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Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5

Author Cliff Smith
Published 27th Aug 2008
Manufacturer Panasonic
Price £191.30 (Exc VAT)
as reviewed £220.00 (Inc VAT)
Latest Price
Build Quality Score 10 for Build Quality
Features Score 8 for Features
Image Quality Score 9 for Image Quality
Value Score 8 for Value
Overall Score 9 for Overall
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5
award recommended

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Back in April I reviewed the Lumix DMC-TZ4, Panasonic’s then-new 8.1-megapixel, 10x zoom travel camera, and I stated at the time that I also hoped to get its more powerful sibling the TZ5 in for review soon after. Well it’s taken a little longer than I’d hoped, but I’ve finally got one in, and I have to say, it’s been worth the wait.


At first glance, the TZ5 seems like a bit of an anachronism. In a camera market dominated by ever smaller and more complex ultra-compacts, the TZ5 is quite large and heavy, measuring 103.3 x 59.3 x 36.5mm and weighing a substantial 240g including battery and memory card, close to twice the weight and thickness of a typical ultra-compact. However that weight and bulk translates into robust build quality and excellent handling, both useful features on a camera advertised as the ideal travelling accessory. The body is made from stainless steel and aluminium, and has a comfortable handgrip with a textured plastic pad on the front, and a large secure thumbgrip on the back. Although it's not the most attractive or stylish camera around, it has the rugged charm of a well-made and functional tool.


There aren’t many cameras on the market with which to compare the TZ5. The closest matches are the 8-megapixel Canon PowerShot SX100 IS (£150) or the 10-megapixel Ricoh R8 (£240). Currently selling for anywhere between £180 and £220 the TZ5 falls between these two rivals on both price and specification. In fact the closest competitor is its own stablemate the TZ4, currently selling for around £150, but the TZ5’s larger 3.0-inch monitor and the extra megapixel of resolution are big selling points.

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Latest 4 of 14 Comments

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Comment Jeff said on 10th September 2008

I bought the TZ5 and i absolutely love it! @Bushiee: if you want action pix, buy a dslr. In holland a Nikon D40 can be bought for 210 pounds, for fast moving subjects a dslr is the... more

Comment Natalie said on 24th October 2008

I'm after a zoom camera mainly for taking photos at concerts and football matches. I have a brilliant Fuji camera but it only has a 3 x optical zoom and I'd pretty much d... more

Comment ms8492 said on 28th October 2008

I currently own the TZ1 and am looking to replace it. It is between the new TZ5 and the Canon SP-110 IS. I take a lot of sports pictures and do a lot of photo cropping. Any recom... more

Comment Colin Davis said on 22nd November 2008

I have several cameras, one of which is the Pana TZ5. Whilst it is OK on outdoors scenes and video, I find it sadly lacking on indoor scenes with varying light areas. I have tried ... more

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