Overwater I am very satisfied.
I am not an absolute photo specialist, but art in love and respect very on the quality of my photos.
The camera is very easy to operate, the automatic mode works very well, who can adjust like 1000 things - many of which are useful, other gimmicks.
I made at different, even difficult lighting conditions comparison shots with the Canon PowerShot S2 IS. The PowerShot was about 7 years ago one of the best compact digital cameras in the class (multiple test winner) and has cost about 500 euros.
The TZ18 beats the Canon by a mile. Much sharper, better, more natural colors (skin tones), significantly more balanced coordination of the exposure between foreground and background. Even with a large zoom factor significantly better resolution, better antialiasing. The automatic mode is very intelligent programmed and detects common situations almost always.
Of course, the TZ18 is much smaller and more manageable - but that's not surprising after 7 years. Thus, the controls are naturally smaller, but is still okay if you're not very clumsy.
About water so a strong buy recommendation.
Addendum to 700 photos (above and below water):
Underwater:
Works under water perfectly with the associated housing (I have reviewed separately).
The underwater program is okay, with a good photo editing program but you can subsequently get even much more.
The autofocus works very well under water.
Of course, even with this camera is the theme of "light" water under the main challenge. So you have to gain experience with the lightning and the housing for matching stray Write. If it too close to the object, this is no longer illuminated by the lightning - the camera but "expects" a flash illumination, resulting underwater to color distortion.
Since the camera does not perform miracles, but met in this class to be set expectations.
Portraits indoors:
After the brilliant shooting outdoors (including in macros) and even indoors, if you do not portraits, I was slightly negative surprise that the camera in low light conditions with portraits despite well-functioning face recognition does not always focuses on the face. Happens rarely and only in low light - but is not perfect.
It remains at 5 stars - but even with this camera you can get more out than if you rely solely on the automatic for difficult situations with experience and practice.