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- Broad 16x optical zoom lens
- 1080i HD video with stereo
- Built-in GPS
- 3-inch touch-screen LCD
- Shoots 3D still images
- Uses optical zoom while filming
- No RAW capability
- Poor overall image quality
- GPS drains battery
- No optical viewfinder
- Touch screen doesn't adjust menu settings
- GPS data not always accurate
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10 (TZ20 outside the U.S.) continues Panasonic's acclaimed ZS series of compact super-zooms, though it's equipped with far more features than its predecessors. Unlike the now discontinued Lumix ZS5 and ZS7, the ZS10's powerful 16x zoom lens "allows you to easily capture expansive views at one moment, before zooming-in to grab distant detail in the next," says Gordon Laing at CameraLabs.com. The ZS10 also adds a speedy 14.1-megapixel CMOS sensor for burst shooting as well as touch-screen controls, 3D capability and 1080i HD video. A built-in GPS tags images from the location where they're shot, but critics say this feature drains battery life and in-camera mapping lags behind the Casio Exilim EX-H20G (*Est. $240) .
However, reviewers praise the ZS10's broad 24 mm to 384 mm zoom range and optical image stabilization, which "does a fine job of keeping long-zoom shots steady," says PC World magazine's Tim Moynihan. The zoom lens also works well in movie mode, though Joshua Goldman at CNET warns that zoom noise is occasionally picked up by the stereo mic. Still, he likes the camera's comfortable grip and says it's small enough (4.1 inches wide, 2.3 inches tall) to slip into a coat pocket or purse.
For those who want to get creative, the ZS10 offers plenty of automatic modes as well as aperture and shutter priority settings for manual control. In addition, a 3-inch touch-screen LCD lets you focus and shoot by swiping the screen. But critics say that the ZS10's extensive feature set is undercut by inferior image quality, with soft, underexposed shots in low-light settings. If you're looking for a compact travel zoom that produces better images and offers in-camera GPS, critics say the 14x Canon PowerShot SX230 HS (*Est. $190) is a solid choice, though like the ZS10, it doesn't have RAW support.
We found detailed reviews of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10 at photography enthusiast sites such as CNET, Imaging-Resource.com, PC Magazine and PC World while CameraLabs.com looks at how the ZS10 stacks up against super-zoom rivals. User reviews at Amazon.com reveal performance over time.
| Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10 14.1 MP Digital Camera with 16x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and Built-In GPS Function (Black) | |
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Our Sources
1. CNET
Joshua Goldman lauds the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10's fast shooting performance and plentiful features, but adds that if you want "awesome low-light photos or need to regularly make large prints, you probably shouldn't consider this camera." He also finds the touch screen relatively useless and suggests traveling with a spare battery to compensate for the ZS10's short battery life.
Review: Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10 (Blue), Joshua Goldman, March 1, 2011
An extensive feature set and "really fantastic zoom range" can't conceal the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10's subpar image quality, says Jim Fisher, who finds low-light shooting fairly limited. By contrast, the Canon PowerShot SX230 HS and Nikon Coolpix S9100 outperform the ZS10, delivering better overall images.
Review: Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10, Jim Fisher, August 19, 2011
In his detailed, well-illustrated review, Mike Pasini finds little to like about the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10 and says it fails to live up to its "excellent predecessors." The ZS10's flat and fuzzy images annoy as does the "confusing and unintuitive" touch screen. He also dings the camera's GPS, which is considerably less reliable than that on the Casio Exilim EX-H20G.
Review: Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10, April 11, 2011
"Frequent travelers who want a sturdy, versatile compact camera" will find a lot to like about the GPS-enabled Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10, says Tim Moynihan, who considers the touch-screen LCD a useful way to "focus shots, fire the shutter, zoom and navigate menus." Although test shots are underexposed, the ZS10 still receives a PC World Top 10 rating.
Review: Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10, Tim Moynihan, April 8, 2011
Gordon Laing compares the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10 to its Sony and Canon rivals as well as its Lumix ZS8 sibling and discovers that the "good outweighs the bad." He's most impressed with the ZS10's "powerful and compelling zoom range," but disappointing image quality prevents the ZS10 from nabbing CameraLabs.com's highest rating. It does, however, earn a favorable recommendation from Laing.
Review: Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ20 / ZS10, Gordon Laing, March 2011
6. Amazon.com
Over 90 users post opinions on the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10, giving it an overall rating of 4 stars out of 5. Most are satisfied with the camera's broad zoom lens and picture quality, but a few complain about grainy low-light images and blotchy videos.
Review: Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10, Contributors to Amazon.com
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