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Ricky Habbani photo
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1311 Review
67 Karma

Review on Panasonic LUMIX ZS80 Digital Camera, 20.3MP, 30x Travel Zoom Lens (24-720mm), 4K Video, πŸ“· Optical Image Stabilizer, 3.0-inch Display – Point & Shoot Camera with Lecia Lens, Silver (DC-ZS80S), Black by Ricky Habbani

Revainrating 5 out of 5

Sleeping powerhouse!

Quick review of the ZS70 here, my full review will be posted soon on my blog (google camera title and photo center). Quick tirade/explanation: I'm giving 5 stars for two reasons, firstly I can't settle on 4.5 and secondly there were a few one star reviews here when either the camera wasn't yet released or there was an obvious user errors. These are invalid reviews for me, so the extra half point helps mitigate them (since Revain hasn't and probably won't remove the reviews, I'm doing my part to keep things fair). We continue. Review: There simply aren't any decent superzoom pocket cameras on the market that shoot in RAW. As a professional and enthusiast I demand raw materials. I suggest that non-raw readers learn how to get the most out of the TZ70. This camera has a very small sensor, but it's a modern CMOS BSI, which means it's very efficient for its pixel size. As long as you have reasonable expectations from a sensor of this size, it will likely exceed those expectations. The raw image quality is much better than I expected. The lens is very sharp throughout the range (just don't go beyond f5.6 if you can avoid, as natural diffraction kicks in). Thus, the combination of sensor and lens makes a camera of this class. Even the dynamic range is better than I could have imagined. Thanks to the development of technology. If you take into account all its features (a huge range of 4K video, wireless and slow-motion videos), top-notch aesthetic design (minimalist, stylish, practical), excellent workmanship and ergonomics, this camera becomes a real masterpiece. the powerhouse of a compact all-in-one handheld device. My only wish is for the lens to be a bit brighter (maximum aperture across the range), but other than that this is a camera in its sensor size class that outshines all the rest. I initially dismissed the ZS70 because of the tiny sensor, but was shocked and pleasantly surprised by the raw image quality. Keep in mind that 1 inch sensors will still outperform it, but this sensor is a lot better than you think. Once you set it up, taking pictures with it is a pleasure. This lens is so versatile for all types of photography. from landscapes to macro shots, from action shots to long-distance shots or portraits: fast focusing enables even dynamic shots. There's plenty of external surface, and it's pretty good to hold for one-handed shooting - it's a bit bigger, thicker and heavier than the ZS50/60, but that's good for a camera with such a long zoom. This makes the platform more stable when shooting at full telephoto. It's the right weight for a camera of this size and type, welcome if you ask me. The five-axis stabilization helps a lot to avoid blur. Most controls are configurable. The LCD is useful for waist-level shots and acts as an F-bipod of sorts when you put the camera down for more stable shots (when you don't have a tripod, for example). The electronic viewfinder is welcome and comfortable to use, helping in bright light and adding stability when looking through it when the camera is pressed against your eyes/face. I can't get over how beautiful the design is - all sides are nice and even with nothing sticking out. The catch is that there are no pesky feature displays on the camera itself, and everything looks proportionate and uncluttered. The front and rear grips are improved and excellent. The design is very similar to Leica - minimalistic and beautiful. Wide range of exterior materials, a combination of matte lacquer and satin metal. The black and silver versions are excellent and stylish. If you print, you can easily create beautiful prints up to 13x19 inches, and if you have some talent or fold RAW images, you can increase that number significantly (maybe 30x40 inches!). For me, this camera is now the most compact for sleeping. And it will likely get more reviews and fans as a result. Overall, the ZS70 is the best of the new ZS series (or TZ series if made outside the US) cameras. It's stylish, versatile, discreet, minimalist and practical. I wish there were more cameras like this. Keep it up Panasonic! Edit: My full review is now available at Photography Central Blog, dot com :)

Pros
  • Point and shoot digital cameras
Cons
  • Pretty much everything is fine

Comments (9)

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June 24, 2023
Panasonic LUMIX DC-ZS70S camera
October 31, 2022
Panasonic LUMIX DC-ZS70S camera
October 30, 2022
A Sleeper Powerhouse!
October 29, 2022
Ended up recording 70 minutes of video at 1080P and the results are fantastic. I had i
October 27, 2022
Very Fun Point and Shoot
October 23, 2022
Customer Service Totally Unacceptable
October 21, 2022
Decent Camera - Beware Dust Getting Inside!
October 14, 2022
No WiFi via access point, VERY poor support
October 07, 2022
Nice Camera but Hard to use