Debut of an era!

I just received a there 3 days. as gifts, bought here by my son. It replaces a Canon 280H I sent back, Canon which I was faithful for so long. No opinions slice on the quality of the pictures but they do not appear to be less than 280. The different comparative give the either the best! OK worse than more expensive devices, bigger, more professional. We must not forget that this is just a point and shoot, camera travel. Question Function The TZ40 wins hands down. The different view, eg tests. ([...]) Classify it as soon. Of course it is a compromise, it depends on everyone's agenda.

I wanted a small device, light, with zoom, very handy GPS to locate your photos eg. GoogleEarth which takes into account the coordinates included in the photo (this avoids me to CONTACT INFO recorded by my GPS) and WiFi to avoid cables.

The assembly quality is excellent given that it is a metal case. Indeed one can have the impression that it is not well attached. Nothing unusual. The metal is more resistant against.

GPS works very well. I use GPS for 10 years and it is normal that the GPS has difficulty to have a fix in between or inside buildings. The antenna is a "patch" and quite small so! It is also necessary to update the almanac via the Panasonic website to have a quicker fix.

WiFi is more complicated than the Canon. In fact, the TZ40 connects a computer as part of a "workgroup" to the network while the Canon is a simple peripheral (device). As against the TZ40 features in network have nothing to do with the Canon. But yes, we must know it and stuff the doc. The I almost cracked or is taking in the Coaxial Cable WIFI codes, PC etc ... The type of "keyboard" is awful, telephone style keypad and worse while the screen is touch !!! And each failure of the config, you have to start. To simplify life, at the beginning remove all passwords and once it works reconfigure access. Once established the connection, the TZ40 retains uap codes. Unfortunately, I find that the transfer is slow. OK for some pictures but for hundreds is better transferred from the SD card. The PHOTOfunSTUDIO utility will transfer automatically.

Also practice the charging system, we can plug it into any USB port (on the PC, you can also take the opportunity to transfer pictures), sector or car USB charger (cigarette lighter style). Longer mandatory to carry around a charger. As against the connector on the device is specific, it is not a microUSB. Do not lose the cable supplied by Panasonic!.

The battery is even a specific time, a inaceptable marketing gimmick on the part of all manufacturers. At least here more identification code compatible should not delay (available in the US). Be careful to check the ability, others simply repackage lower capacity batteries. A universal charger LiIon, AC, cigarette lighter (a 20) is a good buy and will recharge the battery and other NoName safely. No need to buy the manufacturer chargers.
To do so, the update "firmware" because the receiving device was in ver 1.0. View US site because not available on French site today?

In short, a good device but on improvements are possible, already in the pipeline manufacturer. But above all improve the entrance to text, even more infamous as a keyboard phone!

It esy a fact that these devices are becoming increasingly complex, the need to stuff the documentation, it is not always clear to non-technical savvy people (lighter in my opinion in English for those who master). On approaching the point or machine intelligence will surpass that of the average human has already atrophied through EN :)