Guide to improving Panasonic's TZ6, TZ65 and TZ7 Low-Light Performanc

[Nielo_TM]

I'm sure many of you have tried obtaining good results under low-light conditions and ended-up with poor results. Well, hopefully the following method will help to rectify the issue.

The problem lies with the intelligent ISO and believe me when I say this camera is dumb as a rock (well...most things are):rotfl:.

1. Set dial to custom (2nd option next to iA)
   
2. Go to menu and disable intelligent ISO
   
3. Set your preferred ISO under sensitivity, but do not exceed 400
   
4. Disable pre-AF
   
5. Disable i.Exposure
   
6. Set stabilizer to Auto
   
7. Set Min.Shtr Speed to 1 (or the lowest possible) and press menu to exit.

If you're still experiencing poor performance, press up and increase the value of the exposure (0 - +2). If you wish to improve the quality further, set ISO to 400 or 800 (medium prints).

For full details, click here and here.

I would have posted the whole segment here, but it's hard to format the whole post.

[nspur]

I think answer to getting the best out of the TZ6 low light performance is not to use it. I have a FujiFilm F31fd for that. But if you have to use the TZ your suggestions certainly improve things.

[Nielo_TM]

That's a little harsh IMO. I have no issues with low-light as you can clearly see from the samples. It does take time to learn the settings and to become fluent, so the user has be patient.

Panasonic really have to redesign the GUI and improve the automated functions as well as providing users quick access to prime settings. Their current system is complex to say the least.

PS: I also had serious doubts about the TZ7 and I was initially disappointed by the poor low-light performance. But now, I absolutely love it. The only issue I can't seem to solve is the battery.

[nspur]

That's a little harsh IMO.

Yes it was a bit harsh. I bought the TZ6 to replace a Ricoh R4 and I hoped it would be very much better in low light. It was better and your recipe is a good one but it was not good enough for me to ditch my Fuji F31fd as mu low-light compact. The F31 is only 6 megapixels and uses Fuji's Super CCD. It's not that great on an Auto setting but it does have aperture and shutter-priority modes and pretty clean files at ISO 1600 and even usable ones at 3200. Moreover despite not having any form of IS I can hold it steady at 1/25 sec. It also has a very well regulated flash output but that's another question.

Where the TZ6 does score is as a fully automatic p&s in good light and it's definitely the one for the shirt pocket on holiday.

[Nielo_TM]

Ah I see; in that case, Fuji does seems like the better choice.