The DMC TZ80 from Panasonic packs a big bang for buck in a compact body that's lightweight and robust.
The 18.1 megapixel Leica lens is capable of shooting both 4K video and 4K photo which is great if you have the technology to view it but is also futureproof if you don't.
The generous 30x optical zoom allows you to get up-close to your subject and the ultra-wide angle helps compose landscape shots easier.
The auto mode works well if you don't have the time or expertise to mess around with the manual options and the scene mode gives some surprisingly useful choices like...
The fast auto-focus works really well for movement shots like cycling and canoeing as well as allowing you to get some great night shots with Panasonics 'Star Light AF'.
The post focus mode allows you to focus your shot after you've taken it, which is another useful option for the amateur photographer who is yet to get to grips with the ins and outs of composing a high quality photo.
The touchscreen is a healthy size and allows you to access and navigate the menu options with ease as well as make adjustments on the fly such as changing the auto focus point and size of the AF point without having to go through a cumbersome menu. Being fixed it doesn't work well for selfies but that's no real loss in our book.
The DMC TZ80 seamlessly links with your smartphone via wi-fi for remote control of the camera as well as uploading and sharing of photos. The downloadable app gives you plenty of control over the camera including ISO, autofocus point and aperture.
If you do have the knowledge to go with this camera the depth of options is impressive making this a suitable camera for a keen amateur photographer on their travels. At the same time, the ease of use and great auto features also make this the perfect camera for beginners wanting to capture their special moments in better quality than their phones could produce.
