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Overall, the Panasonic Lumix TZ30 leaves a good impression. The extensive zoom, excellent optical image stabilisation and spritely autofocus mean it's a responsive and easy to use camera.
The touchscreen won't be to everyone's taste, though, and the fact that you have to flick a small switch to shift from playback to record mode, rather than simply dabbing the shutter release, means that there can be a frustrating lag between reviewing shots and taking them.
We liked
The Panasonic Lumix TZ30 offers a flexible zoom range and extensive range of creative options in a compact body.
We disliked
When it comes to dealing with noise, the Panasonic Lumix TZ30 is still left a little wanting. Weak battery life and lack of raw capture are disappointing, too.
Final verdict
The Panasonic Lumix TZ30 is quite an expensive camera, although when you take into account the raft of functions it starts to appear good value.
Features are one thing, though - image quality is quite another. Although the Panasonic Lumix TZ30 is capable of capturing good pictures, we don't feel the camera's images match the high levels of performance it delivers elsewhere.
That said, it's a great all-rounder that gives you a versatile optical zoom, 1080p HD video capture and GPS in a robust body. Few compacts include such an efficient autofocus system, too. While it's a step up from the TZ20 in terms of performance and picture quality, it's possibly not a significant enough one to rush into upgrading.
