Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 / DMC-TZ7 Digital Camera

I lost my TZ5, a camera that consistently produced great images. I bought the TZ7 as a replacement and just assumed that it would be as good, with a few extra bells-n-whistles.
It does have a few extra facilities, but I don't think that the focussing is as sharp, and the colour rendition seems to be constantly out.
Within Photoshop, you can "Automaticly" sort out colour balance, tone, contrast etc. The TZ7 consistently needs more adjustment.
I'm not saying its a bad camera, it's very good compared with the competition(Even though it is pricey), I'm just saying that I don't think its as good as the 5.

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This is an excellent camera with great zoom for a pocket sized point and shoot. Good picture quality and takes pretty good video as well. The menus are user friendly and camera straight forward to use. The camera doesn't have manual functions but if you are after a good point and shoot this is a nice camera.
However, I'm having to return the one I bought on E-Bay as it's an American model. These have NTSC video output that isn't always compatible with UK TV's. So if you're buying one from E-Bay make sure it's the UK model and if it doesn't say ask the sellar before buying!

This my 4th digital camera, and obviously the technology improves every 3-4 years.
One thing that does not change is that the lens is one, if not THE most critical components of a good camera. Above 5m pixels a good lens coupled with a sound operating system ensure quality pictures as much as the expanding race ever more pixels.
This Camera with out doubt, give the best results I have ever encountered. I'm able to take stunning pictures even in very low light conditions.
With a LEICA lens offering 25-300mm of zoom and a 1.33-4.6 aperture, we are finally seeing digital cameras that can sit comfortable along side the mid range 'film' equivalents of 15 years ago.
Recommended very highly

I down graded from a DSLR to this camera and WOW what a breath of fresh air this is. I find that while the pictures are a little grainier i am able to take more consistent pictures. The camera i have is the ZS3 which is the American version which mean it takes video in NTSC and not PAL which is no big deal but the TZ7 which is the euro version has it's video clips limited to 15 minutes which the ZS3 does not. There plenty of scene modes for just about all occasions and the Intelligent Auto is brilliant by assessing the picture and chooses the correct scene for you. The pictures themselves are very good but a little grainy in low light but for a 12x zoom and HD video which looks good on the computer, I haven't tried it on the tv, it's superb. Macro mode is very good it focus's down so close things are almost touching the lens. Plus it's all rather potable small enough to go in most pockets. The battery seems to last long enough for a days mucking about but a spare is always a good idea. Only time will tell but on the face of it i think i will enjoy using this camera, taking photo's with no hassle and you are not carrying around a huge setup giving up very little in the quality stakes. Very happy 9/10

this camera is very nice and compact, and also still has a powerful zoom and great pictures with a nice look to the camera to.In a nutshell maybe the best camera of its type on the market.

Absolutely love this camera, just bought after looking around for weeks for a replacement to my Kodak V610.

This camera (bought in a trendy Blue colour,so had to get a USA version, but makes no difference to me as I have a multistandard TV anyway which copes with NTSC output for plain video!).

I cannot praise it highly enough, I have had a Lumix before, can't remember the model number now, but found this was a little bulky at the time, and also a Ricoh Caplio R6 (gorgeous camera but wanted higher zoom), so bought a Kodak V610 10x optical zoom, and now I've gone full circle back to Panasonic!

Unlike the Kodak, this camera produces brilliantly exposed pictures indoors where previously the Kodak I had failed miserably 95% of the time, it was basically rubbish, the Kodak even quite a bit of the time didn't produce anything decent even in bright sunlight, and forget taking pictures with the sun behind the subject, it just couldn't handle it regardless of what scene mode you used! The Lumix however handles all of this and more!

Every shot I have taken to date has been perfectly exposed, NO SHAKY KODAK HERE, and for an amateur like myself, I'm far from a professional, I wouldn't know an f-stop from a bus stop, it's great!

I considered quite a few cameras, but I went with what I know, Panasonic's Lumix range has never let me down (sorry for straying from the brand!), even though larger than others, they (well seem to be) appear a little bit more pcoketable than previous models, and are great quality cameras!

They get a 10/10 from me.

I love the quality of the outdoor pictures and videos, I love the 12 x optical zoom, I dislike the lack of brightness for the indoor pictures and I hate the very short battery life, but it's still the best cam I've seen yet

I don't believe that someone whose profession is not a professional photographer will need a better camera than the specific one. Rather impressive specifications with a very good optical zoom for a compact camera.

In short, one of the best compacts on the market just got better, and as such we can easily award the Lumix TZ7 / ZS3 our Highly Recommended rating. (http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Panasonic_Lumix_DMC_TZ7_ZS3/verdict.shtml)

I think that the specific camera is indeed one of the best cameras you can buy on the market....!!!!!

I was starting to hate carrying around a digital SLR camera and a separate video camera. My SLR camera takes great shots but the price I paid was the bulk and weight. My video camera was getting a bit old and really needed replacing. The Panasonic ZS3 seemed to fit the bill - it could replace both.

Sure, the Panasonic would never be able to do all the fancy stuff that my digital SLR could, but I found that I was never using any of the advanced features anyway, all I needed was a good zoom range, a good flash, macro focusing and a decent amount of mega pixels.

I'm really happy with the Panasonic, the pictures are sharp and clear with good , accurate colour depth, it has single-pint, multi-point or face focusing and it doesn't take ages "thinking" before taking a picture.

The video mode is fantastic - much better than my dedicated video camera which originally cost three times the price. The US version doesn't have the 15min video length limit that the Euro version does - something to do with import duty and video cameras - so I went for the US version. Bought it off eBay cheaper than I could have bought the Euro version locally!

There are similar cameras from other manufactures that appear to have the same or slightly better specifications on paper compared to the Panasonic that can be bought for a cheaper price, but the Panasonic consistently gets good reviews, so that swung me in the end.

Only downside was Panasonic are now shipping the cameras with firmware v1.2 and its only new "feature" compared to the previous version was to block 3rd-party batteries, forcing you to buy the over-priced Panasonic spare batteries. I found v1.1 via Google and flashed the firmware, then bought a couple of spare batteries off eBay that are now working fine. I'd recommend doing the same, either though the Panasonic website says its not possible to down-grade the firmware version; they're wrong.

i love the price of this camera it the best u can buy priced this in a high street shop came it at £299.99 just the camera only so its fantastic value

The camera is lovely, however am still trying to get used to holding it without it slipping through my fingers. I previously owned a panasonic DMC-FZ7 which features the same 12x zoom but a lot bigger and much more sturdilly built. It could be held and operated easily with one hand. However the TZ7 even though technologically much more advanced, needs a lil extra care when it comes to handling.

Another problem I had was tuning the camera up especially when it cameto indoor pictures. The colour reproduction especially on human skin just wasnt natural at all, despite setting the colour mode to vivid and went to great lenghts manually adjusting the white balance to get the most natural colour. Outdoor pictures were a lot better. Havent really used the video HD mode so not sure how that will perform. The 460k dot LCD screen is just amazing with crystal clear and sharp images produced.

On the overall, a very good camera ( and quite heavily priced as well )

Know what you are buying! The ZS3 is the version of the TZ7 for the American market. It is not labelled anywhere on camera or manual or box as being TZ7. It should not be sold by UK sellers. Manufacturers warranty in UK not valid!! Check if the retailer is offering you a retailers warranty and what is covered by that...is it as complete as a manufacturers warranty? Is the retailer going to stay in business for the year or go bump/disappear and leave you high and dry? If it goes wrong after that you may have to send it to the States for repair. But having said that Panasonic in UK may repair it but need to get parts from USA (software different apparently but how it's different I don't know). Also remember with this camera you will always have to use a travel adapter to charge battery...and if you go on holiday you'll have USA charger into UK adapter into European or Asian or whatever adapter unless you can get hold of American to European etc.

I bought this thinking it was TZ7.

You need to weigh up whether saving few quid (and it is only a few quid) is worth the hassle/worry.

As for the merits of the camera..not really used it yet but there are plenty of other rviews about.

Good luck

I decided to buy it because i had a TZ3 which i loved in every way, i thought the TZ7 would be better, it is an amazing camera but I prefare the TZ3, the reasons are as follows > the TZ3 gave you a choice of PAL or NTSC for video, the TZ7 doesent, it's either PAL OR NTSC only, you must be very careful to make sure you get the right camera for your country, although I bought mine in the UK it turned out to be NTSC which cannot be played on our DVD players or Televisions.
The TZ3 also allowed you to choose any file/image size on auto or iA mode, the TZ7 will only let you do that in auto, in iA mode it will only allow widescreen format and 3million pixels or higher for photos.
if you want traditional format 1:43 for example or a low resolution photo for emailing you can only use auto setting, also the TZ3 allowed you to use image/file sizes right down to PC or VGA sizes, the TZ7 does not.
the last annoying issue which panasonic will have to address is> where they placed the video record button, its a great idea having a button which instantly changes to recording video fast for when you see a situation you don't want to miss, BUT they placed the button right where you place your thumb when holding the camera so you will be pulling your hair out because of how often you accidently start recording video even when your just trying to take a photo.
Chris (ireland) professional photographer

Really nice photos and really good quality of movies for a compact!
But normal in low light, Panasonic can make better if I compare with some other products...

This might put a dent in your wallet, but it's very worth it. Best compact camera ever ! It is the next best thing to SLR cameras.

excellent photos nice big screen very bright plenty of auto programs also has very good right ups in all the photo mags

My Wife has bought me this camera for xmas, so I've only used it on a test basis to make sure it was working o k. It has a nice 3" screen thats really clear and the photos I've taken so far are excellent. A nice compact camera that fits in the pocket, that takes sharp pictures, and has 12 x optical zoom,I bought a spare battery on E-bay as the write ups said you needed a spare and so far this seems a lovely little camera.
D Hudson

what is there too dislike its a great camera and has a wonderful lense. its easy too use and gives lovely photos. recomended.

I bought this camera because it was highly recommended by 'WHICH'. I emailed the seller to ask some questions that I had. The response was quick and detailed and very friendly and helpful. My Camera arrived next day and I took it to mexico. My pictures are professional quality! The zoom is amazing and the colours are so vivid that its like being back on holiday again when we look at them. The Videos are so clear and the camera is very very easy to use. I am no photographer but I felt like David Bailey. My partner said he is surprised I did not have a white rectangular tan mark across my face when we got home.... I simply could not put it down. I took over 1000 photos and 10 videos and the 8gb memory card was still not full. I cannot recommend this product highly enough ... same goes for the seller. It was a bargain!

Having owned numerous cameras, from DSLR to point and shoot, I feel competent at giving an unbiased review about this little jewel. I usually buy canon cameras, and own a D60, G2 and an Ixus. Yet after buying the first Lumix FZ 20 I really liked the results.

The DMC-ZS3 does not produce the noise the great FZ20 does, and picture quaility is outstanding. I honestly do not carry the DSLR with all the heavy expensive lenses around any more, unless I really need fast ation shooting like airshows.

Things I like:
Great colour balance and saturation, resulting in awesome photos.
No visible sharpening artifacts.
Quick startup time, and very little lag when shooting.
Useable 12 times zoom with no quality loss.
I own a TM300 HD video camera, and the video on the ZS3 is so good that many a time I use the ZS3 for video too. OK it is limited, yet the best I have seen on any photo camera. (this is 720p yet still looks sharp on 47" LCD).
Portability is what makes this camera stand out. I would have lost so many great pics and video clips had I not had this camera.
The video capability does not compromise photo quality at all.

Things I would have liked.

More manual controls


Things I dislike

Hit and miss flash photography. Many a time picture is underexposed. This can be fixed through a firmware update, as the flash is by no means weak.
Settings dial turns easily, and I hope this issue will be addressed.
No viewfinder as LCD is not good enough to see in very bright sunlight.


Conclusion

A really great superzoom camera, which does not compromise on picture quality.
Regardless of other reviews, my ZS3 remains in focus during zooming whilst in video mode. (Slow zoom in video, yet very useable).
The best non DSLR camera out there, and dare I say, it even beats some quality DSLRs. After all a DSLR is as good as its lens.....

Hi, I bought it for my work. I will be putting up a lot of pics nd videos on my website www.geniedream.com and I am pleased with it. I bought it for the Zoom and wide angle lens - very happy.

this is the best pocket camera around,Leica lens makes quality of photos 2nd to none. 25mm to 300 mm lens beats any digital zoom equivalent.