For over a month I have the camera now (not a few days, or even kept short in the business in the hands), had fired nearly 300 test photos and rotated a few videos and this applies to all relevant conditions which light and composition. It's not the first compact, the I test, I've been here for a few years looking for a complement to SLR equipment, with which one can only go exploring, before then the heavy stuff targeted to few places the trails worthwhile.
Over time, a certain point has proven very near for a reference photo to be extremely effective. There are diverse buildings, lawns, evergreen hedges, bushes and trees with foliage verschiedenstem (from oak to delicate pastures). So difficult conditions for a compact with a wide angle shot. I am then no matter how nasty and watch me the recordings in 100%, of course I do not expect results with those of a DSLR would be comparable, but under these conditions, any camera that pants let down the whole software sleight of Engineers helps nothing more. The settings I used were doing Programmed Auto (P), ISO 80, center-weighted focus and center-weighted metering.
The results rinsed me through three distinctive moods: euphoric enthusiasm slightly disappointed disillusionment, pragmatic realism.
But first things first, first stage: landscape photographs with wide-angle.
The first recordings elicited me Overwhelmed WOW! I thought to myself, who will have not really responded to the many years of reviews of users ?! The details are no longer excessively watercolor, blurred or washed out, but almost on reflex level RESPECT! One has the feeling, one could count all the leaves. Although on the edge can be seen the typical blur for this extreme zoom lenses, but it has its limits. Equally it can be seen in the very dark areas of a definitely more tolerable noise. But on the whole, the picture quality seems to return, despite 20.4 MP.
Second stage: portraits, indoor photos, photos with flash.
In the portraits, I noticed that is still quite exaggerated by the camera's internal software, the crisp detail of the facial features and hair, how they achieved such TZ8 loose. B. with a Panasonic, were only rarely possible. The same result for macro shots, detail poorer excerpts of architectural, natural and landscape shots. The pictures seem somehow sharpens. The internal flash is weak, only from ISO 200 upwards useful, with corresponding results. Fair to say that's probably common class, for example in the TZ-series from Panasonic is no different. There is also a so-called multi-interface shoe, where a more powerful (and more expensive) flash and other accessories can be attached.
Third stage: automatic modes, everyday, snapshot, zoom and video capability.
The focus is very fast, so absolutely snapshot fit, as the anti-shake, even when taking advantage of the 30x optical zoom. There are two zoom levels, the Clear Image Zoom and Digital Zoom. The latter I have not tried, the Clear Image Zoom brings a pinch even respectable results, according to the description "almost" without loss of image quality, it has to keep in mind it is a 60x zoom!
Videos with a compact are not for everyone, but it has not always a video camera with me or an appropriately equipped DSLR. I was the result convinced AVCHD with 28 Mbps in 1920 × 1080 @ 50p / 60p, which gives outstanding video. The only negative of the zoom can be subtle, but nevertheless and also disturbing to hear for some well.
The automatic modes are not necessarily my cup of tea, but still for some readers the most commonly used mode. There are 2 of them, the "superior" and the intelligent automatic. Just the name of the first is either a self-deprecating joke, or he has been forgotten by the developers at the stage "construction site". Anyway, to the camera in this mode, generate a so-called "higher quality image" based on the identified scene and several in quick succession geschossener photos by superimposing. In any case I have not noticed it. The intelligent automatic contrast provides quite useful and comprehensible results, with the restriction (which is actually still applies) the weaker the light the more it is advisable to manual mode.
And here comes an almost unique feature and also the great strength of this camera to light, at least in this class: the manual modes. There is actually the well-known, eventually mislaid, P / S / A / M modes and even a designated MR position where you can save three settings profiles, and retrieve. So you can select settings for the 3 key (to taste) recording profiles and access it comfortably. I am thrilled to finally be is reinstated as rational being, which can be released on all settings. Hue, contrast, sharpening, noise reduction, white balance, manual focus (!!!) everything is customizable according to your taste and the exposure compensation, there is even an extra dial! The best results concerning photo quality delivered with me the settings (to P): ISO 80, natural shade, max. Noise suppression, max. Image sharpening, -0.3 exposure levels, center-weighted focus and center-weighted metering.
Conclusion:
This camera gives you the feeling that at least Sony has with this model found back on the path of reason. She does many things right, some even exceeding expectations, but it also has a few weaknesses. Some of these are now times due to the system, others could be eliminated with certainty about the firmware (or accessories) - so Sony wants that. Evidence from hitherto experience that stuck excellent genes in this camera. Their options could, in hopefully future firmware versions when they are systematically exploited, not only for excellent images provide but this camera help even a cult status.
In total, the camera deserves 4.6 stars, this is not possible in the review, unfortunately. Five should be awarded only when it's really nothing there to complain about, but since hardly anyone keeps them here would be 4 stars for this camera compared to other unfair. So full five stars and a recommendation to buy, especially for those who want to use more than the superior / Intelligent Auto Mode.
