Panasonic DMC-ZS30K Lumix DMC-ZS30 Digital Camera, Compact (Black)

I travel, as a journalist, and sometimes I am in some dicey places where a full SLR can make you a target. 7 years ago I purchased a Panasonic Lumix and it served me very well. After it finally died, I decided to replace it instead of repair it. After doing some more research, I still returned to the Panasonic Lumix platform and this camera is a great improvement over the earlier model. It is much faster and has some impressive features. The photo quality is very good, and one of the things I like is its low light capability. I can keep the flash off and shoot discretely in places that before would need a flash. That said, the flash is not very powerful, so when you do need it, you will miss the ability to add a full size dedicated flash like an SLR.The Leica lens is great. The video quality is good. I do wish they didn't take away the ability to record raw format photos, but the full resolution JPEG photos are plenty huge - often over 10 MB. The video records in your choice of two different formats, an HDTV native, and MP4 format. A rudimentary stereo microphone is now built in, but the location of the mic is too close to where my finger likes to wander. One big drawback of my old model was the inability to zoom when recording video, but this is fixed now. There appears to be a limit of 30 minutes when shooting video, but video is a secondary feature for me. If you are video oriented, you probably are better off with a camcorder. This records nice video, but feature-wise, it's a camera, not a camcorder.2 really cool features now are the built in GPS / GLONASS, and the WIFI for transferring photos. THe WIFI is kind of maddening to learn how to use, but once you learn the quirks its a good way to transfer photos. I use it when I am in the field to transfer photos to my iphone, where I can then email them directly. That way I dont have to wait to get back to my computer, and an internet connection.The camera is much much faster than the old model, but still not as fast as an SLR. Flash recovery time is much better, but this camera is also much thirstier than previous models when it comes to battery life. One thing impressive is how fast the camera is ready to shoot upon turning it on. From pressing the power button, it is ready for action in less than 2 seconds.The camera is actually more compact than the old model, the lens retracts ito the body and it fits into my jeans pockets comfortably. There is a micro USB output and an HDMI TV output.Some work is better suited to an SLR, but for the type of work I do: photojournalism in developing countries mostly, this camera does not leave me wanting for features that I left behind when downsizing platforms. I am 100% happy with this camera. It also is the camera I use for family snapshots, etc.

I bought the ZS30 in hopes it would replace/upgrade my aging and much loved ZS15. Unfortunately it didn't meet my needs so after just two days I returned it to Amazon. Short story – long; here is what I learned. I am a very experienced photographer and for the past seven or eight years I have used Panasonic cameras exclusively. For vacation and “serious” photography I love my GX1 (a micro four thirds replacement for my previous Panasonic DSLR). For sporting events and video the Panasonic FZ200 just can't be beat. For everything else there has always been a Panasonic Travel Zoom (ZS series here in the US).I carry my SZ15 during my daily horseback rides, on bicycle rides, aboard the boat and generally everywhere. Since it is the camera I almost always have with me, I take most of my pictures using it. Here is why I won't be able to replace it with the new model. As the number of pixels increases so does the workload of the Image Stabilization system. Additionally, as the zoom goes up need for stabilization increases. In the ZS30 I found the combination of increased resolution and increased zoom has outpaced the technology for image stabilization – which means hand held shots will produce lots of blurry pictures. For me, that would severely limit my ability to shoot from horseback.In addition, the large zoom range in such a small camera has necessitated a rapid reduction in the light gathering ability of the camera. As the zoom is increased the f/number goes up rapidly(reduced light gathering ability) – making for longer shutter speeds. Again, that means as you zoom the tendency will be for the pictures to get blurry. I found the camera straining if I shot into a shadow – even on a bright day.What sealed the deal for me was the touch screen. While that might be a useful feature on a studio camera it is insane on such a small camera. Every time I lifted the camera for a shot the camera would beep beep in alarm because my thumb had wandered onto the screen. Search as I might I was unable to turn off the touch screen.While I am taking the time to write this review I want to cover pixel count. If you intend to print a photograph for an album or a magazine you need about 300 pixels per inch from the camera. So a 12 megapixel camera (4000x3000 pixels) can print a photograph 12 inches by 10 inches at 300 dots per inch easily. If you are going to enlarge the picture and hang it on the wall, as I frequently do; you will be looking at the picture from five or ten feet away. In that case you only need 125 to 150 pixels per inch from the camera and you can still enlarge to 15 x 20 easily.My recommendation is to stick to no more than 12 megapixels and no more than 200mm equivalent zoom for your small camera. As it happens – Panasonic (and their competition) make a few small cameras that don't compromise their pictures with overlong zooms and too many pixels. Usually these small and capable cameras are called enthusiast cameras. I intend to give the Panasonic Lumix LF1 a try.