This one went crazy after a year and a half. I have been buying lumix cameras in the past few years, but they quit working after 1 or 2 years. Initially they have attractive features, but they do not hold on in the long run. I am tired of "having" to buy another camera, going elsewhere.

this camera has serious attitude
and band-for-your-buck quality!
I never thought I would buy anything other than Canon, and here I am...

amazing zoom
great night pics (something my canon could not do)
great image
face detection
vivid colours
you can simply shoot or get very technical (great as a family camera, whether used by the nerd techie junkie or the grandfather)

I bought it to take pictures AND videos of my nephews,
as well as my travel camera.
Never had a problem, and I'm quite picky AND am tough on my camera...sometimes i wish it was lighter/smaller, BUT its zoom/quality is comparable to an SLR and has a professional look too (comparable to Canon)....since it's pretty much everything i need, and was fairly priced, I'm absolutely happy with it and don't plan on buying a new one for a while.
:)

Specs are great - 10x zoom and 7 megapixel sensor and Zeiss lens - but it's heavy, the lens remains fixed for video shooting, and the pictures just don't have the clarity and richness that a DSLR delivers. So the camera falls just short of a DSLR - kind of in limbo.

I thought this camera would be a toy, but it's easy to use, takes
great pictures, has a fantastic lens, and is small enough to go
everywhere. Who knew Panasonic could make such good cameras?

a lot a small trouble
- lens not closing proprely
- camera blocked with message not related
- sensor corrupted

This camera is wonderful and easy to use. The zoom and video are fantastic and it's easy to carry (I did use my shirt pocket). I lost it on the road and immediately purchased a second TZ3 because I liked the first one so much.

I have had this camera 6 months, and keep saying to myself
I must be doing something wrong, this camera for the investment takes terrible pictures in low light, or natural indoor light conditions. I am very disappointed, and I am generally a big fan of Panasonic products. This camera is totally a thumbs down from me.

All of the above features are available, first time, in a very compact body which can fit in to your pocket, ( need not to hang around your neck all the time..!!!). Superb picture quality even during low light shot with 10X zoom. Powerful Flash. 3 inch big display. Mega Optical Image Stabilization works perfact ( even my 10years old son can take shot at 10X zoom without `shaking' pictures). I am very much impressed.

I tried to used single flash, double flash and no flash but it never gives be brighter pics as compare to other cameras.

At home, indoor too, it does not give good pics

Amazing machine!
Best
Recording videos in 848x480 at 30 Fps with audio, IMPRESSIVE!, I still can believe that this little thing can do that so good!.
Worst:
First Manual SUCKS, almost 80% of the camera functions are not explained properly, they could, at least, include a full version of the manual in PDF in the CD, but no, they should learn from olympus.
The second thing I don't like is it's behavior in low light condition, a light turn to greenish color and images tend to be very blur even when taken with a tripod.
That aside, I love it, maybe not as good as my previous Olympus camera but the High resolution video recording worth every cent.

Feature loaded and produces excellent color rendition in almost every situation I've encountered thus far. A touch on the heavy side but the ZOOM makes you forget about the weight. Had 2 Sony Cybershots before this one and am thoroughly enjoying the TZ3.

Purchased for dream vacation to Hawaii and we weren't disappointed! I am no camera pro, but this one was great. My husband has large hands and could handle this with ease. It also took great pictures of the fireworks using the scene selection designated for that. Many of our pictures look like they could be postcards, the color and clarity are so good. We are very happy with this purchase.

I traded this camera in twice to COSTCO. The first one had significant lint that got into the screen. The second and third one is leaving white circle of hallows (light that is circular) in my photos. Every setting does this. I don't know why my first camera didn't do it but the 2nd & 3rd one does it! It takes great photos but it's a hit & miss with the white hallows on circular light that is left in the photos! Has anyone else had that problem?

I purchased this camera because of its high optical zoom power. However, I was very disappointed with the quality of indoor photos and videos. Panasonic DMC-TZ3 lacks the face recognition feature and does not reflect the true colour of the objects. Faces look too pale. Overall, I don't think the optical zoom is worth its poor image/video quality. Think twice before you purchase this product.

+ Great camera
+ Easy to use
+ Takes nice shots
+ Brilliant Zoom
+ Very Compact for a 10x Optical Zoom

- No optical viewfinder

I own a community journal, I had Canon SD300, but was not good for photo in big meeting, night, and distance photos. This is better, specially when using Optical and Digital Zoon, and Vivid color in a theatre, low light, with max Iso, and Stable with help satble hand, it's OK..
Problem with people who walk, move etc...
but for the size, and Auto, I think it's the best for it's size, extended zoon, and no SLR...

I needed to replace my Fuji 3800 and am sold on power zoom cameras. But I needed stabilization too, and almost bought the new S8000 until the guy I was with mentioned that it would never fit in my pocket.
Short story is that I decided that the camera had all the capabilitites I needed and that 18x zoom was a bit much.
Also, the big LCD is an absolute joy. It's big enough I don't need to get my specs on to read it, and it provides a superior preview of what you just shot.
The user interface is excellent too, very simple, easy to use, and allows you to preset the camera and then concentrate on getting goods shots.
The battery is quite adequate for an entire day of flash shooting, although I bought a spare.
And SD cards are about the cheapest form of memory for cameras. 2GB are about $15, and that allows you to use the movie feature very freely.
This is a camera designed by people who know digital photography and enjoy taking pictures.
Highly recommended!

excellent camera for the money. better than any SLR. macro alone is intense. very good camera, fits in a pocket, easy to manage, easy to hold and shoot. it really is an amazing camera!

I have owned a dozen different digital cameras since they were invented in 1993, and none compares to the performance and ease-of-use of the Lumix DMC-TZ3. This camera is amazing.

For everyday, impule shooting of on-the-go snapshots, it produces crystal-clear wide-angle snaps at a moment's notice and without the slightest hint of blur, thanks to the amazing O.I.S. system.

When the picture is important and you operate the camera properly, it pays rich rewards in stunning photos under all types of lighting and in situations ranging from action to amazing macro still-lifes.

I have shot over 3,000 pix with the TZ3 in the weeks since I bought it and it still amazes me with every photo it captures. A fantastic lens, exceptional ease-of-use, a small form factor, and near-instant responsiveness make this camera the only one you need on the road. Hard to believe it sells for as little as it does.

Mike
Carrollton, TX

I bought the camera for use of the high zoom and compact size so that i could take pictures of my friends being deployed to Iraq, I missed many shots,blurry even when guys were not moving. Day 2 read more on camera practice shots etc. same thing even tried different settings,almost all low light shots were awful. The camera does not seem to be consistent with its pictures and it seemed like there was no reason. I have had my nikon 4300 for over 3 years and it was never inconsistent like that, after more reviewing I found more(not all) consumers with similar problems. . Took the camera back after 5 days and over 200 photos so that i can do normal research and find another camera. Was not happy with the product at all and it was fairly costly for the quality that the camera was.

Buy this camera basically for one word ...........ZOOM!The zoom is 10x optical which is great. You rarely see that in this kind of camera. All the rest of the features are typical. PQ is very good. Battery life very good. Construction is Solid. Ease of use Very Good. Menus are easily navigated.
CONCLUSION: Nice camera with a Superior Zoom which as we all know can be very useful in many situations.

this is my 6th digicam - preceeded by a HP cheapie, a Kodak C-543, a olympus SD -350 , canon powershot 710a , and its up grade, a canon A710 is ,and finally this 10x zoom panasonic TZ-3.. Obvously a step up with each succeeding purchase- but not quite...each camera had some endearing virtues, and after being discarded by me have found new homes with some of our 10 grandchildren.-- 3 of the 6 are gone.. am now using the TZ-3 and canon A710is exclusively . both have their merits, let me compare the differances, that i have noted between the 2 of them,and hopefully you will see some major differenciations and you can judge for yourself—The canon A710is has a sharper lense than the Panasonic LIeca ( low end lieca)lens.. This is shown in all photo lengths...I tis obvious when you review phots, takn of the same subject under the same lighting conditions. The TZ-3 lens ,however, is acceptable, it it just that the canon product's lens is sharper.. The !0x useable optical zoom in the TZ-3 is seamless and w/ the image stablization feature in the ON mode, clarity and steadiness allows hand held shots at the max 10x optical zoom.. The canon is the same ,BUT only goes up to 6x optical zoom.. Th2 28mm wide angle feature in The TZ-3 is definately wider than the 36mm canon A710is lens. this is a big plus for the panasonic product.. The canonA710 is has a frontal date stamp capability ,and gyroscoping auto matic photo rotating feature.. Canon has both systems down pat and is very easy and user friendly , Not so the Panasonic TZ-3 which does neither well.. The flash distance is shorter in the TZ-3 than the A710is , and no auxillary flash can be attached for true TTL (thru the lense)shots can be used w/ the TZ-3 so far.. The canon product can accomidate a auxllliary flash , as well as filters,etc.. there is a treaded base around te lense , on the A710is allowing this ..really excells to the field and ads to the usfullness of the digicam—there are other nuances, BUT both are really nice digicams,and i feel lucky to be able to enterchange at will when using thes 2 little nifty beauties..both fit in a rather smallish camera bag- a big plus

I purchased this camera because of the 10x zoom and large LCD screen. However, the quality in low light situations were very disappointing and it seemed more complicated to use. I probably would have enjoyed it if I wanted to dedicate many hours trying to learn how to use it most effectively. I returned it to Costco with hopes of purchasing another camera that is easier to use.

After putting off buying a digital camera for a long time, it is a great suprise to have so many features in a small camera. I have taken collage courses in film. With digital it is a whole new world.This tz3 is beyond what I would expect from a small camera. Harleyman

After using a spattering of Canon, Sony, Olympus, Nikon digital cameras it was time to upgrade. I wanted something that could take high quality pictures, be compatible with the newest SD memory cards, and be easy to pocket. It is a bit larger than the other cameras in it's class, but they don't have 10x optical zoom. I think for the extra volume and weight, it is far worth it. There is much less shutter lag than my prior cameras and the settings are good enough to keep me satisfied. All around a great camera and one I am recommending to friends.

As simple like this, if you don´t have enough money to buy a Leica buy this one.
This one in all the extension is a Leica camera with a very, very different price.
I´m very very pleased with my camera.

I needed to replace a lost SD600 and was at costco and saw the Panasonic TZ3 and was amazed by it's features to decided to go for it over a canon.

After using the TZ3 for a full weekend and about 250 pictures I am disappointed. The camera is fun and full of cool features, but I found it's image quality to be no where near my SD600 and previous canon compact cameras. I had high hopes for the TZ3 with the 10x optical zoom, but first and foremost I want a camera that achieves the quality of pictures I have become accustom to with the canon line.

To be specific, the TZ3 works good in proper light. However, the image quality deteriorates dramatically in lower light situations. The images seem dull and over exposed. I played with several scene modes and settings that helped a little but not enough to please me.

I gave it a "Good" rating for it's fun features. But I had a hard time even giving it that high of a rating as I am fairly dissapointed with about 1/2 the pictures I have taken so far.

I expect I will return the camera to costco and purchase another canon.

I almost didn't consider this camera because of no manual control and reports of high noise. But when considered as a whole - a fast, pocketable, world class superzoom with a true wide screen sensor and the best IS made, a superbright 3" LCD, plus a luxurious feel - the TZ3 was a package of photographic capability, fun and convenience without peer.

Though its a bit heavy comparing with average point and shoot DC, its 10X (28mm to 200mm for 35mm camera equivalent) Lecia lens would justify the weight. There is only limited manual control but lot of scene settings to compensate. It would be a nice DC for traveler for its zoom range and easy of use.

Having owned several Panasonic digital cameras in the past I was hesitant about the claims for the new TZ3 and the supposed improvements where noise was concerned. However, now that I have used this camera for the past several days all I can say is, "Way to go Panasonic!" Compared to my last camera(FX01) the new TZ3 is incredible! No detectable noise at ISO 100 & 200, and very slight noise at ISO 400. The 800 & 1250 ISO pics are even very usable. Also - the purple fringing is slight to non-existant and I can detect no barrel distortion at the 28mm end of the zoom range.
In my opinion Panasonic should be shouting these improvements from the rooftops. I am sure their faithful fans soon will be!