Lumix TZ7

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I am teetering on the edge of buying one.

I know about the battery problems and the loose dial issue.

I have a query about 'in camera' editing. How easy is it to zoom an image I've taken and then re-shoot it. I use this a lot on my existing nikon but the assistant in Currys had never heard of this feature!

Does the face recognition work?

I'd welcome any other comments to tip me over the edge, or not.

Thanks
David

Mod note: I've edited the title from T27 to TZ7 so that search engines can find this post in the future

[El_Sid]

I have a query about 'in camera' editing. How easy is it to zoom an image I've taken and then re-shoot it.

I presume you mean enlarge a selected portion of the image on the screen and the crop the image to the selection? I imagine the camera simply saves the selected pixels and discards the rest...

I think that tends to be a feature largely confined to Nikon - I don't recall it being available on Panasonic models. My FX30 certainly can't do it...

[Chris Cool]

I am teetering on the edge of buying one.

Don't teeter, just geddit!

I know about the battery problems and the loose dial issue.

Bit of a nuisance but I can live with that as I have 2 batteries on firmware 1.1 - have a loose dial on mine but I can live with that also.

I have a query about 'in camera' editing. How easy is it to zoom an image I've taken and then re-shoot it. I use this a lot on my existing nikon but the assistant in Currys had never heard of this feature!

Looks easy. It's called Trimming on the Panasonic

Does the face recognition work?

Yes

I'd welcome any other comments to tip me over the edge, or not.

Simply the best in its class read what 88 people think of the top zoom compact
and here's another 52 if you're still not sure

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I've teetered long enough.

I've gone and done it. I ordered yeterday and bought a 16gb class 6 memory stick and the extended guarantee for 3 years.

I'll let you know how I get on.

[Chris Cool]

Well done that man

[div_ad]

Well I've got the camera.

First thoughts were:
The screen is very vulnerable. Even unpacking it and doing a few basic things resulted in finger marks on it. I've now fitted a screen protector which I bought from Jessops.

I knew all about the battery life issues but even I was surprised at how quickly it ran out. This may be just because it was the first charge and I took quite a few flash photo's (no videos). I have since done a day's shoot with little flash and it seems better.

The face recognition works, though my wife and son who must look similar to it, confuse it.

The in-camera editing works ok.

Why with a camera this complex and expensive do you have to go online for instructions on most of the features? The enclosed instructions cover only the basics. Its good in the early stages to have a manual you can have with you.

HOWEVER

My camera is faulty. There is a grey ring just below centre which appears on any dark image but is no doubt there all the while. I am going to return it for exchange to Camerabox also known as Digital first and The digital Camera Co. Time to test out the returns system of my chosen on_line retailer! Any problems with this and I shall be posting to this and any other website I can find!

David

David

[Chris Cool]

The screen is very vulnerable.

Yes it's Liquid Crystal but it has a solid clear plastic cover over it so should take some knocks - it is after all, a Travel Zoom camera.

Even unpacking it and doing a few basic things resulted in finger marks on it

Yes, AFAIK the only people trying to make screen cleaning easier is the latest iPhone 3GS which can be cleaned with a swipe on ones jeans

I've now fitted a screen protector which I bought from Jessops.

Essential piece of kit.

I knew all about the battery life issues but even I was surprised at how quickly it ran out. This may be just because it was the first charge and I took quite a few flash photo's (no videos). I have since done a day's shoot with little flash and it seems better.

Mines pretty good and I have the screen turned up to max- always carry a spare, just in case.

The face recognition works, though my wife and son who must look similar to it, confuse it.

Take a separate one of each face on and name them - should work better as the camera needs to learn.

The in-camera editing works ok.

Good, but I always do mine PP - far more flexible.

Why with a camera this complex and expensive do you have to go online for instructions on most of the features? The enclosed instructions cover only the basics. Its good in the early stages to have a manual you can have with you.

Mine came with a full manual - spent a pleasant couple of hours learning how to use my camera.

My camera is faulty.

Ah, sorry to hear that - hope the return goes OK

[div_ad]

Well I really wish I had bought this from a shop and not off the internet.

While Digital_cameras.com or camerabox who I bought the camera from were very efficient at delivering the product (and taking the money) within 24 hours, they are not so quick when something goes wrong!

I've just filled in my third web based return form, emailed 5 times since I first realised they hadn't responded to the forms and phoned them 3 times without joy.

I was told this morning that they had moved premises over the weekend and are having problems.

I know I am covered by the sale of Goods Act, and the Consumer Credit Act however this is all a big waste of time and doing my blood pressure no good at all! Sorry about the rant but maybe their PR team read these blogs. I am sure potential customers do.

I'll keep you posted.

David

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Just an update.

I managed to get a returns authorisation from Camerabox and paid my £7.50 to get the camera back to them. Pleasingly they have confirmed receipt. They have now taken 7 days to assess the camera and I await their reply.

I gave Camerabox the option to replace it rather than getting my credit card company to refund me and buy elsewhere.

I wonder how long it is reasonable to wait for a decision, and what I should do if they don't replace the camera.

David

[Chris Cool]

Stick in there David. I'm sure it will all be sorted in the end.

Always worth sending emails asking for an update

[div_ad]

Just for the record and really to close the topic.

I received a replacement camera from camerabox who after the initial problem dealt with me promptly and well. I was without my new camera for a couple of weeks which was irksome, but to be reasonable it wasn't their fault the camera was faulty and they did have to check it out on return before sending out a new one.

Regards

David

[Chris Cool]

Glad to hear all went well in the end