Review: Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10

The 16X-optical-zoom Panasonic Lumix ZS10 is the touchscreen-equipped successor to last year's Lumix DMC-ZS8. The sum of the DMC-ZS10's parts is a fast-focusing, versatile pocket megazoom with high marks for zoom range, scene modes, 3D still shooting, and in-camera extras. But like many Panasonic cameras, this one presents users with an Auto mode that produces somewhat underexposed images. As a result, you must use the camera's manual settings to get the highest-quality output from it. The camera's GPS capabilities make it handy to have on a road trip, but its in-camera mapping features fall far short of the ones we've seen in the Casio Exilim EX-H20G.

Hardware and Optics

The 14-megapixel CMOS-based Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10 ($400 as of March 29, 2011) kicks off its impressive hardware specs with a 16X (24mm to 384mm) optical zoom lens, which is stabilized by excellent "Power OIS" stabilization. The camera counters movement at full telephoto with a fluid floating motion, so you'll rarely have to struggle to frame a shot.

In manual and aperture-priority mode, aperture settings range from F3.3 at the wide-angle end to F5.9 at full telephoto--that's not exactly a fast lens, but it's not too shabby for a camera with such a long zoom. Manual shutter controls range from 1/4000 second to 60 seconds, not counting the camera's burst modes: You can capture 10 frames per second at full resolution, or 60 fps at a resolution of 3.5 megapixels; and you can shoot 320-by-240-pixel, YouTube-friendly video at 220 fps in the camera's high-speed movie mode (see the sample video below).

The Lumix DMC-ZS10's most significant new feature is touchscreen control, which provides a handy secondary way to focus shots, fire the shutter, zoom, and navigate menus. The ability to focus by touching the camera's 3-inch screen is very useful when you want to highlight off-center subjects or simply want to focus and fire as quickly as possible. This feature is also the closest thing to manual focus on the camera, so the fact that it works so well is important. I also appreciated having the physical controls in the mix for zooming and for menu options, as those settings are generally easier to access via the camera's dials and buttons.

The Lumix DMC-ZS10's Sonic Speed AF system generally snaps into focus instantaneously, though I did encounter about a half-second of searching at the full telephoto end of the zoom lens. Regardless, Panasonic's autofocus system remains one of the best around at locking quickly on subjects, even in challenging shooting situations. And since the auto-focus process doesn't hold the camera up, shutter lag is practically nonexistent. The addition of touch-based focusing shows off the autofocus speed nicely, and it's a very handy way to pick a subject to lock on when you're using the camera's motion-tracking autofocus function.

Shooting Modes and Features

The Lumix DMC-ZS10 is one of the first Panasonic point-and-shoots to offer a 3D shooting mode, though this capability is limited to still images. It works a lot like the 3D mode that Sony's single-lens 3D-capable cameras use: You set the camera's mode dial to '3D' and pan the camera from side to side; the camera takes a series of photos that it automatically stitches together into an .MPO image. To view the image in 3D, you must play the photo back on a 3D-capable TV set or monitor. Unlike the Fujifilm FinePix Real 3D W3 and the Nintendo 3DS, the DMC-ZS10 doesn't provide a glasses-free display.

We hooked up the Lumix DMC-ZS10 via an HDMI cable to the 3D-capable Vizio XVT3D650SV for some informal testing of its 3D imaging capabilities, and the camera generally did a good job of showcasing a 3D effect in images that featured layers reaching far back into the scene. There is a bit of a "cardboard cutout" effect between layers at different depths in the scene, and you'll need to use the camera's own 3D playback menu selection to get the best results when playing 3D images back on a TV set. As in 2D mode, the camera in 3D mode does a much better job in well-lit, outdoor situations than in dimly-lit environments. And because the 3D images are captured at a reduced resolution, you see a bit of graininess and visual noise in full-screen 3D shots. The Lumix DMC-ZS10's 3D output amounts to an extra, enticing feature rather than the primary reason to choose this camera.

Setting the Lumix DMC-ZS10's mode dial to the 'SCN' position brings up a menu of 30 scene modes. Though they look like smallish touch-icons, you have to use the camera's physical navigation pad to select them. Along with such common scene modes as Portrait, Sports, Sunset, and Panorama Assist, you'll find a few unique ones. Handheld Night Shot is similar to Sony's Handheld Twilight mode, in that it takes several shots in rapid succession at different exposure settings and then merges them to create a crisp low-light shot without the flash. The unit's High Dynamic Range mode automatically compiles HDR shots in-camera; Flash Burst mode quickly recycles the flash for continuous shooting at about a frame per second; and the high-speed movie mode captures super-slow-motion YouTube clips.

Another unique setting is Happy mode, which boosts color vibrancy to near-neon levels. The mode provides a quick antidote to the camera's underexposed shots in Auto mode--but it will satisfy you only if you're a huge fan of oversaturation and unrealistically bright colors.

In the Lumix DMC-ZS10's normal high-definition movie mode, the camera shoots 1920 by 1080 AVCHD video at 60 interlaced fields per second, as well as 720p video at 60 frames per second. You can use the full range of the camera's 16X-optical-zoom lens while filming, and the camera has automatic scene-recognition modes (but no full manual controls) while you're filming video. Here again, the Lumix DMC-ZS10's optical stabilization feature does a fine job of keeping long-zoom shots steady.

Performance, Image Quality, and Video Quality

Like many other Panasonic cameras we've tested, the Lumix ZS10 turned in slightly underexposed images in PCWorld Labs' subjective tests for image and video quality. Image quality kicks up a few notches when you use the camera's manual controls and exposure compensation settings, but there's no RAW shooting mode to help with heavy-duty fixes.

In PCWorld Labs' subjective tests, the Lumix DMC-ZS10 earned a color accuracy rating of Good, while exposure levels received a score of Fair due to their generally dark, underexposed quality. Our judges rated the camera's sharpness and distortion levels as Fair, too, yielding an overall still-image quality rating of Fair.

Click on the thumbnail images at left to see the full-size test shots used for our subjective tests.

In videoland, the Lumix DMC-ZS10 turned in scores of Good for both video quality and audio quality, but its video capabilities are serviceable only in well-lit situations. High-definition video shot with the camera in our bright-light test looked smooth, but most clips were noticeably deficient in sharpness. In our low-light test, sample video was far too dark and murky for subsequent viewers to see what was going on, and the camera's autofocus struggled quite a bit.

Here are the sample videos we captured in our bright-light and low-light tests. Select '1080p' from the bottom-right menu in each player to see each clip at the highest resolution.

The Lumix DMC-ZS10 struggles a bit in the realm of battery life, too, with a CIPA rating of 250 shots per charge of its lithium-ion battery--and that's with the camera's GPS function turned off. Once I established a successful GPS connection, the battery seemed to drain rather quickly; you'll definitely want to turn the camera's GPS features off in order to squeeze more shots out of the battery.

GPS Features

The Lumix DMC-ZS10's GPS features are a bit better than most cameras we've seen, but they fall short of the Casio Exilim EX-H20G's excellent in-camera mapping capabilities. For one thing, the camera lacks an interface for displaying your images and video on a map overlay. Instead, you must offload the images to a PC and use online mapping services that can read a photo's EXIF data; so you don't get the instant gratification of seeing your pics on an on-screen map (or figuring out where you are by using your camera).

Where the Lumix DMC-ZS10 does shine brighter than a typical geotag-only camera is with in-camera location database and customization options. The camera tags photos with the real-world names of countries, states, cities, and landmarks, and you can enter your own custom location names ("Third Floor Kitchen," "My Backyard," and the like) and use these repeatedly for specific locations.

In my informal hands-on testing of the camera's GPS features, the Lumix DMC-ZS10 took about 3 minutes to link up to the satellites successfully; but once the connection was established, it did a good job of identifying key landmarks in San Francisco and tagging photos accordingly. For instance, it correctly pinpointed AT&T Park and Rincon Center--and after I set my own "PCWorld Offices" landmark, it popped up automatically every time I was in the vicinity of the workplace.

Geotagged images shot with the Lumix DMC-ZS10 showed up in the proper location on a map when I tested it with Picasa, Google Earth, and Flickr. For optimal results, it's a good idea to manually resync the GPS connection before you take each shot; the camera displays the elapsed time since the most recent GPS sync next to a satellite icon when the GPS feature is active.

All in all, the GPS features of the Lumix DMC-ZS10 worked well, but the unit can take quite a bit of time to establish a connection with the satellites, and the feature takes a toll on the camera's battery life if you leave it powered on. Used sparingly, it's a nice feature.

Buying Advice

If you're familiar with Panasonic's Lumix ZS line, you'll find that the DMC-ZS10 falls in line with what you'd expect: a solid build, good manual options and scene modes, and a few unique features such as 3D shooting and GPS. At $400, we'd have liked to see a RAW mode, longer battery life, in-camera maps, and better overall image and video quality in Intelligent Auto mode, but the ZS10's broad range of features compensate to some extent for its tendency to underexpose images in anything other than broad daylight. Frequent travelers who want a sturdy, versatile compact camera for their adventures will find a lot to like here, as long as they're comfortable tinkering with manual controls and scene modes, and they remember to turn off the GPS features off when not using them.

Read more »

How to : pick the perfect point-and-shoot camera

If you're in the market for a new point-and-shoot camera—whether for yourself or for someone on your holiday shopping list—the array of choices can make it difficult to find one that's right. Here are some tips to help you narrow down the options.

First things first—do not get wrapped up in the number of megapixels. Many point-and-shoot cameras have 12 megapixels or more, which exceeds the number of pixels that many professional cameras could capture just five years ago. Increased megapixel counts on the tiny sensors used in most compact cameras just means more noise, not necessarily sharper images.

Instead, there are a few characteristics to focus on: lens focal range and quality, size, ruggedness, and ergonomics. Depending on the person you're shopping for, one or more of these criteria will narrow down the options quite a bit.

Lens

The first thing I look for in a compact camera is a good lens. The lens is what forms an image for the sensor to capture, so even if the camera has 12MP, a crappy lens will just give you 12MP worth of crap.

Most point-and-shoots have a zoom lens that starts at around 35mm equivalent—decent, but might be tricky in tight quarters. Many newer cameras offer a wider angle of view at the short end, usually 28mm equivalent. If you're buying for someone that likes landscapes or architecture, look for something that can go wider—some cameras have a lens as wide as 24mm equivalent.

On the long end, something in the 100-150mm equivalent range is pretty standard. That's good for head-and-shoulder portraits, but it won't get you close enough for things like sports or nature photography. Some cameras offer ranges up to 200mm, but most manufacturers offer something along the lines of a "super-zoom"—cameras with zooms that range up to 400mm equivalent or more. If your shutterbug likes NASCAR or going on safari, then the longer the zoom, the better.

Finally, keep an eye out for lens quality. There aren't many good ways to spot this when shopping, but higher priced cameras tend to have better lenses. These lenses also tend to have larger maximum apertures, which are good for capturing better pictures in low light. Look for "f-stop" ratings better than f/2.8 (the smaller the number the better). Also, the more glass you can see, the greater the likelihood of a higher quality lens.

Size

Size is an important consideration, but it often represents a trade-off. Generally speaking, there's no good reason not to get the smallest camera that has the features you are looking for. However, size will often limit the zoom range that can practically fit inside the body. Women in particular tend to prefer something that can slip inside the smallest purse, for instance, so you may choose size first and zoom range second.

On the other hand, larger cameras can pack more lens inside. Also, they can house a larger sensor, which typically performs better in low light and captures better color in bright light. If you're buying for someone with large hands, they are not going to be happy with a tiny camera, no matter how cool looking or expensive.

As another rule of thumb, the higher number of features that are packed into a smaller package, the more expensive the camera will be. If two models have the same specs and size isn't the most important factor, you can usually save a bit by choosing the slightly larger of the two.

Ruggedness

Digital electronics and ruggedness aren't usually synonymous, but there is a niche for cameras that can survive the elements. For instance, someone who spends a lot of time outdoors will prefer a ruggedized camera like the Pentax Optio W90 or an Olympus Stylus Tough. These special models have seals to make them weather or waterproof, shock protection to handle drops, better components for extended thermal extremes, and casings that are generally impervious to things like sand and dust. Some models can even shoot underwater to depths of 30ft or more.

These models are still relatively rare, so if this kind of protection is a consideration, it will narrow your choices quite a bit. Keep this type of camera in mind for anyone who spends a lot of time near water, sand, extreme cold or heat, or participates in anything that might be called an "extreme sport." If the person you're shopping for is a real klutz, he or she might really appreciate a shockproof camera as well. 

Ergonomics

This is something that often gets overlooked when shopping for a camera, especially since most electronics stores have the cameras under lock and key or tethered to a display with bulky anti-theft devices. When possible, try to shop somewhere where you can handle a floor model and get a feel for how the buttons work and how the menus are accessed. In lieu of that, keep an eye on sites like the excellent DPReview to check out models you are considering.

Unfortunately, there aren't many "simple" digital cameras—the ease of adding features via software and fierce competition among an array of manufacturers has lead to an explosion of complexity. Still, some cameras offer switches or buttons that throw everything into fully automatic mode if tweaking settings gets out of hand. If you're buying for someone less tech-savvy than yourself, such a feature will be appreciated; it'll also make troubleshooting easier on you when you can just say, "hit the green button."

There's no easy choice to make among the dozens of current camera models out there at any given time, but these tips should make it easier to break the choice down to a few models. If you have any particular recommendations to make, tell us what criteria makes that camera great in the comments.

Read more »