Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 12.1 MP Digital Camera with 12x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom with 2.7-Inch LCD (Silver)
- 12.1-megapixel effective recording
- 12X optical zoom
- 2-11/16″ LCD screen
- Optical image stabilization
- Sonic Speed AF for quick focusing on moving subjects
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 Point & Shoot Digital Camera – 12.1 Megapixel – 2.70″ Active Matrix TFT Color LCD – Silver DMC-ZS5S Digital Cameras
List Price: $ 279.95
Price: $ 254.95
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Compact, great pictures, affordable,
This product strikes a good balance between compact size and image quality. Smaller alternatives exist but this pocket-sized camera has lens quality typically found only in SLR (or near-SLR) cameras. Manual settings let you grow your photographic skills if you choose to use them and auto settings will satisfy most. Super easy to use and a great value, I would buy again.
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|Great performance and reasonable price,
After a long time contemplating buying the ZS3 I finally decided to wait and see what Panasonic would have for us in the 2010 line up. And so far I’m very glad I waited.
The ZS1 and ZS3 were Panasonic’s high zoom compact cameras last year, and both of them receive great reviews. I’ve had a chance on several occasions to play with 2 different ZS3’s that belong to friends, and this was initially the camera I was going to get being very impressed with it’s performance. However, by the time I was ready to buy, the new ZS5 and ZS7 (to replace ZS1 and ZS3 respectively) were on the markets. And to my surprise, the ZS5 with several upgraded features was significantly cheaper than it’s predecessors.
A few things I noticed right away comparing my new ZS5 to my friend’s ZS3:
-First, physically the ZS5 has a smaller screen than the ZS3. The screen however is still sharp and clear, and perfectly usable. After a few minutes I don’t even notice the difference.
-The ZS5 can zoom while recording a movie, something that my friends ZS3 can not do.
-The ZS5 image stabilization is just amazing, and seems to be much better than the ZS3. Especially noticeable at the higher zooms while recording video.
-The ZS5 now has manual controls, something the ZS3 does not have. For me, even as a complete amateur, this is a huge benefit, and the single largest upgrade over the ZS3.
-The ZS5 has a one touch zoom button on the back in addition to the normal zoom control on top. This button with one press takes you from zoomed out, to full optical zoom, then full digital zoom, then returns to zoomed out. Not a big feature but something I can see being handy from time to time.
-The ZS5 no longer has the dedicated movie record button on the back, but rather an option on the selection dial on the top, similar to other cameras I have used, and what I personally prefer.
-The ZS5 has an exposure button on the back. While in manual modes pressing this button activates the directional buttons below it to act as the adjustments to your various manual settings. I think this is a clean and easy way to get control over settings and better than other setups I’ve seen in compact digitals with manual settings, where you often have to navigate menus to find the settings.
-Overall the ZS5 construction feels very solid, the lens action is smooth and quite, and the buttons have the high quality feel, just like the ZS3. Perhaps the main difference being the ZS5 has a slightly stiffer mode selection wheel, while the ZS3 mode selection wheel would often be moved just by removing it from your pocket.
Now to compare the ZS5 to it’s bigger brother the ZS7.
From my research (not experience) the main differences are the 7 has the larger screen, on board GPS, and a slightly different image processor. For me, these first two differences actually benefit the 5 over the 7, giving it longer battery life simply because it doesn’t use power on the GPS or the larger screen. The image processor might be an advantage to the 7 though, with some reviews that I have seen especially emphasizing better low light video quality on the 7. I’ve taken a few indoor and outdoor videos with the ZS5 and they seem very sharp and clear to me. Certainly the best I’ve had from a pocket digi camera, so without side by side comparison with the ZS7 it’s hard to discount the 5’s video quality.
Overall, this camera has exceeded my expectations in every way. I have owned 12 digital cameras, everything from ultra compact to DSLR. This camera by far has the most capability vs. portability of any camera I have owned. I’ve already taken about 300 pictures and several videos, color, contrast, and sharpness are all very impressive. I’m still on my first charge with an indicated 2/3 battery remaining.
The automatic mode works great and the auto focusing is the best I’ve seen outside of a DSLR. The focusing is so fast and accurate, combined with the quick turn on time and very short shutter lag time, this camera is the ‘quickest on the draw’ I have personally used.
This camera is like having my DSLR with a 25-300mm VR lens, combined with my high def video camera, all in a package I can slip in my shirt pocket. In any case I know I will have better results with my ZS5 than a DSLR or the video camera simply because I can have my ZS5 with me almost all the time, ready to get that perfect shot at a moments notice.
Amazing, and well worth the wait. 5 stars.
By the way the “Pelican 1010 Micro Case” fits this camera perfectly and makes a great water resistant/crush proof carrying case. Also highly recommended. Pelican…
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