Comments about Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3 Digital Camera (Blue):

The LCD panel is bright and very nice to look at. The onlyissue I've had so far is when shooting towards the sun, mybody/face was lit up very brightly, which reflected in theLCD, making it very difficult to align the shot properly.Also, the camera did not come with a protective plasticsheet over the LCD, not even one for shipping. I find this a5cent oversite on Panasonics part, and am forced to be extracareful while handling the camera while I wait to acquire one.I feel that the dial on the top of the camera to adjustshooting mode may eventually (sooner than later) break. Itfeels delicate, and is hard to rotate with just one finger.I tend to push the dial for one fingered operation, ratherthan grabbing it with 2 fingers and twisting. I may have toalter my style to prolong its life.I continually push the zoom lever in the wrong direction.Again, just a habit i need to change, but to me, counterclockwise should be zoom.Another complaint is that the zoom seems to step from x to x(like 1x to 2x) in a clunky way. It is not a smooth zoom ofthe lens, more of a incremental jump from one to the next.Although using the flash makes terrible pictures andtherefore I avoid using it, I think that its location shouldbe altered. As I hold the camera for a shot, my right middlefinger usually blocks part of the light coming from theflash. While it doesn't sit directly in front of the bulb,the position of my finger definitely deflects some of thelight from the subject, making the right side of the framedark and probably sends that light back into the lensthrowing off the exposure.The menu system is very nice. There is a longer, moredetailed system access via the Menu button, but most ofthe features you need to alter are also available in aquicker on screen section. The only feature not on thequick on screen menu is the AF zone, which I have notyet experimented with, but hope will give me finer focaldepth that I've been looking for. If so, it would be nice tohave quicker access to this feature.Also, while rotating the dial on the top, an on screendisplay comes on telling you what mode you are selecting.This is nice in that you don't have to alter yourcomposition that much while changing modes. I don't haveenough brain space left to memorize which position of thedial is which.Size. I left this for last since I haven't quite decided ifI like it or not.It is PROBABLY to big to fit in you pants pocket, and maybetoo big for a shirt pocket too.During the winter when I am always wearing a coat, it fitsnicely in a pocket. However, during spring and summer when alarge coat isn't available, i'm not sure how well this willcarry.The features they packed into the camera probably out weightits bulk. My dad has a smaller Panasonic DM camera, thatfits almost into the tiny pocket-inside-a-pocket on Levisjeans, but also feels like a gum-ball machine toy.The TZ3 fits nicely between a huge SLR that requires extraluggage, and the tiny feature-free mini that fit in a pillbox.So far, I am having a great time with this camera. It takesgreat pictures, has great features, is a relative good sizeand I think reasonably priced.

Previous Equivalent Item Owned: Canon EOS,

Items I Recommend: Plastic LCD covers, none included

Comments about Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3 Digital Camera (Blue):

I bought this at B&H in New York as my pocket camera, when I don't want to carry around my DSLR!This is a great camera with fantastic optics and excellent10X Zoom which can be increased to 15X!! although not thesmallest of P&S it is still a very neat camera, which with acase can be attached to your belt and carried with ease! TheMega OIS is a dream, and the large 3 screen is superbI would highly recommend this camera

Expertise: Serious Amateur

Items I Recommend: Sandisk Ultra II SD 2GB