Camera Reviews

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 12.1MP Digital Camera with 8x POWER Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.7 inch LCD (Blue) Review

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 12.1MP Digital Camera with 8x POWER Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.7 inch LCD (Blue) Feature

• 12.1-megapixel resolution
• 25mm wide-angle Leica DC Vario-Elmar lens; 8x zoom, Power O.I.S.
• Capture HD video at 1280×720, 30fps
• 2.7-inch TFT LCD screen
• Capture images to SD/SDHC memory cards (not included)

My wife has a Canon SD300 that is still quite serviceable but she often complained that it took too long to get the shot. After much searching, I found that the Lumix seemed to get good marks for “shutter lag”. Overall, the camera appears to be pretty nimble. It also has a gorgeous, big LCD display. Its ability to take HD movies (720p) and widescreen (16:9 aspect ratio) photos were also compelling purchase points.

I bought this camera knowing full well that there is some controversy regarding its latest firmware upgrade (1.2), which prevents the use of third party batteries. However, the camera came with firmware version 1.0, so I think I’m not affected. (I’m also not aware of any compelling reason to upgrade the firmware, thus far.) My only gripe is the lack of an external power jack. The battery can only be recharged outside of the camera in the supplied battery charger. Given how cheap the camera was for the features it provides, I can overlook that. I bought an 8GB memory card along with the camera to be able to make good use of its movie-taking capability. So far, I’m quite pleased with my purchase.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 12.1MP Digital Camera with 8x POWER Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.7 inch LCD (Blue) Overview

12.1-megapixel effective recording * 8X optical zoom (4X digital/32X total zoom) * 2-11/16″ LCD screen * optical image stabilization * wide-angle Leica DC lens for shooting landscapes and large groups * 35mm equivalent focal length: 25-200mm * top JPEG resolution: 4000 x 3000 * face detection adjusts focus and exposure settings for better portraits * scene recognition identifies shooting conditions and selects optimal settings * intelligent ISO detects subject movement and adjusts camera settings to prevent blur * high sensitivity mode for better low-light and flash-free shooting * variable burst mode lets you select shooting resolution and speed (up to 10 frames per second) *

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 12.1MP Digital Camera with 8x POWER Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.7 inch LCD (Blue) Specifications

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*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Feb 28, 2010 23:45:28

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS4 – Digital camera – compact – 8.1 Mpix – optical zoom: 4 x – supported memory: MMC, SD, SDHC Review

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS4 – Digital camera – compact – 8.1 Mpix – optical zoom: 4 x – supported memory: MMC, SD, SDHC Feature

• 8.1 MegaPixels
• 4x optical zoom lens (32-132mm 35 mm equivalent)
• 2.5 inch LCD with auto brightness mode * Face Detection
• One button Auto Mode * 26 optional Scene modes
• Built in Auto Flash * 4 flash modes

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS4 – Digital camera – compact – 8.1 Mpix – optical zoom: 4 x – supported memory: MMC, SD, SDHC Overview

The DMC-FS4 is equipped with a 4x optical zoom lens. The extended optical zoom function uses the center part of the CCD to extend this 4x zoom ratio to a powerful 7.1x zoom at a resolution of 3-megapixel or less.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS4 – Digital camera – compact – 8.1 Mpix – optical zoom: 4 x – supported memory: MMC, SD, SDHC Specifications

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*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Dec 21, 2009 14:56:29

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS1 12MP Digital Camera with 4.6x Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.7 inch LCD (Silver) Review

This is a great camera that is very possibly the best I’ve owned. I buy new cameras every year just to stay on top of new technology and this one is a wonderful new product. Took it on my honeymoon to Hawaii and it definitely proved its worth. I took it with me to the beach, on hiking trips, ziplining, and even in the shark tank with me. This was an awesome companion to have that has excellent picture quality. The quick startup time and available burst shooting made it a great tool for those once over action shots. I did manage over 800 pictures in 2 weeks and probably only needed to charge it two or three times. The greatest feature is the super compact underwater. It has no moving external parts yet still has 4x optical zoom, very nice. Snorkeling was great as I just snapped at whatever I passed by with the camera tied to my wrist. Ziplining was a blast and this camera made the cut with great shot after great shot even though we ended up in 3 inches of rain in a few hours. And last but not least, the underwater feature was the greatest when I went to the Maui Ocean Center Shark Dive (Very Cool !) 30 minutes in a 20 ft tank with you and your closest marine friends like the hammerhead, tiger, reef, and tipped sharks recently captured from the ocean. Feeding the Eagle Ray was very cool. Anyways the pictures turned out great considering I was 10 ft over the max depth in a semi shaded environment with living sea life all around. Hope this helps.
PROS –
Very tough and compact for a waterproof camera (took to 20 ft several times)
Fast startup, zero shutter lag
Excellent tolerance to the elements (sand,snow,water)
burst shooting is a bonus
HD movies with seamless optical zoom while shooting
CONS-
hmm will have to get back with you

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS1 12MP Digital Camera with 4.6x Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.7 inch LCD (Silver) Feature

• 12.1-megapixel resolution captures enough detail for poster-size prints
• Waterproof to a depth of 10 feet, shockproof from falls up to 5 feet, and dustproof
• Records AVCHD Lite HD video
• 4.6x MEGA image-stabilized optical zoom; 28mm wide-angle Leica DC Vario-Elmar lens
• Capture images to SD/SDHC memory cards (not included)

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS1 12MP Digital Camera with 4.6x Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.7 inch LCD (Silver) Overview

12.1-megapixel effective recording * 4.6X optical zoom (4X digital/18.4X total zoom) * waterproof to 10 feet * shockproof up to 5 feet * 2-11/16″ LCD screen with automatic 7-step brightness adjustment * optical image stabilization * wide-angle lens for shooting landscapes and large groups * 35mm equivalent focal length: 28-128mm * top JPEG resolution: 4000 x 3000 * high-definition movie mode with audio (1280 x 720 at 30 frames per second) * face detection adjusts focus and exposure settings for better portraits *

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS1 12MP Digital Camera with 4.6x Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.7 inch LCD (Silver) Specifications

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*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Dec 18, 2009 14:35:33