Myer currently has a sale of "$15 off for each $75 spent on cameras" which brings the TZ30 to $374. Seems to be the cheapest price I can find for this camera. I'm going to buy one tomorrow so if you know of a better price, please post a comment with your information and make me happy.
Teds and JB have it for $409. Cheapest price on staticice seems to be $379 delivered.
Doh! I didn't even think to look at them on that day, stupidly figuring Myer was generally 800% higher than the market and 20% would not make a difference.
Haha you're not the only one to think like that. I've been planning on buying this camera for awhile but didn't expect to end up buying it from Myer…!
"More of an incremental upgrade than an entirely new camera, the TZ30 has the same resolution as its predecessor, the TZ20, and essentially the same body design. Most changes to the new model are superficial, although it's slightly larger and heavier than the TZ20, mostly because of its longer lens."
And TZ20 can be bought for $269 delivered. Would rather go for TZ20 and save more than $100.
Don't know about you, 24-384mm vs 24-480mm is probably slightly more than just an incremental upgrade.
"In many ways the DMC-TZ30 is also a big improvement on last year's TZ20 model, with a better image sensor, full 1080p HD movies, faster auto-focus system, more refined design and of course that even longer zoom. "
http://www.photographyblog.com/reviews/panasonic_lumix_dmc_t…
Still its fairly sad to see cameras at this high prices in Australia, I got a 14mm GF3 kit with bag and 16gb SD off Amazon last year for the same price as this……………….
"We're unconvinced increasing the zoom range provides quantifiable benefits for users beyond simply extending the ability to magnify distant subjects. The maximum lens aperture at full tele zoom has been reduced progressively from f/4.9 in the TZ10 to f/5.9 in the TZ20 and now f/6.4 in the TZ30."
http://www.photoreview.com.au/reviews/advanced-compact-camer…
But the aperture is probably the same at the same zoom levels? The aperture is 6.4 at 480mm on the TZ30, but whats is the max aperture when its at 384mm on the TZ30? I bet its similar to the max on the TZ20.
Thanks for including the review - I saw that one yesterday and was puzzled because the official specs for the two cameras show the TZ30 is 1mm longer, but 5mm thinner, therefore 13g lighter (yet they claim it's larger and heavier). That made me wonder a little about the validity of the rest of the review.
I'll say one thing which really disappointed me was the fact that the big zoom was only useable in its auto/intelligent auto modes. When you switched to manual/semi manual ASPM modes, you are limited to 3x zoom. Yes, 3x zoom.
My experience was with the TZ-20. TZ-30 may be different but dont keep your hopes up.
WTF? that is so stupid!
but at least you can use the full zoom in video mode.. the TZ series is great for concerts! audio doesn't get distorted like most other cameras
That is indeed rather poor. I've re-reviewed the reviews and can't find any mention of reduced PASM zoom for the TZ20 or TZ30 so I think this is something I'll need to discover in person, alas.
I've now been back in store and played with both the TZ20 and TZ30 and I can't see why you're limited to 3x zoom. I think there might be a menu setting which is incorrect on your camera.
I was definitely able to zoom 16x on PASM modes in the TZ20. On one camera, I was also able to set it to use the digital zoom (not my preference) so it extended further though clearly optical zoom is the most important.
Myer is currently showing:
. #381.65 for a TZ30GN
. $340.00 for a TZ20K
Lowest SZ20 on eBay (DWI) is AU$ 325 with FREE Shipping
[Note: SZ20 is probably TZ30's overseas counterpart]
I haven't checked, but I suppose it may have NTSC video;
does it -also- have PAL, for those who care? 'dunno.
Either way, its price will, of course DROP, as product ages…
Who needs the best, to the second, anyway?
(Only the -makers- of such gear, maybe… ;-)
The TZ20 is in store for $420 but is a clearance model therefore 20% off = $336.
The TZ30 is advertised as $381.65 as the price until 15 July, but the sale of "$15 off per $75 spent" is off full price, therefore reducing the original price to $374 is a better deal.
$325 on eBay is certainly interesting - I'll look further into that. I guess there's also a risk I could get a US/EUR power plug though, therefore always need to plug in with a travel adapter in Australia.
Panasonic (if a TZ20 I saw is any hint) have a cool charger:
The [flat, US] AC plug folds out (so it can fit a shirt pocket, in USA); there are small US-to-AU adapters everywhere, that will fit (with charger & a few spare batteries) into a coin bag (plastic, available at all banks), if you don't mind leaving its zipLock unLocked ;-)
I haven't seen the Panasonic chargers for the AU/NZ markets, but I am guessing its the cabled variety with the figure 8 plug on the charger end??? If this is the case, I would prefer the US chargers. Its a tiny cableless block with retractable plugs, and just put a converter and that's it, no long cable to lug around.
Can get TZ20 for $263.95 incl. shipping (Local AU warranty)
http://www.techrific.com.au/panasonic-lumix-dmctz20-dmczs10-…
[US-based?] Review shows "Best [US] Price" at ~ [US$] $209 (but it changes to ~$ 289 when you click on it!), so I'm SURE the price will drop - sooner rather than later - for a TZ30…
What's the best compact around currently with RAW? Canon S100?
Update: I decided to wait in the end. I was torn between the TZ20 and TZ30, and all the vibrant discussion on reviews and possibilities so figured I'd let it ride a little longer and see what happened.
I've bought the TZ30 tonight from Harvey Norman for $349 (ticket price = $449) though if I'd not been able to get to that price, I was willing to settle and buy the TZ20 from Techrific for $259. I'm flying internationally within the month so will be able to get the GST refund on the TZ30, effectively reducing it to $317. The TZ20 was ineligible for GST refund because it was below $300. When the difference between the two models got to $58 it was still a tough call but I decided to go with the later model.
Bought the same camera from Myer for about $360 a couple of weeks ago in their one day sale when they had 20% off all cameras. Still, $374 is a good price.