DMC TZ5 or DMC ZS1

[dnando@optonline.net]

I'm very interested in the Panasonic compact cameras and have narrowed it down to the TZ5 or ZS1. Jeff's review of the ZS3 compared the 3 recent Panasonics but didn't give much info on the ZS1, which is closer to my price point. Interestingly, that first chart in the ZS3 review indicated that the TZ5 surpassed the ZS1 is several areas. My question: do the improvements in the ZS1 make it a clearly superior to the ZS1? If so why? Thanks for your help.

[David Metsky]

The ZS1 and the ZS3 replaced the TZ4 and TZ5. The ZS1 replaces the TZ4, which has the same smaller, less sharp LCD, and the same video mode. The ZS1 has a wider and longer lens but the difference isn't that dramatic. Can you find a TZ4 anywhere near you?

[dnando@optonline.net]

Thanks for the response. I haven't looked for the TZ4. The TZ5 has held it's value ($215, etc); I've seen a ZS1 at the same price. I guess the larger LCD is a factor. I sense that you lean toward the TZ5 or ZS3 rather than the less expensive TZ4 or ZS1.