Panasonic Lumix TZ80 - help please

[Wheel1]

Hi All,
After lingering around here for a while i'm now posting for the first time.
I have a camera (Canon 60d) which I've yet to fully use or understand so i would say i'm a beginner but ont he basis of "you have a proper camera" a friend has asked me to look for a camera for her and after discussing the DSLR v's Superzoom / use etc and discussing with a local ish store (Cameraworld Chelmsford) I thought the Lumix TZ80 seemed to fit the bill largely due to its zoom.
Does anyone have experience of this camera and what are your thoughts please ???
Whilst talking about my findings last night she asked if she'd be able to take pics like I have where the subject is sharp but the background is blurred so I wanted to know if the depth of field can be altered ???
Thanks,
Mark

 

[Sneezy24]

I have the predecessor - the TZ70 - I think it is an excellent general purpose travel cam.

It has aperture, shutter and program modes, together with full manual and 'Intelligent' Auto (never used this).
Just bear in mind that min f number is 3.3 wide, 6.4 tele so the depth of field is not going to be stunning.

The zoom clinched it for me, you can't always get close to things as a tourist.

It fits easily onto my belt, battery life is OK, and it has RAW support.

I use it for non-serious photography, but even when I am out and about with my 550D (and now 80D) it is still on my belt.

Hope this helps, the TZ80 has I believe all the attributes of the TZ70, with more MP (12 on the TZ70).

 

[viewfromthenorth]

I have the TZ60, which is a couple of generations older, but they're replaced that often that you can still buy them new, so the comments are probably still valid.
I took it on holiday last week along with my Fuji Xt10. I used the Fuji once, whereas the LUMIX was with me all day everyday in my pocket.
Image quality is good enough at lower ISO's and suffers above 800, although a non photographer is unlikely to notice. It's got plenty of functionality and the zoom range is enormous. There's also Wifi transfer of images which is a faff, like on all cameras I've tried it on. The HD video is pretty good.

Small sensor cameras inherently have a greater depth of field, so you need to either use a long focal length or get really close to something to blur the background.
Oh and it's also got an electronic view finder. It's a bit small and not as good as the one on my Fuji, but it's definitely usable.
Presuming that the TZ80 has improved on the TZ60, is say it's a good choice.