Yup - some things are more important than megapixels.

The preferred camera of jimmy Olson....

Anyone know if this can zoom while filming video?

Product Website

Panasonic Leica cameras rock! I own two and I've been completely satisfied with both of them. I highly recommend this brand!!

remisser wrote:Anyone know if this can zoom while filming video?

Yes.

"The DMC-ZS6 features a powerful 12x optical zoom lens (35mm camera equivalent: 25-300mm). This gives you highly natural expressions from people and animals that you can't get close to. It is also available in movie recording with the mechanism designed to minimize the noise of auto focusing or zooming."

remisser wrote:Anyone know if this can zoom while filming video?

Yes it can. The auto-focus can get triggered when doing so, which usually isn't a good thing.

This is a good camera... My display has a bunch of bad pixels, but other than that I've been pleased. Not great in low light...

This is a terrific point-and-shoot camera; unless you have other needs (tough/waterproof) or are looking for something approaching semi-pro/prosumer/whatever (DSLR, Micro 4/3rds), you should be super satisfied with this camera.

Here's the manual

support page

I can't believe there's anybody left that doesn't have a digital camera, but I would snap this one up in a heartbeat! I have two and my preferred one is a Panasonic Lumix and you can't beat Leica lens. I'm salivating over the 12x Optical Zoom - fantastic for a point and shoot camera.

If you need a digital camera or want to give a young person their first one - you can't go wrong with this one! Great camera, great price!

alpayton wrote:Panasonic Leica cameras rock! I own two and I've been completely satisfied with both of them. I highly recommend this brand!!

I don't know much about video cameras. How long can you record? Or does it depend on the storage device size?

Here is a good discussion of the camera at dpreview.com, an excellent source of info about cameras.

I link to the 3rd comment in the thread on purpose:

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1033&message=35513306

Soapie0 wrote:I can't believe there's anybody left that doesn't have a digital camera

Well, keep in mind there are people in the world who:
1. Just got old enough to be trusted to have one.
2. People who broke the one they currently had and want a new one.
3. People who are using older ones that aren't quite as good.

and many other mitigating factors to needing a new digital camera. :D

cnet review

TestFreaks

Retrevo

Amazon for $139?

12x Optical zoom?!?!?

This is the ultimate creeper cam!

Definitely would be in for one if I had the fundage...possible Christmas present from the family, though?

grokicki wrote:Amazon for $139?

Link?

Amazon - $251.45

froogled

Videos - some varied subject matter:

panasonic DMC-ZS6 002.MOV - close up - buggies out of focus.

TEST VIDEO - GAY PARADE - AMSTERDAM

Chooch Chee TBall

I have the version that's one year older. It's great! Love the wide angle lens (hard to find in a point and shoot). And the 12x zoom is very useful and necessary. Video looks great. Only down side is that it's a bit big. I take it to concerts a lot, but sometimes wish it was as slim as the new Canon Elph and would fit in my front jeans pocket better. Of course the Canon has only 3x zoom and no wide angle.

Keep and eye out for the firm ware upgrade that can be found
here!

NightGhost wrote:Link?

Amazon - $251.45

froogled

$189 REFURBISHED! Compare apples to apples. Using your own link if you want to verify the refurb price.

Is this a good camera for video recording? I need it for mainly for fast moving objects, will it be able to capture it clearly or will it blur?

Some stuff about megapixels and point-and-shoot digicams:

SLR Cameras vs. Point-and-Shoot

Another Reason To Avoid Giant Megapixel Point-And-Shoot Cameras

The Megapixel Myth

Tips for Using a Point & Shoot Camera

Getting the Most Out of Your Point and Shoot Camera

5 tips for better photos with point-and-shoot cameras

CNET REVIEW:CNET did not review the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS6, but we did review the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 and the DMC-ZS7, which are very similar.
The ZS6 is essentially the ZS5 in the body of the ZS7. The advantages of the ZS6 over the ZS5 include a stereo mic for movie recordings, a Mini-HDMI output for direct playback on an HDTV or monitor, and a 3-inch 460K-pixel display. The ZS6's lens, image processor, and sensor are the same for the ZS5, and as such we expect the ZS6's shooting performance and photo quality to be the same as the ZS5's.
The ZS7 improves on the ZS6 by adding a built-in GPS for geotagging photos, a one-touch record button for movies, a better image processor, and additional shooting options. It also has the capability of recording HD movies in the smaller AVCHD Lite format; the ZS5 and ZS6 record in Motion JPEG only.


Read more: http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-cameras/panasonic-lumix-dmc-zs6/4505-6501_7-34139136.html#ixzz17sNh3JjI

I have this camera, bought it brand new for almost twice this much about a year ago. Awesome friggin camera, great pictures and great video. The only real con is it's bulkier than your typical compact point and shoot but of course this camera is much more than that.

Guys, do you know whether they can get this to me by 12/17 ? With absolute certainty ?
Thx.

Guys, do you know whether they can get this to me by 12/17 ? With absolute certainty ?
Thx.

How does this camera do in low light situations? I do photo's for a local band and the majority of their shows are in dark bars/clubs, so that is kind of an important quality in the camera...

The best point&shoot I've owned is a Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ1, which looks similar in build to this one. Had it since 2006.

My Panasonic was built with quality and durability. A steel frame, steel dial, durable moving components. Electronics that have stood up to the extreme humidity of pocket-traveling and beech and forest vacationing and camping. And the beautiful screen has not as scratch despite dropping it a few times.

If my camera ever breaks or something happens to it, I would eagerly replace it with one just like the one being sold tonight.

kimtso wrote:Is this a good camera for video recording? I need it for mainly for fast moving objects, will it be able to capture it clearly or will it blur?

Check out the Tee-Ball video I linked to above (be sure to select 720p and full screen). It's not bad when the photographer holds the camera steady.

You don't expect to get the same quality as you would with a dedicated camcorder, but this is darn good for a P&S. It is 30fps, Motion JPEG, which has it's limitations regardless of the camera.

natalieburnett wrote:I don't know much about video cameras. How long can you record? Or does it depend on the storage device size?

I believe this model has a 2GB cap on video length, or 8 minutes and 20 seconds of HD video. The ZS7 allows recording until the memory card is exhausted, provided that AVCHD compression is chosen.

kimtso wrote:Is this a good camera for video recording? I need it for mainly for fast moving objects, will it be able to capture it clearly or will it blur?

I have this camera and it is now my primary video camera. I have kids and use it all the time to shoot videos of them doing stuff. I have not seen any blur. I have not tried it at the Grand Prix - if thats the sort of moving objects you are talking about. I love the camera.

alltacos wrote:I have the version that's one year older. It's great! Love the wide angle lens (hard to find in a point and shoot). And the 12x zoom is very useful and necessary. Video looks great. Only down side is that it's a bit big. I take it to concerts a lot, but sometimes wish it was as slim as the new Canon Elph and would fit in my front jeans pocket better. Of course the Canon has only 3x zoom and no wide angle.

Let me show some videos take with 2 different lumix on concerts:
this one is with a 5mp
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8PgbSBjUyc
and this with a 7mp
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-df8eZf2IvQ
Right know I have the 10mp version and I'm so tempted to buy this one.

I bought one a few months ago for $100 more after some research and like it a lot. I figure the only competition in a small cam is the Canon s95 which has a bigger sensor and 'faster' lens (f2) so it is a lot better in low light (pretty important). But the Lumix has a wider-angle lens, better HD video capabilities (I think) and is cheaper, especially at Woot's price.

what is the size of the camera?
length width and thickness.

anishsc wrote:I have this camera and it is now my primary video camera. I have kids and use it all the time to shoot videos of them doing stuff. I have not seen any blur. I have not tried it at the Grand Prix - if thats the sort of moving objects you are talking about. I love the camera.

When they run around and do things, does it capture it all clearly?

I agree with the earlier poster that dpreview.com is the best place for expert camera reviews/opinions (and owned by the same parent company as Woot!, as it turns out), but the earlier poster neglected to mention that dpreview.com also reviewed the camera's two siblings, the ZS5/7:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/Q210grouptravelzoom/page9.asp
(Be sure to read the other pages in the review, notably the studio and real-world comparison pages!)

It's a part of one of their "group" reviews where they compare a bunch of cameras of the same class.