Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ8 Reviews: Lumix Digital Compact Camera

Here’s a list of the questions other shoppers have asked owners of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ8

1. I am just about to purchase a TZ8 (for holiday,travel etc but my main issue is shutter lag.
   
   I am a SLR user so am used to instant shots...is the lag noticeable on this model. I do expect a slight lag but has your subject disappeared by the time the shot is taken!!!???
   
   Jane asked on 15 Jan 2011
   1. Once focussed,its as instant as you pressing the button.
      You can also set it to auto focus tracking.
      Also in sports mode,it will focus and take the picture in approx half a second. probably quicker tbh
      
      marcus replied on 15 Jan 2011

       
2. Do you find the battery life to be shorter than a standard digital compact? (i.e your average cybershot
   
   Katie asked on 01 Feb 2011
   1. Battery life appears very good {better than some cheaper models} Not so good taking movie clips. Hope you find this useful
      
      
      PAUL replied on 15 Feb 2011

       
3. Have read that the draw back with this camera is the cost of replacing the battery. Is this true?
   
   Lynette asked on 11 Feb 2011
   1. not thought about it tbh. it has a good life for taking pics, so wont need to replace for some time i hope.
      not something i considered.
      
      marcus replied on 11 Feb 2011

       
4. I'm planning a two week backpacking trip in the summer and am trying to pick a suitable camera to take with me, approximately how many shots would you expect from a full battery, and how much does a charger weigh?Also how robust is this camera?
   
   Steve asked on 08 Mar 2011
   1. IN ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTIONS,
      1 CLOSE TO 300
      2 6oz
      VERY ROBUST & WELL BUILT.
      
      PAUL replied on 08 Mar 2011

       
   2. Ive had over 180 all with flash ,and over 250 without.
      the charger weighs very little. and its about the size of the camera.
      Its very well built and feels sturdy but im not going to drop it to find out.
      
      marcus replied on 14 Mar 2011

       
5. what is the best colour setting,standard or happy ? also after taking a picture,i know the picture can be cropped,but can the quality of the picture be mproved as on can on some Kodaks ? thanks
   
   David asked on 27 Apr 2011
   1. I use standard . The quality cant be improved. I have it on full size and best quality to start with
      Then crop if needed on the pc.
      
      marcus replied on 27 Apr 2011

       
6. Does this camera have a black and white option?
   
   Nicola asked on 07 May 2011
   1. Yes it does indeed.
      
      marcus replied on 07 May 2011

       
   2. Yes it does indeed.
      
      PAUL replied on 10 May 2011

       
7. Does the lumix work well in low light conditions?
   
   Don asked on 11 May 2011
   1. Without flash, no, not in my experience. The photos look 'grainy'. Photos taken at the 2560 x 1920 pixels setting seem better than those taken at 4000 x 3000 and then sized down to 2560 x 1920 (The 4000 x 3000 ones left at full size have been too grainy to be of any use at all). From those I've taken, no prints above 5 x 7 ins size would be any good. I haven't had much success with FLASH photos of groups of people - these photos are never quite in focus, and at night, outside, they have been way out of focus. Don't have this problem with my Olympus Camedia. Have consulted the Panasonic manual but can't see any alternative setting I could use. Flash photos of individuals or objects fairly near the camera seem OK.
      
      Marilyn replied on 11 Jul 2011

       
8. Is there a self timimng system?
   
   Jeff asked on 26 May 2011
   1. IN A WORD YES.
      
      PAUL replied on 26 May 2011

       
   2. yes and it has 2 settings iirc
      
      marcus replied on 26 May 2011

       
9. What does the TZ8 have that the TZ9 doesn't, or vice versa. Not sure which one to buy.
   
   Graham asked on 29 May 2011
   1. I believe that the TZ9 is specific to one of the big chain stores (Dixons or Currys etc) and is similar to the TZ10 but without some of the features like GPS.
      
      I looked at the TZ10, but the additional features didn't do it for me, mainly because they reduced the battery time (gps specifically) - hence I picked the slightly older TZ8
      
      paul replied on 29 May 2011

       
   2. PLEASE REFER TO TECHNICAL MANUALS ON LINE TO BE SURE.
      
      PAUL replied on 29 May 2011

       
10. Is the TZ 8 still in prodution or is it being replaced by another in the TZ range
    
    Robin asked on 12 Jun 2011
    1. no idea. check lumix website id think for best info
       
       marcus replied on 12 Jun 2011

        
    2. AS FAR AS I AM AWARE PRODUCTION HAS STOPPED.
       
       PAUL replied on 13 Jun 2011

        
    3. N idea - the product is still on the Panasonic website and is not that old, so I am assuming it is still in production or Panasonic have a large back-stock.
       
       paul replied on 15 Jun 2011

        
11. Whats the picture quality like for night-time and indoor photos please?
    
    maureen asked on 02 Jul 2011
    1. PICTURE QUALITY INDOORS -VERY VERY GOOD. NIGHT TIME SHOTS-VERY GOOD.
       
       PAUL replied on 04 Jul 2011

        
12. what comes included with the camera ie do you get battery, charger and memory card or do these all have to be purchased separately?
    
    Julie asked on 05 Aug 2011
    1. All but a memory card of a size worth having. If i remember correctly I bought 4Gig cards. I bought 2 of these DMC-TZ8's for my business & got them for £169.95 from Jessups as this was the cheapest offer at the time.
       Ta,
       R.
       
       R. replied on 06 Aug 2011

        
13. Hi, I've got a Sony Cybershot camera at the moment, which is great for point and shoot but not so good with evening shots. I am looking for a camera with a better zoom and can cope with taking gig photos.
    
    What's the Panasonic one like at night?
    
    Thank you
    
    Gillian asked on 10 Aug 2011
    1. IN GENERAL NOT BAD FOR EVERYDAY NIGHT TIME SHOTS.FOR GIG SHOTS,CLOSE UP YES AT A DISTANCE NO.I HOPE YOU FIND THIS HELPFUL.
       
       PAUL replied on 11 Aug 2011

        
    2. Would definitely NOT recommend for night-time shots, especially at a distance. I've taken some brilliant macro ones of moths at night - no flash, just the light of the bright lamp used to attract the moths, but haven't had much success with indoor shots in low light (with or without flash) or outdoors at night, say, 10 feet away using flash. The photos never seem absolutely sharp. Possibly a problem focusing in low light conditions?
       See notes at http://panasonic.net/avc/lumix/compact/zs5_tz8/ia.html
       re Power O.I.S. and night shots. I use the iA mode exclusively but have certainly NOT had the good results described here. I've had better results with night-time shots and flash shots of groups with my Olympus Camedia. You might need to get a digital SLR for what you want. Kind regards.
       
       Marilyn replied on 11 Aug 2011

        
14. Does the camera have a B setting for long exposures?
    
    John asked on 26 Aug 2011
    1. To some extent. In the 'Manual Exposure' mode, the exposure time can be set up to a maximum of 60 seconds.
       
       Marilyn replied on 28 Aug 2011

        
    2. IT SEEMS NOT.
       
       PAUL replied on 28 Aug 2011

        
15. Hi I am thinking of buying a TZ8 I have a Canon power shot SX210IS a realy good camera but I do not like the bottons on this camera because they are to small, I am wondering if the TZ8 is as good a camera only with easer bottons
    
    Louis asked on 28 Aug 2011
    1. I don't know the Canon but the buttons on the TX8 are small in my opinion, but have not proved hard to use so maybe are more ergonomically designed? We are a business & have 2 TZ8's, both used by female members of our medical team, & neither find the cameras difficult to operate, but may have smaller hands than you?
       
       
       
       R. replied on 29 Aug 2011

        
16. cna any one tell me the difrence in the,
    Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ8 Lumix Digital Compact Camera
    and the, Panasonic Lumix-TZ8 Lumix Digital Compact Camera
    whats this stand for DMC,
    thanks,
    Brett
    
    Brett asked on 31 Mar 2012
    1. As I have, you've probably searched on Google for an answer. Someone did suggest 'Digital Media Camera'. However, the two descriptions you give refer to exactly the same camera. If you go to an Amazon page (link given below), you'll see that the description given is 'Panasonic Lumix TZ8 Digital Camera...' but if you click on the thumbnail for the photo that shows the top of the camera, you'll see 'DMC-TZ8' marked on the camera.
       http://www.amazon.co.uk/Panasonic-Lumix-TZ8-Digital-Camera/dp/B0031MA10I/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1333541854&sr=1-1
       
       I've had my TZ8 for 15 months now and it's taken some truly excellent photos, including spectacular macros. Flash photos have not been so successful, but I need to do some more experimenting - outdoor photograpy is my main interest. I've just had to buy a new battery, as the original one wasn't holding the charge. I'm a bit disappointed about this because, although the camera's used every week, I don't use it every day and rarely for large numbers of photos. I've only taken about 10-15 short videos in total. A new genuine Panasonic replacement battery cost me £18.84 including postage via Amazon 03/04/2012 (much more expensive elsewhere). From comments posted on the internet, apparently it's not wise to buy cheaper 'compatible' batteries (available for about £10.50 inc postage) as recent Panasonic cameras can detect non-Panasonic batteries and may not function properly with them. I don't know if this is correct but it didn't seem worth the risk.
       
       Marilyn replied on 04 Apr 2012

        

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