Shopping CartPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 10MP Digital Camera with 12x Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.7 inch LCD (Black)
Date : January 21st, 2012
Review : 3 Reviews
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Price : $ 279.95
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Tags : 10MP, Angle, Black, Camera, Digital, DMCZS1, Image, inch, Lumix, MEGA, Optical, Panasonic, Stabilized, Wide, Zoom
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 10MP Digital Camera with 12x Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.7 inch LCD (Black)
- 10.1-megapixel resolution captures enough detail for poster-size prints
- 12x MEGA optical image-stablilized zoom; 25mm ultra-wide-angle lens
- Intelligent Scene Selector; Face Detection
- Intelligent Auto (iA) mode
- Capture images to SD/SDHC memory cards (not included)
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
First digital camera I’ve really loved.,
I’ve had quite a number `point and shoot’ digital cameras over the past decade-it seems I replace them about every three years. As a believer in the maxim, the best camera is the one you have with you, they have all been Canon Elphs But this time…I wanted more. One of the new compact designs with a big optical zoom, plus the wide angle lens. So it was natural that I picked out a Canon PowerShot SX200IS for an for a birthday trip to Italy. Glad I checked it out prior to departure – its form factor didn’t really work for me …A friend suggested the Lumix ZS1, which just happened to be on sale for $229 at Costco – a hundred dollars less than the Canon.
And I am so glad I made the exchange! The Lumix ZS1 delivers beyond all expectation. There was a point on the trip where I had a vision – imagine (if you go back to the 70′s as I do) having an entire photographers bag – say a Nikon F, with a kit of Nikor lens say a 24mm perspective control, 50mm macro, a couple of zooms, multiple camera backs, the flash, the motor drive- in a package that fits in your shirt pocket. The last camera that blew me away like this was the Olympus XA (old school 35mm) which delivered amazing optics in a shirt pocket size.
Cutting to the chase:
Pros:
Unbelievable Leica lens. You can’t imagine what a difference there is between 25 mm and 28 mm at the wide end. Imagine taking pictures of building facades and interiors as your eye sees them – and without distortion – extraordinary, and worth the decision to go with this camera alone. Even better – this lens works at all levels. This is by far the best the macro I’ve seen on a point and shoot, and the lens is solid all the way to 300mm equivalent – and yes, the image stabilization does really help – in old school terms, think light weight tripod with a very heavy long lens
Unbelievable Panasonic electronics. This has a very simple, yet incredibly rich feature set, all of which is useful, all of which delivers great, real world pictures, with as much real world manual control as you could want. For example – you can set the max ISO -which really gives you control over the F stop (since like most compact cameras there really isn’t that much of a range) and shutter speed, there is a very convenient toggle button on the camera body to increase/decrease exposure (+/- 2 f stops), and the IA (Intelligent Auto) is the best auto setting I have ever worked with. You do have to read the manual, however, and play with the multiple settings to fully realize what Panasonic has delivered.
Great sensor. Images are very sharp below 400 ISO as others have noted. But ultra low light performance, is what is truly amazing. Think: extraordinary rendition of Giotto’s frescos at the Basilica of St. Francis, tapestries at the Vatican, even the Sistene Chapel ceiling – settings where flash will not help or is not permitted – These demanded ISOs of up to 3200 – and the results look truly amazing – when printed, when projected.
Great build quality and ergonomic design. Part of what caused me to return the Canon – it simply didn’t fit in my hand well, and the control layout was awkward. This one fits perfectly in the hand, and every control both on the body and in the menus is well placed, well conceived. And it not only feels solid, it looks solid, and that is comforting.
Cons (yes there are a few, but they are few)
The view finder is bright enough in many situations (be sure to turn on the `auto mode’). But there is no substitute for an optical viewfinder in a bright outdoor setting.
Proprietary download cable. Why not use universal mini-USB to USB like Canon does?
Average battery life. All that zooming of the lens barrel and digital wizardry means that this needs to be charged daily
No HD video. I find the widescreen VGA mode delivers very acceptable performance – and because it works with the optical zoom, actually looks sharper than the Canon HD at any zoom setting (Canon is digital zoom). But I think the ZS3′s HD video will be even more awesome, and probably will end up being available for the same price point.
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|Amazing stuff in a small package,
Panasonic finally delivers on the noise end of things.
This is the first Lumix prosumer camera that I have seen where image noise is not a serious issue.
In fact, just prior to purchasing this camera I had to return a Lumix DMC-FX35K, which I found totally unacceptable in terms of image quality (see my other review).
This camera boasts a clean picture with properly controlled noise (very little smudging), it can produce a usable and very printable image up to 800 ISO. Images at 400 ISO are surprisingly good (for this kind of camera).
Awesome optics,from a very wide angle to a medium long telephoto, little distortion, no observed vignetting, very acceptable chromatic aberration, a veritable photographic powerhouse in your shirt pocket!
Exposure, good if only a bit on the overexposed end (to my taste).
All kinds of automation, too much to cover here.
Two types of optical stabilization, which on the whole a care little about, in my opinion the technology is far overrated (applies to all brands). You want tack sharp pictures in very low light, lean the camera against a wall a tree or a railing or mount it on a tripod, bean bag or just set it on a table.
Very good macro capabilities.
Shortcomings, mainly two:
1 – very limited manual controls (that kept me from giving it 5 stars)
This limitation precludes its usability as a serious photographic tool (pity!). Albeit, it can still take some tremendous pictures but at the mercy of its automation.
2- Absolutely terrible Auto White Balance under artificial light, especially the new compact fluorescents. Compensates a bit with an easy to use manual control but that is effective in skilled hands only. Panasonic better come up with a firmware update addressing this issue soon ,else they might start seeing a lot of returns.
In summary, a very flexible, well built and powerful camera squarely aimed at the traveler or occasional photo enthusiast.
The camera does have the potential to take breath taking images, but it is definitely not a photographers tool; although, given its price, size and sturdiness might work well as a “just in case” gadget for those “ouch” moments when your main camera is not available.
A curious observation:
this camera is endowed with a fabulous lens and an almost interminable list of scene modes and other automatic feature, yet it omits simple aperture priority and shutter priority modes which would have probably placed it in a class by itself. As I said before, what a pity!
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|Great travel camera,
I’ve just returned from my first vacation with this camera. I previously had a Kodak subcompact. Weight and size are good, still easy enough to carry in a purse or pocket. The wide angle takes a huge sweep of area in the photos. Pictures are crystal clear with a touch of roundness at the edges of the landscapes. The zoom is incredible, but it takes a special touch getting used to the sensitivity of the zoom dial. The zoom was my main reason for selecting this little camera, along with the fine Leica lens. I used the manual and IA settings, great shots both ways. Very good photos in low light and with the flash off. Huge screen for viewing your subject, but I do miss my old viewfinder. Easy to playback shots and review, as well as a quick upload. Included software is very good for editing, etc. I still have a lot of experimenting to do, the camera has tons of interesting feaures. Have not seen a downside as of yet, easy to use, battery life is quite good, I shot for most of the day before it wore down, and it fully recharges in a couple of hours. Highly recommend this camera for the travel buff that loves to take pictures.
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