Name of product:
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10Approximate date of purchase:
Jan. 26, 2012My Review
The ZS10 has been my #1 camera, using it most often. I added a Delkin shade over the viewing screen, but it is still hard to see in bright sunlight (always the case in Arizona). I like the zoom range (24mm to 384mm equivalent 35mm). However, I was disappointed in the lack of sharpness in the 16X zoom position. If like me, you are used to having a SLR with a zoom lens that cost an arm and a two legs, the performance was not a surprise. Most of my photos are for showing to non-critical viewers, and they think they are fine. I wouldn't be able to do any better if I shot the pictures at a wider setting (say, 48mm) and cropped and enlarged the subjects.
Would I recommend the ZS10? Yes if you don't demand the ultimate in sharpness at extreme settings, but no if you need better sharpness, and are willing to buy a very large, heavy and expensive SLR with equivalent telephoto lens, rather than a very small, light, and generally competent point and shoot you can wear on your belt. Like everything else in photography, you have to decide who will view the photos and at what degree of resolution and critical review.
Camera "pros"
Easy to use settings, built in GPS tag, bright screen, Leica lens, fast turn on, remembers last zoom setting, good video duration, small enough to slip on the belt.
Camera "cons"
Poor resolution at extreme zoom setting of 384mm. Not enough function buttons (you will have to go to the set-up menus for anything out of the normal that's not covered by the built-in settings on the top dial.
