1. 10.1-megapixel resolution captures enough detail for poster-size prints
2. 12x MEGA optical image-stablilized zoom; 25mm ultra-wide-angle lens
3. Intelligent Scene Selector; Face Detection
4. Intelligent Auto (iA) mode
5. Capture images to SD/SDHC memory cards (not included)

Editorial Review :

Here's a camera for the serious tourist that is incredibly easy to use. The Panasonic Lumix ZS1 has a 12x magnification zoom lens that offers extreme wide angle for landscapes and long telephoto making objects far away seem close. This camera takes great still pictures but also lets you shoot movies. Blurry images from normal hand movements? Panasonic's Mega Optical Image Stabilizer helps keep images in focus. Multiple auto focus and exposure modes make use of this camera really easy. Leica optics make the images seem as if you're a professional. The Panasonic DMCZS1K Lumix 10.1 Megapixel Digital Camera 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. 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. File Format - JPEG (Exif 2.21), Quicktime Motion JPEG 25mm Ultra Wide-angle 12x Optical Zoom LEICA DC (25-300mm in 35mm equiv.) 2.7 High-resolution Intelligent LCD with Wide-viewing Angle ISO Sensitivity - Auto / 80 / 100 / 200 / 400 / 800 / 1600 Optical Image Stabilizer - MEGA O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) Shooting Mode - Intelligent AUTO, Normal Picture, My Scene Mode,Scene Mode, Motion Picture, Clipboard iA (Intelligent Auto) Mode with AF Tracking Power - Rechargeable Battery Dimensions (H x W x D) - 2.35'' x 4.07'' x 1.29'' Weight - Approx. 7.2 oz

Customer Review :

Very Good Little Camera. Easy To Use. Powerful Zoom.

This camera was purchased to replace a 10X zoom Olympus digital camera I purchased about 9 years ago. It is used for general purpose "picture taking". My goal has been achieved. The unit is reasonably compact. It fits easily into my shirt pocket. The picture quality is good even for hand held shots that utilize the zoom feature extensively. Only two problems have been noted so far. (1) The Intelligent Auto Mode does not seem to be very intelligent -- several photos taken using it were out of focus due to incorrect interpretation of the intended subject of the pictures. I use the Normal Picture mode with default settings almost exclusively at this point. The picture quality is much better. (2) The lack of a viewfinder restricts the camera's functionality in brightly lit settings. The monitor is not bright enough to rely on for framing the pictures in those situations. For those two reasons, I rate the camera with 4 stars rather than 5 stars for my purposes. I have not yet used the motion picture feature so can not comment on it.

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Buyer Beware!

I bought this product, my third Panasonic camera. It had an optical defect from the start, so I returned it under the warrantee. I didn't think it would be a big deal.

I have now been arguing with Panasonic for over a month. They are willing to replace it only with a refurbished/used model, whose history is unknown -- and which of course I could have bought for much less than the brand new one I did buy. They refuse to budge, and are entirely unhelpful.

So if you want a new camera, pick another brand!

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Am a novice and I like it!

I am a rookie...I just take the camera and click the button...thats all I can do...I dont really understand the complex settings...This camera has proved awesome for me so far...I just shift one button and it goes into video mode...The picture quality is great...both inside and outside...kind of okish during night and in low light...but I have been using it only in the auto setting...maybe I can change around some settings to get better pictures in low light...Also it looks really pretty. I think the battery life is just fine. The video quality just amazed me.Its super awesome...and even the voices are recorded perfectly. Oh I just found out these bunch of auto modes...for landscape, candlelight etc...they are just great!!!

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Lumix DMC-ZS1 one of the best point and shoot cameras

The quality picture you get by just aiming and pushing the button in any situation can't be beat.
And a note about Amazon. They have the internet business down pat: Order with a click or two, its sent out very fast and it's in your hands within a few days and in top condition. Thumbs up for Amazon and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 10MP Digital Camera. (I liked it so much that I gave it to a friend and went up a step and bought the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 12MP Digital Camera.)

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Great pictures!!!

I bought this camera for my daughter's birthday. She loves it. The zooom is wonderful and the pictures are awesome. It has alot of cool features. Great camera!!!

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1. 12MP digital camera; 230-000 pixel display resolution
2. 2.7 inch TFT screen LCD display
3. 40MB built-in memory; SD card slot
4. 28-112mm focal length; Lumix DC Vario lens
5. 4x optical zoom; 4x digital zoom; 28mm wide angle

Editorial Review :

Panasonic DMC-F3 Digital Camera Features

The 12.1-megapixel DMC-F3 features a 28mm wide-angle optical zoom lens with f/2.8 brightness. The 28mm wide-angle lens lets you easily capture large groups of people indoors or expansive architectural structures and scenes with dynamic width and rich perspective. The 4x optical zoom lens captures beautiful shots of people or landscapes with 12.1-megapixel full resolution. Use the extra optical zoom 2 when you want to pull the subject in just a little closer. It extends the 4x optical zoom ratio to 7.8x at resolutions of 3 megapixels or less, by using the central part of the CCD.

28mm Wide-angle 4x Optical Zoom Lens and Up to 7.8x Extra Optical Zoom
The 12.1-megapixel DMC-F3 features a 28mm wide-angle*1 4x optical zoom lens (35mm camera equivalent: 28-112mm) with f/2.8 brightness. The 28mm wide-angle lens lets you easily capture large groups of people indoors or expansive architectural structures and scenes with dynamic width and rich perspective. The 4x optical zoom lens captures beautiful shots of people or landscapes with 12.1-megapixel full resolution. Use the Extra Optical Zoom*2 when you want to pull the subject in just a little closer. It extends the 4x optical zoom ratio to 7.8x (35mm equivalent: 218mm) at resolutions of 3 megapixels or less, by using the central part of the CCD.

Auto Scene Mode
In the Auto Scene Mode, advanced detection functions work automatically and simultaneously to optimize your settings, making it easier than ever to take beautiful photos every time. It includes Intelligent ISO Control to detect subject movement, Face Detection AF/AE to detect faces in the frame and Intelligent Scene Selector to detect scene conditions. In addition, the DMC-F3 includes Digital Image Stabilizer to detect hand-shake and Digital Red-eye Correction (Red-eye Removal)*1 to take care of the red-eye effect that often happens when shooting with a flash.
*1 Digital Red-eye Correction mu

Customer Review :

No review yet

1. 14.1-megapixel effective recording
2. 8X optical zoom (4X digital/32X total zoom)
3. 2-11/16" LCD screen
4. Optical image stabilization
5. 35mm equivalent focal length: 25-200mm

Editorial Review :

Panasonic DMC-ZR3 Digital Camera Features

Thanks to the newly incorporated Intelligent Resolution technology, the Intelligent Zoom is available with the DMC-ZR3 which extends the zoom ratio by approx. 1.3x maintaining the picture quality even combining a digital zoom. This means the 8x optical can virtually extend to 10x equivalent. Furthermore, the Extra Optical Zoom function that extends zoom power to 16.9x by using the center part of the large CCD to bring subjects even closer.

25mm Ultra Wide-angle Lens
The 25mm ultra wide-angle lens* has about twice the shooting area as a standard 35mm lens. This enhances all kinds of shooting situations, like when you're photographing a group of people at an indoor party or shooting a large structure or sweeping landscape while traveling. * Converted to standard 35mm camera equivalent, at the maximum wide position.

HD Movie in AVCHD Lite
In addition to Motion JPEG images, the DMC-ZR3 can record high-definition motion images in AVCHD Lite. It features almost double the recording time in HD quality compared with the conventional Motion JPEG format.

Powerful 8x Optical Zoom
The DMC-ZR3 also lets you use zooming when taking motion pictures. Its powerful 8x optical zoom is ideal for capturing dynamic video clips of sports action or animals in nature.

High Quality Sound
The DMC-ZR3 features Dolby Digital Creator to record high quality audio, so you can match the beautiful movies with outstanding sound. *Dolby and the double-D symbol are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories.

POWER O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) Shake Detection
Just about everyone has had the experience of taking a photo at night and hoping to capture all the memories and beauty, only to be disappointed at the poor result. The POWER O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer)* nearly doubles the hand-shake correction power of conventional MEGA O.I.S. You get bright photos without blurring even from handheld sho

Customer Review :

Great Camera!

Love this camera!!14 MP w/ 25-200 Leica lens, HD video, easy to use!
Great camera for a great price!!!

Rating :

Great camera

Great product. Works well and is durable. Quality of the video is superb and software to view and edit the mts and/or mov files it produces is available online for free. Using a class 6, 32GB SD memory card and it works flawlessly. My only complaint is that in lower light settings the pictures are not as good as the video; they seem too dark. But that is when using the camera on full auto mode; I'm sure a real photo buff can alter some of the settings and make low lighting shots as good as the video. Other than that a great camera for the money that I highly recommend. Long battery life too.

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panasonic dmc-zr3

This is a great camera for the price, the pictures are beautiful and the settings for the camera are easy to use.



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Love this Camera

I purchased this camera to replace an older Olympus point and shoot digital camera after doing extensive research and looking at several different brands of digital cameras. I wanted more zoom power and this little camera delivers on that. Also, the wide angle lens makes beautiful pictures of large areas. It is very easy to use with easy to read buttons and settings. I wanted a large view screen (3" or larger), but this 2.7" screen works fine, and my pictures that I have made so far have beautiful color and clarity with the AUTO setting. I recommend this camera for any photography novice who doesn't want to fool with a lot of settings. Very pleased with this purchase.

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Great camera

I bought this as my wife's first digital camera. It was a hit (which wasn't easy). It is quality, easy to use and shoots great pictures and video. I'll probably get one for me too!

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1. 10MP digital camera; 230-000 pixel display resolution
2. 2.5 inch TFT screen LCD display
3. 50MB built-in memory; SD card slot
4. 33-132mm focal length; Lumix DC Vario lens
5. 4x optical zoom; 4x digital zoom

Editorial Review :

Panasonic DMC-F2 Digital Camera Features

The DMC-F2 packages a 33mm 4x optical zoom Lumix Vario lens with f2.8 brightness into a slim, compact body. Further, in 3-megapixel resolution mode, the extra optical zoom function provides additional magnification, extending the zoom power to 6.4x. The DMC-F2 incorporate an easy-to-see, large, 2.5-inch 230,000-dot high-resolution LCD for comfortable viewing while both monitoring shots and playing back the results. The intelligent LCD function detects the light condition and automatically boosts the LCD backlighting by max. 40% when shooting outdoors in bright sunshine, and adjusts the frame rate when shooting in low-lit situations.

Simple, Easy Operation Featuring Auto Scene Mode
In the Auto Scene Mode, advanced detection functions work automatically and simultaneously to optimize your settings, making it easier than ever to take beautiful photos every time. It includes Intelligent ISO Control to detect subject movement, Face Detection AF/AE to detect faces in the frame and Intelligent Scene Selector to detect scene conditions.

Extended Battery Life
Despite its slim body, the extended battery life of the DMC-F2 lets you take approx. 300 shots on a single charge*.*Based on the CIPA standard.

The DMC-F2 comes with a function to check whether the battery and unit can be safely used together. Batteries made by other companies which have been certified by Panasonic may be used with these units, but we offer no guarantee as to the quality, performance or safety of such batteries. Exercise care when purchasing batteries. Many fake or imitation batteries have been found among those sold at unusually low prices and those which customers cannot check for themselves before purchasing.

Intelligent Scene Selector
The Intelligent Scene Selector automatically sets the Scene Mode to either of Scenery, Portrait, Macro, Night Portrait*2 or Night Scenery. The camera judges it from the various dete

Customer Review :

This may turn out to be my dream camera!

I had to buy this with no reviews just faith in the Panasonic name for high quality precision items, and am happy to give it the first 5 star rating for the next customer. So far so good - just received it and have taken a couple dozen inside shots, some with flash and some without. I'm amazed at the clarity in low light situations using the flash, which my Kodak C190 12mp couldn't handle. Easy to change from auto to forced flash or no flash. Zooms smooth as silk - feels like a much higher-priced camera. Very small with big LCD. True to life color, not orange tint like Canon. 12mp overwhelms my old well-loved photo program so I was happy to find a high quality 10mp which is all I will ever need. Will review again in a couple of weeks after I've had time to give it a good workout. 300 shots on a battery charge will be a bonus, after having to change AAs out after a few shots on Kodak. I've been through Fuji, a couple HPs, two Canons, and 3 Kodaks which all 3 ended up with broken battery covers rendering them useless. I have high hopes for this Panasonic, haven't read the book yet to see what all it can do. :o)

Rating :

1. 10.1-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality poster-size prints
2. 2.5x wide-angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized zoom lens
3. 3.0-inch high-resolution LCD screen; HD video capture
4. Classic SLR-like manual operations include selectable AF spot/multi AF area, customization button, aperture, shutter, program and full manual modes
5. Capture images to SD/SDHC memory cards (not included)

Editorial Review :

Designed for easy, creative shooting, and high-performance in low-light conditions, the DMC-LX3 features a F2.0 24mm LEICA DC VARIO-SUMMICRON lens, 10.1 megapixels and an ultra-sensitive 1/1.63-inch CCD developed specifically for this model. By combining a high-quality lens and sensor ready for a variety of shooting conditions with a wide-range of accessories and manual controls, the DMC-LX3 is ideal for professional photographers and serious amateurs looking for a compact digital camera that furthers their creative photography.

Customer Review :

A great DSLR alternative, with some obvious concessions.

Bought this to replace the DSLR I was sick of lugging around. A bit on the noisy side at anything above ISO 100, but other than that a great all around shooter with more features and settings than one could shake a proverbial stick at. Awesome, awesome macro capability, even in HD movie mode. Speaking of which - nice to have the 720p video, but it is mostly a novelty, as it is limited to 24fps. Overall I am quite pleased, and would love to pick up a GF1 sometime once the price dips a bit more - the Lumix menus and interface are pretty intuitive and the build quality of their cameras is quite impressive, especially when my previous camera was a plastic-bodied entry level DSLR.

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review on lx3

good camera but 2.5 optical zoom is not enough. perfect for the view but for the object faraway, it's kind of hard to shoot.

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Replacement for this camera just announced: LX5

I have lusted after this camera for over a year. If you're looking at it, chances are you probably want something in between a compact camera and a digital SLR. This one has a great lens (wide angle plus no need to use the flash too much), bigger sensor (less noise), and just the right amount of bells and whistles. However, Panasonic has just launched a successor to this camera as of July 21st, 2010. It's available for pre-order now.

My context

To give you the context of my own situation, my last two digital cameras have been Panasonic compactss and I've been very happy with them. I own one of the early ultra-zooms and really liked the amount of light that the large lens let in at the wide end. I also own one of the wide-angle compacts and I really like the ability to take landscapes that a wide-angle allows.

As a side note, I've also tried a few Casios (EX-S1, EX-S500) and a few Canons. I no longer recommend most Casios: the two models that I've used both discharge their batteries when not in use. I am impressed by Canon's SD series, which are very reliable, but I've never found them as exciting in terms of features as the Panasonics. I've also noticed that Canon tends to let other companies innovate (slim size, long zoom, wide-angle compact) and then creates a competitor. This explains why Panasonic remains my favourite camera maker.

Dream camera?

Imagine my excitement at discovering my favourite camera maker made my dream camera: a wide-angle, large-lensed camera that supposedly produces great images and does not require much use of the flash. I was smitten.

Unfortunately, when I tried the LX3 in stores, I found it was bulky and did not have an integrated lens cap (the downside of all that glass). But the real surprise for me was how slow it was to record the images. I also found the zoom very limiting. So I didn't buy it, and now I'm glad I didn't.

Successor

Panasonic has just launched the LX5, which has the same bulk and lens cap. In fact, it may even be slightly bulkier with an enlarged grip. However, it now has more zooming power (and note that unlike the Canon S90, this camera lets a lot of light in even when zoomed in - that means fewer accidental flashes when you're trying to shoot landscapes at sunset/sunrise, or get close to that squirrel that you're trying to watch stuff its face), and improved handling. There's also more movie capability. Panasonic claim to have speeded up the camera, but I've yet to try one out and see if it's as disappointingly slow as the LX3.

Is it worth it?

The last word on this will be the price. I think that the sweet spot for a camera like this is probably 4/5 of the MSRP, which is where its biggest competitor (the S90) is. My take on it is that if you like the handling (bulk, speed, lens cap), you can't get a better compact camera. In the grand scheme of things, the price difference probably isn't as important as the pictures you'll take. This camera will be hard to improve upon, if only because of the laws of physics! When the S90 successor comes out, they may lengthen the zoom (probably at the expense of low light performance and noise on the sensor) and finally improve the control wheel, which I just didn't like. Panasonic is using a recessed thumbwheel in its newer models that I really prefer.

As for me, I've decided I want an even wider angle and an even larger sensor (to get even less noise), so I'm going for the GF1. I was surprised with how much better it felt to use than the LX3, even though there isn't too much difference in size (GF1 is 50% heavier ... without a lens!). The control wheel is great and the camera is pretty quick. I'll review that one soon.

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Still a contender, 24 months later...

There's a reason why the Lumix LX3 has no shortage of rave reviews; this is a camera that yields amazing pictures. Panasonic has made huge improvements in image processing between the LX1 model of 2005, and the LX3 of 2008. The LX3 is my first compact digicam that I can confidently use at ISO 400 and higher. With my older LX1, I was very reluctant to go above ISO 200. When you combine the improved higher ISO performance with the extremely fast lens, you have a camera that can be used in virtually any level of light from bright outdoor scenes to dimly lit interiors.

The LX3 is not the best camera for a beginner; it has a lot of features (perhaps too many) and lacks a wide zoom range. Also, the LX3 is quite thick compared to other models. But these trade-offs are more than balanced by the LX3's image quality and the ultra fast lens.

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great high end compact

It's not super compact. It's easy to use if you don't want to get complicated but no point in paying this much for a camera if you want to point and shoot.
The lens isn't very long. Great wide angle and decent portrait length but that's it.
The removable lens cap concerned me but having the extra protection for the lens is worth the extra effort keeping track of the cap.
The camera has manual focus, manual control of aperture and shutter, RAW capability, fast f2.0 lens with thin depth of field and decent macro. It also has simple control of the auto focus point, simple access to exposure compensation and force flash.
You must remove the battery to charge it so a backup battery might be worth considering. The battery takes a few hours to fully charge.
The included RAW processing software (Silkypix) is easy to use but I've started to use the Photoshop capability simply because it's convenient to launch straight into Photoshop after processing.
Careful with lens cleaning solution. Less than a drop was enough to fog the inside of the lens which took a day to dry out. Since I've used only SLRs I don't know if this is a common compact camera problem or one unique to this one.

Overall, it's a great camera for someone who wants creative options not available in many compacts.

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