Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3

The TZ3 is a bit of an odd duck. Though it boasts an excellent 10x optical zoom, it's still a few features short of being an actual superzoom – a category in which Panasonic has a strong foothold. Going by the overall looks and build of the TZ3, I'd say it's better described as a compact camera with a massive zoom lens and build quality that would give the Terminator a complex.

The TZ3 is available in many colors, but the piece we received for review was good old silver; which looked impressive nonetheless. The control system is fairly simple, with the mode dial, power switch, zoom toggle, and of course the shutter release, placed on the top.

On the rear, there's the massive 3-inch LCD screen along with the d-pad controls, and the display and function buttons. The LCD in the TZ3 is brilliant and very well designed to work under different conditions. It has a 'Power LCD' mode that boosts the brightness level of the display, making it ideal for bright outdoor lighting.

The screen also has a 'High Angle' mode that shifts the contrast of the screen in a way that the image is best viewed from a lower angle, making it perfect for high angle shots.

Going back to my 'Terminator' comment, the TZ3 feels extremely sturdy and secure, making it a great travel companion. It's fairly small at 105 x 59 x 37 mm, but its weight of 280g keeps it a bit on the heavy side.

The 7 megapixel image resolution may not seem such a big deal for a compact camera these days, but considering that the resolution is good enough for an A3-sized print, I'd say it's enough. Besides, it's the 10x optical zoom with optical image stabilization that's the real USP.

The best part about the lens here in not only its zoom capabilities, but also its wide angle, which at 28mm is a lot wider than the standard 34mm wide angle that you usually see in consumer cameras.