Panasonic zs3 video problems

[MarcLuc]

Hello,
I was wondering if anyone out there has any video problems on the zs3? I just received my zs3 today and took some test shots. In video, it records streaks of light vertically in the frame. From a google search I am guessing it is ccd smear....or vertical smear. I am wondering if it can be fixed or if I am one of the few with this problem since all I read is positive comments. Attached is a still picture of a video I took. Any help is appreciated.
Thanks

[Phill D]

Only time I've seen that before on my TZ1 is once when I did a panorama sweep & got a very bright sun in the shot. I'd suggest you check out other video & just see at what point the streaks appear you may find that it's only with extream bright spots which you should avoid anyway. If it happens a lot then maybe you have a problem cam.

[Beowulff]

This seems to be a fairly common video problem with small CCD sensors.

Apparently, any strong point source of light -- such as sun reflecting off a car's chrome-work, or a sunny window as in your case -- can produce this vertical smearing.

It seems the photoreceptors get overcharged, and leak in vertical columns as they're processed. Larger sensors (APS-C or 35mm) and/or CMOS sensors allegedly don't exhibit this problem.

I dunno what the answer is? Sorry.

Cheers. :)

[Paradox]

The simple solution seems to be try to avoid getting very bright light sources in your videos, since I'd imagine it's to do with the sensor and can't be fixed. As the joke/saying goes:

'Doctor, it hurts when I do this'
'Don't do it then'

:)

[MarcLuc]

Thanks for the responses so far. I understand it's a problem with small cameras as it is not a true camcorder nor did I really expect it to perform like one. I was just hoping to get those few minutes worth of shooting when I wouldn't have a camcorder but just my camera. But what I don't understand is the rave reviews about the HD video if it performs this way. The picture I posted was with the windows facing the east with the sun in the southwest...so in no way in direct sunlight. Outside is not good either as sometimes half the screen is washed out. It will look good on the left side and the right side is whitish. I mean, if the video is going to be bad in my house because it's daylight outside and I don't have my blinds closed and I can't shoot outside because it will be washed out, what good is the video for anyways? I'm starting to think my camera is suffering more than most since not a lot is discussed about it. Thinking about exchanging it. Any more thoughts or comments is much appreciated as the info learned in the forums is invaluable. Nothing I would learn at the local BB.
Thanks,
Marc

[David Metsky]

I'm starting to think my camera is suffering more than most since not a lot is discussed about it. Thinking about exchanging it.
No, this is extremely common for small digital cameras. It's not remarked on much because it happens with pretty much all models.

[MarcLuc]

OK thanks. I'm starting to sense it is common. I just wished out of all the reviews I read someone would have mentioned it. Just read how great the video was. Then I would have based my decision on picture quality instead of picture and video. Thanks again.

[Beowulff]

I think most reviewers mean to say something like... "The camera's video quality is excellent, apart from/unless/but for/if/despite/although...etc etc etc".

They just can't finish the sentence LOL.

:)