Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 12.1 MP Digital Camera with 12x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 3.0-Inch LCD (Silver)
by Panasonic
Our Price: $499.99
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Category: Digital Camera
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Digital Photo Product Details
Manufacturer: PanasonicModel: DMC-ZS7S
Color: Silver
Product features:
- 12.1-megapixel effective recording
- 12X optical zoom (4X digital/48X total zoom)
- Built-in GPS function lets you keep track of your photos by location
- 3" LCD screen
- Optical image stabilization
- Joby GP1-A1EN Gorillapod Flexible Tripod (Grey and Black)
- Adobe Photoshop CS5 Upgrade [Old Version]
- Aperture 3
- Manfrotto 7302YB M-Y Tripod with Ball - Replaces 725B
- Pixelmator [Old Version]
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 12.1 MP Digital Camera with 12x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 3.0-Inch LCD (Silver)
Customer Review: Perfect Camera for the Field Biologist? Read Below.
Summary: 3 Stars
I thought this camera would be the perfect camera for the field biologist (ornithologist in my case) for several reasons:
1) Compact, really doesn't make sense to be lugging an SLR into remote locations on foot if amazing photography isn't your primary goal.
2) Megazoom, Leica lens
3) High quality 720p video (with zoom and stereo sound)
4) Built-in geotagging capability
What separated this camera from my other considerations? The built-in geotagging capability. Why does this camera get 3 stars rather than 4? The built-in GPS. Field biologists beware: It will not lock-on in a forest; the canopy is too much of an obstruction. I should have known this was no Garmin receiver...oh well.
As for the rest of the camera. First let me say that I am coming from the Fuji Film F30, one of the finest compacts at its release in many's eyes. I have experience with dSLR but won't hold a compact to their picture quality standard. I've mated this camera to a class 10 8GB SD card with 30 mb/s write speed capability.
DISAPPOINTMENTS:
1. Battery life and charging: Battery life is acceptable, but downright terrible in comparison to the F30. I recommend a second or third battery, especially if you are taking this into the field. The fact you can't charge it without removing the battery is an oversight by Panasonic, although it isn't a deal breaker for me as it is for some. I consider it a minor inconvenience.
2. Picture-quality: *7/27 update* I've taken some great outdoor photos with this thing; it's very capable you just need to explore all its settings and give it a tripod so it can use low ISOs in low light situations* Inconsistent at times, pretty average to slightly above average all-around which is a disappointment for a compact at this price point. All the technology that goes into intelligent auto often leaves me thinking the camera is "thinking too hard" -- the camera is capable of very nice photos but consistently struggles in intelligent auto when lighting or subject are just a tad tricky. So essentially pictures are too hit or miss. But when the ZS7 nails the photo and can use a low ISO, I think it's well above average for a compact. Still, the low-light performance is not great. I'm shocked when the camera needs to go to ISO 800 in shady outdoor conditions to achieve 1/30s shutter speed...what the heck?! ISO 800 is just about the limit with a small sensor 12.1 MP camera before noise is obvious. I consider this an outdoor camera only now, especially coupled to such an anemic flash. The 6.1 MP CCD and metering in the 4 year-old Fuji F30 clearly takes superior pictures...
3. GPS (see above)
4. *7/27 Update*: After lot of heavy use, I still find the Macro mode auto-focus terrible, even if a flower is 80% of the frame, it seems to love to focus on the ground or whatever the lower surface is if its within a few inches of the subject.
MACRO-mode autofocus (preliminary) and autofocus in general: Although I haven't had much time to use it, I was surprised how much trouble the autofocus was having taking a easy picture of a flower with macro mode enabled. I tried all of the autofocus settings (spot, average, 11 spot, etc etc) and still wasn't impressed. Autofocus has come to several "interesting conclusions" as to what the subject of my picture is as well.
5. Burst mode limited to 3 pictures if you are shooting the high-quality picture size, and there definitely is pretty long lag between them.
THE "GOOD":
1. The zoom lens. Very nice. Nearly silent (I can't hear it, but the speakers do pick it up in video mode) and powerful with little image deterioration.
2. The large screen is of very high quality.
3. Nice video, quick write times with this powerful card. Good audio.
4. FULL FEATURED and logically laid out. Overall, navigating the plethora of menus and options is intuitive. I have not had problems with accidentally pressing the dedicated record button or accidentally switching to playback from image capture mode. The quick menu with dedicated button is especially nice. I have to say, some of the features are overboard and don't work that well, like face recognition.
5. Manual control, shutter priority, and aperture priority modes.
MISCONCEPTIONS AND FIRMWARE UPDATE
I also want to clear up something I believe I read in a review here. In airplane mode, the GPS does not use battery when the camera is off, at least AFAIK and as far as the detailed manual (which IS available online if you are persistent) indicates. Airplane mode means the camera will attempt to lock on only when the camera is first turned on.
A 1-star review also claims that the GPS reverts to "ON" whenever you turn the camera on. This is not true; if you select GPS OFF, it will remain off.
I have also not noticed any shutter lag. I'm not sure if that reviewer meant lag between pictures, which could be a function of the memory card used.
Also, please note that there is a firmware update for this camera. I purchased mine 2 weeks ago and it came with the outdated v1.0 firmware. Update (v. 1.1) and installation instructions are available on the product page at Panasonic's website.
-------
11/27/10 Update:
How do I feel now that even more time has passed?
a. I feel I was a little harsh in calling the battery life "terrible." It's adequate for most people I'm sure. Even with the GPS on continuously, one battery will last a full day. If you are going on an extended (2+ days) outdoors trip without access to charging, I still think you'll want an extra battery or two.
b. Photo quality: Still feel the same. More hit or miss than I'd like; average to slightly above average photo quality overall, which would be okay if it were an average compact camera in pricing (it was $300 when I bought it). Still feel that macro mode autofocus is poor.
c. Video quality: Actually not as good as I initially thought. This really won't substitute for a video camera unless you're in a pinch.
d. Zoom is still very impressive! GPS still needs open sky above. Still 3 stars overall: Not bad, but I think you can probably do better nowadays.
More Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 12.1 MP Digital Camera with 12x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 3.0-Inch LCD (Silver) reviews:
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Description of Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 12.1 MP Digital Camera with 12x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 3.0-Inch LCD (Silver)
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 delivers AVCHD Lite HD movie recording capability, 25mm ultra wide-angle and powerful 12x optical zoom lens in a compact body to cover virtually any shooting situations. This 12.1-megapixel powerhouse performer ZS7 further advanced to comprehend attractive features including the Intelligent Resolution technology as well as the built-in GPS (Global Positioning System) unit and manual exposure. An abundance of functions for both photo and movie recording are organized in the well-considered operational command including an independent movie recording button achieving smooth, easy operation in both recording modes.Digital Cameras
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