Panasonic dominates the dpreview FunZoom group test

Dpreview has just posted their compact superzoom group test, squaring off five fun-zoom models that were announced in 2009. This is a 17-page report by Lars and Richard. Thanks to our reader Massimo (flickr gallery) for the early tip!

We typically don't reveal the conclusions, but in this case, the review is the story in itself. If you want to avoid any further spoilers, then please stop reading and jump to the group-test!

Opinion: Losers of the GroupTest
The biggest loser of this group test was Olympus, who not only got (once again) publicly slapped for the xD card, but also finished last, behind the Samsung even, something that typically drives traditional camera manufacturers crazy. And while there is no excuse for the "xD stubborness", Olympus fans can point out that you can't have a really compact superzoom and at the same time not be forced to make design trade-offs in terms of camera performance.

The second biggest loser was Canon, whose SX200is was supposed to be the TZ-series killer, offering a more polished and stylish alternative to their AA-based and affordable SX110IS. Although the review by no means "trashes" the camera, if this was a vintage "Canon Strikes Back" type of a camera, the SX200is should have had at least gotten a draw with the TZ-series, not lose to it.

Opinion: Neutral
Considering the past Sony H-series fun-zoom attempts, and the overall perception of Samsung cameras, these two did not really win or lose, but rather they managed to remain within the cloud of their expectations. And while Samsung may get a high-grade for at least trying to come up with new and different camera designs, it seems that the implementation has yet to catch up with the leaderboard. Their planning and scheming for the global #1 market share will have very little chances of becoming a reality unless they are able to catchup. "Subsidizing" affordable cameras can only get you so far.

Opinion: The big winner
And the big winner was Panasonica. There were concerns over the new TZ7 and TZ6, such as the new and more adventurous lens, but compared to the field, Panasonic managed to keep everyone else at bay, and score a double victory, with both the ZS3 and ZS1 co-winning the fun-zoom test. This continues the tradition started by the TZ3 which, in our estimation, was the first "blockbuster" Panasonic digital camera, and picked up by the TZ5/TZ4 duo.

However, Panasonic marketing deserves to be spanked for coming up with even more confusing names. The organic names for these cameras are TZ7 and TZ6. The names ZS3 and ZS1 are just confusing and out of place. Please drop them and return to a unified camera-naming scheme. We are using the organic names.

And this is a good time to mention that a fourth TZ7 body color is invading the US market. Panasonic is seeing RED with this one. More on that via the Imaging Insider.

Best TZ7 and TZ6 Prices
While the cameras are too new to get a significant discount, there is a mail-in rebate promotion from Panasonic that gets you a free 4gb card and camera case if you buy the TZ7 or TZ6 through authorized Panasonic retailers until June 27. This promotion started on April 19, so if you already bought the camera from such a retailer, you will likely qualify for the rebate as well!

Neither B&H Photo or Adorama have the cameras in-stock, but some other retailers do have them in-stock and shipping as of the time of writing:

+ TZ7 (ZS3) silver: $370 $400 with free ground-shipping and qualifies for the free card/case rebate offer at Vanns.com. You can also get it from Vanns through Amazon for the same price.

+ TZ7 (ZS3) black: $400 at J&R World with free ground shipping. Same offer from J&R is also available through Amazon.

+ TZ6 (ZS1) silver: $270 with free ground-shipping and qualifies for the free card/case rebate offer at Vanns.com. You can also get it from Vanns through Amazon for the same price. Also available for $400 with free shipping via J&R World

+ As far as the mail-in offer, we do not know if it applies when purchasing from an authorized Panasonic dealer but through Amazon.com instead of their direct website.