Find Whirlpool Deals at Lowe’sPanasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 (black)
Manufacturer: Panasonic Part number: DMC-ZS1K
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- Specifications
- Product series
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- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- With a flexible lens in a pocketable package, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 is a pleasing point-and-shoot megazoom--both in design and photo quality.
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CNET editors' review
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 (black) price range: $217.95 - $279.99
- Reviewed by: Joshua Goldman
- Reviewed on: 06/19/2009
- Released on: 04/20/2009
The good: Compact wide-angle lens with 12x zoom; good build quality; uncomplicated operation.
The bad: Mixed performance; few manual features.
The bottom line: With a flexible lens in a pocketable package, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 is a pleasing point-and-shoot megazoom--both in design and photo quality.
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 may look identical to its linemate, the ZS3, but give its specs more than a cursory glance and you'll find it's a different camera. The make-or-break difference, though, is the ZS1's lack of HD movie capture. So if you don't need that and aren't doing a lot of action photography, you'll probably be satisfied with what the ZS1 offers: a compact body, a wide-angle lens with 12x zoom, and very good photo quality.
| Key specs | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 |
| Price (MSRP) | $299.95 |
| Dimensions | 2.4 inches wide by 4.1 inches high by 1.3 inches deep |
| Weight (with battery and media) | 7.7 ounces |
| Megapixels, image sensor size, type | 10 megapixels, 1/2.5-inch CCD |
| LCD size, resolution/viewfinder | 2.7-inch LCD, 230K dots/none |
| Lens (zoom, aperture, focal length) | 12x, f3.3-4.9, 25-300mm (35mm equivalent) |
| File format (still/video) | JPEG/Motion JPEG |
| Highest resolution size (still/video) | 3,648x2,736 pixels/640x480 at 30fps |
| Image stabilization type | Mechanical and digital |
| Battery type, rated life | Lithium ion rechargeable, 320 shots |
The ZS1 looks and feels good. It's a sturdy, comfortable handful with a nicely rounded right side giving you a secure one-handed grip. Though it's not small or light enough that you'll forget it's on you, the fact that a camera with its wide, long lens easily fits in a back pants pocket or small handbag is awesome. Available in silver or black, its controls are simple and straightforward enough that out-of-the-box use shouldn't be a problem for most familiar with digital cameras. A Mode dial on top lets you easily slip between shooting options. Actually, if there's one design complaint it's that the dial spins a little too freely, and because you have to reach over it to press the shutter release and use the zoom ring, it frequently moves out of place. Otherwise, the remaining controls on back are relatively large, easy to use, and logically arranged.
Likewise, the menu systems are uncomplicated. A Q.Menu button on back at the lower right brings up a vertical bar of shooting-mode-sensitive options. A general Menu button sits at the center of the four navigational buttons that double as exposure, flash, macro, and timer controls. The main menu system features two tabs: one for setup and one for shooting features.
If you're trying to decide whether the ZS3 is worth $100 more to you than the ZS1, there are noteworthy differences. For starters, the ZS1's LCD, though only slightly smaller, has half the resolution. The ZS1 uses a different image processor that does not support HD video with stereo audio, HDMI output, or the ZS3's face recognition and Intelligent Auto in Movie mode features. There's also a one-touch movie record button to go with the HD video capture. Lastly, the ZS3 has a different sensor with a total pixel count of 12.7 megapixels compared with the ZS1's 10.3-megapixel sensor. However, both are 10-megapixel cameras, so the ZS3's higher pixel count basically allows you to get higher-resolution photos at 3:2 or 16:9 aspect ratios. Really only the HD video is important and to us it's worth the $100.
| General shooting options | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 |
| ISO sensitivity (full resolution) | Auto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1,600 |
| White balance | Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Halogen, Manual |
| Recording modes | Intelligent Auto, Normal Picture, MySCN, SCN, Motion Picture, Clipboard |
| Focus | Face, AF Tracking, 11-point, 1-point (high speed), 1-point, Spot |
| Metering | Multi, Center-weighted, Spot |
| Color effects | Standard, Natural, Vivid, Black & White, Sepia, Cool, Warm |
| Burst mode shot limit (full resolution) | 5 photos (Standard), 3 photos (Fine) |
The ZS1 is primarily a point-and-shoot camera. In Normal Picture mode you get the most control over results with settings for focus, light metering, color effects, white balance, ISO, and exposure. You also get access to Panasonic's Intelligent ISO for limiting the sensitivity to a maximum of ISO 400, 800, or 1,600 as well as the capability to set a minimum shutter speed from 1 second to 1/250. If you like scene modes the ZS1 has 27 of them as well as a MySCN option letting you associate one you use most often with the MS marker on the Mode dial. Of course there's a fully automatic mode--Intelligent Auto (iA)--that determines the most suitable Scene mode and helps correct any blurring, focus, and brightness issues. There is a Movie mode, but it maxes out at a resolution of 640x480 pixels. The last spot on the dial goes to a Clipboard mode that stores low-resolution images to the camera's 40MB of internal memory for fast recall. Panasonic recommends using it for taking pictures of bus/train timetables and maps, which is made more useful by the wide-angle lens.
Performance is mixed from the ZS1. The time from off to first shot is an average 2.3 seconds. Shot-to-shot times are a longer wait at 2.5 seconds without flash and 2.8 seconds with the flash on. Its burst mode is fairly fast, too, at 2 frames per second. The bad news is shutter lag. In bright conditions it takes just shy of a second to capture a photo after pressing the shutter release. That's a time we usually get for dim lighting; most point-and-shoot cameras come in at roughly half that time in good lighting. In more challenging lighting the ZS1 takes 1.1 seconds, which is a more typical result for its class, but still high.
Photo quality is very good for its class. Things that megazoom photos typically exhibit--softness, barrel distortion, purple fringing--didn't seem to trouble the ZS1. Photos below ISO 200 were generally sharp with good detail with excellent color and exposure, though there was some highlight clipping. Photos had a slight graininess to them across all ISOs, but as usual, the higher the ISO and the larger you view the photos the more likely you are to see it. In other words, there's noise, but most probably won't see it unless they're looking for it. Between ISO 200 and 400, photos get a little fuzzier and softer from noise reduction, but detail is still fairly good. Everything taken with ISO 800 or ISO 1600 isn't particularly useful, so you'll want to be careful about taking handheld low-light shots without using the flash.
Video quality is good for VGA with monaural audio and you get use of the 12x optical zoom while you're recording.
If you want a pocketable point-and-shoot megazoom camera, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 is one of the best options around. Even with its few flaws, it comes out on top of the competition as long as you don't need semimanual or full manual controls. Again the decision between it and the ZS3 comes down to whether you want the HD movie capture, and if you don't, the ZS1 is a sound purchase.
(Shorter bars indicate better performance)
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Time to first shot | |
Typical shot-to-shot time | |
Shutter lag (dim) | |
Shutter lag (typical) |
(Longer bars indicate better performance)
Find out more about how we test digital cameras.
User reviews
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Nice Consumer camera with big focal range.
by garetson on September 20, 2009
Pros: Compact, 12x zoom, loaded with Scenes, Quick Menu handy and fast, automates most everything.
Cons: LCD unreadable in sunlight. Automates most everything. Zoom lag. Costly accessories.
Summary: First impressions: Very nice size and grip, easily pocketable. Versatile and capable, with numerous features and scenes. Automates most everything. The Quick Menu is wonderfully convenient for changing basic settings, ...
Summary: First impressions: Very nice size and grip, easily pocketable. Versatile and capable, with numerous features and scenes. Automates most everything. The Quick Menu is wonderfully convenient for changing basic settings, like resolution or metering, on the fly. Clipboard for keeping a few special low-res images is handy, without having to scroll though all your images.
Problem is, I hoped for an all-in-one, everyday pocket camera, an SLR zoom range in a compact body. But, it automates most everything. ("Your own settings" consists just of the "press shutter button halfway" trick!) Lacks even Aperture and Shutter Priority modes, handy when shooting Macro or motion. Workarounds (like Portrait vs. Scenery for depth of field, or Sporst for fast shutter speed) are incomplete. So, despite its potential, this is a Consumer, not Pro-sumer camera.
Furthermore, LCD is unreadable outdoors due to small size, sunlight, or reflections from face, so I cannot see what is in focus. So, put a black cloth over your head, like olden days, yah, right! This is a Point-and-Hope Camera. Having to hold the camera away from face to peer at LCD (compact cameras lack viewfinders!) makes for jitter and reflections, and screen icons are tiny. Don't give this camera to anyone shaking with eagerness, or age. The Zoom has a wide range, but it lags the lever control, overshooting or undershooting while I try to jockey it into position. Also, due to the 25mm Wide end, the Tele end may be shorter than you expect with a 12x (forceable to 21x with lower resolution). When shooting, my finger keeps running into the zoom lever knob rather than the shutter button behind it, on the midline inwards of the mode dial (other cameras have the shutter button on the front edge, right?). Defeat the annoying shutter lag (due to auto-focusing) with the halfway shutter button trick. It does not seem possible to defeat autofocus with pre-set focus ranges.
Has 16 usual scenes, plus 8 special modes that affect appearance of images (including Panorama Assist [for ArcSoft Panorama Maker on CD], Bursts, High ISO, Distortion). High-Angle setting (ZS1 only) makes LCD more visible when shooting with camera raised high. Audio recording for picture or movie is monaural (ZS3 is stereo). ZS1 has Face Detection, while ZS3 adds named Face Recognition. "Direction detection" feature means rotation of portrait/landscape orientation, not built-in compass or GPS! About 160 his-res pictures per battery charge. Plays built-in music.
Optional AC adaptor ($80) does not recharge battery, plus requires a special connector ($50, to connect included USB or AV) if you want AC power while transferring pictures to TV or PC (an exorbitant $130 list together)! An SD/SDHC memory card is not included with camera (40 MB built-in); some Panasonic TVs read the card directly.
Instructions are in English, with a briefer Spanish supplement, plus a French-Canadian warning. Software for PHOTOfunSTUDIO editor is PC only (instructions in French and English)..1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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As a second camera, it's a great choice
by onotodamax on September 1, 2009
Pros: Compact, easy to pack, zoom potential is what most point and shoots are missing; image stabilization. Menus are well thought out and intuitive
Cons: Controls are a little delicate
Summary: I have a Nikon D90 dSLR and was looking for a P&S that would allow me to take quick pix without breaking out the dSLR. The one feature ...
Summary: I have a Nikon D90 dSLR and was looking for a P&S that would allow me to take quick pix without breaking out the dSLR. The one feature that most P&S cameras lack is a good quality zoom and the ZS1 fits the bill. Most pictures I would take with the camera are outdoors, on vacation, etc. so I don't need the low noise high ISO sensitivity. . . I'll pull out the D90 for that. The camera meets the basic needs of what I would want from a point and shoot because I'm not looking for a replacement for my dSLR, just a fun camera with some of the features of an SLR without the weight, size, and cost. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love my D90, but there are times when I don't want to pull it out (out with friends at a restaurant or ball game, for example) and would rather give up the features for a quickie pic.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Would be perfect if it read my 32GB sdHC Cards
by Gator5000e on June 22, 2009
Pros: Great photo and video quality; easy to use; good software for photo and video editing;
Cons: Will not read my two 32GB sdhc cards; manual implies it will; my other cameras and laptop see them; was on hold with Panasonic tech support for 23 minutes, gave up. Also new firmware won't allow aftermarket batteries;
Summary: Good camera that would be great if it read the 32GB cards.
Summary: Good camera that would be great if it read the 32GB cards.
0 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Panasonic
- Part number: DMC-ZS1K
- Description: The DMC-ZS1 is the world's smallest digital camera with 12x optical zoom featuring 25mm ultra wide-angle f/3.3-4.9 Leica DC Vario-Elmar lens. 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 lengths in this compact body. The powerful zoom of the DMC-ZS1 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 pictures any time, any place. The MEGA O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) in the DMC-ZS1 compensates for the blurring caused by hand-shake. It is now featured on the entire LUMIX range, and is highly popular with users around the world. Even slight hand-shake movement is accurately detected by a sampling frequency of 4,000 times per second, and compensated to produce sharp, clear images. The Venus Engine IV controls the shifting of the blur-stopping lens with even greater precision to further increase the detection accuracy and correction effect of MEGA O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer). It works for zoom shots and macro shots, which are especially susceptible to hand-shake, and lets you shoot in dimly lit rooms or evening illumination to preserve the mood. In short, it lets anybody take beautiful, blur-free shots with ease. The Intelligent ISO Control function in the DMC-ZS1, made possible by the Venus Engine IV, detects subject movement and automatically adjusts the ISO setting and shutter speed to best suit the movement and light conditions. When it detects subject motion, it automatically raises the ISO setting and increases the shutter speed to prevent motion blur. On the other hand, when the subject is still and no movement is detected, it takes beautifully natural photos with a low ISO setting. Intelligent ISO Control gives you stunning images with ease because there is no need for complicated settings. The Face Detection function detects faces and automatically optimizes the focus and exposure settings. It prevents the blurry faces that happen when the camera focuses on something in front of or behind the subject, and keeps faces from appearing dark when shooting indoors or against the light source. It detects up to 15 faces at a time, making it extremely convenient for group photos. Once the camera detects a face, Face Tracking follows it even when the subject moves around. Plus, the system keeps on detection if a face turns sideways to the camera. The DMC-ZS1 is also equipped with Digital Red-eye Correction. The camera takes care of the red-eye effect that often happens when shooting with a flash, to ensure attractive facial expression always.
General
- Product Type Digital camera - Compact
- Width 4.1 in
- Depth 1.3 in
- Height 2.4 in
- Weight 7.3 oz
- Enclosure Color Black
Main Features
- Resolution 10.1 megapixels
- Color Support Color
- Optical Sensor Type CCD
- Total Pixels 10,300,000 pixels
- Effective Sensor Resolution 10,100,000 pixels
- Light Sensitivity ISO 100, ISO 200, ISO 400, ISO 800, ISO 1600, ISO auto, ISO auto (1600-6400)
- Digital Zoom 4 x
- Shooting Modes Frame movie mode
- Shooting Programs Pet, Food, Snow, Baby1, Baby2, Beach, Candle, Sunset, Scenery, Pin hole, Clipboard, Fireworks, Soft skin, Film grain, Starry sky, Underwater, Night scene, Sports mode, Aerial photo, Party/indoor, Portrait mode, Self-portrait, Hi-speed burst, Night portrait, Panorama assist, High sensitivity
- Special Effects Cool, Warm, Sepia, Vivid, Neutral, Black & White
- Image Stabilizer Optical (MEGA O.I.S.)
- Max Shutter Speed 1/2000 sec
- Min Shutter Speed 60 sec
- Exposure Metering Spot, Multi-segment, Center-weighted
- Exposure Modes Program, Automatic
- Exposure Compensation ±2 EV range, in 1/3 EV steps
- Auto Exposure Bracketing 3 steps
- Face Detection Yes
- White Balance Custom, Presets, Automatic
- White Balance Presets Shade, Cloudy, Halogen, Daylight
- Digital Video Format QuickTime
- Still Image Format JPEG
- TV Tuner None
- Video Capture QuickTime - 640 x 480, QuickTime - 320 x 240, QuickTime - 848 x 480
Memory / Storage
- Supported Flash Memory MultiMediaCard, SD Memory Card
- Integrated Memory 40 MB
- Floppy Drive None
- Image Storage JPEG 3648 x 2736, JPEG 3648 x 2432, JPEG 3648 x 2056, JPEG 2560 x 1920, JPEG 2560 x 1712, JPEG 2560 x 1440, JPEG 2048 x 1536, JPEG 2048 x 1360, JPEG 1920 x 1080, JPEG 3072 x 2304, JPEG 3072 x 2048, JPEG 3072 x 1728, JPEG 1600 x 1200, JPEG 640 x 480
Camera Flash
- Camera Flash Built-in flash
- Flash Modes Auto mode, Fill-in mode, Slow synchro, Flash OFF mode, Red-eye reduction
- Red Eye Reduction Yes
- Effective Flash Range 2 ft - 17.4 ft
- Features AF illuminator
Lens System
- Type Zoom lens - 4.1 mm - 49.2 mm - F/3.3-4.9
- Focal Length 4.1 mm - 49.2 mm
- Focal Length Equivalent to 35mm Camera 25 - 300 mm
- Focus Adjustment Automatic
- Auto Focus TTL contrast detection
- Auto Focus Points (Zones) 11
- Min Focus Range 19.7 in
- Macro Focus Range 3cm
- Lens Aperture F/3.3-4.9
- Optical Zoom 12 x
- Zoom Adjustment Motorized drive
- Lens Construction 8 group(s) / 10 element(s)
- Lens Manufacturer Leica
- Features ED glass, Aspherical lens, Built-in lens shield
Additional Features
- Self Timer Yes
- Self Timer Delay 2 sec, 10 sec
- Additional Features DPOF support, Face detection, Audio recording, Date/time stamp, Built-in speaker, Histogram display, Resizing an image, PictBridge support, Built-in help guide, USB 2.0 compatibility, Digital image rotation, Digital noise reduction, RGB primary color filter, In-camera red-eye removal, Camera orientation detection, Automatic face tracking technology, Automatic display brightness adjustment
Viewfinder
- Viewfinder Type None
Display
- Type LCD display - TFT active matrix - 2.7 in - Color
- Display Form Factor Built-in
- Display Format 230,000 pixels
Digital Player (Recorder)
- Type None
Microphone
- Type Microphone - Built-in
- Microphone Technology Electret condenser
- Microphone Operation Mode Mono
Connections
- Connector Type 1 x USB, 1 x Composite video/audio output, 1 x DC power input
- Expansion Slot(s) 1 x SD Memory Card
Software
- Software Drivers & Utilities, ArcSoft Panorama Maker, ArcSoft MediaImpression, Panasonic PHOTOfunSTUDIO 3.0
System Requirements for PC Connection
- Peripheral Devices USB port, CD-ROM drive
Miscellaneous
- Carrying Case None
- Microsoft Certifications Certified for Windows Vista
- Included Accessories Hand strap, Battery case
- Cables Included USB cable, A/V cable
Power
- Power Device Battery charger - External
Battery
- Supported Battery 1 x Li-ion rechargeable battery ( Included )
Environmental Parameters
- Min Operating Temperature 32 °F
- Max Operating Temperature 104 °F
Product series
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Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 (black)
Manufacturer: Panasonic
Specs: 10.1 megapixels, 12 x, 2.7 in LCD display
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Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 (silver)
Manufacturer: Panasonic
Specs: 10.1 megapixels, 12 x, 2.7 in LCD display
Accessories
Manufacturer info
- Panasonic
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Panasonic products on Shopper.com
-
- Website: http://www.panasonic.com/
- Address:
One Panasonic Way, Secaucus, NJ 07094 - Phone: 800/662-3537
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