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The Z3S records HD motion images at a smooth 60 frames per second with 1280 x 720-pixel resolution. It uses the AVCHD (MPEG-4/H.264) format, via AVCHD Lite, which stores less data than other formats and thus lets you shoot more minutes of HD motion images before running out of memory.
Stereo Mic
The world's first compact camera to feature Dolby® sound, the ZS3 records dynamic, true-to-life audio that brings out the power of the HD images. (Dolby is a trademark of Dolby Laboratories).
Wind cut function
Minimizes the distracting sound you hear from wind blowing into the mic.
YouTube™ Uploader
This software (included with the camera) makes it easy to upload your video clips to YouTube™.
(YouTube is a trademark of Google Inc.)
HDMI output and VIERA Link
The ZS3 is equipped with an HDMI output terminal for direct transmission of digital picture and sound signals. Just connect the camera to an HDTV using a single HDMI mini cable (purchased separately), and it's easy to view beautiful HD photos and motion images. If you have a VIERA HDTV, you can control the camera's playback functions with VIERA's remote control unit. (HDMI, High-Definition Multimedia Interface are trademarks of HDMI Licensing LLC).
iA mode, for beautiful photos and movies - automatically
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. *In the ZS3, iA mode cannot be used when shooting motion images.
25mm wide-angle LEICA DC VARIO-ELMAR lens with 12x optical zoom
The ZS3 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.
Customers most agreed on the following attributes:
from Spokane, WA on 4/19/2010
Comments about Panasonic DMC-ZS3-A Blue 10.1-megapixel Digital Still Camera:
Use for bothe personal and business.
This is my 4th in this series starting with the TZ.
Paige is awesome! One Call is awesome!
from Madison, Wi on 3/29/2010
Comments about Panasonic DMC-ZS3-A Blue 10.1-megapixel Digital Still Camera:
what a fantastic camera. cant say enough good about it. love the HD video! also a treat pluging into my panasonic viera 50" plasma! great price [...] very happy with my purchase.
from portland, or on 3/8/2010
Comments about Panasonic DMC-ZS3-A Blue 10.1-megapixel Digital Still Camera:
PERFECT!
from Madison, Wi on 3/6/2010
Comments about Panasonic DMC-ZS3-A Blue 10.1-megapixel Digital Still Camera:
what a fantastic camera. cant say enough good about it. love the HD video! also a treat pluging into my panasonic viera 50" plasma! great price [...] very happy with my purchase.
from Paris, Ky on 1/19/2010
Comments about Panasonic DMC-ZS3-A Blue 10.1-megapixel Digital Still Camera:
this camera was suggested to me by a professional photographer. I had a cannon power shot that was only good on close shota and good light. The Lumix was recommended and it performs as advertised.
from southern oregon on 1/12/2010
Comments about Panasonic DMC-ZS3-A Blue 10.1-megapixel Digital Still Camera:
videos of grandchild speaking first words, experiencing new things
from New York on 1/4/2010
Comments about Panasonic DMC-ZS3-A Blue 10.1-megapixel Digital Still Camera:
Great little camera.
from NY, NY on 12/28/2009
Comments about Panasonic DMC-ZS3-A Blue 10.1-megapixel Digital Still Camera:
This camera has one flaw. It does a poor job taking indoor shots. The flash on this camera is very poor, images turn out to be quite dark (if taking indoor shots make sure that there is pleanty of light to fill the room). Other than that this camera does a great job shooting video and taking high quality outdoor shots even in low light.
from The Woodlands, TX on 12/28/2009
Comments about Panasonic DMC-ZS3-A Blue 10.1-megapixel Digital Still Camera:
Use while cycling, starts up quick, and focus time is short. Great pictures
from St louis, MO on 12/28/2009
Comments about Panasonic DMC-ZS3-A Blue 10.1-megapixel Digital Still Camera:
The product is okay for what I bought it for and produces good image right out of the box. My problem with it is the fact that I have to bring out the battery to be charged each time it needs to be charged. To be charged inside the camera, you have get a multifunction cable from the manufacturer for close to $90.00 which to me is unthinkable having spent that amount on the camera. The so called cable should be included in the package content and not intentionally creating another monetary avenue from unsuspecting customers. If I had known that that was the case, I would not have gone for the camera.
from troy, mi on 11/16/2009
Comments about Panasonic DMC-ZS3-A Blue 10.1-megapixel Digital Still Camera:
very easy to use; great pics
from Fairfax, VA on 10/26/2009
Comments about Panasonic DMC-ZS3-A Blue 10.1-megapixel Digital Still Camera:
This camera can take excellent pictures in most situations. Take care to use the right scene mode ,i.e. Sunset, party, fireworks etc.
The Sunset and dusk pictures are way above average.
The zoom on it is impressive. Beware there are NO manual controls. The videos AVHD Lite is quite good and compact.
Indoor pictures at short range are pretty good.
Battery life is OK.
[2 of 2 customers found this review helpful]
from Richmond, VA on 10/26/2009
Comments about Panasonic DMC-ZS3-A Blue 10.1-megapixel Digital Still Camera:
Love the camera so far. Went to Disney on Ice and was able to take some great shots.
The only problem I'm finding so far is getting a spare battery. They have the software security or something or another installed on all the new cameras and if you get a 3rd party battery it won't work with the camera. Some companies seem to be selling the wrong batteries to people. If you go to panasonics website and click on the companies that sell the battery most of them are out of stock or charge an addtional $20 for the battery. I might have thought twice about getting the camera if I knew this was going to be the issue. If I didn't love the camera so much I might have thought about sending it back.
from Chapel Hill, NC on 10/26/2009
Comments about Panasonic DMC-ZS3-A Blue 10.1-megapixel Digital Still Camera:
I like the color.
from usa on 10/5/2009
Comments about Panasonic DMC-ZS3-A Blue 10.1-megapixel Digital Still Camera:
i bought this camera for a concert n it was really awesome...the video quality is sickkkkkkkkk...HD ohh god...looks so good when u play it on a bigger screen....takes a really good quality pictures....JUST REMEMBER, before using it...read the manual :D
from Chicago, IL on 9/17/2009
Comments about Panasonic DMC-ZS3-A Blue 10.1-megapixel Digital Still Camera:
love the small compact size, high optical zoom, and picture quality. And the high-def video is incredible!
from Arvada, Colorado on 9/14/2009
Comments about Panasonic DMC-ZS3-A Blue 10.1-megapixel Digital Still Camera:
It IS AMAZING WHAT IS INSIDE THIS Camera. So small and easy to carry. Great for travel.Only drawback is: I have to carry the manual around to learn all the possible uses for this camera. So far the only thing that annoys me is the location of the movie button, which I often accidentally push with my clumsy 75 year old fingers.
from Portland, OR on 9/14/2009
Comments about Panasonic DMC-ZS3-A Blue 10.1-megapixel Digital Still Camera:
I like the camera more than any other I have owned. The user interface is extremely simple and the pictures are all super sharp and crystal clear.
You must have a memory card as due to the high megapixels the camera will only hold about 12 photos.
I have taken a photography class but most of the time I am strictly taking family photos and nature shots for fun. I leave the settings on automatic and yet if I wish to have more control and change the aperture etc. myself I can with this camera.
I love it!
from San josé, ca on 9/14/2009
Comments about Panasonic DMC-ZS3-A Blue 10.1-megapixel Digital Still Camera:
Excelent product. works very well.
from Atlanta, GA on 7/15/2009
Comments about Panasonic DMC-ZS3-A Blue 10.1-megapixel Digital Still Camera:
This camera takes great prictures. I have taken pictures at an effective 300mm and 1/8 second hand held in low light and although not perfect, the pictures are amazingly clear. I have taken many pictures outside at 300m and the sharpness is excellent. The 25mm to 300mm effective zoom lense produces excellent pictures at all focal lenghts. The AVCHD lite video spec is a little misleading in that it states 720p60. Although it is 720p60, every frame is repeated so it is really only 30 new frames pre second. The only other issue I have found with the camera is that having only an LCD as the view finder, it is hard to see the subject in bright sunlight. Probably a problem with all cameras of this type.
Effective 300mm, hand held, 1/8 second exposure
Tags: Made with Product, Using Product
Effective 278mm, hand held, 1/60 second exposure
from Milwaukee, WI on 6/17/2009
Comments about Panasonic DMC-ZS3-A Blue 10.1-megapixel Digital Still Camera:
It is really good to have a wide-angle lens, and the 10x zoom works great too!
from Provo, UT on 6/15/2009
Comments about Panasonic DMC-ZS3-A Blue 10.1-megapixel Digital Still Camera:
I like the wide-angle (25 mm equiv) for indoor shots and panoramas. i like the super-zoom (300 mm equiv). I used it to pick out a well-lit face across a dark room using natural light. I'd give an A grade for lens and LCD.
I like the HD video (AVCHD lite) better now that Apple updated their drivers to support it.
I believe a spare battery is a necessity, so I'm disappointed that the battery is the the same format as the earlier models but incompatible. The new battery is expensive.
The turn on and shot-to-shot time seems slow compared to my previous Canon SD800, but much faster than my older Nikon.
The controls take some learning and getting used to. Panasonic only gets a B for interface design.
from Raleigh, NC on 6/15/2009
Comments about Panasonic DMC-ZS3-A Blue 10.1-megapixel Digital Still Camera:
This is a great camera - produces very high quality photos and videos. It also has a lot of automatic settings that make taking great pictures very easy.
If you like to play with manual controls - this is not the camera for you. If you like to concentrate on what and when you shoot and let the camera take care of the technical details and produce the perfect photo - this is the camera for you.
A little expensive - but for a reason.