Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 10MP Digital Camera with 12x Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 3 inch LCD Reviews
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2009-11-03
By home user
Pros:
1. Made in Japan (NOT in China) !!!
2. Zoom range.
3. 3' High resolution screen.
4. HD videos with zoom.
Cons:
1. The sensor is too small for such a camera -> granulation in low light. Less expensive Fujifilm Finepix F70EXR has bigger sensor and better quality photos in low light.
2. Buggy software in the camera - sometimes some modes get frozen.
3. Bundled Software on included CD - a piece of junk, as usual for digital cameras, a bunch of useless extras. DOESN'T OPEN OWN AVCHD VIDEOS from a camera (.MTS format) for editing. A BUMMER! It's a must for such an expensive top-line camera to have full editing package included. So use/buy 3rd party video editing software.
4. Original battery goes down pretty fast, buy spare one (not cheap - $50).
5. Default Intelligent Auto (iA) mode sometimes is not intelligent enough, doesn't provide best quality.
6. Be careful with wide angle lenses - bent lines, etc. Other cameras make better pics from the same point/distance with the same frame.
Overall not bad camera, but price should be about $200 (not 300) because of a small sensor, quality and installed/included software. Disappointed. Overpaid.
2009-11-03
By Frederick P. Krueger (Aurora, IL USA)
I am an old 35mm and 6x6cm shooter, plus did my own darkroom work years ago. In 2002 I entered the digital age and purchased an Olympus C2020?, then last year a Canon A570. The Olympus gave very good images, however, the Canon has become my favorite 'carry everywhere' camera due to it's small size, many features and relatively low cost. However, I have never been completely happy with the image quality of the Canon and feel the old Olympus yielded better images.
My youngest son was married in October and I wanted to do a video of the wedding, as his grandmother was unable to attend. The video capabilities of the Canon are resolution limited so I decided to look for a camera with HD capability. I also decided a camera with flash memory would be the most rugged and after some searching found that the Lumix DMC-ZS3 has 720P HD video capability and well as full zoom capability in video mode (this is the only regular digital camera in this price range to offer full zoom capability in the video mode).
Many regular flash memory video cameras have a file size limit in HD mode (2GB). This limits recordings to less than 15 minutes. To continue recording one must then start another file. Not so with the Lumix. Using AVCHDlite recording mode allows uninterrupted video recording (until the SD card is full). So a 16GB card yields 2hours of continuous 720P HD recording using the AVCHD lite mode. The latest version of iMovie (Mac app) can read AVCHDlite files so I'm in business.
The Lumix does an excellent job with video, yielding superb images (even from the back of a large church) and stereo sound. Plus the still images are absolutely superb! Over the last several weeks I have taken quite a few available light shots with the Lumix and the images are noticeably sharper than most other digital images that I've seen. Plus the color balance is excellent. I'm guessing that this is primarily a function of the Leica optics and the image processing algorithms.
My only negative is the lack of a viewfinder. I find a viewfinder necessary for fast framing. I may attempt to design a framing device to attach to the tripod socket.
2009-11-03
By Pete R (SW burbs Chicago, USA)
...I think this is a terrific camera - very lightweight and compact for having a 12x optical zoom. The perfect camera for the point & shoot photographer - not so if you prefer manual settings because there are just a few. But if you plan to shoot video and then export it to your PC/Mac, you'll need to ante up another $130 for the AC adapter (Panasonic DMW-AC5 AC Adapter for Panasonic Lumix® Digital Cameras) AND the Multi Conversion adapter (Panasonic DMW-MCA1 @ $49.95) - YOU MUST PURCHASE BOTH. Without these items, the battery will run out before the video transfer is complete. You can view the video direct to TV using an HDMI mini cable (Tripp Lite Mini-HDMI to HDMI Cable (6 feet)). One star off due to the high price of accessories...
2009-11-02
By Lake Michigan Fisherman (USA)
Just Received the camera and visited the Grand Canyon. The zoom is unbelievable! As is the wide angle lens! The picture quality and video quality are both great! Just be sure NOT to use the AVCHD lite video mode, because most video editing programs won't recognize it. Use the Quicktime HD mode to edit and make movies. Be sure to get a high speed card for the movies, like the Sandisk Extreme III. This is the best point and shoot camera available, according to all the camera review sites and in my experience with it so far.
2009-11-02
By David Phillips (Utah)
This is a very nice camera in this price class. It takes consistently better photos than my Canon or Kodak point and shoot models. The bright 3 inch screen is very nice and the cameras metal body feels very well made. The only negative I have found is that the mode wheel on top is near the shoot button and will get moved by accident. You will know when this happens as it will say 'mode wheel in wrong position' on the view screen when it happens. Not a deal breaker as this is minor and overall the camera is far above average. I also own the ZS1. It is very similar without the fancy movie mode and it has a slightly smaller LCD screen. It is also a very nice camera. Don't hesitate to buy the ZS3 as there is nothing better at this price.
Images Product
Read more Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 10MP Digital Camera with 12x Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 3 inch LCD
Read More From Here Now
Readmore Technical DetailsSee more technical details
By home user
Pros:
1. Made in Japan (NOT in China) !!!
2. Zoom range.
3. 3' High resolution screen.
4. HD videos with zoom.
Cons:
1. The sensor is too small for such a camera -> granulation in low light. Less expensive Fujifilm Finepix F70EXR has bigger sensor and better quality photos in low light.
2. Buggy software in the camera - sometimes some modes get frozen.
3. Bundled Software on included CD - a piece of junk, as usual for digital cameras, a bunch of useless extras. DOESN'T OPEN OWN AVCHD VIDEOS from a camera (.MTS format) for editing. A BUMMER! It's a must for such an expensive top-line camera to have full editing package included. So use/buy 3rd party video editing software.
4. Original battery goes down pretty fast, buy spare one (not cheap - $50).
5. Default Intelligent Auto (iA) mode sometimes is not intelligent enough, doesn't provide best quality.
6. Be careful with wide angle lenses - bent lines, etc. Other cameras make better pics from the same point/distance with the same frame.
Overall not bad camera, but price should be about $200 (not 300) because of a small sensor, quality and installed/included software. Disappointed. Overpaid.
By Frederick P. Krueger (Aurora, IL USA)
I am an old 35mm and 6x6cm shooter, plus did my own darkroom work years ago. In 2002 I entered the digital age and purchased an Olympus C2020?, then last year a Canon A570. The Olympus gave very good images, however, the Canon has become my favorite 'carry everywhere' camera due to it's small size, many features and relatively low cost. However, I have never been completely happy with the image quality of the Canon and feel the old Olympus yielded better images.
My youngest son was married in October and I wanted to do a video of the wedding, as his grandmother was unable to attend. The video capabilities of the Canon are resolution limited so I decided to look for a camera with HD capability. I also decided a camera with flash memory would be the most rugged and after some searching found that the Lumix DMC-ZS3 has 720P HD video capability and well as full zoom capability in video mode (this is the only regular digital camera in this price range to offer full zoom capability in the video mode).
Many regular flash memory video cameras have a file size limit in HD mode (2GB). This limits recordings to less than 15 minutes. To continue recording one must then start another file. Not so with the Lumix. Using AVCHDlite recording mode allows uninterrupted video recording (until the SD card is full). So a 16GB card yields 2hours of continuous 720P HD recording using the AVCHD lite mode. The latest version of iMovie (Mac app) can read AVCHDlite files so I'm in business.
The Lumix does an excellent job with video, yielding superb images (even from the back of a large church) and stereo sound. Plus the still images are absolutely superb! Over the last several weeks I have taken quite a few available light shots with the Lumix and the images are noticeably sharper than most other digital images that I've seen. Plus the color balance is excellent. I'm guessing that this is primarily a function of the Leica optics and the image processing algorithms.
My only negative is the lack of a viewfinder. I find a viewfinder necessary for fast framing. I may attempt to design a framing device to attach to the tripod socket.
By Pete R (SW burbs Chicago, USA)
...I think this is a terrific camera - very lightweight and compact for having a 12x optical zoom. The perfect camera for the point & shoot photographer - not so if you prefer manual settings because there are just a few. But if you plan to shoot video and then export it to your PC/Mac, you'll need to ante up another $130 for the AC adapter (Panasonic DMW-AC5 AC Adapter for Panasonic Lumix® Digital Cameras) AND the Multi Conversion adapter (Panasonic DMW-MCA1 @ $49.95) - YOU MUST PURCHASE BOTH. Without these items, the battery will run out before the video transfer is complete. You can view the video direct to TV using an HDMI mini cable (Tripp Lite Mini-HDMI to HDMI Cable (6 feet)). One star off due to the high price of accessories...
By Lake Michigan Fisherman (USA)
Just Received the camera and visited the Grand Canyon. The zoom is unbelievable! As is the wide angle lens! The picture quality and video quality are both great! Just be sure NOT to use the AVCHD lite video mode, because most video editing programs won't recognize it. Use the Quicktime HD mode to edit and make movies. Be sure to get a high speed card for the movies, like the Sandisk Extreme III. This is the best point and shoot camera available, according to all the camera review sites and in my experience with it so far.
By David Phillips (Utah)
This is a very nice camera in this price class. It takes consistently better photos than my Canon or Kodak point and shoot models. The bright 3 inch screen is very nice and the cameras metal body feels very well made. The only negative I have found is that the mode wheel on top is near the shoot button and will get moved by accident. You will know when this happens as it will say 'mode wheel in wrong position' on the view screen when it happens. Not a deal breaker as this is minor and overall the camera is far above average. I also own the ZS1. It is very similar without the fancy movie mode and it has a slightly smaller LCD screen. It is also a very nice camera. Don't hesitate to buy the ZS3 as there is nothing better at this price.
Images Product
Read more Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 10MP Digital Camera with 12x Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 3 inch LCD
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