Panasonic DMC-ZS3

	Video
	Resolution	Page 6 of 16	Sample Photos

Movie Mode (10.25)

The ZS3 captures video at a resolution of up to 1280 by 720 and saves them in either AVCHD or Motion JPEG format. We were impressed with the quality of the captured video and the usability of the camera as a camcorder: you can use the optical zoom while recording, and you also get a lot of control over the settings. The ZS3 also provides access to white balance for videos, has a number of different auto focus modes and includes a feature that tries to reduce wind noise from the microphones.

Video Color (13.93)

We were extremely impressed with the color accuracy of the videos that the ZS3 captured; they had accurate color that was a very good representation of the original colors in our test chart. We also found that the colors were not oversaturated. Many cameras amp up the saturation of the colors to make the video look more attractive, but the ZS3 videos had colors had very natural saturation.  Click here for more on how we test video color.

Video Color Scores Comparisons
		Compare to Kodak Z950
		Compare to Nikon L100
		Compare to Canon SX120

Video Sharpness (8.62)

We were also favorably impressed with the sharpness of the video that the ZS3 captured; fine details in our test charts were well reproduced, even when the camera was panning left and right. The ZS3 captures video at a resolution of up to 1280 by 720 pixels, which is the same as a 720p HDTV, and the extra resolution definitely shows here; the video looks much sharper and clearer than standard definition camcorders. It is also much sharper than the Kodak Z950, which also captures video at the same resolution.  Click here for more on how we test video sharpness.

Video Resolution Scores Comparison
		Compare to Kodak Z950
		Compare to Nikon L100
		Compare to Canon SX120

See how the competition stacked up against the Panasonic ZS3
Kodak Z950	Nikon L100	Canon SX120