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Panasonic Has Two Mid-Range Cameras That Also Qualify as Vacation CamerasPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 or DMC-ZS3?All camera companies are in a race to produce the next best compact digital camera. So what does Panasonic do? They put TWO great cameras on the market at the same time: Lumix DMC-ZS1 and Lumix DMC-ZS3. (the Lumix ZS3 is already recommended in the Best Over All category) Considering that one of these two cameras may be arguably the best 12x zoom camera currently on the market, I am also recommending both as excellent choices in the Vacation Camera or Travel Camera category. They could be called TZ6 and TZ7 (ok, truth be told, they are known as TZ6 and TZ7 in some markets, but not in the US), but why make things easy on us camera buyers? They really are upgrades of the very popular Lumix DMC-TZ5 (already on our hit parade as a recommeded camera in the Mid-Range category) Panasonic produced two cameras that are pretty much identical in image quality. The ZS1 is about $100 cheaper than its cousin, the ZS3 due to the main differences which are in the Image Sensor size, the LCD quality, and Video capabilities. Here are the specs (major differences highlighted):
Popularity:DPReview loved both these cameras. They were dual winners of the Compact Super Zoom Test Group. Here is part of a review by a satisfied Lumix DMC-ZS1 buyer at Amazon.com: Testimonial for the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1:... The Lumix ZS1 delivers beyond all expectation. There was a point on the trip where I had a vision - imagine (if you go back to the 70's as I do) having an entire photographers bag - say a Nikon F, with a kit of Nikor lens say a 24mm perspective control, 50mm macro, a couple of zooms, multiple camera backs, the flash, the motor drive- in a package that fits in your shirt pocket. The last camera that blew me away like this was the Olympus XA (old school 35mm) which delivered amazing optics in a shirt pocket size. Additionally, they have fared very well in user ratings: Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 ratings - Amazon users have rated the ZS1 at 4.63(out of 5) by 11 unique users, while DPReview users rated it at 4.16 (out of 5) by 8 reviewers. Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 ratings - Amazon users rated the ZS3 at 4.39 (out of 5) by 104 reviewers, and DPReview users rated it at 4.35 (out of 5) by 46 reviewers. Here is part of a review by a satisfied Lumix DMC-ZS3 buyer at Amazon.com: Testimonial for the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3:... UPDATE: after playing with the camera another day, we discovered the AF locking feature. I don't know what that means and don't care to look in the manual--but what it does is astounding. you push the button to lock in on the subject object you want to get a picture of. the subject can be moving--i moved my head around in circles nonstop, rocked back and forth, etc. and the picture took a clear picture of me--how did that happen? I didn't stop moving. Then we tried it while making the camera go in circles but the object stayed in place. we also bounced the camera--again, clear pictures----WOW. You could take great pictures while riding a bumpy train! I didn't know about this feature when I bought the camera and I have to say that this is an awesome, exciting surprise!! I can't wait to find out if there are any more! The Bottom Line This one is a no-brainer. If you are interested in the best quality video in a digital compact camera, the Lumix DMC-ZS3 is the camera for you. If video is not high on your list of priorities, then you should get the Lumix DMC-ZS1. They have identical megapixel resolution and lenses. And while the larger image sensor of the ZS3 should figure in to the mix, the reviews on the image quality of the two cameras state that there is no difference. While these new additions to the Panasonic stable of cameras will be very successful, don't forget about the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5. It has the same LCD and Video output (although there is no stereo sound) as the ZS3 - for a very tidy $200+ price tag. |
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