Highly Recommended
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Highly Recommended
Reviewed:
May 2009
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The latest generation of Panasonic's popular 'travel zoom' compact camera range gets a longer 12x zoom with a true (25mm) wide angle, a resolution boost to 10MP and a wealth of new 'intelligent auto' features. Fitting a 25-300mm lens into such a small body is quite an achievement, throw in the ability to capture 720p60 video (using AVCHD Lite format) and you've got a formidable hybrid camera that is still, just, pocketable. Like its less expensive sibling the ZS1 (which drops the HD video mode and high-res screen), the DMC-ZS3 offers class-leading image quality in a well-built and easy to use package. (April 2009)
| Quick links: | Announcement | Review | Sample gallery | Forum |
| Announced: | Jan 27, 2009 |
| Price range: | $400 |
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Average rating:
4.28
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Opinion: This is an outstanding camera that convinces in every respect. After two days of intensive testing I am very happy with the results. IQ is as good as it gets for a tiny sensor, at ISO 80 I can see barely a difference to my 40D in mid-sized prints. Thanks to the very effective image stabilization higher sensivities can be avoided in most cases. If needed, high-iso performance is in line with its best competitors. HD-Video is surprisingly good and a very welcome addition. The TZ7 (ZS3 elsewhere) is probably the most versatile compact around.
What really matters to me: This little gem is FUN to use.
Problems: No viewfinder. The screen is excellent, though.
Opinion: I've just got this new gadget, I traded in my TZ5 -which I used for a year, and was very pleased with- and also my heavy FZ30 -fine camera, but ever since I got the TZ5 with its 10x zoom, I hardly used it anymore.
So I didn't have to pay so much for this TZ7. It's a bit thinner -fits better in the pouch- and the power of 25mm wide angle AND the 300mm zoom is immediately apparent in the pics I made. Panasonic's got a winner here! 25mm or 28mm, it sounds so unimpressive, but you see SO much more.... Sharpness of pic, overall handling, NO complaints at all...I was one of the first 10 customers buying one, got an extra battery for free. For anyone wanting to have a pocket-sized digicam with a hefty powerful zoom, Buy it!
Problems: None as yet......
Opinion: a camera to beat this year
very slim for a 12x zoom
AVCHD saves space
wonderful sound quality
brilliant picture
A definite upgrade from TZ5,3, or even FZ series!
Opinion: I've had the TZ7 for a couple of weeks now and am really enjoying it. The versatile zoom range is so useful I'm using the wide end a lot. IQ is quite good, compared to my Fuji F31fd I'd say it's resolving power is similar and the colours are quite accurate with Auto WB. Nevertheless it's the video features that really make this camera stand out: efficient compression, zooming during videos and good sound quality. How many camcorders of the same price give you 25mm wide angle and optical image stabilisation ? None that I know of !
Problems: occasional unresponsive buttons ... can't tell if this is a software issue or hardware.
Zoom rocker and shutter slightly wobbly... but not affecting use.
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 | 22.3 megapixels 3.2" screen Full frame sensor |
