The Panasonic Lumix ZS3 features 10.1-megapixels, a 25mm ultra-wide-angle lens and 12x optical zoom, meaning it has added 2x optical zoom to the award-winning TZ-series camera, yet reduced its size. The ZS3 also features a Leica DC Vario-Elmar lens and High Definition (HD) video recording ability, known as AVCHD Lite.
The ZS3 is the world’s first digital camera to feature HD video recording in "AVCHD Lite." Compared with the conventional Motion JPEG format, AVCHD Lite allows longer recordings with breathtaking HD visual and audio quality. This combined with a well-considered control interface, which includes a dedicated movie recording button on the camera’s back panel, makes the ZS3 a hybrid model that performs admirably for both still and motion image capture.
FEATURES:
- Increased Scene modes for both still and motion image shooting--optimized for a variety of situations. There are 26 scene modes for still image and 17 for motion image (Portrait, Soft Skin, Transform, Self portrait, Scenery, Low light, Food, Party, Candle light, Sunset, High sensitivity, Beach, Snow, Aerial, Pin hole, Film grain and Underwater)
- Two My Scene settings let users assign their two most frequently used Scene modes to the setting, and with a simple switch, allow access to either scene instantly.
- Panorama Assist scene mode allows users to shoot a number of consistent photos, either vertically or horizontally, by aligning them according to a guide that overlaps the screen. Then using those photos and the bundled Panorama Maker software, users can create dramatic panoramic images.
- High-Speed Burst (Speed Priority) that fires off approx. 10 shots per second.
- Menus are clearer and easier to navigate with the Display Size option.
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(4 votes, average: 4.25 out of 5)
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January 6th, 2010 at 5:50 am
I have to make my usual mention of the issues that surround proprietary batteries like the one used by the DMC-ZS3. They’re pricey, often costing $40 or more (exact pricing for the DMW-BCG10 was not available when this review was written). In addition, should that battery die, you can’t use an “off-the-shelf” battery to get you through the day. The only camera that supports that is the Kodak EasyShare Z915, which is powered by AA batteries.
January 6th, 2010 at 5:50 am
The Panasonic DMC-ZS3 has a very good HD movie mode (1280 x 720) and allows you to use the optical zoom and optical image stabilization while recording. It also records in stereo sound and includes an HDMI output for viewing recordings on an HDTV. Aside from its excellent movie recording capabilities, this is a terrific all-around camera that does nearly everything well. It’s extremely versatile because of its 12x optical zoom lens, which offers a range of 25-300mm, yet is small enough to fit into a pocket.
The DMC-ZS3 offers excellent image quality, fast performance, and a very impressive high-resolution 3.0” LCD display. It also features optical image stabilization, which is very effective for reducing blur and improving low-light shots. This camera is remarkably easy to use and produces great results when set to Intelligent Auto mode; the Face Detection technology also works very well. More experienced users will be frustrated by the lack of manual controls, but the DMC-ZS3 is still a camera that photo enthusiasts will love to use when they don’t want to carry an SLR. If you’re seeking a compact ultra-zoom camera with an excellent movie mode, this one should be at the top of the list.
January 6th, 2010 at 5:53 am
I can not believe I’m writing this, I’m sorry ZS3 buying Panasonic. Sorry I bought it almost immediately. In my homework, researched cameras for weeks, including reading rave reviews on this site and others. In the end, despite the high price (for a point-N’-wheel drive), I understand.
But I am not a camera-happy. I’m disappointed and frustrated. Sorry for purchase. Here’s why.
Considers that the target customer of this camera. I live in a varied diet, active life. I love the photos wherever you go, but I’m using a large number of manual features. Demand, high quality images across a range of situations, each with a single click. I am willing to pay for it. And that’s what I’m here to buy this high-end point-’n shoot Panasonic.
Yes, the zoom is impressive, especially during the shooting. The HD video is surprisingly good, and very clear. It also offers a number of areas related to construction. The photos in good lighting, exceptional. In other cases – at home, or if the flash is lame – as good as any in the lowest-n-shoot.
The main reason for my disappointment with this camera, unlike some critics say the lack of manual controls. This is exactly the opposite – that the limits of the ridiculous Intelligent Auto (IA) mode.
My major hypothesis: people who buy the camera, knowing that only a manual control, but I really do not want a lot of manual control. I would like the car is surprisingly intelligent in all respects. Like me, they spend most time to inclusion in iA mode, and expect to make. AI But this, as I will highlight three examples, it is not too smart as it thought – the explosion-the-head-on-the-wall, inexplicably drawn.
First example: aspect ratio and image size. If you shoot in manual mode there is a wide range of aspect ratio (4:3, 3:2, 16:9), and the size of the image (0.3M, 2M, 3M, 5m, 7m, 10m). You choose the desired price and size of the photo you want. Lovely. ARxSize works to 16 different options. Find exactly what you like. Personally, I like to shoot in 3:2, 3M (2048×1536). Nice size photos, do not eat hard disk space on your computer.
But … (and this is the beginning of the tirade against the planning function, which seems to ignore, but the customer, this camera), the AI is so ridiculous, unjustified restriction on the choice here. If you want to run IA 4:3 (TV size), I can not choose 3M, 5M and 10M. Okay, but I like to shoot in 3:2 (film size) I have never seen on TV. However, if you choose to 3:2 in IA, I choose only 9.5 (3776×2520). What is the $%&#? This is huge! For whatever reason, the 4 sizes available in manual mode, all stuck iA 3:2. Election. Inexplicable.
Oh, but what the 16:9 (size widescreen TV), do you want? It is true that this relationship should provide a full range of sizes to choose? One might think that this is not true. Want to know what to offer? AI was 16:9 … waiting … 2M (1920×1080). The smallest. Another option. IA-Meer in obtaining a full 5 size choices, and 3, 4:3. Can anyone explain why the format most commonly found in the manual, are excluded from IA?
Second example. Let’s Talk Cars Review (review of the images immediately after taking it). AI found that 2 seconds. I am more than, say, 4 or 5 seconds? No, I do not know (but I know Canon’s $ 150). No, if you want to review the schedule, I have to go take pictures in the manual. Again, why not IA or manual mode option is not exactly the same magazine? This kind of thing we want to head into a wall Bonk.
Third example. LCD Auto Off What a great feature. It is unfortunate that only a guide. IA? Nah. What is the $%&#? The truth is that the buyer of this camera you want – one that is more than likely spend most of their time to photograph the intelligent automatic mode – and the “no photo” IA-related functions are available in the way manual. This is why you purchased this camera. So why am IA mode pool? This is where I live. Why is something so fundamental as to control the LCD power only in manual mode?
The last comment on the video camera. We just do not realize when I bought the limits of high-definition video is linked to memory. The crisp, clear video, and yes, eating a lot of memory very quickly. When taking any JPEG mode, the maximum quality add both the 2G. So when shooting in HD JPEG mode, 2G = 8min 20sec. So the 4G card, but all left about 16 minutes. Reduced video quality for more space, but if you are not in HD. This is something HD JPEG filmers aware of – if only the movie 2G, stop, and then again a record will be pushed harder.
In the end, my frustration with this camera is a reverse thing – not worth it.
January 6th, 2010 at 5:54 am
Disclaimer- Forgive my lack of expertise or unfamiliarity w/ technical terminology. I purchased this camera after a month of research based on excellent reviews at sites like this, Amazon, and DPReview. I bought this camera for one thing, to take nice pictures from a distance (a true point and shooter). And as we have a newborn on the way, I was excited to use the HD recording function as well. I’m perfectly content to let the IA mode do all the work for me, as talk about ISO, shutter speed, noise, etc makes me cringe. The mega zoom on this camera is perfect for my needs and my wife and I find it easy to take group shots using the wide angle lens (we upgraded from an outdated but perfectly fine canon SD300). Some complaints include the ability to take some pretty blurry pictures (quite a few actually) despite the IA mode, especially if someone else was taking the picture for us (all examples were indoor, not sure if the same is true for outdoor pics). We also noticed a significant lag time from when you depress the button to when the actual picture is taken, making it very easy for people to shift or miss key moments. My wife complained about several attempts to use the macro function as her indoor pictures at a recent baby shower came out very dark as well. Basically, not really foolproof…and that’s what we were looking for and were willing to pay for. Not sure if that’s really fair to expect from a camera though, but I expected more from the ZS3 due to high praise at the aforementioned websites.