Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3
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Written by Gordon Laing
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3 wide-angle geometry comparison
Panasonic TZ3 results : Outdoor / Resolution / Noise / Noise 2 / Corner sharpness / Fringe & macro / Geometry / Vignetting
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3 results continued…
Outdoor / Resolution / Noise / Noise 2 / Corner sharpness / Fringe & macro / Geometry / Vignetting
To measure and compare the Panasonic Lumix TZ3’s geometric distortion we photographed a test chart consisting of a grid pattern, using it and a number of rival super-zoom models. Here are the results for each camera with their built-in lenses at their widest focal length; where possible, the aperture was closed. The images were analysed with Imatest using 5th Order line calculation and the full areas presented here at a reduced resolution. | ||
4.6-46mm at 4.6mm | ||
| The image above was taken with the Panasonic Lumix TZ3 zoomed-out to 4.6mm. Barrel distortion was measured at 0.89% which while similar to its predecessor is still very impressive – especially now the TZ3 boasts an wider equivalent focal length of 28mm when zoomed-out. Both the TZ3 and the older TZ1 perform noticeably better than the other two results below. |
Panasonic Lumix TZ1 |
Panasonic Lumix FZ8 |
Olympus SP-550UZ | ||
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5.2-52mm at 5.2mm Distortion: 0.98% barrel |
6-72mm at 6mm Distortion: 2.52% barrel |
4.7-84.2mm at 4.7mm Distortion: 3.33% barrel |
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3 telephoto geometry comparison
 | To measure and compare the Panasonic Lumix TZ3’s geometric distortion we photographed a test chart consisting of a grid pattern, using it and a number of rival super-zoom models. Here are the results for each camera with their built-in lenses at their longest focal length; where possible, the aperture was closed. The images were analysed with Imatest using 5th Order line calculation and the full areas presented here at a reduced resolution. | |
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4.6-46mm at 46mm Distortion: 0.40% pincushion | ||
The image above was taken with the Panasonic Lumix TZ3 zoomed-into 46mm. Pincushion distortion was measured at 0.4% which is worse than its predecessor, but much better than the Olympus SP-550UZ – although in its defence the 550UZ has a longer 18x optical range. The best result here comes from the FZ8, but in terms of overall distortion, the TZ3 still performs very respectably. |
Panasonic Lumix TZ1 |
Panasonic Lumix FZ8 |
Olympus SP-550UZ | ||
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5.2-52mm at 52mm Distortion: 0.12% pincushion |
6-72mm at 72mm Distortion: 0.02% barrel |
4.7-84.2mm at 84.2mm Distortion: 1.45% pincushion |
