Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50 Digital Camera Deluxe Kit (Black)
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Reactions to the new ZS50
Here are reactions to the new ZS50:Image Quality (IQ) You have to take into account that IQ varies with (1) lighting conditions, (2) the amount of zoom, (3) the size of the aperture, and (4) the distance that the subject is from the camera. There will be situations where you cannot get a decent photo no matter what you do. Consequently, I raise and lower my expectations and standards depending on the circumstances. Even with the Canon7D Mark ii w... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Should you upgrade from the Panasonic ZS40 to the ZS50?
Panasonic promised to improve their premiere travel camera's performance as well upgrade both the main and the eye level viewfinders. I wrote an extensive review on the features of the Panasonic ZS40 and most of that discussion still applies to the ZS50. Should you upgrade from the Panasonic ZS40 to the ZS50? After 1000's of shots with the ZS50, I was ready to compare it with the older ZS40. Unless specified, I set both cameras to the INTELLIGENT... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Update from my 8/13/2015 Review
I originally gave this camera an unduly harsh one-star review primarily because the icons on the main program control knob rubbed off after 2 weeks of fairly heavy use. Aside from this manufacturing flaw, the camera is very good at what it does for the price. The amazing 30X optical and 120X digital zoom coupled with the typical small sensor for this size camera does lead to degraded performance in low light situations. But that is simply a trade... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Good Pocket Size Super-Zoom
First want to note I have owned other Panasonic cameras, and currently own FZ200 and FZ1000. My comments (i.e., image quality, etc.) on the ZS50 is based on how the ZS50 compares to the FZ200. Obviously the ZS50 with its lens smaller f/3.3-6.4, overall image quality/ performance wise its not a pocket size equivalent of the FZ200. Overall been pleased with ZS50's image quality as I generally shoot using RAW files, and when using JPG files do not m... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Very Nice Point and Shoot
This camera replaced my Canon Elph Powershot that I had used for several years. This Panasonic was an improvement over the older Canon in that the Pan P&S has a viewfinder as well as a view screen...the Canon had no viewfinder. And the Lumix uses a full size SD card to store images while the Canon used a Micro SD card requiring an adapter to view images on a computer...the Lumix is more convenient but you pay for that larger SD card convenience i... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
One Amateur's Opinion of the DMC-ZS50 Camera
I am mainly a point and shoot photographer. So I mostly use the Intelligent Auto mode to take pix. The mode selector knob on top has 10 settings. I have tried out IA, Panorama, and Scene so far. I have worked my way through the many menus. I tried out IA+. I tried out taking motion pix. I tried taking pix in various situations - backlighted, through a window glass, indoors, outdoors. Zoom works good. I like the ability to use either the rear dial... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Think Twice
This isn't really a fair review. I've only had it a couple of days, but some things popped out right away. I've had a series of Panny pocket cameras, most recently the ZS 30, and loved them, so I don't have any prejudice. 1. Panasonic instructions may be the most indecipherable in the industry. The manual doesn't have an index, and the writing looks like it was originally written in Japanese, translated to Russian, then to Swahili, then finally t... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Fantastic Travel Camera
I bought this camera about 10 days ago. I consider myself an amateur photographer with much better than average experience and skill. I did a lot of research. I ordered it on-line from B&H. It was a blind faith purchase since I had not held it in my hand before I bought it. It is exactly what I wanted. It is an excellent camera. I wanted it for travel so extra lens and gear to keep track of was not desirable. I looked at many cameras; I was torn ... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Fantastic Pics
I own a DSLR and because of its bulk found myself carrying it less and less on outdoor adventures. Consequently I missed many great photo ops. So I started looking for a small camera, big zoom, that would take decent looking photos outdoors. I have not been satisfied with the quality and zoom from my smartphone. After a lot of research I found the ZS50. What attracted me was the aforementioned zoom, lower megapixel count, RAW support, and the ran... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Nearly perfect travel superzoom
After trying the Sony QX30 for a while as my iPhone zoom companion, I felt the Sony was lacking mainly in the time to ready and video lag when zoomed in. I saw the ZS50 came on the market and decided to give it a try. I think my biggest positive impression with the Panasonic is how close I can get with macro. I can practically touch the subject to the lens! And the clarity is amazing. It does a pretty good job fully zoomed to 30x, and the low-lig... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Does What it is Supposed To
I got this puppy to replace a new one I got about 6 months ago whose screen died--it is currently being repaired by Panasonic under Warranty, but I needed a pocket camera for an upcoming trip, and couldn't wait for the repair. I've had 3 of these model's ancestors, replacing each when the new one came out. This is a game of diminishing returns, as the last ones are already about as good as this genre can get. My real camera is an Oly E-M1. Are th... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Great point and shoot for the money
It's a great point and shoot for the money. Priced at the midrange, I was looking to upgrade from my previous point and shoots as I was not happy with existing photo quality. Not as good as the high end point and shoots, however for the money (half the price of high end point and shoots) - it does the job quite well. Very impressed with video quality, autofocus and stabilisation - better than video cameras in similar price range ( i have a panaso... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
A sophisticated point-and-shoot camera
I am a very casual user of cameras. My last one was a Panasonic Lumix DMC ZS-7 and because I have been pleased with it, after looking at several other brands, I came back to Panasonic. The differences between the ZS-7 and this ZS-50 are amazing. The zoom was the big story for me and I am not at all disappointed. Simple test photos have all been fine. The viewfinder is definitely a big plus. For me, the only downside is that it was not placed in t... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Great pocket camera
The cell phone camera does not have a long telephoto and attachments you can buy to try to compensate for this are useless. Secondly getting the photo to your computer or tablet is cumbersome. At the same time, the camera you are going to use is the one you're carrying. This one, called a travel camera, has a 30x zoom, can transfer photos by WIFI or NFC (like Applepay) and has a gyroscope to steady your hand. It fits in my pocket and I carry it a... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Great pictures and great zoom
Bought this to supplement/replace my ZS19 (20x zoom) - wanted the 30x zoom. Zoom works great, camera takes terrific pictures, battery life is good - but did buy a spare. The IA (intelligent auto) on this is a little different in that rather than adjusting settings, it will automatically shift into scene settings if it senses that is appropriate. On my other Panasonics to get to a specific scene mode, I had to changed the dial to scene mode. On th... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Quality compact camera with steep learning curve
Bought this as an alternate to my Canon T3i when hiking. It is a versatile little camera that takes good pictures, but it does have some issues. As others have mentioned, Panasonic could not have put the flash in a worse place. I have average size hands for a male, and try as I might I cannot hold the camera normally without covering up the flash. Also, there is also and occasional issue with accidentally hitting the play button on the back thus ... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Perfect combination of features
I ordered the ZS50 as a pocket camera I could put in my fanny pack any time I am out and about. I own several Panasonic mirrorless cameras, but often I'll have on a short lens or a long lens, which will limit how distant or close my shots can be. I needed something as an addition to bridge the gap. The 30x zoom is a surprising feature for a small camera that shoots RAW and useful when spotting wildlife. I'm a videographer and cannot believe the h... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Cool little pocket camera with big features
I purchased this camera to carry to live music events. Many times at large festivals security will stop you from carrying in a larger camera that looks remotely like a professional piece of equipment. To eliminate this possibility I decided to try a pocket camera that looks pretty docile. Enter the Lumix ZS-50 with Leica glass.To the untrained eye the camera looks like any garden variety point and shoot from a discount department store.To the tra... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Does everything I wanted it to do
I was looking for a compact camera to take when I travel to avoid having to take my DSLR and lenses. My requirements were that it needed a viewfinder and it needed to shoot RAW. This camera fit both of those requirements. I had a little trouble navigating the menus at first because they are different from the Canon menus that I'm used to. Definitely take a peek at the Advanced manual that comes on the CD if you're looking for anything other than ... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
More or less OK
I purchased this mainly for travel, for when I don't want to carry around my DSLR, or when my real cameras and lenses have to be stowed. My very old Lumix DMC-FX580 was starting to have intermittent playback issues and I feared for its survival. Actually, I think the old one may be better. It has fewer features--doesn't shoot in RAW, for example--but I think the quality may be just as good PLUS it's truly a pocket-size even with small pockets. Th... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Great camera and value as a kit
I picked up two of these kits for my daughters. We plan to go to Europe soon and I wanted to make sure they have a lightweight, good quality, easy to use point and shoot with a wide range of focal lengths and image stabilization. Little did I realize the video quality was as good as it would be and the stabilization would level out my 5 year old shooting video from her POV. I love that you can shoot RAW stills too, allows far more flexibility whe... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Fine, pocket-sized travelcam or backup rig.
I do a lot of biking and hiking and hunting and have hitherto been restricted to either using my iPhone (no offense, Apple) or carrying my big rig, if I want to ability to capture some aspect of my adventure in decent form for show and tell or printing. With the ZS50 i get a lot of bang for the buck - creative settings are good, particularly monochrome, and the viewfinder makes shooting in harsh light much easier. I have been very impressed by th... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Didn't Fall Into the Trap
I loved my Canon SX50 and when the SX60 was released I jumped in and bought it thinking it would be even better--big mistake. Canon raised the MP's (and its price) but kept the sensor small size amounting to lousy pictures. So when Panasonic did the same thing I didn't fall for it. My ZS50 is great. I have all the super cameras--the 5d's and the 800 and 810 and the RX-1, but I need something I can conveniently stick in my pocket. I'm not certain ... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Good but not without flaws
From the standpoint of a novice photographer, this is a nice travel camera with a powerful zoom feature. The number of pre-set options for taking photos in certain conditions was helpful, and the wireless connectivity feature is fun but a bit slow to use. Overall photo quality seems good for a camera this size. The main drawback of the camera is that the lens extends out quite a bit (required for zoom), but the mechanism for this extension seems ... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
