £20.

[phykell]

700 is a hell of a lot! My Sony DSC-P5 is lucky to do 50 and that's an "InfoLithium". I guess things have advanced a lot since I bought that.

[Mark]

With the Sonys I've noticed the batteries decay quickly if you leave it any length of time. My DSC-P200 loses most of its charge after a month or two, but on a fresh charge I can probably get a few hundred out of it.

The FZ50 is a bridge camera. I can't remember if it takes 4xAA or a custom Li-Ion battery, but it's big and heavy even for a bridge (I tried one out before I got my Canon S3) and you can bet the capacity is much higher than the little battery in the P5.

[Tysonator]

The FZ50's are at the moment in the top 5 of point & shoot compact camera's, so getting one of these babies will be a good choice. I would also recommend that you get a spare battery to carry around with you. I have an DSLR and I always have a spare battery. Simple because I do not always recharge the main one from the prevoius outting !

[Pumpkinstew]

I've had a Lumix FZ7 for a couple of years now and generally been very happy with it.

It's a much bigger beast than the compact you're looking at though.

[Wryel]

I just got a Lumix (can't remember the model right now) and its great! i've had it about a month and haven't properly played with it apart from a few nights out, the zoom is so useful though.