Features
Handling
Performance
Verdict
Specification
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ57 updates the TZ55, and offers a higher resolution LCD screen, as well as improved graphical user interface. The front of the camera features a chunky rubber grip, with the rear featuring a tilting "selfie" screen for the perfect "selfie" or group shot.
Panasonic Lumix TZ57 Features
Panasonic's Lumix TZ series of cameras needs no real introduction, and has been one of the most popular "Travel Zoom" ranges of cameras available, with Panasonic being one of the first companies to offer a pocketable zoom camera, starting roughly 9 years ago with the Panasonic Lumiz TZ1. The TZ1 featured a 5 megapixel sensor, a 10x optical zoom lens equivalent to 35-350mm in 35mm terms, and a 2.5inch screen.
The Panasonic Lumix TZ57 is the "entry level" Travel Zoom, with the TZ70 being the top of the range model. The TZ57 features a 16 megapixel sensor, a 20x optical zoom lens equivalent to 24-480mm in 35mm terms, and a high resolution 1040k dot 3inch tilting screen. Other features include manual controls, numerous scene modes, creative effects, panoramic shooting, fullHD video recording, as well as selfie features designed to specifically work with the 180 degree tiltable "selfie" screen.
The selfie mode includes: Wink shutter, Background defocus, Soft skin, Multiple shots, as well as letting you easily change settings using the 4-way controller on the back.
Key Features
- 16megapixel High Sensitivity MOS sensor
- 20x Optical Zoom Lens, f/3.3-6.4
- 24mm wide-angle LUMIX DC VARIO lens
- POWER Optical Image Stabilisation (O.I.S.)
- Full HD video 1920 x 1080 25p (PAL)
- 3-inch / 1,040k-dot, tiltable LCD screen
- 10fps continuous shooting
- 3cm macro mode
- Sonic Speed AF
- Wi-Fi, QR Code
- Available in black, brown, and white
Panasonic Lumix TZ57 Handling
The Panasonic Lumix TZ57 is made out of a combination of plastics and metal and has a large rubberised hand grip at the front. The top mode dial has manual controls as well as two custom modes. The mode dial is positioned so that you can easily change it with your thumb, when needed, as well as avoid accidentally changing it, as it isn't too close to the corner of the camera. The exposure button on the back is used to adjust aperture and shutter settings when in the relevant A/S/M modes. There is a top on/off button, as well as a Wi-Fi button, which can easily be confused for the on/off button. The top zoom rocker features grip at the front and back to help you use the zoom regardless of how you are holding the camera. The camera feels well built and it's easy to tilt the screen up when necessary. The screen has a good resolution and is easy to see, with the tilting screen helping when outdoors, as you can tilt it to get a better view.
Menus – The Q. Menu button gives you quick access to some of the most commonly set options. Pressing the menu button takes you into the full menu system, and each menu option has a quick tip advising you what the setting does.
Wi-Fi features: Connecting to the Wi-Fi is also easy, particularly when using the QR code. You need to install the Panasonic Image App on your mobile device, from the Google or iOS app stores. When shooting remotely you can adjust the zoom and change many picture settings. You can transfer pictures and videos, as well as use GPS data from your phone to tag photos.
Battery life - Battery life is rated at 350 shots according to Panasonic / CIPA test results, which is very good for a compact camera, although extended use of Wi-Fi is likely to reduce the number of shots possible.
Speed - We took a number of shots to test the camera's responsiveness, from switch on to first photo, shot to shot, focusing speed etc. We take a number of shots and then use the average to ensure accurate and consistent tests, making it easy to compare with other cameras.
| Shutter Response | <0.1secs |
| Wide - Focus / Shutter Response | 0.3secs |
| Full zoom - Focus / Shutter Response | 0.35secs |
| Switch on Time to Taking a Photo | 2.1secs |
| Shot to Shot without Flash | 0.8secs |
| Shot to Shot with Flash | 1.35secs |
| Continuous Shooting - JPEG (shots before slow down) |
10fps (10 shots) |
| Continuous Shooting - Flash | 2fps (5 shots) |
Focus, shutter response and continuous shooting are all good, with the camera offering a good 10fps taking 10 shots before stopping.
Panasonic Lumix TZ57 Performance
The performance section is where we look at the image quality performance of the camera. Additional sample photos and product shots are available in the Equipment Database, where you can add your own review, photos and product ratings.
Panasonic Lumix TZ57 (ZS37) Sample Photos
Sample Photos - Portraits taken with flash show little to no red-eye most of the time. Selfie features include skin softening options, defocus options (including single portrait, or group portrait options), flash options, number of shots to be taken, and self-timer countdown with options for a 3 or 10 second delay, as well as wink detector, that will automatically take a photo when it detects you winking at the camera. The selfie mode is automatically activated when you tilt the screen upwards, however these features can be disabled if you're not interested, and can't be used with flash on.
Panasonic Lumix TZ57 (ZS37) Lens test images
Lens Performance - The macro performance is good with the camera focusing on objects just 3cm away from the front of the lens - optical zoom can also be used to get closer and the camera will helpfully tell you what the minimum focus distance is while zooming. Some vignetting is visible on wide-angle shots, with barrel distortion being noticeable but not excessive. When using the full optical zoom pincushion distortion is minimal. Dynamic range is reasonable, with the iExposure mode helping expand the amount of detail recorded in shadow areas. The HDR scene mode can be used to record the maximum dynamic range possible with the camera merging a number of shots, and it's possible to take these handheld thanks to the cameras fast continuous shooting. Some purple fringing is visible in areas of high contrast, such as trees against a bright sky, although these aren't excessive.
Panasonic Lumix TZ57 (ZS37) ISO test images
ISO Noise Performance - For the lowest noise and best detail possible we would recommend using ISO100 to ISO400, as images have low levels of noise and good levels of detail, although there is a slight drop in detail at ISO400. For lower light situations ISO800 to ISO1600 still provides good results, although noise increases and detail is reduced. At ISO3200 noise levels become strong and we would recommend avoiding this setting if possible, although results may still be useful if resized and used on the web.
Panasonic Lumix TZ57 (ZS37) White-balance test images
White Balance Performance - Auto White Balance (AWB) performs very well under tungsten lighting, with the tungsten preset giving an accurate result. AWB performs well under fluorescent lights. There is no dedicated fluorescent preset on the TZ57.
Panoramic | 1/100 sec | f/4.0 | 4.3 mm | ISO 100
Panorama mode - The camera features an automatic panoramic mode, where you simply press the shutter release button and pan the camera from one side to the other. Results are good, and well stitched together, however the images are low in resolution.
Panasonic Lumix TZ57 (ZS37) Digital filters
Digital Filters - There are numerous creative effects available, examples can be found above. The camera also features HDR shooting, which can be used handheld.
Video - The camera records full HD video, with a dedicated video record button. Audio is recorded in mono, and optical zoom is available while recording, with the camera doing a good job of keeping the subject in focus.
Value For Money
The Panasonic Lumix TZ57 is available for £229 which makes it average value for money, particularly up against the following cameras, shown below, although we would expect the price to drop over time.
Canon Powershot SX600, 18x optical zoom lens, Wi-Fi, £119
Sony Cyber-shot WX350, 20x optical zoom lens, Wi-Fi, £149
Samsung WB350F, 21x optical zoom lens, Wi-Fi, £119
Nikon Coolpix S9600, 22x optical zoom lens, Wi-Fi, £149
Olympus SH-1, 24x optical zoom lens, Wi-Fi, Touchscreen, £209
Panasonic Lumix TZ60, 30x optical zoom lens, EVF, Wi-Fi, GPS, £287
Panasonic Lumix TZ70, 30x optical zoom lens, EVF, Wi-Fi, RRP £349
Canon Powershot SX700, 30x optical zoom lens, Wi-Fi, £225
Nikon Coolpix S9700, 30x optical zoom lens, Wi-Fi, GPS, £179
Sony Cyber-shot HX60, 30x optical zoom lens, Wi-Fi, £222
You'll also need to buy a memory card and a case or bag to keep your camera safe and protected - have a look at our complete guide to camera bags.
Panasonic Lumix TZ57 Verdict
The Panasonic Lumix TZ57 is a compact travel zoom camera with a useful 20x optical zoom lens, it has a tilting screen that lets you take the love-it or hate-it "Selfie" or group shot. With full HD video recording, and good image quality, as well as quick performance the camera delivers good results whether you use it for the "Selfie" features or not. The camera has full manual controls as well as 10fps continuous shooting for the more advanced photographers, or for the beginners there is intelligent Auto that will take care of all the settings for you. The TZ57 camera is easy to use, has a number of creative effects, and for those interested in taking "Selfies" it has some clever features. The Panasonic Lumix TZ series has been popular for many years, and rightfully so, with the TZ57 another great camera.
Panasonic Lumix TZ57 Review: The Panasonic Lumix TZ57 features high speed shooting as well as a high resolution tilting 3inch screen.