The Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ1 digital camera with a Leica lens has been a fantastic little camera for me. It offers a good range of features for photography enthusiasts. This camera has a fairly powerful lens [good piece of glass] that is able to capture high-quality images, whether using the zoom or taking close shots in macro mode.
With its compact size and fast start up time, the TZ1 camera is also great for on-the-go photography. It offers settings like image stabilization / anti-shake, which helps in eliminating blurriness. There are two stabilization options to choose from. I think number 1 is the best out of the two stabilization options.
Also, the DMC-TZ1 comes with various shooting and scene modes like sepia, warm, vivid, sports mode and many more that make it easy for users to experiment with different styles and effects. I quite like vivid sepia and vivid black and white. I think the sensor in this model is small. High ISO is a problem. As in, the images are noisy. But keep the ISO low and the results can be pretty good.
The TZ1 can also record video in 480p. Overall the TZ1 is a really good option if you're in the market for an old-school, cheap compact camera. I think it came out in 2006, so now, while low-tech to some or most people, it is still quite a capable camera. And it can be bought for such a low price.
A little update years later. I've had a lot of cameras come into my possession over the years I have owned the TZ1. From very good brands like Canon, Nikon, Fujifilm etc. And the one thing I have noticed that has stood out to me more than anything else has been their build quality. It's been nothing short of terrible. The camera models I've had, which consisted of various, supposedly highly sought after point and shoots and Bridge cameras, were mostly made of plastic. Like, almost totally plastic.
I compared a little Canon IXUS 55 to my Panasonic TZ1, and the difference in build quality was quite shocking. I have no idea why IXUS cameras have had a rise in popularity over the last few years and now sell for high prices. It was so flimsy and poorly made.
In comparison to the TZ1, which is heavy for its size and has real metal around the lens, the zoom ring is metal, the top is metal, the screen is much better quality etc, there is no comparison at all. The IXUS was built like a cheap plastic toy, and the TZ1 is a well built, quality camera. It's that simple.
I sold my IXUS and was glad to see the back of it. Same with the Nikon point and shoot camera I had. Build quality was laughable. They were both prone to faults also. Lens errors, dodgy display screens, weak battery door latch etc. I really expected better from these brands.
And this is why I won't sell my TZ1. Because I know I'll want it back a week later!