Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 - Great For HD Video

by Mel
(Seattle, WA)

I was looking to buy a versatile camera that could take quality pictures, yet fit in your pocket. After some research, I chose the Panasonic ZS3. I bought this from Amazon.com 6 months ago and have been using it ever since.

This camera is definitely an outdoor camera that excels in bright sunlight. The 12x optical zoom is very handy when you are not able to get close to the subject. I was able to take some great shots of a deer that would have run off if I had attempted to get closer. The pictures came out clear and full of color. The image stabilizer allows you to take relatively blur-free pictures without the use of a tripod.

Aside from the zoom, you can take wide-angle shots and close-ups. I was able to take very sharp and vibrant images of flowers when the camera was held just a few inches away. I am very satisfied with the quality of the Leica lens.

HD video is also a very nice addition to this camera. With a memory card of 2gb I can take high definition videos of over an hour in length. The image stabilizer and zoom features work during video mode too.

The only downside to this camera is the indoor and low light performance. Images are a bit grainy under these conditions, but still close to the competition for most pocket-able digital cameras.

Overall, I am satisfied with the great versatility and quality this camera provides.