Panasonic DMC TZ3 vs Canon SX100 or Sony H3: the best Travel Zoom for $220

Four models present the new digital compact camera type – the Travel Zoom: the Canon Powershot SX100, the Sony DSC-H3, Panasonic DMC-TZ2 and Lumix TZ3. This camera type is a compromise between SLR-like cameras with a big optical zoom as Canon S5 or FujiFilm S8000 and compacts as PowerShot A-series or Fujifilm F40 – F50fd. Travel Zoom cameras have the same small 1/2.5 – 1/2.33” sensors. However, their 10-x zoom lens is hiding into the body; it makes this camera type handy, especially for travelers.
For more details look through: Compare 10x SLR-likes: Sony DSC-H3, Panasonic TZ2 vs Canon SX100.
Panasonic DMC-TZ3 best features
Panasonic’s new DMC-TZ2 and DMC-TZ3 are the latest models of the Lumix TZ family of digital cameras, which is renowned for packaging a remarkable 10x optical zoom in a compact pocket body. I already compared the Panasonic TZ2 with the Canon SX100 and the Sony DSC-H3. However, the Lumix TZ2 with a small 6MP resolution sensor is hardly preferred to 8.1MP Sony H-3 and 8.3MP Canon SX100. At that time, the Panasonic TZ3 with 7.2MP sensor and most tight body is a prepotent rival. Try to put the Canon SX100 into your jeans pocket. In that case, the TZ3 looks much more preferable. For more ultra zoom cameras look through: Compare digital SLR-like cameras: from Canon S5, Olympus SP 560 and Sony H3, H9 to Panasonic FZ18 and Fujifilm S8000.
Panasonic TZ3 key features
- 1/2.35 inch sensor with 7.2MP, 8.5 million photo detectors
- 10x optical zoom 28-280mm (35mm equiv) Leica lens
- 4-x digital zoom
- Extra optical zoom (4:3: 12x for 5MP, 15x for 3, 2, 1, 0.3MP, 3:2: 12.6x for 4.5MP, 15x for 2.5MP, 16:9: 13x for 3.5MP, 15x for 2MP)
- 3-inch 230,000 pixels LCD monitor
- MEGA O.I.S. Optical Image Stabilizer
- ISO from 100-1,250 with ISO 3,200 Intelligent ISO Mode
- Automatic exposure
- Twenty scene modes
- Live Histogram
- Aspect ratio options
- White Balance fine-tuning feature
- Built-in flash with red-eye reduction
- Dual image display in playback
- 848 x 480 30 fps Movie mode
- Clipboard function for photographing maps, travel material
- Special Baby Scene Modes, Underwater Scene Mode/Optional underwater housing
- Shutter speed from 60 sec - 1/2,000 sec
- SD, SDHC, MMC compatible
- 13MB internal memory
- USB full speed connection
- Rechargeable Lithium battery and charger included
Some Lumix TZ3 differences from TZ2
Sensor: 1/2.35 " Type CCD, 8.50 million pixels total, 7.2 million effective pixels instead of 1/2.33 " Type CCD, 7.39 million pixels total, 6.0 million effective pixels
Max resolution: 3072 x 2304 instead of 2816 x 2112
Exposure bracketing: +/- 1/3 EV -1EV step, 3 frames
Continuous shooting: Full-Resolution Image, 3 frames/sec or 2 frames/sec
LCD: 3.0-inch 230,000 pixels Polycrystalline TFT instead of 2.5-inch 207,000 pixels
Weight (no batt): 232 g (0.51lb) instead of 222 g (0.49lb)
Dimensions: the same 105 x 59.2 x 36.7 mm (4.20 x 2.37 x 1.47 in)
Panasonic DMC-TZ3 pros and cons
Pros:
- 10x optical zoom with true 28mm wide angle
- Almost distortion-free lens
- Compact body for 10-x optical zoom camera
- Optical image stabilization
- Large high-resolution 3-inch LCD screen
- Easy to use, well-build pocket camera
- Simple mode for handing the camera off to the less experienced in the family
- Ability to limit ISO in Auto and Intelligent ISO
- Good Automatic White Balance
- Fast startup for a long zoom
- Not bad shutter lag
- Blazing shutter response with pre-focus
- 20 Scene Modes
- Special underwater housing
Cons:
- Anti-noise processing muddles detail, especially in reds
- Difficult LCD using in bright light
- High contrast in harsh outdoor images
- Limited low-light abilities
- Flash coverage is uneven at wide angle, and insufficient at telephoto
- Only average transfer speed
- Tripod mount at one corner is awkward
- Battery life could have been better.
- Lens cover seems flimsy.
- Lens thread to attach filters would have been nice
- Has a tendency to underexpose (use exposure compensation)
- Gets noisy at ISO400
- No ISO below 100
- Not zooming in Movie mode
Canon PowerShot SX100 key features
- 8.0MP 1/2.5 inch CCD, delivering image resolutions 3,264 x 2,448 pixels
- 10x zoom 36-360mm lens (35mm equiv)
- 2.5-inch 172,000 pixels flip-out and twist LCD display
- Optical image stabilization
- Manual focus mode with enlargement of focus area
- Face Detection
- Macro (close-up) lens adjustment
- 640 x 480 30 fps Movie mode
- Shutter speeds from 1/2,500 to 15 sec
- Automatic, Program, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and Manual exposure modes
- Built-in flash with five modes plus an intensity adjustment
- Auto or High-Auto ISO setting or 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, and 1,600, ISO equivalents
- Safety Manual Focus mode
- White balance adjustment with seven options
- Flash exposure compensation
- Safety flash exposure mode adjusts shutter speed / aperture to prevent blowouts
- Safety-shift function prevents poor exposures in shutter / aperture priority modes
- Auto ISO shift adjusts ISO sensitivity to prevent camera shake, with manual override possible
- Spot, Center-Weighted, and Evaluative Metering modes
- 1.3 fps Continuous Drive with two continuous shooting modes
- Long exposure (1.3+ sec) noise reduction
- Auto-Exposure and Flash-Exposure Lock
- SD/SDHC/MMC card (16MB SD card included)
- USB 2.0 computer connection
- Weight (inc. batteries) 316 g (11.1 oz)
- Dimensions 109 x 71 x 47 mm (4.3 x 2.8 x 1.9 in)
Canon SX100 pros and cons
Pros:
- Excellent Canon’s 10-x zoom lens with minimal lens distortion
- Good Optical image stabilization
- Face Detection AF / AE
- Accurate exposure metering
- Useful ISO range from 80 to 1,600
- Full manual exposure control
- Useful flip out and twist LCD
- Not bad low light performance
- Good macro mode
- Not so big shutter lag time
- Excellent battery life NiMH rechargeable
Cons:
- Not a pocket size
- Some chromatic aberrations
- A little under saturated images
- High contrast in harsh lighting
- Big shutter lag time with using a flash
Conclusion
In comparison with the Canon S5 IS the PowerShot SX100 with the same 1/2.5 inch sensor and practically the same image quality but not the same (a little cheaper) price at $240-260, the Panasonic TZ3 looks good. For more look at: Canon SX100 IS as a Powershot S5 IS killer. However, the SX100 is not a pocket camera (if you do not prefer a working or farmer clothes). In addition, the Panasonic TZ3 with a smaller body but a bigger sensor and price at $220-250 can be the best choice. Especially if you do not demand an outstanding image quality from a Travel Zoom, this camera is good value for money.