Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.
If you're looking for a neat compact with reliable auto exposure and AF performance, a quality lens and an easy-to-use HD movie mode, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ8 is a good choice, and reasonable value at £250.
We liked:
The Leica 25-300mm lens is a beauty, delivering good wide angle performance.
The intelligent exposure and AF widgets make it very hard to take a bad picture with the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ8 – it's so easy to use.
The metering system is also reliable, and noise is acceptable up to ISO 800.
The 720p HD movies are easy to record, and of a high standard.
We disliked:
Power compact it might be but it's still a compact – another £100 or so will get you a vastly more flexible D-SLR like the Canon EOS 1000D.
Adjusting aperture and shutter speed is needlessly fiddly.
Some intelligent features seem to make little difference in practice.
Verdict:
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ8 is a very likeable and stylish compact that bends over backwards to help you get good shots. The lens is a real winner. It's also very easy to record high quality HD movies. SLR users seeking a back-up compact might find its restrictions and usability quirks frustrating, though.
Follow TechRadar Reviews on Twitter: http://twitter.com/techradarreview
With the Humane AI Pin now dead, what does the Rabbit R1 need to do to survive?
From Peaky Blinders to Rocky, the movies and shows that the cast of A Thousand Blows watched ahead of the new Disney+ drama’s release
One of the best AI video generators is now on the iPhone – here's what you need to know about Pika's new app
