Cameras release dates

[Figaro]

Looking at replacing my compact camera and liked this one

Panasonic LUMIX DC-TZ90EB-K 30x Travel Zoom Camera - Black​

But looking at the release date, it was first introduced in 2017, so five years seems a long time for technology.
Would this put you off buying ?

 

[kevenh]

Depends how close to "latest cutting edge tech" you want.
A few years ago I noticed subcompact cameras were coming with silly amounts of zoom (silly in how much it would cost me to get similar zoom on my DSLR).
So I looked at Canon's range and saw the Canon PowerShot SX720 HS was the latest cutting edge tech. Thought about buying that one but noticed the previous model SX620 HS was a £100 cheaper for a minor change in spec
That was what I bought.

It works great as a live band camera. And I often take it instead of the DSLR on day hikes

edit: so, look at what Panasonic have changed on models of Lumix TZ90 before & after. If the changes aren't what you need or miss, that'll help you decide yy

 

[Two on Tour]

I have had a Lumix TZ90 for a while now and bought it second hand.
Fabulous camera and the 1440mm zoom is spot on.
Do you really need a bang on up to date camera with all the whistles and bells that you will probably never use or just a camera that takes damn good photos and video ?

 

[Langtoftlad]

The Lumix TZ series has been one of evolution, not revolution...
I have the TZ95 which only has a few 'improvements' on the TZ90
Those being a larger, higher resolution viewfinder & Bluetooth connectivity

If you can still get a TZ90 and don't need the enhancements then I'd certainly be happy to enjoy the discount and not worry about the 'age'

 

[Lenny HB]

We have a TZ60, bought an as new one last year to replace our dying 5 year old TZ60. Would have bought a newer model but none of the new ones have GPS which the TZ60 has & it has a great zoom.
We also have a Lumix bridge camera that we don't bother using now, even blown right up can't tell the difference in picture quality between the bridge & the TZ60.

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[Langtoftlad]

none of the new ones have GPS which the TZ60 has

My TZ95 has geo tagging via the phone/pc app
Perhaps not quite as convenient, but the facility is there if you need/want it

But it's proof of Lumix TZ evolution, that even the TZ60 is comparable to the TZ95 of today

 

[Tony V]

Looking at replacing my compact camera and liked this one

Panasonic LUMIX DC-TZ90EB-K 30x Travel Zoom Camera - Black​

But looking at the release date, it was first introduced in 2017, so five years seems a long time for technology.
Would this put you off buying ?

I tend to buy the ever dependable Panasonic TZ series s/hand. have several and all still function well. I have and still use the original FZ2

 

[Gellyneck]

We've still got a TZ30

that's going strong after around 10 years however it's, generally, relegated to the sideboard drawer as the camera on the mobile is as good as, if not better, than it now and easier to carry. Something I guess you need to think about.

We've also got a DC-FZ82 for the "better" photos.

Guess it all depends on what you want to be using it for,

 

[kevenh]

We've still got a TZ30
View attachment 574946
that's going strong after around 10 years however it's, generally, relegated to the sideboard drawer as the camera on the mobile is as good as, if not better, than it now and easier to carry. Something I guess you need to think about.

We've also got a DC-FZ82 for the "better" photos.

Guess it all depends on what you want to be using it for,

Recently, I'm moving from may Canon SX620 to the iPhone for basic band pics, but the x2 optical zoom on my iPhone can't beat the x25 of the Canon

 

[ontheroadagain]

Most of these cameras will be no better than a recent mobile phone.
The only benefit will be the optical zoom.
To get an improvement in image quality with a compact camera you will need to step up to to bigger sensor.
For example - the Sony RX100 range.
The Panasonic FZ1000 is also an excellent camera with a 1" sensor, but as it is a bridge camera it is a lot larger.

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[Gellyneck]

Recently, I'm moving from may Canon SX620 to the iPhone for basic band pics, but the x2 optical zoom on my iPhone can't beat the x25 of the Canon

Our mobiles have got some silly zoom capability but ........

The FZ82 has a 60x optical zoom but, if truth be told, probably best on a tripod for that.

 

[Buzz67]

I just recently bought a TZ60 after recommendation from Lenny and others.
Managed to find a mint one on eBay for £80. I don’t profess to be a photographer but I honestly can’t fault it. Small, easy to carry, easier to use, seems fairly robust and takes fantastic shots. Really good zoom.
Think the TZ60 was 2014, so no, I wouldn’t be put off.

 

[KUSKUS]

I use a FZ82 on 60x Optical and hand hold it if the lights reasonable.

 

[Gellyneck]

As a comparison this was taken at around 5 o'clock on a July evening with the old TZ30. Resized to meet website constraints.

 

[KUSKUS]

that is crisp !

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[KUSKUS]

 

[Gellyneck]

that is crisp !

He actually said, gies a crisp!

 

[kevenh]

The Canon SX620 I have is a little subcompact camera coming in at 97 x 57 x 28 mm
I just stick it in my thigh/leg pocket in the combat trousers I typically wear to gigs. And try snap a few pics of the band.
It's annoying how many stages are BACK lit! I won't use flash. I'm a gig tourist, not a pro but usually get a pic to remember the band : -

Though weighing a lot less than my DSLR, I do chuck it in the day pack: -

 

[Brian + Dawn]

I have one of these TZ90s and they take great pictures but if you intend to connect to it wirelessly, it is problematic.... so much so that I don't bother. I had hope to upload to my phone to email a pic when away but not worth the hassle

 

[Figaro]

Most of these cameras will be no better than a recent mobile phone.
The only benefit will be the optical zoom.
To get an improvement in image quality with a compact camera you will need to step up to to bigger sensor.
For example - the Sony RX100 range.
The Panasonic FZ1000 is also an excellent camera with a 1" sensor, but as it is a bridge camera it is a lot larger.

Thanks all, I have been using my mobile phone to good effect, but I would prefer a dedicated phone for a couple of reasons :-

1. I can pull a camera out of my pocket and ready to take a photo in a few seconds. With the phone I have to wake it up, swipe it up, enter a pin, open the camera app and wait for it to start. I could alter settings to avoid some of this but it's then less secure if I lose it.

2. I'm always aware that if I were to drop the phone whilst using the camera, it would be very difficult as we tend to have our whole lives on these things now and I wouldn't like to see it disappear down a ravine or to the seabed. Compounded by them tending to need to be held with finger tips in use so not that secure and I usually have a dog lead around one wrist and a sudden jerk from him could spell disaster.
Suppose I could use a lanyard, but I'd prefer it safely tucked away in my pocket.

So all in all, I'd prefer a dedicated camera and John Lewis have just accepted a price match request so I've another 30 quid off it, so I think I'll order the Lumix TZ90

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[Langtoftlad]

I have one of these TZ90s and they take great pictures but if you intend to connect to it wirelessly, it is problematic.... so much so that I don't bother. I had hope to upload to my phone to email a pic when away but not worth the hassle

Certainly it's not as simple as you'd hope... but with a little perseverance I've always managed it with the TZ95

 

[Figaro]

Certainly it's not as simple as you'd hope... but with a little perseverance I've always managed it with the TZ95

Is that connection using wifi, I don't think the 90 has bluetooth does it

 

[Langtoftlad]

Is that connection using wifi, I don't think the 90 has bluetooth does it

I think so... tbh it's all a bit hit & miss but I get there after a couple of goes.

 

[kevenh]

I can pull a camera out of my pocket and ready to take a photo in a few seconds. With the phone I have to wake it up, swipe it up, enter a pin, open the camera app and wait for it to start

Android? Or security conscious?
I get to the iPhone camera by waking the phone up, sliding the screen to the right
The Canon compact & most others, need to be turned on, then we wait for the lense to unpack. Several seconds later we can compose the shot we want.

Most (all?) DSLR are on in 0.7 sec.
Assuming the camera is out of the bag, plus we’ve the right lense on the human is the delay in being ready with a DSLR.

But ultimately the phone is a bigger gadget loss if dropped or lost.

 

[Figaro]

I use android, reluctant to remove pin as I'd hope it would stop someone who found it from accessing my data etc

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[kevenh]

I use android, reluctant to remove pin as I'd hope it would stop someone who found it from accessing my data etc

Not too familiar with Android.
The shortcut to the iPhone camera is on a locked & still secure phone.
Only the pics you’ve taken in that “session” are visible.

 

[the1andonly]

John Lewis have just accepted a price match request so I've another 30 quid off it, so I think I'll order the Lumix TZ90

Where did you price match to?
£270 would make it £100 cheaper than the 95

 

[EuroTrotters]

We have a TZ60, bought an as new one last year to replace our dying 5 year old TZ60. Would have bought a newer model but none of the new ones have GPS which the TZ60 has & it has a great zoom.
We also have a Lumix bridge camera that we don't bother using now, even blown right up can't tell the difference in picture quality between the bridge & the TZ60.

Never gave GPS a thought ! Good Thinking Batman

 

[EuroTrotters]

this looks good

<Broken link removed>