I own a past Woot! sale Panasonic Lumix, the DMC-ZS6 and think it's pretty good. but in reading about the features of this ZS10 I was very close to pushing the "I Want One" button until I read this 'Express Review' here

What's the chance the firmware update will fix the imaging issues? Anyone find a test of the camera before-and-after?

I bought the 12MP version of this camera back in April, and I'm very happy with the image quality. I'm getting this one for my husband -- he's an entomologist and the GPS feature would come in handy for field research.

Is there a way to strip the GPS info out of the image if he forgets to turn it off for personal photos?

zhangg wrote:Just so you guys are aware, Amazon has this camera for cheaper and it's new not refurb

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-DMC-ZS8-Digital-Stabilized-3-0-Inch/dp/B004KKZ0HE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1313219391&sr=8-1

That is a ZS8 which a mod pointed out earlier. That being said the ZS8, going by all the reviews, takes better quality photos than this one. It doesnt use the same video codec (uses MPEG) and is missing some other features. Here are some sample images of the zs8 vs zs10.

kschmidt62 wrote:I bought the 12MP version of this camera back in April, and I'm very happy with the image quality. I'm getting this one for my husband -- he's an entomologist and the GPS feature would come in handy for field research.

Is there a way to strip the GPS info out of the image if he forgets to turn it off for personal photos?

An earlier woot poster recommended exif cleaner which is available for free through The website listed in his post. Be sure to decline any toolbars and crapware it tries to install during the download. That program edits the data and saves the jph via a lossless process where many other cleaners or procedures you will find to clear them require you to re-save the jpg loosing quality.

i have the zx6 i got from woot! earlier this year - i'm extremely impressed with it. i've been taking pictures for longer than i want to admit (hint - my first camera had a bellows and used roll film) and i've had digital cameras since they first appeared.

the lumix i bought earlier is the best point and shoot i've ever used.

the intelligent exposure mode is great. it's smart enough to automatically adjust the ISO if the subject is moving to reduce blurring. it recognizes backlighting and does an appropriate fill-in. i've taken photos that include the setting sun in the background and it fills in with just enough flash to show details in the foreground.

the quality of the pictures is good enough for me. for example, here's a picture of one of my kittens taken from about 10-12 feet away, backlit. using the intelligent auto function:

http://snipurl.com/dora-zx6

it's 4000 x 3000 pixels (original resolution) so it may take a little time to load. i think it's a good example of what to expect from this family of cameras.

it changed my opinion of panasonic cameras, for sure.

OK just a quick post. Facebook strips the geo-info from any pix posted, btw... Just sayin

This is a great lil camera regardless what the nay-sayers are preaching.

Just remember these guys chattering about "noise" and all that are the same guys who read PHOTOGRAPHY Magazines and buy all the cool gadgets , they post on model mayhem and offer their superior advice too.. "I will critique your pics if you ask me".

It's $200+, I spill more than $200 over a weekend, if you're worried about the price, you should stay home and just read Popular Photography Magazines.

GREAT CAMERA, Great Price... you won't regret it.

Nick

cmader wrote:That's good to know. I'd hate to forget where I had been when taking a picture of the Eiffel tower or Colosseum...

hahaha!

cmader wrote:That's good to know. I'd hate to forget where I had been when taking a picture of the Eiffel tower or Colosseum...

in 25+ years of snapping pics everywhere, I've got literally thousands of images that I would have to put some serious thought into before remembering where they were taken. This would have come in handy last year when we spent about 10 hours going from club to club in vegas... One or two of them I don't even remember the name of the place. When you look at an image years down the road, the gps feature will be nice.

[quote postid="4588129" user="cmader"]That's good to know. I'd hate to forget where I had been when taking a picture of the Eiffel tower or Colosseum... /quote]

I realise you guys say this tounge-in-cheek, but as a motorcycle rider I would find this great. Many pictures I take are not big iconic subjects but rather great roads, waterfalls, vistas, etc. Then when friends look at the pictures and say "great, let's go there", WE CAN!

theguruguys wrote:An earlier woot poster recommended exif cleaner which is available for free through The website listed in his post. Be sure to decline any toolbars and crapware it tries to install during the download. That program edits the data and saves the jph via a lossless process where many other cleaners or procedures you will find to clear them require you to re-save the jpg loosing quality.

The he is a she, and yes I do recommend it for the reasons given. If you go to the Giveaway of the Day site and click the big yellow button to proceed and scroll down to the first post, you can find a semi-disturbing YouTube link about what people can gather from your posted pics as well as a lot of other informational stuff about digital camera pictures.

I am not a spokesperson for them, and I don't receive any compensation or anything like that. I just noticed it there and thought I'd pass along the info. I've downloaded a lot of great programs from Giveaway of the Day over the years, and they're totally reputable. Just be sure not to click anything that wants you to install a toolbar or change your browser's home page, and be SURE to click "Close" instead of "Install Software Informer"... (That's a real pain in the asphalt to remove if you accidentally install it.)

It's like Woot, only software... and free! Every day!

I am assuming this does NOT have a view finder. Got to have a view finder. Tried all the gadgets....

Starting August 14th you can buy a new one at Costcor for $259.

williejs wrote:I am assuming this does NOT have a view finder. Got to have a view finder. Tried all the gadgets....

Of course it has a viewfinder. It's that 3" diagonal LCD screen on the rear of the camera ;-)

You must be referring to an optical view finder - the lenticular thing one puts their eye up really close and sees the subject via pure optics vs the camera's CCD sensor and electronics.

Whatever happened to optical finders on P&S cameras anyway? I've been looking around and optics have vanished, just gone POOF!

martystein wrote:Starting August 14th you can buy a new one at Costcor for $259.

Curious,where did you find that information?

badhabit12 wrote:Amazon.com has brand new one's for cheaper then Woot's refurbished price.

Check your prices before you buy.

[MOD: I think you are looking at a Z8, not a Z10]

Maybe the ZS8 is going for that much cheaper from Amazon because that particular model had some pretty bad "it broke in my pocket" and "so-called warranty would not help me" reviews.

iGGz wrote:...
This seems a little pricey, I'd rather get a DSLR

And you would get far superior images with a DSLR. Typically you will pay more for a lens for that DSLR than you will for this camera unless you're buying the most basic of lenses.

I have a couple of models in this series (and a DSLR.) and I'm pretty happy with the Panasonic's. I really only have two gripes.

1) The images tend to be a bit overprocessed and the settings on ours (TZ5, ZS3) provide no way to defeat that. I have no idea if that's been changed in this model.

2) The wife's ZS3 has a button that starts video recording right where I put my thumb on the back when I hold it to shoot. I wind up with a lot of junk video when I use her camera.

I really like the wide angle lens. You can get a lot more in the picture in some situations.

Considering the quality of the sensor and optics, overall build quality of the camera and the addition of GPS and touch screen, this seems like a reasonable price to me.

iGGz wrote:lol, they've had GPS in cameras for quite awhile now

Really useful for surveying and other jobs

This seems a little pricey, I'd rather get a DSLR

LOL, you think this is pricy, yet you decide to shop DSLR?? Way to lower your budget :P
But yes, I'm in a pickle, too. Buy a higher-end point-and-shoot that easier to carry, or spend ~$700 for something that will really make me happy.

I have the 720p version of this (the z8). Bought it new to be a "purse" camera for when my DSLR was too bothersome. It takes great pictures. The zoom is amazing and the battery lasts a good long time. I paid $219 new on sale locally and am very happy with it. I never use "auto" on my other camera, but the intelligent auto on this one is really great. It figures out (usually correctly) if you are shooting at scenery, people, etc., and adjusts the shutter speed, f/stop and ISO settings accordingly. Here are a few examples:

No flash, about 50 feet away, subjects moving

Random daytime shot

Another daytime shot .

I've been very pleased.

robin731 wrote:The people at DPReview don't think much of it. In a comparison test they rated it in the middle of the pack for image quality in good light, and at the bottom for low-light and flash performance. Their conclusion said

Really? I have one of these, have had for a while ow...bought it new and no issues... Pics are awesome, videos are great, a little grainy in bright bright light but other than that it is awesome camera... For this price, I am buying another for backup...

wootwarrior wrote:this camera is no good for the price IMO. I'm sorry but for those kind of specs I wouldn't be paying $200+ for a refurb! Questionable people.

As much as I like seriously hate being "that guy" I would probs get the extended warrently with this purchase, lol... but ya!

That's still $100 off the brand new price.

To me I don't think the refurb. price being only $30-40 less than new ones at other places is a very good deal, but that's just me....Usually Woot has a deeper discount on refurbs than that...

skywalker993 wrote:That's still $100 off the brand new price.

Yeah, brand new if you go to a local retailer, but compared to apples to apples (i.e. other online shops), the discount is less than half that amount...lousy deal...

Stick with Canon or Nikon and you will be right as rain.

Machtyn wrote:What is the time-between-shots?
Can it take a quick succession of pictures (3, 5, 10)?

The GPS feature is pretty cool. For people who like to geocache, they can take a pic of their finds. For people who like to metal detect, they can take pictures of their finds and not forget where they were.

I'm more interested in a bluetooth or wifi ability (turned off by default, only on when wanting to transfer pictures).

There is a hi speed burst option like in DSLR cameras. My last one was TZ-5 Bugger,I bought the TZ-6 on last deal 2 weeks ago. I needed to replace the TZ-5. If only I wanted 2 weeks! These are great cameras, lots of functions. The high speed burst is great at sporting events and the quality is good for a mid range point and shoot
Wish I could have gotten this one though

Why would anyone even buy this, for 25 bucks more you can get a brand new one at the big south american forest lol

I wooted a ZX6 a couple of years ago and love the camera. I don't know how much use I would have for the GPS, but the camera is easy to set up and takes crisp vibrant photos. I've owned about 6 digitals and this is by far my favorite.

okay, woot has officially lost any desire to pretend it's separate from amazon.

great camera, but the same one is also $240 on amazon but with free prime shipping.

seriously, woot??

I wonder if you can zoom while you are taking movies? Most don't allow this except for the blurry digital zoom. I have an earlier model of this camera and you can't zoom at all. My Sony does allow you to use the optical zoom while recording video.

duffyb wrote:I wonder if you can zoom while you are taking movies?

All the reviews say yes to that feature.

I own one of these and I must say there are some serious critics out there. I am an average guy that takes a few photos here and there and have a DSLR. I add this one to my collection and have not been disappointed to date. It is a point and shoot, not a DSLR. With that said, this is about the best p&s out there right now for a number of reasons. First, it has an amazingzoom for this class of camera. Next, the wide angle is amazing. Can take pictures of the wife without her realizing it. She hates having her picture taken. Last, the time between flash pictures is the best out there, which is the main reason I bought this camera. It is, again, not a DSLR, but I love it and would recommend it. I have taken a number of photos and I feel I get average to great photos like I do with my DSLR. I hope this real world review helps some of yoy on the fence. Real world meaning I am not a professional photographer, just a hobbyist.

For 80 cents more, you can get the same camera NEW on Amazon's web site...

[quote postid="4588187" user="rotorbird"]I own a past Woot! sale Panasonic Lumix, the DMC-ZS6 and think it's pretty good.


The ZS6 is highly rated and Woot just had it a week or so ago refurbished for $140. I have the ZS8 and LOVE it. Have tried about ZS6 Kodaks, a canon and a Sony HX5 (which did have GPS). If you don't need the gps, the ZS8 is great. I have taken amazing pictures with this camera and am finally happy with one. I couldn't find a reasonably priced ZS6 when I was ready to purchase. :/

andybuildz wrote:I missed scoring the ZS6 when it was on WOOT not long ago and it sold out. Real disappointed because it had awesome reviews... Just keep watching on Ebay like I did..

Nice! I agree, ZS6 is probably the best of all - I have the ZS8 which I love, though. I would just be careful of purchasing one on ebay. Get insurance.

agent1atl wrote:I bought one of these and it lasted less than 6 months before it broke. Stay clear.

Thanks so much for the heads up. I am not tech savvy, so I always check in with the comments before I buy. You guys who know your stuff have saved me lots of times from costly mistakes. You provide a service and I appreciate it. Thanks for telling the truth.

A while back they had last years model for $139.00 or so, it was without the gps and it is a refurb. It works great and takes some wonderful pics. I can barely use the camera with all it's features and I cant see the GPS thing being on the monitor cluttering up the screen to tell me where I am at. If you don't know where you are at it's time to see your doctor if you can remember his name that is.

theguruguys wrote:Most often Leica, Carl Zeiss and others just license their name out these days, these lenses are just kinda 'approved' by them, not necessarily designed or manufactured by them. So you are really not paying for the lens, nor are you getting a designed and manufactured by Lecia lens. Lecia lenses on Panasonic cameras are actually designed by Panasonic.

Its not just the photo industry, its everywhere. Like those AMC IMAX theaters, that have the big IMAX logo and they charge $5 more a ticket, but really are not IMAX theaters with screens not much bigger than normal. Or the fact that THX started putting their "2" and "select" certifications on everything. Names just don't mean much anymore when they devalue them.

I strongly disagree!!! It is still back to the basics of photography and equipment, even in the digital age. If your lens is garbage, then your photos will end up in the same place.

I'll take a 4 MP camera with a Schneider-Kreuznach lens over an 8 MP with a camera-branded lens any day (I tested the difference for myself, both units are by the same manufacturer. FYI-The 8 MP model was given to me, so I now use it as a back-up).

You must have the initial image quality provided by the optics. If the foundation isn't there, no amount of editing software is going to help...unless you are on one of the CSI TV shows -LOL-

I believe when you buy a somewhat high-end point & shoot camera (such as a Sony with a Ziess lens), you are paying for quality optics, not a label.

zhangg wrote:Just so you guys are aware, Amazon has this camera for cheaper and it's new not refurb

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-DMC-ZS8-Digital-Stabilized-3-0-Inch/dp/B004KKZ0HE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1313219391&sr=8-1

aaah hello, read the model number,smartie.

martystein wrote:Starting August 14th you can buy a new one at Costcor for $259.

how do you know this, where is it posted. i just missed this sale at costco, which ended august 7th

For people who want to add GPS information to their photos but don't have a camera with it built in, check out this freeware utility. It takes a GPS track, which you can get from an external GPS (or from smartphones with the right app, like this one) and tags photos by matching the time they were taken with the times in the track. I've been using it for a while and it works very well as long as you have the date/time set correctly in your camera.