Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5

Extremely similar to its less expensive sibling, the DMC-TZ4, the TZ5 offers higher 9 megapixel resolution (compared with 8 megapixels for the TZ4), a 1280x720 pixel resolution movie capture mode and a larger LCD (2.5 inches for the TZ4). Because of the higher resolution, the TZ5's performance is also rated a bit slower, with fewer photos fitting in its memory buffer, than the TZ4. Finally, it's about 0.01 inch fatter and at 8.4 ounces, 2 ounces heavier.

Because it lacks manual and semi manual exposure capabilities, the mode dial is fairly sparse. The Easy Zoom button makes a nice shortcut for getting from one end of the zoom range to the other.

A dial lets you switch among camera and movie modes, as well as two slots for program exposure (scene) modes these have the same choices, but allow the camera to remember two of your last selections.

Intelligent Auto and an odd Clipboard mode that captures low resolution photos to internal memory for fast display.

The four navigation buttons toggle among the exposure compensation, flash, macro, and self timer options. Depending upon your current zoom, it automatically chooses standard or telemacro. One of my few complaints about the design of the TZ5 is the placement of the microphone on the top left of the camera.

Given that Panasonic states "do not block the microphone with fingers" five times in the manual, the company must be aware that there's a problem with its location. And despite the many warnings, my fingers still tend to wander over there while recording movies. The Q(uick) menu button brings up a subset of options that are also available in the full menus.

LCD brightness, picture size, aspect ratio, intelligent exposure, ISO sensitivity, white balance, AF mode spot, face detect, 9 area, 3 area high speed, 1 area high speed, and 1 area burst shooting and optical stabilization. The full menu adds more shooting settings picture quality, Intelligent ISO, metering, continuous AF, intelligent exposure, color effects, digital zoom, minimum shutter speed, audio recording, AF assist, and clock set as well as setup screens.