This was my 'upgrade' to a now very low spec 3.1 mp Pentax Optio. To say it bluntly I was impresssed from the moment I switched it on. The TZ5, the supersceded model to the TZ3 carries a 'winning formula' from its predesessor. The TZ5 is difficult to flaw, the camera is very easy to use. I was whizzing around the options within minutes and the settings are very clear and understandable. One of my favourite features has to be the e.zoom button by the shot button. From the 1st press of this button the camera goes straight to a 10x optical zoom without having to do it using the manual control along the ring of the shoot button. This e.zoom button allows you to capture somthing in the distances with ease and speed, whether a passing celebrity or wildlife. Press the button again and it will go to a 17x digital zoom also very impressive given the overall distance you are trying to achieve taking these shots with 3 mp. The stability on this camera is also very impressive, it makes you think why ever need a tripod for a digital?

With regards to the picture quality, the 9 mega pixels along with the auto 'iso' sensitivity produces images which will give some SLRs a run for thier money. This is in my opinion the ideal travel camera, when you are abroad its ideal when compared to an SLR or semi-SLRs in terms of its 'carryibility' and ease of use. What is also equally impressive is the qaulity of the screen, very clear and vibrant, this will play back your images and video clips in good qaulity for you to admire. For a novice photographer this is definately a good starting platform, this camera will in my opinion inspire the user to take creative shots that will fail to dissapoint.

The battery life is equally impressive, capable of taking up to around 300 shots on one charge the camera is truly flawless for a compact it simply has to be one of the best out there. Despite the size being larger than some of the slimmer competitors on the market, a majority do not in my opinion pack as much of a punch as this will.

I have not used the video but with this being the only compact on the market so far with recording and play back facilities at 720p, I consider this to be more than sufficient to capture your movies where ever you are. The Lumix series are overall very impressive and this has to be one of its front runners.

Overall I rate the TZ5 5 *****