Comments about Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 Digital Camera (Silver):

I've owned a 8MP Lumix for about a year and have found it to be reliable and decent. Unfortunately,I was suffering "zoom envy", when my friends were happily capturing shots that
I just couldn't "reach".
I'm too lazy to carry a full sized camera and this new Lumix has everything I need to capture the shots along the trails and in the city.

Comments about Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 Digital Camera (Silver):

This small camera shoots like a pro. The 12x zoom allows me to take closeups without being intrusive. The menu is easy to follow and under fine images, I can crop later without losing resolution. Compliments are rolling in on the camera, but as a graphic designer enjoying the small size, I know it is also the eye behind the lens. This camera delivers.

Comments about Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 Digital Camera (Silver):

This is actually my second Lumix ZS camera purchase. I purchased the ZS3 as a Christmas gift for my wife. I purchased the SZ1 for a relative after liking the ZS3 so much. In deciding on this camera, I looked at units ranging from ultra-compact to super-zooms ranging from $200 to $500.

I was originally leaning towards the Canon G11. Ultimately, I decided against it because I didn't like the "cheap" feel of the plastic body and the large size. I also liked the Nikon Coolpix S70. The bright OLED screen is great, but I wasn't a fan of the touchscreen controls that didn't work as smoothly for me as I would have preferred. I examined quite a few other models - many of the Canon PowerShots, the Samsung DualView, and many of the Sonys.

I chose the ZS model because it has a good mix of features. The camera feel is excellent with a great build quality. The camera has no viewfinder, but we've experienced no issues with visibility of the LCD in bright light. The 12x zoom is really nice for pulling in those distance shots. The flash is really good, producing accurate colors without blowing out close subjects. The ZS3 features 720p video recording that is also nice, but you will need to decide if it's worth the price premium. The zoom can be used during video recording, which is uncommon.

The camera isn't perfect. The settings dial is too close too the shutter button and it is too easy to move accidently. The white balance isn't as accurate with indoor lighting as other cameras that I have used in the past. The camera is not a large, but it's not going to fit into your back pocket either.

Overall, this is a great camera choice and I highly recommend it. The great features of this camera easily outweigh its minor annoyances.

Comments about Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 Digital Camera (Silver):

Great buy! Excellent product. The Leica lens is amazing.

Comments about Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 Digital Camera (Silver):

I've just come back from Costa Rica with my camera and manual - perfect! I got this camera for the extra zoom because I want pictures for my desktop that focus on the subject but blur the background. This one works.

Then of course, the spectacular pictures of the water, sunsets, monkeys, and waves crashing are extraordinary. The manual is really good (rare), the settings are very fast to change (from full automatic to beach mode) so you don't miss a moment.

Panasonic has come out with 3 more advance versions (ZS 3, 5, & 7) but they all include a lot of video capability and you messing with the settings. Since I don't know much about settings and don't want to be bothered, this camera is brilliant. My sunset pictures are not to be believed.

The in-camera review and editing is also simple and quick - 1 at a time deleting or lots, review in groups, by theme, by date, etc. We even used it for our clock = "3rd Day in Costa Rica, 10:23 am".

This camera is simple for the user because it is ingenious on the inside - fool proof!

Comments about Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 Digital Camera (Silver):

I like the size of the camera, the screen, the 12x zoom. I haven't used the other features yet, hence 4 stars instead of 5. But so far so good - am very pleased with it.

Comments about Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 Digital Camera (Silver):

i'm an amateur photographer with 2 babies, so i just wanted a snap shot camera that wasn't big, was idiot proof and good.
i had the predecessor to this, so didn't think twice about renewing to this smaller model.
it fits in my pocket, is simple to use and again produces great quality pictures.
the only down side is the video quality - but you don't buy a camera for that -but saying that, my Canon G9 has excellent video quality, but is twice as expensive.

Comments about Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 Digital Camera (Silver):

Just back from a camping trip and have just viewed the results on my computer. Very impressed with the range of the lens. Wide angle is great for capturing the vastness of the scenery and the zoom captures the wildlife. Very happy with all the results so far.

Comments about Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 Digital Camera (Silver):

I have to say i returned this camera but not because it isn't a super high quality point and shoot. the lens is great, the zoom super and lots of settings and great quality photos. I just don't like not having an optical viewfinder. the lcd on this is quite good but i don't like taking photos that way so i ended up returning it. i know most point and shoots these days are similar, guess i'm just not ready to get used to the lcd

Comments about Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 Digital Camera (Silver):

Easy to use, takes great pictures, good for movement, far away becomes up close and easy to throw in a bag and tote along.

Comments about Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 Digital Camera (Silver):

Excellent optics. Twelve power telephoto is very useful. Like all cameras of it's type, indoor flash is problematic.

Comments about Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 Digital Camera (Silver):

Probably the best cost/benefit for a camera this size. Low light quality is surprisingly good, with very usable ISO 400 and acceptable ISO 800. Firmware is somewhat limited in the options you have, but nothing too serious.

Comments about Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 Digital Camera (Silver):

Great zoom and very easy to work with this camera!

Comments about Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 Digital Camera (Silver):

I OWN A NIKON D90, NIKON D700,AND A CANON D40; BUT WHEN I GO TO N.Y.C. I NEED A SMALL POCKET CAMERA. THE PANASONIC DMC-ZS1 IS PERFECT FOR THIS JOB. I USE IT AT THE 5MP SETTING.THIS GIVES ME AN 18X ZOOM WITH GREAT PICTURE QUALITY AT THE ISO 400. THE ONLY COMPLAINT I HAVE IS THAT THERE IS NO VIEWFINDER.

Comments about Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 Digital Camera (Silver):

The picture setting dial is too loose, and shifts easily. I could not just pull the camera out, turn on, and shoot; because the dial never stayed in place. I had to reset it whenever I pulled the camera out for a quick shot. It also gets shifted out of place while picture taking due to the dial being next to the shutter button.

I lost several photos and videos, because the camera would freeze up if given too much info. I would have to repeatedly take the battery out to unfreeze the camera, and would loose whatever photos or videos were recently shot.

Very slow to take photo when on automatic setting.

Menu settings, (in trying to be simplified?) result in lacking options.

Comments about Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 Digital Camera (Silver):

First digital camera I have ever had. I am not an expert photographer. Overall the Panasonic works to my satisfaction. Takes great pictures of friends, family, and scenery.