Waiting patiently...FOR More Than A Year

for a credit card size digital camera with more than a 4x optical zoom lens.
Anybody else waitin'?
I know it will have to be a little thicker but come on? Nikon/Canon/Sony can't figure this out yet. It has to fit in my pocket.

Bob

They must be on the drawing board, Bob. 10X optical, 8MP, 3" display, shirt pocket size $499. Probably the smaller card instead of CF.

Right now what are the specs? 4MP, 4x zoom?

This one is reasonably small, Robert. Popular Photography article .

Is this the one?
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3
Review

I had my hands on this one at Best Buy today, and was impressed with everything except the plastic battery/sdcard cover.

Can Canon, Nikon and Sony be far behind?

Well I pulled the trigger, and got this one on sale for 289 for my trip to Orlando and Cape Canaveral. This will allow me to walk around with a camera in my pocket.
I looking forward to having a small digital always available. As well as a backup for the Canons.
7.2 megapixels, IS, and a 10x optical zoom sold me. I also got a 2 gig card for $29. I've had a $400 best buy gift card for over a year(bank rewards) that I was able to use.(It was on sale at Circuit City and I got Best Buy to match it.)
I've taken a photo of the 12 story office building I work in and it looks pretty good.

I'm back with some results.

Coming soon!

We're waiting patiently...

Dennison Building 1st Shot


Chip is a Yankee Fan!



Castle with Mickey & Minnie Topiary


Cinderella Castle


Castle Fireworks


Castle Starburst


Pluto Still a Disney Character!.



Yacht Club Lighthouse

Bob,... I find your report on this camera, and accompanying posted links, very interesting. I received a Best Buy gift card for Father's Day and I really like the small size and versatility of your new camera.

I'll have to watch the Circuit City ads and the Best Buy ads and see if this model comes up at a reduced price. This sounds like a perfect camera to carry with me on a day-to-day basis. My Olympus Evolt 300 SLR is just too big for that purpose. I love the 8.0 megapixel capability of my Olympus and the interchangeable lenses, but the thought of having a 7.2 megapixel pocket-size camera makes me smile.

I would be interested in knowing if you checked the Internet for any special deals on this camera before you bought it at a retail store.

Bob

And it has IS and 10x optical zoom and a 3 inch screen!
And it has various programed special shooting options of a SLR!
At the time I bought it it was $60 more at all stores - retail, internet and ebay!

Right time, Right place!

Good Luck, it should repeat.
Bob

I've pretty much decided that I will purchase the same camera as you have, Bob. Now like you, I'm waiting for the right time and place to purchase it.

By the way, one of my boating friends has the same camera and loves it.

Bob

It's rated very high. A friend in work is also going to buy one. I think I saw them on the West Coast in Costco for 318?

I've seen them here for $369. I was hoping for a price a little closer to the three-hundred dollar mark. Maybe there will be some rebates offered in the near future.

Bob

Bob, Terry just bought this camera for me for our anniversary. Can't wait to get a chance to use it on a lighthousing trip. My problem is taking the pictures by looking at the 3"screen, I keep trying to put my eye on the view finder that isn't there. Guess I need to be retrained.
:rolleyes:
"No act of kindness, no matter how small...is ever wasted" ~Aesop~
Ruthie

I'm back from Block Island! Things are busy with going back to work, etc. I still haven't pulled the trigger on the TZ3A yet. Another friend, who works in marketing & advertising, told me the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX30A 7.2 megapixel has gotten better reviews than the DMC-TZ3A we have been chatting about. The main difference between the cameras seems to be the 3.6X optical zoom on the FX30A as compared to the 10X zoom on the TZ3A. The TZ3A is about 1/2" wider, higher, and deeper, making the FX30A smaller in size.

My friend turned me on to Butterflyphoto.com where she has shopped often getting an apparent best price. Thank you to Ken for the Circuit City link to these cameras!

Price wise, Butterflyphoto has the FX30A at $230 as compared to Circuit City's price of $279.99. Butterflyphoto is offering the TZ3A at $307 as compared to Circuit City's $307.99.

Overall, I'm still inclined to purchase the TZ3A on the recommendations received here at the CF. Now comes the question as to what size memory card to choose, whether a protection plan must be purchased, should I buy the extra battery and case, etc. Also, is there a step above the TZ3A coming out soon? Should I wait a little longer to see if the price drops some more? Are there current rebates or coupons out there that I don't know about?

Bob

There's always something better coming.
I bought a 2gb card. Protection plan is based on purchase price. No need for extra battery. I'm still investigating a case. I bought a plastic screen saver for $4. I have some new Montauk photos coming.

True statement, Bob. I waited a bit in 1980 to buy my Canon A-1 instead of the AE-1. I still have that camera and it still works great.

Some of you folks have sent me emails about your thoughts regarding this matter. I thank you for thinking of me with great advice.

When I purchased my Olympus Evolt 300 (8 mega pixel SLR) back in January of 2006, I didn't buy an extra battery (mine seems to hold a charge forever) but I did get a hi-speed 1 gig memory card. I've never filled the card so I don't think I will need a spare card for whatever camera I purchase this time. I will probably go with the 2 gig hi-speed card and that should satisfy my needs. If I do go on a photo safari, I would carry both cameras anyways just in case I experience a problem with one or the other.

My desire is to have a small pocket camera ready for anything that may be a great photo opportunity at work or play. I'm leaning towards the TZ3 to satisfy that need. My birthday is coming up in the middle of next month so maybe I can get Lorna to purchase it as a present for me. Good idea? I think so! Now to watch out for the absolute lowest price between now and then.

Bob

The Disney pictures came out very well.

Well I did it! I pulled the trigger on the best deal offered so far. Many thanks to Ken Reese, who emailed the special deal he found at the Circuit City web site. I purchased the "TZ3" for $260, with free shipping. That was a great price and too hard to resist. I ordered the camera on Friday, it was shipped on Friday, and I should have it on Monday or Tuesday.

Now the question is memory cards. What do you recommend for tip top performance?

Bob

Talk about quick service. The new camera arrived yesterday via UPS. The battery has been charged and I've tried a couple of quick pics using the internal memory. I will purchase a memory card after work today. Then I will give the camera a good workout to see what it can do.

Bob

I also bought the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3. I decided I wanted to have a back up battery for it and found out on the Panasonic web site it was about $51.00 so I checked on line and found it there for $9.95 plus $5 shipping. I ordered it and it come pretty quickly and it works great. Thought I'd pass it along for those that may be hesitant to buy it on line.
Battery for Panasonic

I was amazed how long a charge lasts on the Panasonic battery that came with my TZ3. According to the book, it should be good for approximately 270 photos before needing to be recharged. It's also nice that you can charge it at any time even though the battery's current charge hasn't been completely used up.

The more I work with this camera, the better I like it. Many of my serious photo friends are amazed at what this compact camera can do.

Bob

I just charged mine for the first time since purchase/charge last night. I think I have 226 photos, and a lot of zooming.
Bob

Isn't it amazing that a small battery like that would hold a charge so long. The battery charger that came with the TZ3 is so convenient to use and very compact. I like it!

Bob

Any problems with this camera poping up after some extended use? I was thinking of getting one to use as a pocket camera when I don't want to carry my Nikon DSLR.

It's a great little camera. I'm having one problem with the flash washing out peoples faces when I take indoor pictures. Maybe there's an adjustment I don't know about. I also find indoor pics to look a little "grainy" compared to pics taken with my Olympus Evolt 8 megapixel. Again, may this is an adjustment I don't know about.

Outdoor pics are usually always good.

Bob

Mine is working fine! It is a small camera and you have to watch your fingers on the front near sensor and flash. The only fault is viewing through the screen instead of a viewfinder but that's a matter of getting use to it. There's is a big menu of default settings for specialty shots.
Bob

Bob, ...Do you know if there is an adjustment on the flash for indoor pics so I don't wash out peoples faces? I think the camera is fine, but I must be doing something wrong. I think it may be full flash instead of a sensor shutting it down once there's sufficient light for the pic. I just don't know how to change the adjustment. Any ideas?

Bob