Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3: A Review

Panasonic has recently released a new camera Lumix DMC-ZS3, which is a successor of the Lumix DMC-TZ5. It is a better Camera than the predecessor, and has nice features. 12x zoom lens and 720p AVCHD video capture are few of its striking qualities. Let us ahave a look at its specs:

Specs:

• Product type: Digital camera compact
• Dimensions: 4.1” x 1.3” x 2.4”
• Weight: 7.2 oz
• Enclosure color: Silver
• Resolution: 10.2 MP
• Color support
• Total pixels: 12,700,000
• Effective sensor resolution: 10,100,000 pixels
• Light sensitivity: ISO 80 , ISO 100 , ISO 200 , ISO 400 , ISO 800 , ISO 1600 , ISO 3200 , ISO auto , ISO auto (1600-6400)
• Digital zoom: 4x
• Shooting modes: Frame movie mode
• Special effects: Cool , Warm , Sepia , Vivid , Natural , Black & White
• Image stabilizer: Optical (MEGA O.I.S.)
• Maximum shutter speed: 1/2000 sec
• Minimum shutter speed: 60 sec
• Exposure metering: Spot , Multi-segment , Center-weighted
• Exposure modes: Program,  Automatic
• White balance: Custom , Presets , Automatic
• Digital video format: QuickTime , AVCHD Lite
• Video capture: QuickTime – 640 x 480 , QuickTime – 320 x 240 , QuickTime – 848 x 480 , AVCHD Lite – 1280 x 720
• Supported flash memory: MultiMediaCard,  SD Memory Card
• Integrated memory: 45 MB
• Built in flash modes: Auto mode,  Fill-in mode,  Slow synchro,  Flash OFF mode,  Red-eye reduction
• Red eye reduction
• Type of lens: Zoom lens – 4.1 mm – 49.2 mm – F/3.3-4.9
• Automatic focus adjustments
• Minimum focus range: 19.7 in
• Macro focus range: 3cm
• Built in LCD display – TFT active matrix – 3 in – Color
• Built in stereo microphone
• Peripheral devices: USB port , CD-ROM drive
• Included accessories: Hand strap , Battery case
• Price range: $381.65 (subject to variation according to time and location)

Features:

It is compact enough to fit into a jacket’s pocket. It is small and light yet attractive. Quick menu button lets the user see an array of options like LCD brightness, picture size, aspect ratio, intelligent exposure, ISO sensitivity etc. Full menu has more shooting settings like picture quality, Intelligent ISO, continuous and Quick AF, color effects etc.

Video-specific options include size and quality, a choice of area or face detect for AF, continuous AF, color, and wind filter. It records 720p HD video and saves it in AVCHD Lite format. One can even zoom while shooting a movie.

Pros:

• Long and wide angle zoom lens in a compact body
• 720p HD movies
• Zooming while shooting video

Cons:

• Less manual controls

Final Words:

For its class, the photo and movie quality are quite nice and the camera offers brilliant colors, saturated and accurate. This is a fine quality camera and a good option to buy.