New DMC-ZS5 and ZS7

[polvadis]

I bought myself a DMC-ZS3 for this past Christmas and couldn't be happier with the results. But now I'm totally excited about this new lineup and am already thinking of a family member to pass on my ZS3 to once these new models become available.

I think the one thing that has me this way is strictly cosmetic: I like the new position of the mode dial. The current position always rotates the dial while taking it out of my pocket, and I usually get that "Mode Dial in Incorrect Position" message on the LCD. I also like the new manual mode available, though I'm happy with the stuff the Auto mode has produced on the ZS3.

One thing I hope the new Venus Engine VI has done is stretch the battery life some. It is absolutely horrible if you record a few movies and expect juice left for photos. I am about to buy a second battery just to get me through ONE day of shooting and movie recording. Looks like the new models use the same battery so it's up to the firmware and the processor to make it last. We'll see what Jeff has to say about these once he reviews them.

[dampfnudel]

I was thinking about getting a ZS3 last year, but decided to wait for the 2010 model. By waiting I get manual controls, improved OIS, new Venus HD II processor, SDXC support and GPS. Not bad.:)

It looks like I'll be upgrading from my TZ3 to a ZS7 this spring.

[louiskam]

For those that don't care about the GPS feature, go for the TZ5 with no AVCHD lite though. Or the smaller ZS3-ZX3 with AVCHD Lite but no manual control. Decision, decision.

[dampfnudel]

For those that don't care about the GPS feature, go for the TZ5 with no AVCHD lite though. Or the smaller ZS3-ZX3 with AVCHD Lite but no manual control. Decision, decision.

I took a look at the specs on ZR3/ZX3 and thought not bad, until I saw the picture of it. The dial is at the same location (on the edge) like the ZS3/TZ7. It's also missing manual controls like you mentioned. The ZS5/TZ8 is missing AVCHD so that leaves the ZS7/TZ10 with everything I need (or think I need).

I went to Las Vegas 9 years ago with my Olympus C-3000Z and spent almost a day taking pictures before I realized that I didn't turn the internal clock back 3 hours.:o That won't happen with the ZS7/TZ10 and its automatically adjusting clock feature which uses the GPS receiver to determine the local time. I also sold my Sony camcorder recently which I purchased in 2002 and I need a camera that records good-quality HD video.

[htimsda]

One thing I hope the new Venus Engine VI has done is stretch the battery life some. It is absolutely horrible if you record a few movies and expect juice left for photos. I am about to buy a second battery just to get me through ONE day of shooting and movie recording. Looks like the new models use the same battery so it's up to the firmware and the processor to make it last. We'll see what Jeff has to say about these once he reviews them.

I would imagine that the battery life will be worse on the ZS7 because it will be running gps also. Hopefully I'm wrong.

[polvadis]

I would imagine that the battery life will be worse on the ZS7 because it will be running gps also. Hopefully I'm wrong.

I just purchased a second battery and a car charger from Amazon. I got left with no battery juice too many times with this camera. It's why I liked AA's so much in my Canon A570, if I ran out I could just get them at the nearest store. But it seems all cameras are going with their proprietary batteries these days.

[dampfnudel]

I just purchased a second battery and a car charger from Amazon. I got left with no battery juice too many times with this camera. It's why I liked AA's so much in my Canon A570, if I ran out I could just get them at the nearest store. But it seems all cameras are going with their proprietary batteries these days.

When I bought my TZ3 in 2007, I also got an extra battery right away. I knew two batteries would be necessary to take care of my needs for a "day" of use. That's especially true now that the ZS7 would be my primary digital recording device (still photos & HD video).

I can't wait until its released in April/May. I'm so glad they moved the dial back to the proper location. It's about in the same position as the dial on my TZ3.

[Tarnisher]

The ZS7 seems to come pretty close to exactly what I'm looking for in my next camera.

It wins over the ZS3 because of the manual controls, and beats the ZS5 with higher quality video, stereo mic, and better LCD.

The GPS looks silly, but according to one review you can shut it off and save battery.

Hopefully the picture quality will not disappoint. I can't wait for Jeff's review!

[ht-naimee]

I am waiting for the review of the ZS7 but having read the features on these new Panasonics, I think I would move from Fuji to the ZS7.
"Unfortunately" I live in Germany and I just checked and saw that the TZ10 (=ZS7) will again only record up to 29:xx min of HD video. And only half that if Quicktime!
Pretty pathetic!

Does anyone know if this ridiculous limit can somehow be bypassed?
If not, is the ZS7 available in Europe somewhere? Maybe the UK? I'm not really willing to pay that kind of money for a compact that doesn't allow me to record a video until the disc is full.

Or is the TZ10 intelligent enough to automatically start a new recording when the 29min have been reached? I wouldn't mind two files instead of one, but I would mind having to restart a new recording manually.

[dampfnudel]

You can't purchase the ZS7 in any European country including the UK. So unless you or a family member/friend travels to the US, Canada or Japan, you're out of luck. Maybe you can find an online site that ships to Europe, I don't know if that's possible. I'm not sure if you can switch between NTSC & PAL when recording HD video, probably not.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to Dave's review. I have a TZ3 which still works great, but since I sold my 7-year-old Sony camcorder, I've been looking for something to replace it. With my casual video recording needs, a "hybrid" recording device like the ZS7 may just be the ticket.

By the way, if you're wondering about my user name, my mom is German and my oma made dampfnudel every summer we visited her when I was a child in Aschaffenburg, near Frankfurt/M.

[ht-naimee]

mmmmm...Dampfnudeln mit Vanillesoße :-)...lecker!

I do know a few Americans who from time to time travel to the US, but then of course I would only get a one year warranty and it wouldn't apply to Europe. or does Panasonic offer world wide warranty (with no extra shipping costs etc.)?

I'd probably be better of buying locally, but I really, really don't like this senseless limitation. so much so I am doubting my decision to go for a Panasonic instead of a Fuji.

By the by, there is no "NTSC" or "PAL" HD ;-)
NTSC would be 720x480@60 and PAL 720x576@50. The only difference would be 720p@30 rather than 720p@25. But I would actually prefer 30/60Hz as my TV handles 60Hz better (less false contouring).
All in all the US model would be ideal for me if there wasn't that small problem of me not living in the US :-D

[dampfnudel]

Cnet is not the best source for camera reviews, but it's the only one I've found so far. They like the ZS7.

http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-cameras/panasonic-lumix-dmc-zs7/4505-6501_7-33978848-2.html?tag=txt;page

Of course, it's Dave's review that we're all waiting for which should come very soon.

[nptski]

I am excited about the new offering and will likely order the ZS7. I do have some interest in the ZR3 as well. I am not clear exactly why I wouldn't be happy with the ZR3. We take mostly snapshots and want to be able to video. Of course we want the best images we can get from a compact camera. The ZS7 is not that much bigger, we had a TZ3, so if it offers more image quality (we don't use the manual controls), that will be our choice.

thanks

[dampfnudel]

Jeff's review is up. He recommends it but, it doesn't seem like he's too happy with image quality. I was really hoping to replace my TZ3.:(

[Phill D]

Yes just read the review too shame about the noise very dissapointing. If only they had left it at 10Mp. With all those features & the same IQ as its predecessor I'd have bought one before our next holiday without hesitation, now not so sure. Probably save my cash and stick with my old TZ1 !

[JPW2020]

Disappointing,but not surprising I guess.

I had a TZ1,one of my favourite cameras.I now use a TZ7,very happy with it,nothing in the TZ10 (ZS7) would have tempted me anyway,even before Jeff's review.

Mind you more megapixels on the same sensor is of course still a standard upgrade,it seems,Canon G11 excepted.The same issue occurred when the FZ30 was replaced by the FZ50,the reviews suggested inferior image quality because of noise.I was a very happy FZ50 owner for more than 2 years and though I accepted the limitations of the camera in low light it was still a damn fine piece of kit.Hopefully the same applies to the TZ10.

[dampfnudel]

I wonder if a firmware update could "correct" some of the issues? I'm surprised with the redeye & clipping.

My other options would be:

1) Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-HX5V (Jeff's review is coming)
2) Panasonic ZS3 (while they're still available), the only thing I don't like about it is the placement of the mode dial.
3) Read other reviews about the ZS7 & take a chance (from a place with a good return policy).

[ht-naimee]

I was really looking forward to this camera but just like with previous cameras, Panasonic does seem to dissapoint when it comes to the actual image quality. A shame really as they do offer great features and most importantly, excellent zoom.

But having read the review and seen the low light iso tests, no way I would buy this camera now. Not at the current price and not before the Fuji FX80EXR hasn't been reviewed, which I would expect to be superior.
Low light situations are quite common underwater, plus I do like to point and shoot at night.

And what's up with "fake"-batteries? Jeff mentions that PAnasonic has some kind of built in check or tries to make sure only the genuine batteries work. Is that actually a problem? I usually like to have at least two batteries but I rarely buy the overprised manufacturer batteries.

[Phill D]

Here's a shot I took at the launch of the TZ10. They certainly pack a lot of functions into a small space.
52421

[louiskam]

This "inside-look" photo is cool.. Lost my Sony camcorder so just brought the ZS7 + 16Gb Class 10 for US$225 total. Will put my TZ1 as spare. Cheers.