Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 10MP Digital Camera (Silver)

My wife and I own the TZ1 and like it a lot. So we ordered the ZS3 to upgrade. After all, this is the fourth generation. There is indeed big improvement in several areas. The picture quality is superior, video is also vivid and clean. But there is one thing that trouble me and wife--shutter delay. Maybe we got a lemon, this particular one has about 1 second shutter delay. (This can be verified by shooting the 'second' hand of a clock.) For video recording, it always misses the first second of the action. To make thing worse, when you end a video recording, it will end half second earlier. Note, for the shutter delay, I am not comparing it with my DSLR; I am comparing it with TZ1!!

We really like the quality of the pictures and video, but we cannot accept the slugish shutter delay. So we returned it. The new ZS5 is coming out, and last I read, shutter delay issue will be addressed. (Apparently, I am not the only one have this issue.) We will try ZS5 when it become available.

Indoor flash picture quality totally unacceptable. To be specific -- I like the way this camera feels and operates. Daytime photo quality appears good. HOWEVER, all interior flash photos have strong blue tint. Blonde hair appears gray (not popular with the ladies, I assure you!). White walls are blue. My brindle-and-white Boston terrier was a groundbreaking brindle-and-light-blue. I have searched the internet for other comments like this for this model, without success. Therefore I've concluded it is a problem with this particular camera. I am returning this camera -- I bought it via Amazon from 17th St. Photo and am hoping they will follow through with their stated return policy.

Another problem I see with the design -- when the camera is in your pocket, it's possible for the lens covers to get moved aside with damage to the lens. Not sufficient protection.

I will order a different make and model, despite the Lumix's good reviews.

Love the Panasonic ZS3. Works great. Super zoom. Good pictures. Good delivery from Amazon.

Though this camera does have a very faint sound when zooming during video capture, the sound is not audible enough to be distracting. I would much rather have the ability to zoom with a slight gear hum, than no ability to zoom. The motion pictures I've taken so far have been magnificent. The manual is all inclusive and then some, because it goes into detail about every feature. Though I do not use this camera to its full ability, for me it takes excellent still photos and motion pictures both inside the home and outside around the house. If I had the camera choice to purchase all over again, I would definitely choose the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 again. If my memory serves me correctly, the Amazon description mentions a Class 4 Flash Memory Card. Though the Class 4 card that I purchased from Amazon does work with my camera, the manual states that a Class 6 card (or above) should be used with this camera. I genuinely hope that this info helps.

My first digital camera away from Canon. I did a lot of review browsing on the legitimate digicam sites and this one was actually my second choice after a Canon. What changed my mind was when Amazon dropped the price about $90. Even so, it was a tough choice but I am more than satisfied with this camera, expecially for the price.