Had it for two months in anticipation of my DDay trip. Have tried most types of shots and it performs better than I expected. It's hard to believe that you can buy so much camera for so little money.

While on vacation in Sedona, AZ I received an error message "PLEASE TURN CAMERA OFF AND THEN ON AGAIN".
While researching, there are many instances of this issue with Panasonic camera's including my model.
I would recommend researching camera problems prior to purchasing. This was my first and ONLY Panasonic camera I will purchase since it barely lasted 1 year...

This camera is compact, easy to use, has many very useful features such as HD movies, image stabilization, powerful zoom and a reasonably wide angle lens. It is likely the ONLY camera one needs to take on a vacation.

Carol

this camera broke twice in six months. First time the lens cover broke and was fixed next time it stopped altogether and was not fixed due to corrosion damage. The camera was only 6 months old and very well taken care of because it was expensive! Due to the POOR customer care, will not invest in a camera with this company again.

I've had the TZ-5 for several months and like any camera it has it's good points and bad. I had to learn how to use it to it's best ability. Since then I have worked out all the problems such as dark pictures and over exposure. I am very pleased with this camera and continue to use it almost on a daily basis. The first thing you must do is read the book from cover to cover and refer to it until you understand the how to really use it. Most people never read the instruction book. It made all the difference. My flickr site will attest to what I'm talking about. I've received best wildlife pics from nature sites all with the TZ-5.

I bought this camera as a replacement to my old Minolta Dimage Z2. I replaced my first TZ5 (I thought it was somewhat defective, because of poor picture quality) with another one. Unfortunately I was too slow to test the second camera fast in various conditions, to return it completely. So I use it as second, "pocketable" camera.
Good:
DMC-TZ5 is small, fits well into the pocket.
Good zoom.
Relatively good movies.
Attractive look.
However if you need camera TO TAKE GOOD PICTURES, this camera is not for you.
Bad: Poor color, even if pictures are taken at daylight.
Difficult to take pictures of moving objects (this camera is inappropriate to take pictures of kids playing sports).

I bought this camera just couples of weeks and the result is amazing. Its a digital camera with a lot of manual setting. What i like about the camera is the bright and sharp LCD (Of course with its 3 inch 400k++ pixels)

Another feature i like is the manual setting for the shutter speed. There are many selections, from 1/200 to 60 seconds. And the result is brilliant.

The still image is really sharp. However, the picture in low light condition will not be that sharp. Sometimes I take blurry images without the flash. so make sure the object is not moving coz the image stabilizer is not working well in low light condition.

Overall,, i love this camera!!!

My wife gave me a Kodak z1285 for christmas. Right out of the package it did not work after inserting new batteries. Upon returning the Kodak, I purchased the Sony T77. After using this camera for about a week I found that more that half of the pictures were out of focus. On the Sony T77 if you depress the shutter button completely down it will take the picture right away without focusing. Also the coloring of skin tones was not correct. When I returned the Sony I got a Samsung tl34HD 14,7 megapixel camera that also shoots hd video. I found the pictures to be a bit grainy even in good lighting conditions. The pictures could be tweaked in Adobe photoshop so they looked ok, Not great! However the video was horrible. When I took back this camera to Circut City they had the Panasonic TZ5 on sale for 259.99. After exchanging the Samsung for the Panasonic (and getting 42.00 back) I must say that this camera is incredable. I have shot pictures and video in all lighting conditions including a candle lit cake scene for my wifes birthday. I haven't found any signs of noise as others have stated. The exposure and focus couldn't be better. Also the software supplied with the camera is amazing, including panarama maker 4. I am totaly amazed by this camera and highly recomend this camera for any shooting situation.

I too wanted to like this camera but what a dissappoinment. I even had the salesman convinced after I took it back. You can't get the lighting correct....all pic turn out dark or redish in color. I believe it has something to do with the flash...I called panisonic and they were no help at all. Don't waste your time with this one.

Used for 10 days and had to return it. The sound during video was horrible. I could barely hear myself, anything a foot away was not picked up. I did not have a finger over the top mounted speaker and was playing it back over a laptop. I know it can't be a camcorder repalcement, but wanted to get quick videos of the kids with sound. It's a waste to be able to take HD videos if you can't capture any sound.
The display was too reflective to use outside. It was point and hope so you couldn't set up a shot. Loved the display indoors. The scenery mode caused all of the pictures to have a blue tint so could not see the different colors of the Grand Canyon. Got maybe three good shots where I used the exposure bracket manual settings.
It took some nice night shots of Las Vegas even though I was riding in a car so the stabalization feature and focus were tops. It is the smallest ultra zoom and easy to carry on trips. It was quick, only a small delay when using the flash a lot. Battery ran out with no warning at 138 shots. Should have lasted a lot longer. Thank goodness I had bought a spare.
Inside in low light the pics were generally good. I tried a lot of different settings, with/without flash, etc. You need to experiment to find the settings that do best for you.
The display was clear and easy to use indoors. Menu and settings easy to use and location great. Zoom feature easy to use. Great wide angle and close up pictures.
I was impressed with customer service. They even had loaner cameras and were easy to talk with. Since it was new and the sound and display issues looked to me to be more design flaw than a faulty product, I decided to return to the store.

I own the TZ5 and a sony T200. I only take the TZ5 with me now. I also own a nikon d300 and usually take my TZ5 over the nikon. Although, the size is not as slim as the T200, I know I will get the best photo in any situation with this fantastic camera. I get a lot of positive compliments on it and it is incredibly easy to use. Highly recomended.

i shall keep this short it an excellent camera for the travelers who prefer to take pix instantly grt pic quality, what can i say more yes few drawbacks
mic is in wrong place so voice cant be dat clear
some issues with the balance

rest a grt camera

What can I say, completely thrilled with this purchase, given my need for an extended zoom will all the features and need for great pictures within a reasonable budget, this offered it all.
I spend hours researching this before buying and having done my research, am extremely pleased with it. Oh and incidentally, don't buy the bit on ' not great for indoor and child' it does both superbly and I love the child 1 & 2 modes ( have 2 kids and so this is great)

Heavily recommend to anyone who wants, good technology, image stabilisation and overall great pics

My Canon SD700 broke, so I had to get a new one.
After reading various reviews on different forums, I decided to get the TZ5.

I was reaaly disapointed, since I liked the 10X optical and some other functions. But when I was trying to catch by little 1 year old always moving around .... I was unable to get great pictures.

In iA mode... Focus and face detection too slow
In Baby Mode 1/2 same focus slow issue
In Normal Mode... after setting some configs based on recommendations... still difficult to get great pictures.

So I decided to return the TZ5 to the store...

Im now sure that I will get a Canon, but did decided whcih model yet...

This camera is the best I've ever owned. Completely worth the price, this is such a smart camera. Doesn't wash you out with the flash and has an intelligent mode that creates the perfect portrait without fiddling around to different modes just to get the right picture. The 10x zoom with telephoto macro is as good as it sounds. You can actually use the zoom while recording video, although the lens is a bit noisy and slow.

I did a lot of research before buying the TZ5, and it seemed to be overwhelmingly the best option for my price range. The picture quality is amazing—I've had several shots blown up into posters and they came out perfectly. The battery lasts for around 300 pictures, just like they claim—although I have so much fun taking pictures I kill the battery before I know it! So I would recommend a spare battery.

The menu is for the most part very intelligent and easy to navigate. Of course, it helps that the screen is one of the best ones you'll find today—my sister has the TZ4, and the difference in screen quality (and size!) is amazing. The menu gives you enough manual control, but there are plenty of intelligent/auto features that will speed things up for you.

The 10x zoom with telephoto macro is as good as it sounds. You can actually use the zoom while recording video, although the lens is a bit noisy and slow. Only with video, though—when you're in picture mode, the lens is fast. When you turn the camera on or off, the lens is fast. When you capture a shot, the flash reloads fast. Everything about this camera is fast.

This camera is a dream come true for all those people who want to take phemnomenal pictures but are a bit nervous about paying $2000 for the "professional camera". I have the older Lumix LZ5 and now the TZ5. These camera are both rugged and take some of the best pictures. I'm still apprehensive about paying a big camera because I dont know anything about buying lenses and ISO's and all that jazz. This little point and shoot camera makes it easy and takes astonishing photos.

I really wanted to like this camera, but I don't. All the pictures come out dark and I have tried everything to make the pictures come out better but they don't. Also I seem to have a spot in the pictures. I am now going to look for another camera. What a waste of money. I also bought into the hype of this camera and I am so disappointed.

1. Weak flash
2. Close up photos overexposed when using flash
3. Lag time too long after using flash.
4. Flimsy lens cover

I had to decide between the TZ5 and the Canon SD870. After using them both side by side for a few weeks, the Panasonic is the easy winner by a landslide. Looks sleeker, MUCH easier user menu, better zoom, and the pictures are of better quality than the Canon SD870. I really like the low light pictures that this camera takes of my three little ones! The ease of use and quality of this camera at this price point is unbelievable. Complements my Nikon D60 very well when I want to carry something a little smaller around for taking pictures.

This is great anyone that says it's not has never owned one, remember most people have a biast opinion on what they see as "the best camera" this one is just plain great. Amazing picture quality and color, highly recommend.

I have owned many cameras and this has by far been the biggest disappointment ever. Waste of money!
Photos are poor quality. Color is terrible.

I have a Fuji Finepix6000 that I love but the batteries lose their charge after 10 min. I've sent the camera to Fuji twice and they say it's fine. Yes - it is for the 1st 10 min. but I would take it (if working) over this any day!

I love this camera, the best I've ever owned. Completely worth the price, this is such a smart camera. Doesn't wash you out with the flash and has an intelligent mode that creates the perfect portrait without fiddling around to different modes just to get the right picture. You can even crop your own pictures right on the camera. Only warning is that you won't wanna stop taking pictures, they're all gonna turn out nice. Thanx Panasonic!!