October.2009
The Lumix ZS1 looks, feels, and performs very much like its sibling, the Lumix ZS3, which is a great camera. The main differences are the ZS3's slightly larger 3.0" LCD and its support for HD video. The ZS1 has the same amazing 25-300mm image-stabilized zoom lens.
The ZS1 is solidly built and is comfortable to hold and use. It's also relatively compact for a superzoom. Its lens's huge zoom range - 25mm extra wide to 300mm telephoto - should cover most subjects. A Lumix feature that we really like and use for night photography is the STARRY SKY mode which allows the choice of three slow shutter speeds: 15, 30 and 60 seconds (see the night pictures in the photo gallery).
The Lumix ZS1 is easily one of our favorites under-$250 cameras. Given the versatility, it makes an excellent travel camera.
- responsive, easy to use
- very good image quality
- compact, attractive, well built body
- excellent, versatile 25-300mm zoom lens
- effective optical image stabilization
- smooth optical zoom for video
- excellent 2.7" LCD
- long Starry Sky exposure: 15, 30, 60 sec.
MIND
- no manual exposure mode
WISE
- great travel camera
- compact superzoom
- price when tested: $237
- 1.2010 street price: $199
- colors: black, silver
- image stabilized zoom lens 25-300mm
- multi-format: 4:3, 3:2, 16:9
- 2.7" LCD
- video with 16:9 wide mode
- SD/SDHC memory card (40MB internal)
- rechargeable Li-ion battery
- 10.1 megapixels
- dimension: 4 x 2.4 x 1.3"
- weight: 0.45 lbs
- Lumix ZS1 info @ Panasonic.com
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