TZ1 now at Circuit City!!!!

[Kyle]

I just picked up a TZ1 today (4/3/06) at Circuit City for $332 plus tax. There was a college girl who bought a Nikon S4 (10x zoom as well) before me. She saw this TZ1 and exchanged her to this TZ1 at the same time. She didn't even make it out the door with her Nikon and she decided the TZ1 just felt more natural to the hand. I must agree. One hand operation felt really good, better than my FZ20k, FX8k, and my wife's SD450.

Panasonic claimed this is the smallest 10x zoom but the Nikon S4 seems like the same size to me at the store.

My battery is being charged right now. I can't wait to try it out later on.

Anyone know where I can find an extra battery for this camera? Prefer generic brand for cheaper price.

[tnq]

Just ordered mine online($332+tax) this morning & picked it up at the local Fremont(California) store. Anxiously went home, opened & snaped a few indoor pictures onto my SD card without even charging the battery. I must say I'm a bit disappointed at the result after looking at the photos on my PC. The pictures showed lots of noise, even in a well-lit room. I suggest you guys wait 'til they have display models in your local stores, bring your own SD card, snap a few pictures, go home & look at the pictures and judge for yourself. I'm charging the battery right now, but I'm leaning toward returning the camera and taking a %15 restocking fee loss.

[Kyle]

I tried about 60 shots, all acceptable for me. I guess this is a trade off for a compact 10x zoom. My only gripe is that at 10x to 12.5x zoom, camera had hard time focusing at times. I backed it off to 11x zoom, it focused ok. Again, this hapened only a few times. I think my old FZ20 did the same thing, but it had manual focus for such situation. I am not sure if this is a keeper. On the other hand, there is no other 10x zoom to choose from (at htis size). I was going to get the A700 but that one is only 6x and has no image stabilizer. I think the TZ1 is better or least the same as my wife's SD450, as far as picture quality goes. I definitely would rather carry this one to Disneyland than my FZ20..........

[Kyle]

I took some test shots indoor with flash on and notice some shots have circles on the wall. I tried my SD450 and do not see it. It was shot in auto mode with flash on. Everything set at default.

[cvicisso]

I took some test shots indoor with flash on and notice some shots have circles on the wall. I tried my SD450 and do not see it. It was shot in auto mode with flash on. Everything set at default.Kyle - can you give any more information, or - even better - post your pictures??

[Kyle]

See my new thread with pictures...sorry for jumping all over here. I am a rookie at the forum thing. I usually do not post or rate products on internet.