Panasonic LUMIX DMC-ZS1/DMC-TZ6 10.1 MP Digital Camera - Black

WOW is all I can say about this P&S camera!

10 MP and 12X OPTICAL zoom at a buck and a quarter still make me say wow.

I currently have a Lumix FX8 that has been a stellar performer. It's so small that it goes everywhere I go.

The FZ1 is 50% bigger, but you've got to have somewhere to put a 12x optical zoom lens.

The slight increase in size and weight is the only difference and you've go to pay for what you get some how.

An 8GB SCHC memory card and a spare battery for $7 each really make this an outstanding value for me.

For 3x the money you can get 16x optical and 16MP, but it isn't worth it to me.

I like the most the solid feel of this camera and the zoom range its Leica lens offers. I can go from wide angle for some scenery shots and tight indoor shots to telephoto shots that can still be hand held without the need of a tripod or the bulk of a bridge type camera. For everything in between,this ZS3 can handle beautifully.
It is fairly responsive for a digital camera,meaning that I don't have to wait between shots or for things to happen after a button is pushed.
I love the resuts : the photos it takes are beautiful so I don't have to erase
too many bad shots or retake the same pose.
It can take short movies too but this is a feature I don't use often.
I decided on this Panasonic model because it answers most of my photographic needs and I chose it over the newer DMC-ZS5 (TZ-8) because it has a sharper, larger viewing screen and a convenient HDMI outlet to connect to my TV.
There is no perfect camera,but with it looks, its feel, its capabilities, I consider my Panasonic DMC -Z3 the best all around camera.

I was most interested in a camera with at least an optical zoom of 7X. This camera has a 12X optical zoom. I was worried that it would be blurry since it was 12X but it is very clear! The camera is easy to use and not heavy or bulky like other zoom cameras. I would prefer a 3 inch LCD screen but this one has a 2.7". This camera has a rechargeable battery, as most of the cameras do but this can be inconvenient if the charge runs low or you forget to charge it. I do have an extra battery but I'm not sure how long it remains charged when not in use. The camera takes very clear pictures and has many features included. One of my favorite features is the cropping ability right on the camera. I am very pleased with how easy this camera is to use, how compact it is, the low cost for all it does, how clear the pictures come out and how brilliant the color is in each picture.

What is the Panasonic DMC-ZS1? It's a very good lenses, incredible optical stabilization, large zoom, natural colors and high quality aluminium body.

I didn't have a lot of experience with "soap" cameras, till this moment i have worked only with semi-professional 35mm film and digital cameras like Nikon D200, 300, D3, Sigma SD14 and more, but this panasonic is a new generation of small digital cameras. It has very good quality of pictures (I really was surprised) and now it's always in my photo backpack.

p.s. a little tar in a honey keg: Not very good night pictures.

I have owned several Panasonic cameras and have never been disappointed. This little camera is no exception. I would have preferred AA battery power rather the rechargeable battery just for the ease and speed of always having a camera ready to use, but it's not such a drawback when you consider what this camera delivers in such a small package. I bought this primarily for my wife, but I find myself using it on trips when we need a camera rather than tote along my Panasonic FZ28 or Sony A300. So far, as an amateur photographer, I'm very happy with this big function, point and shoot, fit in your pocket little gem. Of all of the 10x to 12x zoom Panasonic point and shoots, this seems to be the best priced bargain.