Panasonic DMC-ZS3
Digital Camera Review
Mar 03, 2009
- By Richard Baguley
4.6
It's not often that we see a whole new video format being introduced on a digital camera, but that's what Panasonic has done with the Lumix DMC-ZS3; as well as being a well specified 10-megapixel still camera, it's the first digital camera to shoot high definition video in the new AVCHD Lite format. Camcorder fans may recognize the first part of the name (AVCHD is the format that many high def camcorders shoot in), but the Lite part is new. AVCHD lite is a subset of the full AVCHD standard, which means that the ZS3 shoots 720p video (which is lower in resolution than the 1080i that most dedicated camcorders shoot) that can be watched on a HDTV and edited in many video editing programs, such as Apple's iMovie.
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Conclusion |
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 We were impressed with our limited experience of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3; it packs a lot of features into a compact size. The standout feature is the new video mode, and this looks extremely promising. Although the video it shoots is not as high a resolution as some camcorders, it did look pretty good, and the new AVCHD Lite format should be compatible with a wide range of video editing applications. The DMC-ZS3 will be priced at $399.99 when it is released in April, and the signs point to it being a good pick for the casual shooter who wants to shoot decent video as well.
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| Likes |
Dislikes |
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• New video format is compatible with many programs
• Fits nicely in the hand
• 25mm wide angle zoom is good for shooting groups
• dual menu structure is easy to use
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• HDMI cable is not included
• Can't shoot pictures very quickly
• Video is not as high resolution as dedicated camcorders
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