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The TZ series is Panasonic's popular range of travel compacts and this is the TZ40, the
latest version, featuring a 20x optical zoom Leica lens.
Unusually for a compact, the TZ40 features a mode dial on top of the camera, where you
can access fully manual and semi-automatic modes, such as aperture and shutter priority.
Also on this mode dial you'll find scene modes and fully automatic modes and space for upto
two groups of customised settings.
This camera has built-in Wi-Fi, which means that you can control the camera remotely via
a smartphone app, where you can also save images for sharing online. Here on the side
of the camera is an NFC chip, which means that if you have any compatible devices, all
you need to do is tap the two devices together for an instant connection. If you don't, then
you can still connect via entering a unique password in your device's Wi-Fi settings.
GPS is also built in, which is useful for a travel camera as it saves you having to
remember the exact location of all your photos - though it is worth remembering having GPS
activated can be a drain on a battery life.
On the back of the camera is a 920,000 dot touchscreen. This is extremely useful for
changing the autofocus point, which you can do simply by tapping the area on the screen
you want to use. You can also use it to fire the shutter release - the camera will focus
first, then capture the image. This is fairly fast and responsive, and is useful when shooting
on a tripod for example, or for capturing quick action.
Aside from the mode dial, there are no settings dials on the TZ40. Instead, if you want to
change aperture, you press this Exposure button and then press left or right. To change shutter
speed, you use the same button, but press up or down. Perhaps a little confusingly,
you don't alter exposure compensation with the Exposure button - this has it's own dedicated
button on the four way control pad here.
A Quick Menu button gives access to all the most commonly used settings, saving you from
delving into the more extensive menu. Here you’ll find everyday settings such as ISO
and white balance. The number of options changes depending on the shooting mode being used,
for instance, you’ll find more when shooting in semi-automatic and fully manual modes.
The optical zoom lens is extended and retracted via a small switch around the shutter release.
The zooming mechanism is pretty smooth and fluid, which is good news considering the
20x optical length. As the zoom reaches its maximum optical capability, it stops, requiring
a second push to enter the digital zoom – this is great for preventing an accidental stray
into the digital zoom if you don’t want to use it.
There’s no need to worry about capturing an image at the far end of the optical zoom
as Panasonic’s image stabilisation does a fantastic job of preventing blur, even when
shooting handheld. Here’s a comparison of the lens extended to full with image stabilisation
off, and here, with image stabilisation switched on.
Previous TZ cameras have really impressed us, so we had high hopes for the TZ40. Happily,
we have not been disappointed, with bright and punchy images with plenty of detail.
For my full review of the Panasonic TZ40, along with plenty of sample images, visit
TechRadar.com / see this month’s issue / For more information and sample images, read the
rest of the review.