Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3

I was looking for a new camcorder. While searching and comparing Kodak Zi8 and Mino Flip HD, I came through a review which suggested this ZS3 instead. So, when you compare specs with these 3 models, the ZS3… comes out a winner. For about $60 more (than you would spend on a Kodak or Flip) you get a Full HD camcorder, a *fantastic* point and shoot and REAL lenses - which, by the way, has a 12x OPTICAL zoom. My only 2 complaints would be (A:) the lack of a power cable to charge its battery directly, and (B:) the battery life - way too short compared to my old and reliable Sony P200. A firmware upgrade Panasonic done on this camera rendered useless ALL the compatible (grey market) batteries out there. So you can only turn to Panasonic's original (and quite expensive) battery. Such a shame. The pros, on the other hand, outweights by a large amount these 2 negative points. Please, read on. Its autofocus is simply magic. I got a small kid, which stands still for about 1/2 second. Anyone with small kids knows what I'm talking about. This ZS3 uses that split second to get a hold on the subject and follows around the fugitive kid - correcting the focus! So you can press the shutter button whenever you want: most pictures will come out just crystaline. And it also got face recognition. Not quite smart- sometimes it's not able to recognize a already registered face - but impressive when it gets right. You can register 5 faces on the ZS3. About the camcorder use. The files generated when filming with the ZS3 is something alien (in a very complex file-folder structure) which I can only access (read and write in a different format) with iMovie '09. VLC also can read and play them, but since VLC cannot export and save, it's no good. Final Cut Pro doesn't seem to recognize the connected ZS3. I read somewhere FCP is supposed to recognize and import these video files in Log and Capture dialog window, but I wasn't able to do so. Since these videos *are* in AVCHD native format (and very compressed), passing them through Apple Compressor gives you a small file with pretty heavy artifacts. Even choosing H.264 codec. That is: the video becomes dirty and useless. The bottomline: good camera, fair pricing (not cheap), that I can recommend for anyone interested in a good portable Full HD camcorder that - eventually - is a superb point-and-shoot photographic camera.

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I used this camera on a 3 week honeymoon to South Africa and it performed very well on safari, hiking, sightseeing, etc. Pros: - Wide angle lens is a must for scenery shots, and makes it easier to take… photos of yourself if you're a traveling couple - 12x optical zoom is amazing in such a small package. Good image stabilization means it's actually usable, too! - Very good battery life and a great compact charger design - HD video (720p) with stereo sound! Many of the comparable Canons don't offer that yet. - Zoom works during video recording. Again, many competitors lock the zoom during recording - It's an attractive piece of equipment and fit in a big pants pocket - Accepts my 32gb SD card (SDHC class 6). That's a ridiculous 5.5 hours of HD video or 5000 10mp photos! Cons: - Autofocus is a little tricky--but I probably just need to read the manual more thoroughly :) - Still not very good in low light - The zoom in/out mechanism is a little loud. I can sometimes hear it in a totally silent video - The included wrist strap doesn't have a movable cinch, so you can't make it tight around your wrist

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