Wide-angle and big zoom in the palm of your hand? A brand new Panasonic compact camera is here to bring it. But what about the rest of the story? Read the full Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 review here.
Review summary of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1:
 |
|
Scoreboard » Features » Side-by-side » Gallery » |
 The Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 is a bit of a mixed bag, but we feel that its impressive strengths outweigh its petulant flaws. We weren’t crazy about the Lumix DMC-ZS1’s interface or design, and features were not as extensive as we would have hoped for. However, the Lumix DMC-ZS1’s 12x optical zoom and 25mm wide-angle lens made us smile, especially since we weren’t forced to continuously back away into oblivion in order to fit an entire building into the frame. Image quality in bright light was some of the best we’ve seen from a compact in this class, but we struggled with exposure in low light. If only the Lumix DMC-ZS1’s Starry Sky Scene mode allowed us to adjust the shutter speed in smaller increments like Canon’s Long Shutter mode. For most casual shooters, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 seems to be a nice fit, though we’d strongly recommend exploring more of the sea before you drop your anchors. Release: May 2009. Price: $300.
Pros: Great bright light image quality. Easy to use menus. Excellent zoom and wide-angle lens combo.
Cons: Lame design. Difficult low light behavior. Poor Playback mode.
| Poor |
Mediocre |
68%
GOOD |
Very good |
Excellent |
|
|
|
Full Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 Review:
|
Design - Mediocre
The 10-megapixel Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 is undoubtedly classy, flaunting a debonair chassis with a matte paint job. We liked the pronounced grip hump and chrome trim. There's nothing futuristic or advanced about the Lumix DMC-ZS1's design, which might deter super technophiles and fashion-hungry shooters. In fact, external controls are fairly limited, consisting of a basic four-way directional pad with a dash of buttons and switches. Panasonic carried over the separate On/Off and Camera/Playback mode switches, which grew annoying due to the fact that we had to continually shift back and forth all day. The Lumix DMC-ZS1 does get points for its oversized shutter button zoom toggle, which we found to move smoothly along its spring-loaded spindle.
However, the biggest design blunder had to do with the proximity of the faulty Mode dial to the shutter button. This would not be a huge deal if the Mode dial was solid and secure, but this thing moved if we breathed on it too forcefully. Every time we unsheathed the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 from our bag, the Mode dial was set to a different position, half of the time residing in the no man's land empty half of the wheel. So, every time we went to snap an image, our shutter button finger brushed up against the Mode dial, yanking us right out of the moment. This happened all day, and it was beyond vexing. Lumix models of the past featured an embedded Mode dial that lived away from the shutter button, and we strongly suggest that Panasonic revert to the success of those blueprints.
Interface - Good
Aside from our Mode dial gripes, we have to bring up the fact that the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 had one of the most finicky Playback modes we've ever fiddled with on a consumer compact. Scrolling from picture to picture was a sluggish task and zooming in on an image was even more tortoise-like. When compared to Canon's Playback mode and overall interface, Panasonic just can't hack it. Since the Lumix DMC-ZS1 has a distinguished Camera/Playback mode switch, we couldn't access Camera mode by simply tapping the shutter button, which is a convenience that's nearly a standard on most compacts. Display options are also very slim on the Lumix DMC-ZS1, presenting minimal image information and no histogram.
Fortunately, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1's 230,000-pixel 2.7-inch LCD provided a sharp picture. However, the LCD lacked wide viewing angle capability and we were treated to a moderate amount of solarizing at steep angles, even when we had it in High Angle view mode. As far as menus, the Lumix DMC-ZS1's were basic, but very easy to follow and highly responsive. The 4-way directional pad was pretty much all we had for navigation, as most of the camera's back is a barren plot of potential button real estate. We liked the Quick menu, which allowed us to instantly scroll horizontally across the top of the screen and select an option from a drop-down category. All in all, the Lumix DMC-ZS1's interface is decent, but it's certainly not the best.
Features - Good
Scene modes were the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1's main attraction, and the camera packs in 27 different modes for a variety of shooting scenarios. There weren't any major surprises in the Lumix DMC-ZS1's Scene mode selection, but we still got a kick out of the Film Grain and Pin Hole Camera modes. The Starry Sky mode was designed for extreme low light and let us set the shutter speed to a 60-second max, but the lowest option was 15-seconds. Also, a tripod is a necessity with any shutter speed that transcends a second, so shooters utilizing this mode will have to do a little extra packing. We found the Panorama Assist mode to be hardly worth using, and the Transform feature, which horizontally or vertically stretches or slims an image, was more of a novelty Scene mode if anything.
AF Tracking was a big feature, and it actually worked well. We tested its effectiveness by shooting a number of moving subjects and locking them in, watching the little yellow box follow them all about the frame. Intelligent Auto mode does its job as well, shifting from Scene mode to Scene mode, depending on the subject matter. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 has a number of Focus modes from 11-Area to Spot to Face Detection, so we were never at a loss in that department. Intelligent Contrast worked more like a Backlight Compensation and the White Balance options were decent, but not as extensive as Canon's. Like most Panasonics, the Lumix DMC-ZS1 has a handful of Color filters such as Vivid, Sepia and Warm, but we really only used Vivid at times when the color needed a good punch. Not a bad arsenal of features, but Canon offers more in this arena.
Hardware - Good
There's nothing exciting about the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1's basic 10-megapixel 1/2.5-inch CCD, a size that used to be popular a few years ago. That's why we couldn't understand how the Lumix DMC-ZS1 was capable of producing such beautiful images, but alas, we've given away too much before the next section. Now the rest of the Lumix DMC-ZS1's inner workings are highly impressive, consisting of a 12x optical Leica DC Vario-Elmar lens with 25mm telephoto capability.
Not in a camera body this compact, you say! It's tough to swallow, but the Lumix DMC-ZS1 rocks a few crucial advanced bits of hardware that make it a fierce contender in its class. We couldn't believe how close we could get to our subject matter, courtesy of the wide-angle lens and the image stayed relatively still at full telephoto, thanks to the two different Image Stabilization modes.
The time from powering on to first shot was a sluggish 3.4 seconds, with a subsequent image following 2 seconds after, so don't expect to catch that getaway car. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 runs on a rechargeable Lithium Ion battery and records JPEG images to SD/SDHC cards. The camera also has 45MB of built-in memory, which will last approximately seven 10-megapixel images in the highest quality.
Image Quality - Good
We were very happy with the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 in every shooting environment except for low light, and that's because the camera lacked the ability to transcend a 1-second shutter speed manually. With the Starry Sky Scene mode we could reach up to 60 seconds, but 15 seconds was the smallest increment. Canon's Low Shutter mode allowed us to manually select the shutter speed in much smaller increments, allowing us more creative freedom at night. The small sensor didn't help matters when the lights went down either, but our bright light images were fantastic.
Color looked great across the board, detail was top notch, images were sharp and noise was very low. We're surprised we were able to squeeze a performance this impressive out of the Lumix DMC-ZS1's basic imaging system, as we were under the impression that the step-up Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 would be a major improvement in terms of image quality. The Lumix DMC-ZS3 performed very well when we shot exclusively with it a few months back, but its bright light performance was comparable to the Lumix DMC-ZS1's. So, if a flash is all you need at night, the Lumix DMC-ZS1 will save you 100 bucks.
Scene/Contrast Test – Hunter's Stomping Ground
First off, this image is an example of why we love shooting with a wide-angle. We were able to stand directly in front of the White Horse Tavern without sacrificing our lives in the crosswalk. Secondly, the main focus appears to be dynamic range, which the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 handles quite well. It's very difficult to render a bright sky, especially one that is already white due to a thin overcast. But edges are rendered very well and there's barely any fringing. The detail in the tavern is excellent, colors are natural and vibrant and the overall exposure is great.
Color Test – Easter Eggs
Color Test – Easter Eggs in Vivid
Colors looked beautiful right out of the gate, but look at the effect Vivid has on the hues. The image springs to life with a Crayola-grade zest. Colors stay true and do not breach their borders. Not only did colors refrain from bleeding, but they were very accurate and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 offered a handful of filters that we toiled with, all producing impressive results.
Detail Test – Chomp
The detail in this image pretty much speaks for itself, and the intricate rendering of each paint flake and individual crack blew us away. When the light was right, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 trumped certain compacts we've tested in the $400 - $500 range. We can detect a slightly fuzzy fringe line along the top of the lion's snout, but overall this image is excellent.
Edge Test – Spiky
Sharpness Test – Graffiti On Wheels
Based on the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1's rendering of detail, it was only natural that the camera handled lines and edges without any hang-ups. The large spiky thing is a formidable opponent for any camera, due to its magnitude of intricate lines and angles, but the Lumix DMC-ZS1 produced a sharp, detailed representation of each geometrical formation. Furthermore, the graffiti truck is represented in its best light. Letters, edges, lines and colors are at the forefront of quality. We're starting to wonder if Panasonic spiked our punch.
Macro Test – A Catalyst of Spring
Up close, this image looks as though it was captured with the Pansonic Lumix DMC-G1. This is magazine-grade image quality spewing from the lens of a budget compact. We were able to smash our lens all up in this bud's grill. Wow is all we can say.
Indoor Lighting Test – Fuel Health Food II
We begin to see traces of noise under artificial illumination, but only at full resolution and we really have to launch a search party to seek it out. Colors, exposure, sharpness and detail are once again top notch. Now we're really beginning to wonder what Panasonic did to the Lumix DMC-ZS1.
Pin Hole Scene Mode Test – Tick Tock Diner
Film Grain Scene Mode Test – Assorted Rubble
We had fun with a few Scene modes. Pin Hole and Film Grain were by far our favorites, and they've consistently produced great results with all of the Panasonics that feature the effects. The antiquated aura of the Tick Tock brings us back to a time when flappers and zoot suits stumbled out of the nearest gin joint to catch a midnight burger. The detail in the pile of rubble is impressive and the fine grain transports us back to the 70's.
Night Test – 74th and 5th
Night Test – 74th and 5th in Intelligent Auto Mode
Though we had trouble achieving a proper exposure at night, the detail in the first image is still admirable and noise levels are strikingly low. We wish Panasonic extended the Panasnoic Lumix DMC-ZS1's manual shutter speed range to better suit low light environments because the built-in flash just couldn't cut it, as evidenced in the second image, which was captured in Intelligent Auto mode. In our eyes, there's not really anything intelligent about this image. Aside from capturing a multitude of raindrops, the high ISO produces its own monsoon and the flash emits an unnatural light pattern.
Low Light Test – Groove Tattoo
High Sensitivity Scene Mode Test – Groove Tattoo
The ship sank in shooting environments that were devoid of a considerable chunk of illumination. However, look at how sharp and noiseless the first image is. Now we really want that manually adjustable shutter speed. We tried the Low Sensitivity Scene mode in the second image, but the jacked up ISO levels were far produced far too much noise.
Price and availability
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 will be available for $300 in May 2009.
|
|
| |
|
| |
| |
| NEW DIGITAL CAMERA RELEASES | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
_it00.jpg)
|
Archive