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Reviews about this item

Review Summary

2010-02-23T19:00:00

Rated 2 out of 5

Good camera but bad lens cap design

Bought this for my wife as an all-around point & shoot. It's easy to use and takes decent pictures for its sensor size but we recently ran into a problem with its lens cover. The lens cover won't remain completely open when we power the camera on. This isn't because of dirst or dust getting into the mechanism but appears to be secondary to the way the lens cover retracting mechanism was designed. Two of the four leafs are on springs (and still work) while the other two leafs are supposed to catch on the first two with small tabs. Once these tabs gt dislodged the lens cover won't retract all the way and get into the field of view of the pictures we are taking. I've owned assorted P&S cameras from Canon and Nikon but this is the only one we've run into lens cover retraction problems with. Otherwise good camera but poor lens cover design. Check the internet for other owners having similar problems. 4/5 starts for this camera if the lens cover worked.

James O.

2010-02-03T19:00:00

Rated 5 out of 5

Terrific pocket camera

I've used the camera and given as a gift. Pleased with both

RJR p.

2010-01-13T19:00:00

Rated 5 out of 5

Excelent choice

Excelent camera, Optical zoom is incredible good and fast, HD video is very good and the included software is friendly.

E L.

2010-01-09T19:00:00

Rated 4 out of 5

Great Camera except for battery issue

This camera has it all, for a price. That price includes, if you bought this model after June 2009, not being able to use a reasonably priced spare battery from another company. Panasonic wants $70-$80 Canadian for their brand, which is outrageous when you are given no alternative! So add the spare battery to the price of the camera when making your decision! Of course if you're rich, who cares? I would recommend this camera only to those who do not mind being ripped off for a spare battery.

Joe n.

2010-01-09T19:00:00

Rated 4 out of 5

Superzoom in a compact form.

Great little camera. Pretty close in image quality to my older, larger FZ18.

JR D.

2009-09-29T21:00:00

Rated 5 out of 5

All-in-One camera

This is the almost perfect, easy to use P&S camera. Fits in the pocket, has a wide zoom range with very handy 25mm wide angle. Video mode is very good usable, although (of course) it doesn't replace a real camcorder.

BlueJay

2009-09-28T21:00:00

Rated 4 out of 5

I would buy this product again and again

Great camera. Easy to use yet makes quality photos. Very flexable from Macro to landscape without having to change settings.

FRANK P.

2009-09-22T21:00:00

Rated 5 out of 5

Just what I needed

Great 12x ZOOM, BUT!! 12x at 10 MegaPixels, you can get 14.6x Optical Zoom when taking 7.0 MegaPixel photos.. insane! The Videos are in real HD, nothing compared to any other digital photo cameras i've ever seen, and also with stereo sound recording, an other big plus.

iechaurren

2009-09-21T21:00:00

Rated 5 out of 5

Amazing Point and Shoot!

This has to be the absolute best point and shoot I have purchased. I used to be a Nikon Fan and own 4 but after my latest purchase of an S550 I started looking elsewhere. The S550 was horrible. So many grainy shots and it was a hit or miss whether I would have good photos. I couldn't risk this as I was going to Paris and wanted some amazing shots. This Panasonic didn't dissapoint! Seriously I never looked to Panasonic but now I will after this purchase. Any environment, either low light, indoors, outdoors, sunny, etc. It doesn't matter. I have around 1000 pictures from Paris and everyone was perfect.

AllThingsWatches

2009-09-07T21:00:00

Rated 1 out of 5

Very disappointing

Bought it to take pictures of the kids. It was a good price and seemed to be relatively good quality. after 6 months, we kept getting an error screen- we sent it to get fixed- it worked for about 2 minutes then did the same thing. sent it up again and got a replacement. Still is very slow (lag) and doesn't always focus correctly. All in all, an inferior product!

Julie

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Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3K 10.1 Megapixel Digital Camera with AVCHD Lite, iA Mode, 12x Optical Zoom, 4x Digital Zoom & 3.0" TFT LCD Display, Black Specifications

  • Camera Type

    Super Zoom

  • Intelligent Auto (iA) Mode

    Face Recognition (Still)
    Optical Image Stabilizer (Still & Movie)
    Intelligent ISO Control (Still & Movie)
    Face Detection (Still)
    Intelligent Scene Selector (Still - Portrait, Scenery, Night Portrait, Night Scenery, Macro; Movie

  • Camera Effective Pixels

    10.1 Megapixels

  • Optical Image Stabilizer

    MEGA O.I.S. (Auto/Mode1/ Mode2)

  • Optical Zoom

    12x

  • Image Sensor

    1/2.33-inch / 12.7 Total Megapixels / Primary Color Filter

  • Image Sensor Size

    1/2.33-inch

  • Extra Optical Zoom

    14.3x (4:3 / 7M), 17.1x (4:3 / 5M), 21.4x (under 3M)

  • Digital Zoom

    4x
    (Max. 48.0 x combined with Optical Zoom without Extra Optical Zoom)
    (Max.85.5x combined with Extra Optical Zoom)

  • Focal Length

    f=4.1-49.2mm (25-300mm in 35mm equiv.)

  • Lens

    LEICA DC VARIO-ELMAR
    10 elements in 8 groups
    (2 Aspherical Lenses / 3 Aspherical surfaces, 2 ED lens)

  • Conversion Lens Compatibility

    No

  • Focusing Area

    Normal: Wide 50cm/ Tele 200cm - infinity
    Macro / Intelligent AUTO / Clipboard : Wide 3cm / Max 200cm / Tele 100cm - infinity

  • AF Metering

    Face / AF Tracking / Multi (11pt) / 1pt HS / 1pt / Spot

  • AF Assist Lamp

    Yes

  • ISO Sensitivity

    Auto / 80 / 100 / 200 / 400 / 800 / 1600 / 3200 (High Sensitivity Mode : Auto(1600 - 6400) )

  • White Balance

    Auto / Daylight / Cloudy / Shade / Halogen / White Set / White Balance Adjustment (+10steps, except for auto set)

  • Exposure

    Program AE

  • Exposure Compensation

    1/3 EV Step, +/- 2 EV

  • Backlight Compensation

    Yes (only in Intelligent AUTO mode)

  • Auto Bracketing (AE)

    +/- 1/3 EV ~ 1EV step, 3 frames

  • Light Metering

    Multiple / Center-weighted / Spot

  • Dedicated Button/Mode Switch

    [Recording] / [Playback]

  • Self Timer

    2sec, 10sec

  • Auto Review

    1sec, 2sec, Zoom, Hold

  • Review

    Yes

  • Picture Adjustment

    No

  • Color Effect Mode

    No

  • Color Mode

    Standard, Natural, Vivid, Black & White, Sepia, Cool, Warm

  • Image Quality

    Fine/Standard

  • 4:3 Aspect Ratio (Still Image)

    3648 x 2736 (10M) / 3072 x 2304 (7M EZ) / 2560 x 1920 (5M EZ) / 2048 x 1536 (3M EZ) / 1600 x 1200 (2M EZ) / 640 x 480 (0.3M EZ)

  • 3:2 Aspect Ratio (Still Image)

    3776 x 2520 (9.5M) / 3168x2112 (6.5M EZ) / 2656x1768 (4.5M EZ) / 2112x1408 (3M EZ) / 2048 x 1360 (2.5M EZ)

  • 16:9 Aspect Ratio (Still Image)

    3968 x 2232 (9M) / 3328x1872 (6M EZ) / 2784x1568 (4.5M EZ) / 2208x1248 (2.5M EZ) / 1920 x 1080 (2M EZ)

  • Motion Image (4:3 Aspect Ratio)

    VGA: 640 x 480 pixels, 30fps (Motion JPEG)
    QVGA: 320 x 240 pixels, 30 fps (Motion JPEG)

  • Motion Image (16:9 Aspect Ratio)

    WVGA: 848 x 480 pixels, 30 fps (Motion JPEG)

  • Digital Red Eye Correction

    Yes

  • Easy Zoom/Zoom Resume/Motion Zoom

    No/Yes/No

  • Still Image Recording with Audio

    5 seconds

  • Audio Dubbing

    Maximum of 10 Seconds

  • Real-time Histograms

    Yes

  • Composition Guide Lines

    Yes (2 patterns)

  • Scene Mode Help Screen

    Yes

  • Flip Animation

    No

  • Travel Date/World Time

    Yes/Yes

  • Text Stamp/Date Stamp

    Yes

  • Built-in Flash Type/Mode

    Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off 0.6 - 5.3m (Wide/ISO Auto), 1.0 - 3.6m (Tele/ISO Auto)

  • External Flash

    No

  • Viewfinder

    No

  • OSD Language

    English, Spanish

  • Recording Media

    Built-in Memory
    SD Memory Card
    SDHC Memory Card
    MultiMediaCard (Still image only)

  • Speaker

    Yes

  • Battery Life 2

    Up to 300 pictures (CIPA Standard)

  • Included Software

    PHOTOfunSTUDIO v3.0
    ArcSoft (MediaImpression / Panorama Maker)
    USB Driver, QuickTime

  • Multi-Exposure

    No

  • Multi-Aspect

    Yes

  • Color Bracketing

    No

  • 2-Speed Zoom

    Yes

  • Aperture

    F3.3 - 4.9 / Iris Diaphragm (F3.3 - 6.3 (W) / F4.9 - 6.3 (T))

  • Focus Range Display

    Yes

  • Max Auto ISO Setting

    No

  • Quick Menu

    Yes

  • Continuous Shooting Mode

    Full-Resolution Image, 2.5 frames/sec Max. 5 images (Standard mode), Max 3 images (Fine Mode), High-speed Burst Mode: approx. 6 frames/sec (recorded in 3M for 4:3, 2.5M for 3:2, 2M for 16:9)

  • Optical Zoom in Motion Picture

    Yes

  • Macro Zoom

    Yes

  • Orientation Detector

    Yes

  • Aspect Ratio

    4:3 / 3:2 / 16:9

  • Touch Zoom

    No

  • Thumbnails/Zoomed Playback

    12,30-thumbnails / Max 16x

  • Calendar Display/Dual-Image Playback

    Yes / No

  • Set Favorites/Rotate Image

    Yes / No

  • Playback Still Images with Audio

    Yes

  • Slideshow Mode

    All Still Images / Favorites / Category
    BGM Effect (Natural / Slow / Swing / Urban / OFF)

  • Show Histogram

    Yes

  • Show Highlights

    No

  • Delete Image

    Single / Multi / All / All except Favorites

  • DPOF Print Setting/Set Production

    Yes / Yes

  • PictBridge Support

    Single / Multi / All / Favorites / DPOF

  • iA Direct Button

    No

  • Mode Button

    No

  • One-Touch Movie Button

    Yes

  • Water Proof

    No

  • Dust Proof

    No

  • Shock Proof

    No

  • LED Illumination

    No

  • Viera Link

    Yes

  • Movie REC Guide

    Yes

  • Wind-Cut in Motion Picture

    Yes

  • Dimensions (H x W x D)

    2.35" x 4.07" x 1.29"

  • Weight

    Approx. 0.45 lbs

  • Warranty

    Panasonic warranty

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About Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3K 10.1 Megapixel Digital Camera with AVCHD Lite, iA Mode, 12x Optical Zoom, 4x Digital Zoom & 3.0" TFT LCD Display, Black

FEATURED REVIEWS

Amazing Point and Shoot!

By AllThingsWatches

This has to be the absolute best point and shoot I have purchased. I used to be a Nikon Fan and own 4 but after my latest purchase of an S550 I started looking elsewhere. The S550 was horrible. So many grainy shots and it was a hit or miss whether I would have good photos. I couldn't risk this as I was going to Paris and wanted some amazing shots. This Panasonic didn't dissapoint! Seriously I never looked to Panasonic but now I will after this purchase. Any environment, either low light, ...

View full Review

Terrific pocket camera

By RJR p.

I've used the camera and given as a gift. Pleased with both

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3K digital camera 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. It features the Dolby sound, the ZS3 records dynamic, true-to-life audio that brings out the power of the HD images. The Wind cut function minimizes the distracting sound you hear from wind blowing into the mic.

The YouTube Uploader software makes it easy to upload your video clips to YouTube. The ZS3 is equipped with an HDMI output terminal for direct transmission of digital picture and sound signals. Just connect the camera to an HDTV using a single HDMI mini cable (purchased separately) and it's easy to view beautiful HD photos and motion images. If you have a VIERA HDTV, you can control the camera's playback functions with VIERA's remote control unit.

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.

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-ZS3K 10.1 Megapixel Digital Camera with AVCHD Lite, iA Mode, 12x Optical Zoom, 4x Digital Zoom & 3.0" TFT LCD Display, Black Features

  • Leica DC Vario-Elmar Lens with 12x Optical Wide-Angle Zoom
  • 12x Optical/4x Digital/21.4x Extended Optical/85.5x Combined Zoom
  • AVCHD Lite: Beautiful HD motion images, Extended Shooting Time
  • MEGA Optical Image Stabilizer
  • Large Bright 3-inch Color LCD Monitor With Power LCD Function and High-Angle Mode
  • 1/2.33" 10.1 Megapixel Effective CCD With Multi Aspect Mode, Primary Color Filter
  • Venus Engine HD LSI
  • Intelligent Auto Mode
  • Advanced Face Detection With Face Recognition
  • AF Tracking, Quick AF
  • Intelligent ISO Control (IIC)
  • Intelligent Exposure
  • Intelligent Scene Selector
  • HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) Output
  • 26 Still Picture and 17 Movie Scene Modes to Cover A Wide Variety of Shots
  • High Sensitivity Mode up to 6400 ISO Equivalent
  • Large-Capacity, High-Speed Storage Media -- SD and SDHC Memory Card
  • Unlimited Consecutive Shooting
  • Auto Exposure Bracketing
  • Built-in Digital Flash
  • Real-Time Histograms
  • 40MB Built-In Memory