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Camera Reviews from Amazon.com

• September 5, 2010
  PHENOMENAL HD QUALITY VIDEO;COOL FILTERS;63.8x ZOOM!!(YES-THAT'S RIGHT)

  

  I just bought the Panasonic Lumix DMC ZS7 4 days ago, and I've been nothing but pleased and amazed with it. I had read the reviews and watched multiple videos, and was frankly sold on getting the Fujifilm FinePix HS10, with it's 30X optical zoom and 1080p HD recording. I hadn't considered anything else. But I clicked on a banner ad for the DMC ZS7, liked what I saw, and researched further. I ultimately chose it over the FujiFilm HS10, and don't regret it.
  Let's start with the DMC ZS7 zoom....it says right on the camera when you open the box "16X Intelligent Zoom". That's a combined 12X optical with a 4X digital. The 30X optical zoom was what drew me initially to the FujiFilm HS10. But guess what I discovered about the Lumix DMC ZS7?? Something that many reviews, both professional and amateur, seemed to have missed?? The DMC ZS7 is capable of an astounding 63.8X extended zoom!!! I discovered it in the vast array of submenus that are present on the camera. The firmware is lightning fast, and navigating menus is quick and effortless, and the 4-directional keypad works well and feels solid under your fingers as you use it. The camera is part plastic, part metal, and is heavy for a point and shoot, and I like that "not cheap" feeling. But about the zoom.
  It's 12X optical plus 4X digital...so it says on the camera itself...and so many others have said...but after going through the array of submenus in the setup options, I found where you can turn on and extened digital zoom, an EXTRA 51.8X!!! No lie. Of course, it's grainy at best, and pixelized, but pics come out surprisingly well, and video, at the max range, are not as diluted as one might think. For best quality, stick with 16X--that's covered by Panasonic's proprietary "Intelligent Resolution", which keeps things hella-sharp. After that, yes, the pic and video quality degrade. But still, the max 63.8X zoom is bearable, and is helpful in situations where you just have to get up close. More expensive bridge megazoom cameras also get blurry and have focus issues as you max out the zoom. I know, I have an Olympus SP 570UZ bridge camera that does that. I can deal with it on a pocketable point and shoot!
  I just uploaded a wealth of videos on YouTube displaying the zoom capabilities of the DMC ZS7; I don't have the link as I'm writing this. I'm going to try and upload some videos right here after I finish this review, and maybe find that link to the YouTube vids I posted.
  DO GET A FAST, SANDISK, CLASS 10 20 OR 30 Mbps SDHC card!! It's what allows me to take video (by merely pressing one red dedicated "record" button) in 720p and brilliant, "punchy", 12 megapixel stills, with little to no delay between shots and recordings. Anything less would be...uncivilized...LOL. Seriously, Amazon has great cards at reasonable prices, and I purchased an 8GB SanDisk Class10 30Mbps read/write Extreme card, and the choice is rewarding. No long waits between shots & recording, no BS.
  I like the menus and indicators on the screen when you film. As you zoom, the actual number zoomX is printed on the screen and increases as you go all the way to 63.8X(extended zoom "on"). Not just a zoom bar. An icon shows what scene mode you're in, or what filter you're using (I like the "Film Grain" black and white setting, which adds an Old World style class and charm to your stills AND videos--yes, it works on videos, and the PinHole setting which makes you look through a virtual "pinhole" for that "peeping" effect) . When you record, the square reticule flashes red, a red dot above flashes, and there is an icon flashing with an arrow pointing to a memory card. You definitely know you're recording! No wondering. Stills same thing, just green. Every function you enact is clearly and visually displayed, nothing cryptic. Easy and bold and defined. Always know EXACTLY your function, filter, etc. Counts down recording seconds on screen, and time left on the card in seconds and minutes right on the screen. There's TWO PAGES of scene modes and filters. Multiple options for GPS (yes, there's a "bump" on the camera top that proudly displays the GPS logo). If you're into geo-tagging your filming and using them in iPhoto on Mac, it's my understanding it works great with "Faces". I have an Apple iMac 24" with iPhoto '09, but I haven't tried the GPS feature on the DMC ZS7 yet. It's well documented that it SEVERELY drains the included lithium battery (Amazon offers the exact replacement at a good price---get the original with the "PP" designation or it won't fit).
  Quick note about importing to a Mac---When I tried to import my 1st stills and vids, my 8GB Sandisk Class10 Extreme card did not import everything-even on multiple tries. However, my Windows 7 HP laptop had NO problems EASILY importing ALL the content. Can't explain that yet. Not the card, otherwise why did it work on my Windows 7 laptop?
  The 720p HD recordings on the DMC ZS7 are OUTSTANDING. I've seen test videos of the 1080p vids on the Fujifilm HS10 that can't hold a candle to what I get with the Lumix. Panasonic's algorithms for resolution and clarity REALLY are a tour-de-force to be reckoned with, and ACTUALLY WORK!! Zooming is smooth and fast (slower on vids, I admit, but still good). You have a "zoom resume" feature that allows you to cut the camera on from sleep mode, and start shooting with the exact zoom level you left off at. The sound is recorded from 2 mics set on the camera's top, and provide sterling audio. In options you can cut off the "wind effect" so that the sensitive mics don't pick up wind noises that might obliterate the more important audio in your recordings. You can control the LCD display brightness to 3 levels, and it is 460,000 pixels, not the standard 240,000, as the card attached to the camera says when you get it. That's evident when you play back your HD movies. I zoomed in on a float gliding across the pool, and you can actually see the "Inflate instructions" and safety precautions printed on it.
  The exposure, one-touch recording button, and switch for playback and filming are located in the upper right corner on the back, and CAN be hit accidentally. I find myself consciously always trying to avoid that, though I've never had any "accidental" recordings or stills taken. But it is the only little nitpick I can think of on an otherwise "Joy-to-use", "easy-to-understand", PHENOMENAL point & shoot that is a pocketable, portable powerhouse. Like a mini-DSLR in your pocket. AMAZING performance (get the FAST card...). Oh! Just thought of another nitpick. There's vertical light streaks present when you film DIRECTLY into a light source, such as the sun, oncoming nighttime headlights, etc. But the lowlight capabilities on the DMC ZS7 are INCREDIBLE--zooming with little to no blur, and excellent clarity. Okay, this has become a Bible, and I've only had the camera 4 days. I'll update when I discover anything new or significant. These are my 1st impressions, and don't cover every technical aspect, so sorry. Just wanted to convey the pleasure of owning and using what has now replaced my more expensive Megazoom as my camera of choice---"What's the best Camera? The one you have with you..."
  I forgot only one review can be submitted for a product here, but I wanted you to see how to achieve the 63.8X zoom for this Lumix, so go to YouTube and type this into the SEARCH bar: PANASONIC DMC-ZS7 INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO GET 63.8X ZOOM Take you straight to my video & others as well. Enjoy.

• September 5, 2010
  Very Satisfied

  

  This is a beautiful camera & very easy to use. The pictures are startling clear & bright. Lots of features I've begun to tap into, but easy to figure out. The video comes out nicely too.

• September 5, 2010
  Panasonic Lumix DMC-7S7

  

  I bought this to replace a Canon Powershot SD770 IS which I used for several years of European travel. Although the Canon was OK it was not great. The pictures were adequate but the zoom was not. I have used the Panasonic for about 6 weeks and am impressed by the quality of the camera, the pictures, and especially the zoom. Have not had an opportunity to use the GPS yet, but will be in Hungary shortly and it will be used there. As an amateur and mostly a point and shooter, I would recommend the product and for more experienced photographers, there should be enough bells and whistle to keep you happy.