5-Min Review Panasonic DMC-TZ1

It isn't often that I am pleasantly surprised by a Point and Shoot camera. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ1 however was quite a surprise in terms of its flexibility and usability for beginners. I originally purchased this camera to test and sample photographs for the photography panel I'm involved involved with for this years Kawaii Kon.

Here's the basic rundown. Built around a Leica lens and 5MP sensor the TZ1 is a small, relatively easy to grip P&S. The controls are very simple though I found the buttons at the rear of the camera somewhat small for most hands.

The optical zoom is a surprising 10x with an additional 4x digital. Realistically however I would recommend only using the 10x optical. Magnifying as far in as an effective 40x gives rise to a pixelated image which I really wouldn't use as a webpost. The TZ1 lists this option as their EZ Zoom.

Another quirk, at least to me is the fact that the TZ1 uses a lens cap. I'm no stranger to caps in SLR's but for a consumer camera I'll admit I found the lens cap offputting . Convenience wise it isn't the greatest, nor does Panasonic include a laniard strap for it. The battery compartment and SD storage slot are neatly kept in the grip, though the battery release is again rather small.

Shot accuracy is surprisingly good for a camera which has no viewfinder, aided in part by the Image Stabilization (anti-shake) mode. In particular the camera did a good job in its Macro shot mode, particularly compared against my Canon SD400. White balance controls could use some work, but the two pre-set Scene modes were a nice touch for novices. One mode I found particularly amusing is the Food Mode. Yes, you heard right, a preset intended to shoot in a macro-style mode with white balance adjustments for Flourescent. My mother will get a kick out of it.

At a retail cost under $200, the TZ1 is a very nice starter camera. Giving you better range in zoom than some 6-7MP cameras, a simple to use interface and image stabilization (not digital stabilization I should note) the camera packs a great set of features in a cost-effective device. If you're looking for a camera for a relative or a novice just getting into being a shutter bug, this should be on your list of purchase candidates.

 

Example of 3rds Grid Mode, very handy for beginners

 

Simple dial controls with Normal and Simple shot modes and SCN (Scene) programable modes

Pardon the dust... we're testing

 

 

 

Fine line between responsible disclosure and...

Now I don't often come to the aide of Microsoft as a policy but even I have to speak up when people begin to bash MS for something they are trying to do in good faith. Recently some critics have been harping on MS's disclosure of unpatched flaws by arguing that they are in fact enabling hackers by giving hints.

Granted there are issues when such a wide number of PCs can be vulnerable and the vendor has very little to offer the end user in terms of workarounds. However I don't think the critics will ever be completely happy given the closed source nature of Windows. Let's face it whether its in a MS security bulletin, Bugtraq or some script kiddie news board. A flaw can go from unexploited to serious threat in a very short cycle. I don't blame MS for trying to disclose what it feels it can w/o directly pointing to a bug. Previously the stance was to disclose next to nothing and Microsoft was faulted for that policy as well. As with all things there's a delicate balance between being a responsible software vendor and disclosing issues to your customer base and giving breadcrumbs to wood be hackers.

Heart Felt Condolences to the Families of Students killed in VA Tech Shootings

I don't normally post about sad things, but I do wish to extend my condolences to all the families of students who were killed during the shootings at Virginia Tech. No one deserves to be taken from their families in such a way and I can only hope that if there is indeed a beyond, the shooter is answering for his crimes.

There is one plea I have to the media however which is please do not bombard America with an endless stream of this. While awareness is key, healing takes time and the sooner we are able to move past the shock of the initial tragedy the better.

Be well, be smart, and be safe folks.
--Addison Caluya

Prius fails Georgia Emissions Test... though not how you think

http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=6931

I found the above article fairly amusing. The Prius didn't fail the test because its emissions level is high. It actually failed because the test methodology doesn't work w/the way the drive train is designed. The short version is this, the Georgia emissions testing measures the exhaust at idle. The catch here is the Prius' internal combustion engine disengages at idle and cuts over to the electric powerplant. The result is that there isn't a steady amount of exhaust pressure and so the sensor treats it as a failed read.

So... the question becomes how do you evaluate that? Do you measure it at a rev state? or give them all a "passing" grade regardless. Hopefully Hawaii doesn't get stupid.

So that's why it failed

The failure of Star Trek Enterprise the series

<Vraxx> ok i can totally see why Star Trek Enterprise failed
<Vraxx> there is a gelled up, horny, Jolene Blalock roaming the ship asking for sex
<Vraxx> no takers
<Vraxx> whatever happened to "To boldly go"