The World's Smallest* 10x Optical Zoom Digital Still Camera with built-in image stabilisation.

* For 1-megapixel digital still cameras or higher. As of 24th May, 2006

5 Megapixel Effective Camera

For high quality image resolution, you can get more out of the 5 Megapixel stylish, compact DMC-TZ1

Mega O.I.S

Jitter from shaky hands is far and away the biggest single cause of blurry shots. MEGA O.I.S. technology uses built-in gyrosensors to detect even tiny camera movement and then shifts a lens in the opposite direction to compensate. The system is completely optical - it does not affect the CCD or image processing - so you get sharp, clear images without deterioration. It lets you reduce the shutter speed more than 3 steps below* the conventionally accepted hand-shake limit, which is calculated as 1/focal length (1 divided by the focal length). It helps achieve high-quality images in a wide range of shooting conditions such as telephoto, macro or low illumination; for situations from spur-of-the-moment shots, to self-portraits, or capturing images outdoors at night. *Varies with the shooting conditions.

A Slim 10x Optical Zoom Using an Unique Prism - LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT Lens

The world's first* integration of retractive lens with folded optics technology allows the zooming to occur horizontally within the camera. This makes it possible to pack a powerful 10x optical zoom - equivalent to a big 35 to 350mm lens on a 35mm camera - into a compact camera. The Extra Optical Zoom function, which magnifies the image with minimal deterioration by using the center part of the high-resolution CCD, boosts the zoom power to a maximum 12.5x**. * As of February 14th, 2006. **Varies depending on the selected image size and aspect ratio.

Rapid Focusing with Linear AF

Choose from several auto focus modes - spot, 1-point (normal or high-speed), 3-point high-speed, and 9-point - to suit the scene you're shooting. The TZ1 also introduces a new Linear AF system,which has resulted in the achievement of an industry-leading fast auto  focusing time. Not only the speed but also the noise of the motor is
reduced and even the zooming while recording motion image is possible. Combined with a startup time of merely 0.95 seconds, this fast focusing lets you catch every shooting opportunity. Plus, the AF Assist Lamp helps when focusing in dimly lit places.

High Sensitivity Mode

In most situations MEGA O.I.S. is all you need for crisp, sharp shots. However, when taking shots of moving subjects like children or pets in low lighting, "motion blur" - the blurring from subject movement can occur. DMC-TZ1 offers a High Sensitivity mode* that allows you to shoot at up to ISO1600 by using the pixel-mixed readout method, effectively raising the shutter speed. It not only minimises motion blur, it also lets you take clearer, sharper shots in dim lighting without using a flash. Furthermore, the TZ1 equipped with the Venus Engine III LSI allows you to manually set the ISO up to 800 at full resolution. This lets you make the setting that best suits the scene while minimising motion blur.

Crisp, Clear Shots of Moving Subjects
with ISO 800 Setting in Venus Engine III

The Venus Engine III provides a high-sensitivity ISO 800 setting that captures images with minimal noise at full resolution. The higher ISO setting lets you use higher shutter speeds to minimise the motion blur that can occur when you're shooting a moving subject, particularly in dim lighting. Even indoors, you can get crisp, clear,
beautiful shots of children, pets and other subjects that won't hold still.

A Large, Bright 2.5" High-Resolution LCD with High Angle Mode

With its 2.5" size and 207,000 pixels, this high-resolution LCD monitor makes it easy to see text and small thumbnail images. The pixel-mixed readout method performed by the CCD increases the brightness level of the live image on the LCD, which greatly facilitates shooting in low lighting. If it's difficult to see the display on a sunny day, simply press the Power LCD button and the display becomes about 40% brighter. The world's first* developed High Angle shooting function also provides easier viewing when you're holding the camera high to shoot over the heads of people in front of you. * As of January 4th, 2006

MEGA BURST Consecutive Shooting

Thanks to the Venus Engine III, the TZ1 has a release time lag as low as 0.006 seconds*. The TZ1 can also fire off consecutive shots at a swift 3 frames per second, and offers Unlimited Consecutive Shooting**, so you can keep shooting until the SD Memory Card or built-in memory is full. *Not including auto-focusing time.**The consecutive shooting speed varies depending on the memory card or the built-in memory.