Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 12.1 MP Digital Camera with 12x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 3.0-Inch LCD (Blue) |  | Brand: Panasonic
Category: Photography
List Price: $349.95
Buy New: $276.29
as of 9/6/2010 22:19 CDT details
You Save: $73.66 (21%)
Rating:  171 reviews
Sales Rank: 54
Color: Blue
Media: Electronics
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Number Of Items: 1
Optical Zoom: 12
Display Size: 3
Maximum Focal Length: 49.2
Minimum Focal Length: 4.1
Maximum Resolution: 12.1
Has Red Eye Reduction: Yes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2
Dimensions (in): 6 x 7 x 2
Legal Disclaimer: We do not in any way represent that any part we sell is legal to possess in your jurisdiction. Check with you local authorities to ensure it is legal for you to possess before buying!
MPN: DMC-ZS7A
Model: DMC-ZS7A
UPC: 885170004085
EAN: 0885170004085
ASIN: B003966MRM
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Features:
| | Features 12.1-megapixel effective recording | | | Features 12X optical zoom (4X digital/48X total zoom) | | | Built-in GPS function lets you keep track of your photos by location | | | Features 3-Inch LCD screen | | | Features optical image stabilization |
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| Accessories:
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
25mm Ultra Wide-angle Powerful 12x Optical Zoom LEICA DC Lens Featuring Intelligent Resolution Technology and Built-in GPS - Ultra Compact 25mm Lens and 16X Intelligent Zoom - Easily bring your images closer without losing picture quality in an ultra compact camera
- AVCHD Lite HD Movie Recording - Record HD quality movies
- Travel Mode with GPS - Access your images easier by automatically recording location and time of each photo
25mm Ultra Wide-angle Lens
The DMC-ZS7 features a 25mm ultra wide-angle* 12x optical zoom f/3.3-4.9 LEICA DC VARIO-ELMAR lens (35mm camera equivalent: 25-300mm). Incorporating Panasonic's advanced optical technologies, this lens system is comprised of 10 elements in 8 groups, with 2 ED (Extra Low Dispersion) lenses and 2 aspherical lenses / 3 aspherical surfaces while preserving compactness. This lens system enables a remarkable 25 to 300mm range of focal length in this compact body. The powerful zoom of the DMC-ZS7 can be freely controlled even when shooting motion images. Inheriting the fine rendering and outstanding quality of the LEICA ELMAR lens, this easy-to-carry camera delivers beautiful images any time, any place.
* Converted to standard 35mm camera equivalent, at the maximum wide position. The 25mm ultra wide-angle lens* has about twice the shooting area as a standard 35mm lens. This enhances all kinds of shooting situations, like when you're photographing a group of people at an indoor party or shooting a large structure or sweeping landscape while traveling.
* Converted to standard 35mm camera equivalent, at the maximum wide position. 16x Intelligent Zoom / 23.4x Extra Optical Zoom
Thanks to the newly incorporated Intelligent Resolution technology, the Intelligent Zoom is available with the DMC-ZS7 which extends the zoom ratio by approx. 1.3x maintaining the picture quality even combining a digital zoom. Th
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 171
 PHENOMENAL HD QUALITY VIDEO;COOL FILTERS;63.8x ZOOM!!(YES-THAT'S RIGHT) September 5, 2010
C. Caldwell (OrangeCounty, NY USA)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
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.
Very Satisfied September 5, 2010
Reader Mom (Los Angeles CA United States)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
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.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-7S7 September 5, 2010
Benny (NC)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
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.
am loving loving lumix September 5, 2010
Debra A. Kulka (Tempe, Arizona United States)
Still Learning to use, the zoom helped me get my grandson at his new job, the feature that follows your subject around allowed me to keep track of him as he was jumping from one place to another This was at a very hectic grand opening in a very crowded store... I even put my pics on my facebook page... I am still in the learning process because my old camera was really old. I purchased this one on top of another but this one makes the other camera look like a toy. Great value.. I love it.
Best digital camera I have used (ZS3) September 4, 2010
Balaji Gopalan
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I have had Sonys and Canons before, and was hesitant to purchase ZS3 (which was the earlier model of ZS7), as I did not have much experience with Panasonic products. My friend suggested this camera to me, saying it had good reviews. I did a bit of research and compared it with Canon SX110IS and similar Sony models. Everything was almost the same except for two important things (at least for me).
First was that ZS3 had a very good macro mode (it is like a microscope built in a telescope!). Second was that it was a Japanese product with great outer frame (not made of cheap plastics).
I went ahead and bought it. For one month I was wondering if I made the right decision. But when I took photos of the snow flakes (yes, an individual snow flake 1/20 of size of a quarter), I realized the power of this camera and never doubted it again.
My friends are often amazed by the clarity of photos I get from this one, and often ask me whether I use an SLR. I have uploaded the picture of the snow flake here, have a look and decide for yourself.
Pros of this camera:
1) Advanced macro zoom (see the snow flake pic)
2) High optical zoom
3) Great outer metal frame
4) Very compact
5) HD video is a bonus.
Cons:
Uses proprietary battery (not the normal AAs).
Showing reviews 1-5 of 171
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