Panasonic - Lumix DMC-ZS3 / DMC-TZ7 Digital Camera Reviews

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 Digital Camera has been good for us.

Overall

Rated 4 out of 5

I purchased the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 digital camera about a year ago to replace a Nikon Coolpix S3 that I had had for a few years. I am by no means a photography expert, just an average person who takes photos at special occasions, and I would say this camera has been an improvement over the last one. It shoots better in low-light settings, has HD video capability, and has a bigger zoom. I also think that the battery life seems longer (but have never actually measured this). The main thing I felt I was sacrificing in this camera was a very compact size - the Coolpix was very slim and fit in a pocket easily, whereas the Lumix is probably 25-50% thicker - but I think it was ultimately a small price to pay for better photo quality.

Best Digital Camera I've ever had

Overall

Rated 5 out of 5

I have owned the Panasonic Lumix Digital Camera for some time now and have nothing but good things to say about it. After owning several other digital cameras of different brands that have eventually went out on me, this one seems to be lasting longer over the years. I am an avid picture taker and video recorder of my children and this digital camera has been there to take thousands of great pictures and record hundreds of my children's special moments in school, home, and sports. Any issues that I have had with this camera have been due to my error of not knowing everything about the camera. It is pretty simple to use versus other digital cameras, but when using this product the consumer does need to know how to use it to get the best pictures and video possible. I hope to have this digital cameras for years to come and continue to take many more great pictures and videos with it. I would recommend this brand because it is a great price for great quality.

Reviewer received a sample of this product.

Love the Panasonic Lumix!

Overall

Rated 5 out of 5

You'll fall in love with the camera. After years of having a 5mp sony digital camera, it was time for an upgrade. I was given the Panasonic DMC-TZ7 as a Christmas gift. It was the best gift I've received in a long time! The camera works great. It's very easy for someone who isn't technologically inclined to operate. It has a fantastic zoom lense that allows to take up close or further ranged photos. It's very easy to change the settings based on action scenes, lighting, portraits, etc. The battery holds a charge for quite a while so there is no need to constantly recharge the battery (just follow the specifications in the manual). It's a nice compact camera so fitting it in my purse or even carrying it along isn't a problem. I'd definitely recommend using the case as that will keep the camera well protected. With two kids, I needed a camera that could take portraits and action shots and the Panasonic works great for both!  

Panasonic DMC-ZS3- Great all-around compact digital camera

Overall

Rated 5 out of 5

After owning this camera a little while, I think I have a good feeling for what it does in terms of strengths and weaknesses. There is an awful lot to like in a fairly small package. The lcd is big and bright, the camera is responsive, the optical zoom, and of course, the hd video recording. The camera performs well in most situations but really shines outdoors. Indoors, low-light situations can be a bit of an issue. It's clearly the one negative in terms of picture quality. The only other possible problem I've had is that the battery life is mediocre. Of course, this is coming from someone who owned a Fuji F30. A battery that would seemingly last forever. But put in perspective, you get ple...

Love this camera!

Overall

Rated 5 out of 5

I bought the panasonic ZS3 based on some reviews I read at various web sites.  All I can say is wow, this is the best point and shoot camera I have owned (in a list of 3 canon Cameras and one Fuji).  This camera is very easy to use, takes the best pictures of any camera it's size and has a long lasting battery life.  I also like the fact that it takes cheap and easy to find SDHC memory cards.  The HD movie mode is excellent.  It is so good that I no longer use my Sony camcorder to take movies (that means no more carrying two cameras everywhere I go).  This poacket sized wonder is a point and shoot still or movie all in one that can go anywhere.  My use of t...

Perfect Camera!!!

Overall

Rated 5 out of 5

What a wonderful camera! We have had our camera for a little over a year now. Ours broke 2 days before we had our daughter! So we quickly got this one and it is awesome! I still do not know how to use all of the amazing functions on it, but I do know how to take pictures and video. There are just so many other things you can do which I do not have a whole lot of time to do. It is a sleek, light camera that you do not have to use standard batteries for which saves a ton of money! The LCD screen is awesome! The HD video is perfect and I can tape for awhile with no issues! The battery seems to last us awhile, also has a battery saver which has saved me a time or two! Everyone loves the pictures...

A great camera--the Panasonic ZS3

Overall

Rated 5 out of 5

A few years ago, we bought a Kodak with a 10x optical zoom. This thing was massive. It was a like a mini SLR but without the quality. But I loved that zoom.

I started not taking it around with me and my son because I hated wearing it around my neck and feeling like a tourist. So when Christmas 2009 got close, I decided I wanted a new camera.

My criteria: small enough to fit in a pocket (doesn't have to stay there, but more portable) and an amazing zoom, at least 10X or more. I found a review online for compact ultrazooms, and this one ranked on top, along with the ZS1. I ultimately decided on the ZS3 because the pictures in the review were a bit crisper.

This is a great camera. I love tha...

Great optical zoom, great video with zoom - not as easy as Canon

Overall

Rated 4 out of 5

OK, we've had this camera for about a year now. No mechanical/electronic issues whatsoever. Very happy with it from a build quality, fit and finish, etc.

Battery life seems to be really good with this camera. Which is important because you have to plug it or the battery in to charge the battery as it doesn't use "off the shelf" batteries.

I love the size of the camera. I bought a little carabiner clip carrying case for it, and it has a little lanyard. But the camera also will slip into your pocket conveniently as well. It's big enough that you can hold onto it and it doesn't feel "cramped".

I really bought this for two reasons, and it has not disappointed in either realm. First, is t...

pricey but worth it

Overall

Rated 5 out of 5

so this is an older camera--there are newer version (the dmc zs6 and zs7) but since i don't have those and bought this last year, this is what i'm reviewing.

i love this camera. for a point and shoot, the images are very vivid and clear. this has a Leica lens, and it shows. the wide angle lens is also very very nice to have.

one thing i don't see reviewed much is the video recording. the camera records in 720P at 30FPS in the AVCHD lite format. your computer (using VLC) and your PS3 will play this back no problem. it's very nice quality, and the microphone is really really good. we went to a david cook concert and recorded from about the 5th row, zoomed, and picked up the music very nicely

one caveat: the batteries MUST be panasonic. you cannot use knock off batteries.

this camera is also very durable (knock on wood) i dropped it on concrete from about 5 feet up, and onto tile from 6 feet up. it's dented, but still works. LCD isn't cracked.

Great camera with kids

Overall

Rated 5 out of 5

I bought my Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 digital camera this year to replace a well-loved Olympus. My Olympus had a 10x optical zoom, and since I'm often shooting pictures of my children on a moment's notice, I wasn't willing to give up that amazing across-the-room zoom. At first we looked at digital SLRs, but I decided I also wanted something I could slip in my jeans pocket, not something bulky. After reading reviews on many brands, I settled on the Panasonic. I found mine on Amazon for a good price, and I've been very happy with it. The 12x optical zoom hones in on faces across the room, or a person across the yard. The 10 megapixel quality takes great pictures. The camera is easy to use, even ...

Panasonic DMC-TZ7 Digital Camera

Overall

Rated 5 out of 5

I bought this camera mostly based on the reviews on Amazon. I looked at the ZS5 and ZS7. Tons of reviews. I also seen it on most consumer reports as one of the top 10 cameras. The iauto mode is a good way to get some good photos with not a lot of knowledge. Right out of the box point and shoot. I have take several pictures and everything looks great. Even in my room in the dark. I used it to replace my Nikon Coolpix 2100. I really like the large zoom. I know it will come in handly for travel. Video quality is not so great but it isn’t bad ether. Good to have both incase you need it. On thing I would like to see is smile detection added to the software. The noise reduction in ZS7 is pre...

Lumix is perfect for on-the-go photography

Overall

Rated 5 out of 5

We own a large Canon Digital Rebel, but my only complaint was that I wanted to be able to take pictures and video of our kids without having to always lug that big camera (and the video camera).  I asked my hubby (the techy in our family) and after much research, this is what we ended up with.  I love this camera.  It is extremely portable and does just what I need.  It fits in my purse or diaper bag, so I can always have it handy.  The LCD screen is very clear and the video camera does a nice job with recording. I have been pleased with the picture quality of the pictures I have gotten out of this camera.  This is the kind of camera that anyone with little or lots of photo experience can use and enjoy.  For the price, this has been an excellent camera.  I would definitely recommend this camera to anyone who is looking for a higher megapixel camera that can also do video recording, as this is great at both.

Panasonic Lumix ZS3 - Great Camera! Recommended!

Overall

Rated 5 out of 5

I purchased this camera a couple months ago and it has great quality. One of its best characteristics is the AVHCD Lite HD Video, which can record for longer amounts of time using less storage capacity. I bought a 16gb SDHC card, and I can record up to 2 hours of HD Video at 1280 x 720 px! It also has many good preset configurations in the Exposure Control Mode such as: Candle, Beach, Transfor, Beach & Surf, Snow, High sensitivity, Starry sky, Soft Skin, Baby1, Baby2, Portrait mode, Aerial photo, Hi-speed burst, Film Grain, pin hole, party/indoor, night portrait, self-portrait, Pet, Scenery, Food, Fireworks, Low light, Night scene, underwater, sports mode, sunset. I love taking pictures at night or at sunset and that last option is great for that, it takes some beautiful picture. Oh, and the 12x optical zoom in such a small camera is just great, fantastic. 

Pictures when there's not too much light tend to be a bit grainy, but you can take some really nice shots.

standing 'O' for the ZS3

Overall

Rated 5 out of 5

I have owned two prior digital cameras- the first was a Canon that took good pictures, but was too bulky to pocket around and required AA batteries to power it. The second was a Sony CyberShot DSC-W150 that took crappy, blurry pictures in low light. Needless to say, I felt an upgrade was in order.

So I'm going on an east coast trip next month. My buddy and I are avid baseball fans. One problem: as we do not always have great seats, taking close-up pictures of ballplayers is a real pain with 99% of the compact point and shoots out there. This is because the camera's size will only allow it 5X optical zoom. You can combine this with digital zooming, but I don't need to tell you how terrible a...

great for taking family pictures use the panasonic camra.

Overall

Rated 4 out of 5

the panasonic camra is one of the best.it has a very good use for outdoors and indoors pictures...you can zoom in and zoom out with out a bloor.great for parties and just for goofing off with a friend or a family member.ever sence i got my panasonic camra ive used it to take all kinda of pictures...it is great taking pictures of my little emily monster,watching her growing up is the best thing in the world,and catching it on camra is so wonderful.and when my little girl gets older,i can show her the crazy tings she did....and also im the type of person that loves taking crazy pictures of myself too lol..and the veido on it is wonderful.my husband is in a band and it catches everything.sound is awsome too lol.this product is a very wonderful product that very body should have one of lol.i know im very glad that i have one.so there for i think that the panasonic camra is the best camra to buy,use and have.

Reviewer is an employee or otherwise affiliated with the brand.