Panasonic Lumix tz5...

[mommy2paris]

Hi! I have a few questions about the Panasonic Lumix Tz5's... I have seen some pretty good reviews of them here and have been trying to research them online. My brain is starting to feel like mush!!!

Is the only difference in the TZ5K & TZ5A, the type of battery?
One looks like a rechargeable battery pack, and the other can use aa's? Or am I wrong?

Do you prefer one over the other?
How long does a charge on the battery usually last? Can I charge it every night, or do you have to drain it all the way to recharge?

The camera seems pretty popular here. I am replacing an old Sony Cyber Shot that is starting to show some wear. My 3 yr old loves to use it, so I guess I'll pass it down to her,lol. She can use it to take her own pics at Disney!

TIA for all of your help!!

 

[H.E. Pennypacker]

The TZ5K, TZ5S and TZ5A are identical cameras. The only difference is the color. 5K is black, 5S is silver, 5A is blue. All use the same Lithium-ion battery pack. Battery life is rated at 300 pictures, but that'll vary based on how much you use the LCD display. You might get more, you might get less between charges. Since it's a lithium-ion battery, you don't have to worry about discharging it all the way before recharging. Lithium-ions don't have a "memory" like the older NiCads did where you had to be careful about discharging all the way before recharging. I think it's still a good idea to occasionally discharge all the way, though, just to keep all the electrons flowing. I have the older TZ3 model and love it. It's the perfect camera for when I don't feel like dragging my DSLR with me.