Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3: Review

Posted to Digital Cameras 2009-08-25

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 Review:

Top-grade cameras are starting to become main stream with consumers, and the 10.1-megapixel Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 digital camera is one of those popular models. While the high price tag may have some consumers raising eyebrows, the features and quality of this camera make up for the cost. Not only does this model shoot high-resolution stills, but it also records 1280 x 720 AVCHD video. The battery life isn't great and the picture quality isn't quite "perfect," but overall, the DMC-ZS3 is a great camera for on the go.

This digital camera is stylish and compact, measuring at 2.35'' x 4.07'' x 1.29'' and weighing 0.45 pounds. As in the majority of Panasonic's Lumix digital cameras, this particular model is loaded with exciting features. Among those are a wide range of supported formats for both clips and stills. The DMC-ZS3 is the world's first compact camera to feature Dolby stereo recording, another enhancement to the HD video recording function. The majority of consumers who purchase this camera praise it for everything but the price and battery life.

Rating:

3.8 out of 5

Value

The most comparable factor in purchasing a digital camera is the price, and the Panasonic DMC-ZS3 is simply a little over the top. While the features and capabilities are certainly impressive, some users have complained that the battery life and picture quality isn't as impressive as it should be. Naturally, opinions differ, so potential buyers should take that into consideration. What really matters most in the value of a product is how the customer feels about their purchase. With this Lumix model, the majority of customers will be satisfied- as long as they're willing to shell out a few hundred dollars for a consumer-grade camera.

Features

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 almost has too many features to list. It's amazing to see how so many capabilities can be squeezed into such a compact camera. New to the line of the ZS series Lumix cameras is the improved iA (Intelligent Auto) Mode, which automatically determines which scene mode your camera needs for the current situation. More importantly, the features have been upgraded to a 12x optical zoom which is 25-300mm (35mm) focal length. While the primary purpose of this model is for taking snapshots, the video recording is very impressive. In addition to the new and improved AVCHD Lite (1280 x 720, 60fps) format, it comes equipped with an HDMI output port so you can view your video's on an HDTV. As mentioned earlier, this camera has a unique Dolby stereo sound mic with a wind filter to prevent excess background noise. Overall, the camera is nicely featured.

Summary

If you are in the market for a "super zoom" digital camera that features 720p video recording (in addition to high-quality stills), then the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 may be right for you. The downside to owning this camera is that it is slightly overpriced. In addition, the actual battery life falls short of the advertised life (depends on usage. On the upside, this model provides 12x zoom (25 - 300mm focal length in 35mm), which is great for such a compact camera. Overall, this is an above average camera. But the price to quality ratio of the product may be slightly out of line.

Pros

10.1-megapixels, 12x optical zoom, 25mm/300mm focal
Intelligent Auto (iA) Mode
Venus Engine HD- supports AVCHD Lite format for 720p (60fps) video

Cons

Expensive- perhaps priced too high for consumers
battery life isn't great