After almost 1 1/2 days test operation I can at least in a direct comparison with the competition Lumix TZ41 and Sony HX50v ever notice the following:
The autofocus of the TZ61 is the HX50v and also the the TZ41 just at the telephoto end in terms of accuracy, especially in terms of speed more than just a nose ahead.
The image stabilization is a stunner even full telephoto you can photograph him safely both for and use for filming. Which the Sony it is superior by far. The TZ41 I can compare bad as this "only" a 20-fold optical zoom has.
In the image quality, the three super zoom cameras in my opinion do not after all too much. The images of the TZ61 are perfectly for me to use more easily to ISO 800. When Sony and even with the TZ41, the image quality can be felt by even at ISO 640 something. I'm talking about each of test images in the full telephoto range in the wild, so no flash photography, this I have not yet come.
The video quality is in all three equally well, and for compact cars at a very high level for me.
As a very good equipment of the TZ61 I see the optical viewfinder. Although he is not the best, but still way better than no viewfinder. Just in the last hours of sunshine to me was this very very helpful and I want him now not to miss.
When HX50v me also interferes with the positioning of the flash. This will always open exactly where I have my fingers usually. Very bad solved by Sony.
The menu is typical Panasonic, the Wifi connection and also the GPS fix fold something better or faster than the TZ41 with the TZ61. The Android app works together seamlessly Lumix TZ61 of.
So, all I can say at the moment, so far I am certainly very pleased with the little ones. In assessing the camera can and one should not forget that it is a small compact camera and not a DSLR or system camera. In this kalsse and with this feature, the TZ61 for me is unparalleled good on the whole market.
Whether the surcharge of about 140.00 for Sony HX50v or TZ41 worth that must ultimately decide for themselves. The optical viewfinder as well as the 30x optical zoom is definitely a huge step forward for the TZ41. Even the better image stabilization and faster AF are worth in my opinion a "maybe not just the" extra cost. In the sum of its properties, the TZ61 is definitely consider the TZ41 and the HX50v that I can say with all conviction after a good 1 1/2 days of testing.
