Adjusting flash strength on Panasonic DMC-TZ3

Robert Martinolich , Jan 25, 2008; 09:12 p.m.

I received this camera as a Christmas gift to replace my long outdated Sony DSC-S75. I'm fresh meat when it comes to photography, so I'm having trouble understanding much of what is listed in the instructional booklet and I can't seem to nail down the basic mechanics of the camera.

Basically, none of the pictures I take come out well unless under heavy lighting conditions such as the bright fluorescent bulbs at my school or the outdoors. Pictures taken inside my house are too too dark to be distinguishable, and using the flash distorts the image making them too unnatural. I've played around with the balance and exposure settings a little but I don't understand what any of it means, so to no avail. I'm really hoping to brighten up my shots.

A friend of mine owned a DMC-TZ2 which I used at Sasquatch Music Festival this year, and it performed beautifully, except that the battery died out toward the very end of the day, which I suppose is what lured me into keeping it.

This is mainly for around-the-house things, low lighting. Any pointers or coaching that anyone can offer would be greatly appreciated.

Robert

Responses

Bueh B. , Jan 25, 2008; 09:22 p.m.

A few (small) examples with intact EXIF could help us analyze the problem. Be aware that this camera is not recommended for low light work due to the heavy in-camera noise processing (and the slow megazoom lens).

Fred C , Jan 25, 2008; 11:01 p.m.

Why don't you ask your friend with the TZ2 for some pointers?

Greg Chappell , Jan 26, 2008; 01:48 a.m.

I use a TZ3 outdoors and it's a great camera used that way at ISO 100 and 200, but indoors with flash....forget it. I use an FZ50 with an Olympus FL50 flash for that. The TZ3 flash cannot be manually adjusted. Flash shots I've seen that were decent (not many) were shot using the intelligent ISO setting because the flash isn't that powerful so the camera needs to be allowed the ability to raise the ISO setting to cover distance. This just isn't a camera for good flash work.