2009 Select Award: Compact Point and Shoot
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
Most compact point and shoots are about compromise; the smaller ones lack features, while the more fully featured ones are pocket busters. The Panasonic DMC-ZS3 walks the line between these two extremes: it is compact and easy to use, but still has the features to allow you to take great pictures. It boasts a long 12x zoom lens, shoots attractive 10 megapixel images and 720p HD video and has a very effective image stabilizer for run-and-gun shooting. It's not perfect (low light images are a little noisy, and images are a bit soft at the longer zoom settings), but it provides a great portable package for the casual shooter at a reasonable $300.
The good: Long and wide-angle zoom lens in a compact body; 720p movies; lens can zoom during movie capture.
The bad: Very few manual controls.
The bottom line: As long as you don't want much in the way of manual features, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 is a very nice camera that can handle a variety of shooting situations.
Specifications: Resolution: 10.1 megapixels ; Optical zoom: 12 x ; Display type: 3 in LCD display.
Reviewed by: Lori Grunin
Reviewed on: 04/16/2009
Released on: 04/20/2009
The Panasonic TZ models have long been some of our favorite cameras around here, earning high marks from forum members and our staff testers alike for their versatility, simplicity, and solfid all-around performance. The ZS3 builds on this strong foundation, starting with a redesigned lens that is, if anything, even sharper than the original TZ lens while adding 25mm wide-angle coverage. The ZS3 still gets Panasonic's superb 3.0 inch high-res LCD as well, and with better-than-ever Intelligent Auto performance, novice shooters aren't left out either…
by David Rasnake, DigitalCameraReview.com Editor
Originally posted: April 28, 2009
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Imaging Resource Review:
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
Selected as a Dave's Pick!
Covering a range from 25-300mm, the Panasonic Lumix ZS3 is a great companion, whether you're going out for a walk or on a long trip. Panasonic took a few simple steps to make the ZS3's interface easier to use, and the results will appeal to most users. What I liked most was having a zoom lens that was long enough to encompass my vision: allowing me to shoot both very wide angle and reach out a little further than normal with a 300mm-equivalent zoom…
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 ($399) is the follow-up to the extremely popular DMC-TZ5. I was a big fan of the TZ5, which put a 10X zoom lens, a beautiful 3-inch LCD, and HD movie recording into a small package. I've "sold" a few friends on it, and they absolutely love it. The DMC-ZS3 takes everything that was great about the TZ5 and improves upon it. You get a wider, more powerful zoom lens, a new image processor, improved face detection, and an HD movie mode. And that's on top of all the other great features that haven't changed…
by Jeff Keller, DCRP Founder/Editor Originally posted: April 1, 2009