I had a Panasonic Lumix FS-6, whose appearance has given up the ghost, and have therefore made me to look for a rapid replacement. Since I was very satisfied with the old camera, and prefer again the same model would have bought, my choice has fallen on the SZ7. In addition there was for me the following reasons:
- The dimensions (the camera is very compact and has the same dimensions as my previous)
- Made by Panasonic, which is in principle sympathetic to me, and in their cameras at the photos purely really liked the coloring ago
- The fact that the camera has a MOS sensor
The "learning curve" was expected to be very short. The camera has a somewhat simpler menu navigation and a few new features (such as a reasonable Sweep Panorama function, which eliminates the need for the piecing together of individual photos). Most of these new features are made possible by the use of new, faster sensor. And so we have arrived at the main new feature: The camera fires extremely quickly. "Extremely fast" means at the beginning almost "too fast". If I let other people take pictures so that they are always surprised by the timing ago.
Since I have a fairly restless hand me the quick trigger accommodates fairly. In addition, there is a preset image stabilizer does its job perfectly.
Most "special functions" of the camera assume that you used the Intelligent Auto (about HDR images). Meanwhile, there is also intelligent automatic image format (eg 16: 9) preset, which was not possible earlier. However, for normal applications extends the basic setting. Meanwhile, I have just about all applications tested. From macro shots of crawling insects to zoom shots of the moon at night, anything goes, and everything went to my satisfaction. When shooting indoors without flash, the camera tends to quite slow shutter speeds, which can lead to a blurring.
Especially nice I find the "miniature effect", which is perhaps somewhat exaggerated represented prominently on the menu. This allows you to take pictures in "Tilt Shift" look (looks at architectural shots from elevated perspective because of the beautiful colors of the photos just fine from). Unfortunately, you do not know how fast you can see get tired. Something I find pity only that no normal original images are stored.
In summary, I can only highlight positive features, most notably:
+ Beautiful, slightly warm colors that do not seem oversaturated
+ Extremely high shutter speed (the camera reacts like lightning)
+ Compact dimensions
+ An intelligent automatic that has earned this designation
+ Interesting additional features for Playful
+ Pleasant panorama function
+ Good and fast zoom
Negative (rather pseudo-negative) could at most be noted that the light absorption is limited due to the small but fairly objective. However, this will in cameras of this class not help, and to compare it with "large" cameras the images with the SZ7 have become not worse.
Conclusion: Super everyday camera for snapshots, vacation photos and beyond ideal - within the known limits of the camera class (although the camera in this regard may well surprise). By pocketable it is always there, and I'll stay Panasonic in any case continue faithful.