panasonic lumix dmc-zs3 10.1 mp digital camera with 12x wide angle mega optical image stabilized zoom and 3 inch lcd (black)
December 2nd, 2009
Buy Low Price From Here Now
The ZS3 records HD motion images at a smooth 60 frames per second with 1280 x 720-pixel resolution. It uses the AVCHD (MPEG-4/H.264) format, via AVCHD lite, which stores less data than other formats and thus lets you shoot more minutes of HD motion images before running out of memory.Just set the camera to iA mode, aim and shoot. The camera does all the rest. It automatically determines the most suitable scene mode and helps correct blurring, focus, and brightness problems. With iA mode, it’s easy to get beautiful, clear results. In the ZS3, iA mode cannot be used when shooting motion images.The ZS3 packs a LEICA DC VARIO-ELMAR lens with 12x optical zoom into a compact body. This versatile photographic tool lets you shoot everything from sweeping vistas at the 25mm wide-angle setting to dynamic 300mm telephoto shots. And the lens system’s exquisite rendering ability lets you capture even the subtle nuances of the sights and scenes in your travels……..
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 10.1 MP Digital Camera with 12x Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 3 inch LCD (Black) Details
- 10.1-megapixel resolution captures enough detail for poster-size prints
- 12x MEGA optical image-stablilized zoom; 25mm ultra-wide-angle lens
- Capture HD video in "AVCHD Lite" format
- Intelligent Auto (iA) mode; Face Recognition feature
- Capture images to SD/SDHC memory cards (not included)
2009-12-02
By B. Hayes (Midwest)
If Canon were to ever be nervous about the competition in point and shoot camera’s, they are likely crapping themselves at this moment. I’ve owned 5 of the past Canon digital elph’s (the most recent the SD790is), and I just returned the Canon SD940is. I am blown away by the panasonic ZS3! It does everything the Canon does, and more. First, the response time of the camera is excellent: shutter lag is minimal, autofocus is very quick, flash recharge times are quick as well. I felt the Canon 940 was inferior to even the 790 in shutter lag and autofocus (I was missing shots waiting for the camera to fix on the subject). The Panasonic has more pleasing photo quality, albeit slightly softer than the Canon. Colors are more vibrant on the Panasonic, as is overall tone. I feel like I don’t have to mess with the image on the Panasonic like I did with the Canon. Overall, a great point and shoot.
Now for the true differentiating feature….. This camera doubles as an excellent video camera. I am blown away by the quality of the video captured in the AVCHD-lite format. Even in low light situations, the video blows away any other point and shoot, and rivals the super compact $1000 Sony TG-5. Where it surpasses the TG-5 is in the optical stabilization; the Panasonic shows far less handshake than the TG-5 (which is a huge issue for these ultra compact video cameras). Finally, there is a point and shoot camera that can capture excellent video for those times where you don’t want to drag along a larger video camera. I own the Sony CX-12 AVCHD camcorder, and the Panasonic is not in the same league as that camcorder. However, playing the files I shot with the Panasonic on western digital’s WDTV via HDMI, video looks fantastic: sharp, vibrant colors with smooth panning. I would not feel bad trading the portability of the Panasonic, and leaving the Sony camcorder at home (unless I was on a trip to Ireland or something of the like). The video is truly remarkable for the size of the camera.
Also worth noting; Panasonic was very smart to include HD motion JPEG as an option for video recording. So if AVCHD-lite isn’t your thing, you can capture HD video footage in the mp4 quicktime format. I will say, however, the video is cleaner and smoother when shot in AVCHD-lite.
Overall, for the cost of the camera, you cannot go wrong. It is an excellent point and shoot with very responsive shooting times, and a great portable HD camcorder to boot. I never thought I would own (or like) a Panasonic camera!
Pros:
Wide angle lense
Excellent image stabilization
Excellent AVCHD-lite video camera
Excellent shooting times
Great battery life
Full Zoom ability while video recording
Cons:
LCD screen resolution not the crispest I’ve seen
Some images could use sharpening
Menu system a bit cumbersome
Larger than most point and shoots
Manual exposure in video mode would be nice
2009-12-02
By Nole Fan (Tallahassee, FL)
We have owned quite a few point and shoot cameras; This one is in a class by itself. Picture quality is wonderful. Zoom feature impresses others at our kid’s sporting events, and the HD video is crisp and clear. I rave about this camera to anyone who asks about it. We bought a 16 GB SD card for it and can easily record a 2 hour soccer game. ++Plus, it is very simple to use; even the custom settings are easy to activate and take advantage of. HIGHLY reccomended.
2009-12-02
By Egor (USA)
Unbelievable camera, wonderful quality pictures, I-auto is amazing. I had SX-200 for 2 months and returned it, this camera blows it away.
2009-12-01
By R. Klein (NJ, USA)
Great point and shoot with several manual settings and options, high zoom capability and HD video available too.
2009-12-01
By Avrum (Winchester, VA)
After reading reviews and features of compact cameras, I selected the ZS3 because I liked the 12x wide angle optical zoom, the zoom capability during wide angle HD movie making, high resolution viewer, and stereo sound recording. I would have liked to know that you need a high speed write capability in the flash card to use the movie feature. I bought a standard SDHC Memory Card that writes at 2 MB/sec (Class 2), whereas for the HD movie to record you need a least a Class 4 Card, or, better yet, a Class 6 SDHC Memory Card. I was unaware that the SDHC cards had introduced the writing speed options. [I would have known this if I had read the manual.] I like the placement of the movie on/off button because it is a practical and convenient feature. Using the movie zoom gave me a smooth, seamless transition to or from the object of interest. The ZS3 is truly a high-tech point and shoot camera with its 12x optical zoom, stereo sound, 3 inch higher resolution LCD screen, memory card capability up to 32 Gb, and other automatic features. I also appreciate its metal case. I take it with me everywhere I go.
