Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 10MP Digital Camera

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3A digital camera records HD motion images at a smooth 60 frames per second with 1280 x 720-pixel resolution. It uses the AVCHD (MPEG-4/H.264) format, via AVCHD Lite, which stores less data than other formats and As a result lets you shoot more minutes of HD motion images before running out of memory. It features the Dolby sound, the ZS3 records dynamic, true-to-life audio that brings out the power of the HD images. The Wind cut function minimizes the distracting sound you hear from wind blowing into the mic.

The YouTube Uploader software makes it easy to upload your video clips to YouTube. The ZS3 is equipped with an HDMI output terminal for direct transmission of digital picture and sound signals. Just connect the camera to an HDTV using a single HDMI mini cable (purchased separately) and it's easy to view beautiful HD photos and motion images. If you have a VIERA HDTV, you can control the camera's playback functions with VIERA's remote control unit.

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.

The ZS3 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.

• Leica DC Vario-Elmar Lens with 12x Optical Wide-Angle Zoom

• 12x Optical/4x Digital/21.4x Extended Optical/85.5x Combined Zoom

• AVCHD Lite: Beautiful HD motion images, Extended Shooting Time

• MEGA Optical Image Stabilizer

• Large Bright 3-inch Color LCD Monitor With Power LCD Function and High-Angle Mode

• 1/2.33" 10.1 Megapixel Effective CCD With Multi Aspect Mode, Primary Color Filter

• Venus Engine HD LSI

• Intelligent Auto Mode

• Advanced Face Detection With Face Recognition

• AF Tracking, Quick AF

• Intelligent ISO Control (IIC)

• Intelligent Exposure

• Intelligent Scene Selector

• HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) Output

• 26 Still Picture and 17 Movie Scene Modes to Cover A Wide Variety of Shots

• High Sensitivity Mode up to 6400 ISO Equivalent

• Large-Capacity, High-Speed Storage Media -- SD and SDHC Memory Card

• Unlimited Consecutive Shooting

• Auto Exposure Bracketing

• Built-in Digital Flash

• Real-Time Histograms

• 40MB Built-In Memory

• Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3A 10.1 Megapixel Digital Camera
• DMW-BCF10 Li-Ion Battery Pack
• Battery Charger
• Battery Carrying Case
• A/V Cable
• USB Cable
• AC Cable
• Hand Strap
• Software CD-ROM: PHOTOfunSTUDIO Viewer, ArcSoft MediaImpression, ArcSoft Panorama Maker, QuickTime, Adobe Reader, USB Driver)
• Panasonic Warranty

Very pleased with camera, not with lack of memory, August 20, 2009

By Jeremy Woodring

I am very pleased with this camera as a whole. I was disappointed when I opened it to find it did not include a memory card or an HDMI mini-cable. This was not pointed out in the description of the product and I am not familiar with buying electronics so I didn't even think about it prior to the purchase. With that said, I am pleased with the camera itself.

By Dvir

This camera is great and I'm glad I bought it.
It is very small, but equipped with good lens which includes a x12 zoom.
The camera is easy to use so it's great for older people too who just want to use the auto mode most of the time. The HD video is what made me buy this camera over its competitors becuase it is very useful and it also saves to AVCHD format.

The only thing I find problematic with this camera is the high noise level in pictures, even in rather low ISO. Some pictures look very grainy and noisy and I fear it will damage the overall quality of the images I'm taking.