Impulse buy - TZ18 - good choice for a novice?

ps3ud0

ps3ud0

ps3ud0

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Hi Guys,

Just bought a TZ18 without doing any homework (damn you Amazon), just wondering if its a sound buy as Im not that into photography but need a point and shoot as Im tired of my iP4 being completely useless for low-light/night shots.

Main reason I bought it is my sisters got an older TZ (think it was the top one from the previous gen) and liked it, I also thought the 16x optical zoom would be somewhat useful for Motorsport events etc. Not sure how big it is but did want something jacketable...

So, do I need to cancel the order or not? Just want something I can use sitting in the shelf rather than borrowing my sisters or ended up using the iP4 on nights out.

ps3ud0 :cool:
 
ps3ud0 said:
Why not? Presume it has a standard-performing compact flash no?

ps3ud0 :cool:
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Most camera's will be ok if your using flash, although bare flash looks terrible, I assumed you were going to be increasing ISO's.

Tbh I don't really know much about compacts, but I know the sensor in the TZ18 is about as tiny as it gets, so IQ is never going to be that great.
Again I'm not an expert, but I would be looking at a micro 4/3 system, as I'm not sure that TZ18 will be any better than the IP4.

Also forget mega pixels, especially when looking at compacts, as it's a pretty meaningless metric.
 
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Not sure exactly what path you are leading me other than taking a portable Sun in my pockets :p, actually made me far more confused than before I posted...

Micro 4/3 system? Why would the TZ18 be as bad as the iP4? Are all point and shoots pointless then for my application?

How will this affect me taking the odd snap when out with friends or on holiday? Im not looking to hang my pics in a gallery...

ps3ud0 :cool:
 
Different camera's have different sized sensors. As a general rule of thumb, the bigger the sensor, the better the image quality. The sensor in the TZ18 is pretty much the smallest you can get. Also it has a large number of megapixels in such a tiny sensor. Will you be able to take ok shot's of friends when out... yes maybe, but don't expect too much.
Yes marketing have printed big numbers in the spec sheet, but that's all they are... hype.

Personally I would look for a camera with the largest sensor that will still fit in my jacket pocket.

Edit:

Maybe take a look at some of these.

http://www.aputure.com/blog/2011/05/13/mirrorless-interchangeable-camera-comparison/
 
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Thanks I wasnt aware of point and clicks that had much better inside but were still proper compacts, thought it was compacts, prosumer middle ground (like that GH2 in your link) then SLRs, never heard of these Micro 4/3 compacts. Will try and do further research, though Im guessing what I consider as good, is more than likely crap here...

One thing I need to validate is that Ive just picked up that TZ18 for about £100, so Im guessing none of these Micro 4/3 are anywhere near that price point, but you have made me double think regards my purchase either to return it and pick up one of these to cover all my needs (I very much doubt Ill ever own a SLR) or just to keep the TZ18 for now and upgrade once I know my usage has outgrown it...

Do many people here have a Micro 4/3 and how do they fit into their existing camera range?

ps3ud0 :cool:
 
You won't get an M43 camera for that price, however if you want something more capable it might be worth saving up for one. However it's all relative, and £100 for that Panasonic is pretty good however at the end of the day it's still a compact camera.
 
IMO, the TZ18 is a fairly good compact camera, I fail to see how it can be compared to a phone camera - it's miles better, especially in low light. That said, it's still a compact so don't expect any miracles. Getting it at £100 is also a pretty good deal so its not something I would regret
 
for a £100 your getting a whole lot of camera(most places still selling this for £160+)
and for that price you wont get a better camera
im sure you will be very happy with it, i still use my old TZ6 when i dont want to take out my panasonic FZ48
as for cameraphone being better than the TZ18 no chance, there still not even better than my TZ6 from what i have seen
 
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theheyes said:
You won't get an M43 camera for that price, however if you want something more capable it might be worth saving up for one. However it's all relative, and £100 for that Panasonic is pretty good however at the end of the day it's still a compact camera.
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Temi_D said:
IMO, the TZ18 is a fairly good compact camera, I fail to see how it can be compared to a phone camera - it's miles better, especially in low light. That said, it's still a compact so don't expect any miracles. Getting it at £100 is also a pretty good deal so its not something I would regret
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An Exception said:
@ps3ud0
Well the iphone 4 is already a very good camera compared to compacts, there is a very good chance that your IP4 camera is actually better than the one you just ordered in terms of image quality.
This is the risk you take with impulse buys...

http://www.macworld.com/article/152314/2010/06/iphonecameratests.html

http://arstechnica.com/apple/guides...lace-a-real-digital-camera-for-many-yes.ars/1
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I thought the same, but wanted to check - I know phone cameras have improved significantly but I have found the iP4 lacking for poor light shots, so thought a half-decent compact would cover that adequately without spending too much - I thought the TZ18 was a relatively safe bet for the price and usage...

I like the idea of these M43 cameras but think thats proper research, be good to have a decent camera in a compact body - I dont want to spend a load and then find I just dont use it that often - at end of day I havent had a dedicated camera for years...

ps3ud0 :cool:
 
An Exception said:
@ps3ud0
Well the iphone 4 is already a very good camera compared to compacts, there is a very good chance that your IP4 camera is actually better than the one you just ordered in terms of image quality.
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Sorry but what? Yes the iPhone 4 camera is ok for a phone but lets not be silly.

OP its a very decent little compact & its far more suitable for nights shots if you are thinking about nights out etc. Just whip out and flash ;)
 
Define "good for a novice" as that's quite important:a novice that wants to take epic photos, or the novice who "just wants to snap?"

By the sound of it, the OP has bought a great Point and shoot for the money. That's pretty much it. It's not a particularly remarkable camera in any way, but will be just fine for 'snaps' and undoubtedly better than the iPhone 4. A Mivro 4/3 camera I'll, however, do horrible things to it without any difficulty... But cost a LOT more for a benefit the OP doesn't sound like he'd notice.

Personally, I'd cancel the order, but I'm a DSLR user and am not afraid to cart my camera and flash about, as I have slightly more interest (based on info in this thread) than the OP.
 
mrthingyx said:
Define "good for a novice" as that's quite important:a novice that wants to take epic photos, or the novice who "just wants to snap?"

By the sound of it, the OP has bought a great Point and shoot for the money. That's pretty much it. It's not a particularly remarkable camera in any way, but will be just fine for 'snaps' and undoubtedly better than the iPhone 4. A Mivro 4/3 camera I'll, however, do horrible things to it without any difficulty... But cost a LOT more for a benefit the OP doesn't sound like he'd notice.

Personally, I'd cancel the order, but I'm a DSLR user and am not afraid to cart my camera and flash about, as I have slightly more interest (based on info in this thread) than the OP.
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your not going to be carting a DSLR out with you on nights out
you want something you can have in a pocket
 
mrthingyx said:
Define "good for a novice" as that's quite important:a novice that wants to take epic photos, or the novice who "just wants to snap?"

By the sound of it, the OP has bought a great Point and shoot for the money. That's pretty much it. It's not a particularly remarkable camera in any way, but will be just fine for 'snaps' and undoubtedly better than the iPhone 4. A Mivro 4/3 camera I'll, however, do horrible things to it without any difficulty... But cost a LOT more for a benefit the OP doesn't sound like he'd notice.

Personally, I'd cancel the order, but I'm a DSLR user and am not afraid to cart my camera and flash about, as I have slightly more interest (based on info in this thread) than the OP.
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I guess something that just works or allows me to learn what each mode does and see the differences in my shots at most. In reality its like the below guys said, its just there to document my life when the iP4 is too poor.

Wasnt looking to spend much because Ill probably end up losing it/dropping it in a drink and I cant say right now that more expensive/more capable cameras would actually be use to me and more likely a burden to learn and actuallly utilise.

Just want something that does an adequate job now, but lets me get to a state where I can appreciate outgrowing it and therefore making a more informed upgrade. I never in a million years would cart out a SLR on a night out unless its my job :p, so hopefully this continues its services once I do upgrade for such purposes (though these M43 cameras really have piqued my interest)...
ShakenNstirred said:
your not going to be carting a DSLR out with you on nights out
you want something you can have in a pocket
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ManCuBuS said:
OP its a very decent little compact & its far more suitable for nights shots if you are thinking about nights out etc. Just whip out and flash ;)
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Ta guys - looking forward to it :)

ps3ud0 :cool:
 
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^^^
When it turns up will you let us know how it compares to the IP4?

Maybe things have improved since my TZ10, but in my experience it was pretty useless in low light, had ago with my brothers 14mp lumix (probably the same sensor but can't remember the model) at Christmas, and even that looked soft indoors when using the flash.
iphone 4 and and particularly 4s are almost comparable to Canon 20D/30D image quality (and has better white balance), I just can't see this Lumix being much better, and if it's not better it's a waste of money.

http://arstechnica.com/apple/guides...lace-a-real-digital-camera-for-many-yes.ars/3

Edit: Go by the samples of the glasses as the dog had walked into the light on the 20D sample.

Have you considered using the money to upgrade to an iphone 4s and extend your contract (if they still allow you to do that), and then put your ip4 on the bay.
 
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An Exception said:
iphone 4 and and particularly 4s are almost comparable to Canon 20D/30D image quality (and has better white balance)
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I've not idea what are on about most of the time. You talked about the importance of sensor size and it's relationship with IQ and then go on to say an iPhone with a sensor that I imagine is about the size of 3 molecules has similar image quality to an APSC dSLR.

And apparently the TZ18 is crap because it has a tiny sensor but it's probably got a bigger sensor than an iPhone and a better lens. You're mental.
 
olv said:
I've not idea what are on about most of the time. You talked about the importance of sensor size and it's relationship with IQ and then go on to say an iPhone with a sensor that I imagine is about the size of 3 molecules has similar image quality to an APSC dSLR.

And apparently the TZ18 is crap because it has a tiny sensor but it's probably got a bigger sensor than an iPhone and a better lens. You're mental.
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my thoughts too.
@ps3ud0 enjoy the tz18 which im sure you will
for a novice the intelligent auto mode is very clever, it nows what its looking at and sets it self
 
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