720 30p video sample from the Panasonic TZ5
 

Wow, that looks really good! How much will it cost, and when does it come out?

The TZ5 retails for $350. Either it just came out or it should be out within the next several days.

I just found out that there is going to be a $500 Wi-Fi model that will be released in Japan this May.
http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/19/p...photo-sharing/
http://asia.cnet.com/crave/2008/03/2...mix-tz-series/



Panasonic has other new cameras that also have 720 30p but they don’t have a 10x zoom range.

Here is a 185 MB video sample:
http://lundman.net/albums/tz5/P1000393.MOV
Right click and save as.

I found it in one of the comments under this TZ5 video review:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1g4icsP8kRE

Panasonic DMC-TZ5 sample video
 

Hi all,

I mentioned this camera in a thread a while back and said I'd post some sample footage.

I was out for a walk back in August and as usual I carry my compact stills camera just in case I see something of note. On this occasion, my local river was in flood and I had to capture it there and then, because going home and getting the video gear wasn't an option.

The first part of the video (20s or so - up to the fade and change in music) was shot on my Sony V1 as part of UWOL#8, as a "before" sequence. The rest was shot on the TZ5. Obviously, the video is compressed to WMV, but still pretty good quality.

August 2008 Floods

Coming from a larger vido camera, I found this awkward. Obviously there's no manual focus, iris etc. Beyond the obvious issues:

- I found it hard to hand-hold, due to the absurdly small size - but then this does) fit in a shirt pocket, my other gear needs most of the space in a Suzuki Grand Vitara!
- Focus was problematic. It would 'hunt' sometimes, no matter which mode I chose. This could improve with time.
- In some shots, the sound cuts out a few milliseconds before the video ends. Hence the music, which makes it less obvious.
- Sound is also pretty poor quality, but you can expect this. I think this camera cost less than any microphone I own!
- It was difficult to get the exposure right in some shots, particularly with bright backgrounds.

None of this is awful. The 720p video is more than acceptable for what the camera is, and given how portable it is. It's aimed at YouTubers I'm sure, but I have used it for an occasional brief cutaway mixed in with my more "pro" footage.

I have since taken some animal footage in Australia (seals and sea lions on the beach, and an unexpected seal at Newcastle) and it's been just as good - again, given the limitations listed above.

Hope this proves useful to someone!