Panasonic TZ40 ordered

theoldsmithy

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Location
Cheshire, England
Name
Martin Connolly
Just ordered a TZ40 from Panasonic Southampton... it should arrive next week. I also managed to win an auction for the first time ever on eBay, picked up a case for under three quid!
Will post some piccies when I've given it an outing!
 
Get mine today (y) I'll do a little review when I get home from work. One good thing about the TZ40 is the wifi ability to control the camera via a smart phone. That works really well. But the best thing about this camera is the fact it's free!! Gotta love working in a camera shop!
 
Get mine today (y) I'll do a little review when I get home from work. One good thing about the TZ40 is the wifi ability to control the camera via a smart phone. That works really well. But the best thing about this camera is the fact it's free!! Gotta love working in a camera shop!

The smart phone control is the bit I find interesting . Any idea what the range is ? Saw a video on the Nex 6 and that was about 35 meters .
 
OK. Got my little jem and have had a bit of a play. The TZ40 is a great compact camera. It's comfy in the hand, easy to use and the files are pretty damn good considering how small the sensor is. Colours are nice and there are plenty of options for getting the colours spot on with the scene modes and artistic modes. If you like Black & White then the Dynamic Monochrome is the one to go for. It is the nicest mono preset I have seen in any camera.

IS is absolutely awesome. You can zoom in to the full 40x (digital) zoom and have solid stable images taken with just one hand. The image detail is good for a compact but best not to pixel peep as they are no where near as good as anything with a bigger sensor but for what it is, the files are good. I would suggest getting as much right in the camera as possible as the files are limited when it comes to editing. Perhaps I'm just so used to RAW files?

I have not tried the WIFI yet but will do later. The touch screen works well and is very crisp and clear giving super detail when viewing a scene. The camera is light but feels well made.

So a good compact but that's all it is, Just a compact so don't expect amazing image quality, still pretty good though.

Images to follow.........
 
Few more photos:
Toy camera setting:
8866146924_fcfe62d4f4_b.jpg

P1000053 by theoldsmithy, on Flickr
Silver Efex Pro film noir preset:
8866893678_daf83086a8_b.jpg

Corridor at Calke Abbey (NT) by theoldsmithy, on Flickr
Slight contrast tweak in Topaz Clarity:
8866303115_c6f76b97d4_b.jpg

P1000046_tc by theoldsmithy, on Flickr
And another little boost in Clarity:
8866321867_be9e2cff8e_b.jpg

P1000047_tc by theoldsmithy, on Flickr

Overall impressions - good clear screen, zoom is responsive without being twitchy (yes Fuji F70EXR I'm talking to you), generally good colour reproduction although some need a little boost in PP (for which Clarity is rather handy). GPS is useful. It's very cute that you can apply all of the creative modes after shooting, not just a selection as with Sony. The mode dial is easy to knock when you take the camera out of a bag or pocket. Overall as a walkaround little camera it's very nice. I would say the images are marginally better than I got from the Sony HX20V - less smearing at 100% - but there is very little in it really. It is smaller and lighter than the HX20V and fits perfectly in the Lowepro Dublin 20 pouch which set me back all of £1.97 from Currys :)
 
Hi Ghosthunter,
How is your TZ40 working out ?
I'm looking for a new-ish 'carry-everywhere' camera & so far its between the TZ30 / 35 / 40 & the Sony HX20V & maybe a Casio Exilim EX ZR 800.

Can you lets us have your thoughts on the TZ40 & if it fits the spec for an 'everyday' camera, please.

Thanks.
 
Hi Ghosthunter,
How is your TZ40 working out ?
I'm looking for a new-ish 'carry-everywhere' camera & so far its between the TZ30 / 35 / 40 & the Sony HX20V & maybe a Casio Exilim EX ZR 800.

Can you lets us have your thoughts on the TZ40 & if it fits the spec for an 'everyday' camera, please.

Thanks.
I actually sold mine as when you have the Sigma DP Merrill cameras they make everything else look poo! However.... I'm going to get another for my hols to Florida. For a compact they are really good.
 
From the photos posted so far this seems to be a great little camera for everyday use.
Is it better overall than the Sony HX20V or the previous TZ30 / 35 ?
The touchscreen & other features might just swing the balance Panny's way.......I'm not concerned about WiFi / NFC, GPS or video performance.

Just a good quality 'everyday' camera that can produce good quality images without spending hours on the PC with Elements.

Thanks to everyone for posting their photos.
 
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