71%
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71%
Reviewed:
Jun 2010
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The ZS5, like its predecessors, is a solid and pleasantly weighty metal-bodied camera with a good selection of exterior control points, complemented by a reasonably clear menu system.The 12MP ZS5 packs a useful 25-300mm (equivalent) lens which is amongst the most versatile currently on the market. As far as image quality is concerned, the ZS5 turns in excellent results overall, and output is towards the top end of the models in its segment of the market in terms of detail reproduction and optical sharpness. Despite the impressive breadth of its feature set, one of the most appealing things about the ZS5 is that it is very reliable. If you're not feeling too adventurous, just switch the dial to 'iAuto'.
| Quick links: | Announcement | Review | Sample gallery | Forum |
| Announced: | Jan 26, 2010 |
| Price range: | $330 - $350 |
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Average rating:
4.41
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Opinion: Great zoom range. Beautifully crisp, sharp images. Good colour and exposure. Very
easy to use if you just leave it on the iA (auto) setting, but there are a lot of features
and variables to keep track of if you use any of the other settings. Overall, I'm very
happy with this camera.
Problems: I would echo Smada's comment about the lens's limited depth of field — I've tried
opening up the lens all the way, but haven't yet been able to really isolate a subject
with selective focus.
Another limitation concerns macro photography. If you want to get really close to
your subject, you can do so only on the wide-angle setting, which distorts your
subject. It won't focus close to your subject off the wide-angle setting.
My only other complaint is with the user manual. My camera came with a very basic
user manual. The "advanced" manual was a pdf document on CD, which I ended up
getting printed commercially. I contacted Panasonic, and the rep said they've had
many complaints about the lack of a printed copy of the user manual. Also, I found
the user manual not well organized and not easy to understand. Previously, I've had
Canon digital cameras, and their user manuals were much better by comparison.
No reliability or quality issues so far. The camera has worked perfectly since I got it
two months ago.
Opinion: This camera - ZS5 - was picked out as a replacement to FZ5 that worked very well thru 115 deg dry heet of Palm Springs to 90deg Houston sauna to -30 Siberian winter. Been to Vietnam and all over Europe too. Sold it to another happy photo bug :) My girl and parents got TZ4s from me awhile back and are very happy with them.
I must add I'm not affiliated with Panasonic and was very picky buying cameras, believe it or not.
I bought camera in Alaska while on business trip, it was on sale and no taxes, great value :)
Camera has excellent ergonomics, very good to excellent pic quality, good battery life, sufficient LCD. Although, ability of using 3rd party replacement batteries would be VERY desirable, did you hear that Panasonic?
Overall, very pleased with my purchase.
Problems: No problems, but 3rd party battery support would be a killer deal.
Opinion: Just bought a ZS5 (previously want to buy a ZS3, but drop the idea due to its size and weight and the newer models; like the ZS10 seems to be overloaded with too many functions that I don’t need.) This super zoom and super wide compact camera is all I needed for a walk. Excellent IQ; sharp and good color tone with the Leica Lens.
Problems: not yet.
Opinion: Good list of features. Lacking manual focus which this
camera should have. Great Zoom.
I took several good pictures before the camera broke.
The video quality is good as well.
When the camera worked, I was happy with it and
could stand to deal with the other issues, but now I
wish I never had strayed from Canon.
Problems: The lens broke 3 weeks into owning the product. one
week at the customer support/services department
and they still do not know where my camera is, let
alone know when I will get it back. VERY
FRUSTRATING!! And none of the tech support people
speak English, so communicating my frustration to
them is pointless.
Other issues were:
1. I had to fiddle around with the settings quit a bit to
get the image quality to be good. A lot of the
automatic settings produce very poor pictures.
2. The way the camera save images on the SD card
(file storage format) is poor. You cannot create folders.
All files are stored in one AND ONLY one folder.
3. Due to the file storage format, you are essentially
required to use their software to download the images
if you want them in separate folders based on day of
image capture.
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 | 22.3 megapixels 3.2" screen Full frame sensor |
