REVIEW: Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
all the way to 300mm. That’s a lot of zoom! It uses Secure Digital memory for storage, and is SDHC compatible, allowing for up to 32 GB cards to be used. It also takes 60fps 720p videos in either AVCHD Lite or MJPEG formats, has optical image stabilization, and you can zoom while shooting a video - a feature many comparable cameras lack. Please rate and comment on the video, and subscribe to our channel. Thanks! … “Panasonic DMC-ZS3″ “digital camera” review “Digital Home Thoughts” “Jason Dunn” …
THANKS SO MUCH
You’re a huge help. I was just wondering, is there a lot of shutterlag? (I hate it when it takes a while to load or takes a while in between photos).
Also, is there a mode/setting where the close up is focused and the rest is blurred a little?
Lastly (haha), will there be an improved version of this Panasonic in about a year that you know of?
I’d love to get a new camera soon, but I’d rather wait a year if it’s known that there will be a new one like it soon
Nope. This is a problem that all cameras like this have. I’ve read about a camera that’s coming out next year that’s supposed to use some sort of noise cancellation technology to minimize this problem. . . can’t recall what brand it is.
- Jason
During the shooting video while ZOOMING, the motor makes BIG noise. It is unbearble. Any fix?
The delay time really depends on if you need to use the flash - it so, it takes about 2-3 seconds to recharge it. That’s pretty typical for point and shoot cameras. If you want a fast camera, buy a DSLR.
- Jason
Yes, it has that feature.
- Jason
does this have a mode to where when you take pictures it has lines (that grid chart thing) so that you know your picture is leveled?
It has a 10 second and 2 second timer. As for what makes it good in other ways, I think my video explains that. . .
- Jason
2 hours 5 minutes of video on a 16 GB card when the camera is in AVCHD Lite mode. I’m using a Transcend Class 6 card. You’ll want at least a Class 4 card, Class 6 is better.
- Jason
how long can you video tape for on a 16GB card and do you recommend any specific cards for speed . last question what is the delay time when taking pictures my old digital took something like 2 seconds between pictures
thanks a lot
John
thanks for the quick reply, like you i like the red but live in Canada(ontario) so i am getting my brother to get me one from NY circuit city, also much cheaper $299 US vs $399 CAD at almost the same exchange rate, I guess retailers in canada have’t realized that yet or they just make more money off of us thanks again
john
Hopefully you bought it via my Amazon affiliate link.
- Jason
I haven’t used either of those other two cameras, so I’m afraid I can’t be of any help. . . I can only say that before I bought the ZS3 I looked at other comparable cameras on the market and thought that the ZS3 was the best there was for my needs.
- Jason
great video, trying to decide between the Sony DSC-H20, the Panasonic DMC ZS3 or the Samsung WB550 for pictures and video, any suggestions please? or any other comparable camera u recommend
thanks
Just bought one, thx to ur vid.
does this have a 10, 5, or 2 second timer? And is this really good in any way other than the optical zoom? i love the zoom, and i think it’s something that’s a really cool feature, but i don’t know how often i’d actually use it
Thanks for answering so quickly. I kind of think the same as you about the black camera. It’s hard, not cheap, but I don’t think it’s metal. . . the silver one I have feels like metal to me, but yours might be, too, just maybe the paint made it feel different or something. Your cam just looks so shiny, it’s hard to tell. I would check it out in person if a store around here carried this awesome camera. I’d have to order it or exchange mine and take a chance. Thanks for the suggestion!
That question is hard to answer, because it’s not metal, it’s plastic - and your perception of how obvious it is might be different than mine. In my opinion, it doesn’t feel cheap or plastic-like, but anyone that looks closely can tell it’s not metal. . . so I don’t know if you’d be happy with it. Why not go check it out in person?
- Jason
I have a question about the red camera. . . . does the body look like colored metal or like a tough painted hard plastic? I have the silver and it feels and looks more metal, but my dad got the black and his looks less like hard plastic and has a different feel, but I know it’s supposed to be the same. . . . how does the red camera feel? I am thinking about exchanging mine for a red one because it’s just such a nice color. . . . but I don’t want it to feel cheap or plastic-like. Any input would be helpful.
Adobe’s Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements bundle is pretty good, though Premiere Elements has a habit of crashing. Windows Live Movie Maker would be a good place to start because it’s free.
- Jason
What editing software, preferably for both pic and video, would you recommend to work well w/ the ZS3? Good for a beginner to work with?
Thx
Peace,
Em
YouTube kept blocking my reply yesterday, but in a nutshell, the GF1 has 5x less pixel density than the LX3 - and the LX3 has 2x less pixel density than the ZS3. Less pixel density = better low-light performance. So while the LX3 is better than the ZS3 in that regard, it comes nowhere close to the GF1.
- Jason
oh and the flash sync speed is no higher than 160th of a second.
The GF1 is very tempting but I think I will wait for the prices to drop on the new technology. If you compare aspect ratios of the GF1 to the LX3, you don’t gain a whole lot.
3648 x 2736 on the LX3 and
4000 x 3000 on the GF1
Whats up with the bit depth of 12 bit on the GF1? The LX3 has 24.
I haven’t reviewed the LX3, but I’ve heard good things about it - I don’t think it comes in red, but I could be wrong. I’m ordering a Panasonic GF1 because I’ve fallen in love with the reasonably small size with that 20mm lens and the amazing low-light performance. I’m super excited about that camera!
- Jason
very good review.
Have you reviewed the LX3? I’m VERY interested in this camera because of amazing manual controls on a point and shoot but I’m not sure if it comes in red.