I upgraded from the Z3 and this is my 3rd Lumix camera. I am a insurance adjuster and take over 300 pictures per day and these cameras get alot of heavy work and is constantly used in conditions that is not the average user. What I wanted most from a work camera, was the ability to zoom in and the wide angle. I take alot of photos on roofs where damages have occured and the ability of this camera to do those things, is unsurpassed. The old one had a 12x zoom which I thought was great, until I used this 16x zoom. Quite amazing to say the least. With your typical camera of this size, you might get a 5 zoom and you will just not believe the difference with this 16 zoom. Next would be the 24 wide angle aspect. Again, quite amazing. I can stand 25 feet in front of a house and get the whole house in the photo. With typical cameras, you would have to stand across the street.
Next would be the picture quaility. Absolutely great as well. Clear, crisp,perfect lighting and on and on.
Easy to use and set the settings as well.
Although a little more pricey than most, it is soooo worth it!!!
Take a chance on this one, if you are unsure. You will NOT be dissapointed!! Love it! Love it! Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 14.1 MP Digital Camera with 16x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 3.0-Inch LCD (Silver)
First and foremost, this is easy to use and takes great pictures.
I've carried a predecessor to this camera, the TZ5, regularly including while running. That's moving to a dedicated application and I wanted to take advantage of the additional zoom Panasonic offers for my "daily" camera. There are smaller, lighter cameras but this is the best combination with the longer zoom, everything smaller stops at about 5X. This has an optical 16X and a very effective 20X. The macro mode gives crisp,incredible close ups.
A friend recently took his digital SLR and three lenses on a trip to Hawaii and ended up taking pictures with his cell phone because he didn't want to haul any of the photo gear on his touring. "The best camera is the one you have with you." This is easy to carry, even in a back pocket. It is too heavy for a front shirt pocket, but it's OK in a jacket pocket. I keep mine in an Amphipod model 670 Ballistic Trail Pouch which also has a belt loop if I want to use it and is large enough to hold a spare battery, though the battery life is fine in normal use.
This isn't quite a "point and shoot" but it's close enough when the dial is set to "i" or "intelligent" mode where it figures out everything for you. You just have to know to set it to the "i" setting if that's how you want it to work.
My only beef with all these non SLR digitals is that even when set to scenery mode, where a fixed "infinite" focus would be fine, they still work to focus and there's no manual override. A small concern and only occasionally problematic, such as when trying to take a picture of the moon. You have to keep in mind that the flash falls off rapidly at about 10', but the images are good in limited light.
This has a very effective image stabilization system, but as you move over about 10X with any of these cameras you need to be conscious of trying to hold still.
If you want a utilitarian, easy to use, long zoom camera that takes terrific pictures, this is an excellent choice.
I ORIGINALLY BOUGHT THE KODAK M 580 EASY SHARE, TRYING TO SAVE A FEW BUCKS. I AM NO PHOTOGRAPHY BUFF, SO I THOUGHT FOR 119.99, THE KODAK WOULD BE A GOOD
OPTION. HOW WRONG I WAS. THE KODAK M 580 WAS AWFUL IN ALL ASPECTS. ENOUGH OF THAT. THE LUMIX ZS8 IS THE BEST CAMERA I HAVE EVER OWNED!!!!!!!!!!!! I WAS A
LITTLE SCARED OF THE STICKER PRICE, BUT I WAS SICK OF BUYING CAMERAS, SO I GAVE IT A SHOT. RIGHT OUT OF THE BOX, THIS CAMERA IMPRESSED ME. LOOKS VERY NICE,
FEELS WELL MADE. WITHIN A SECOND OF TURNING IT ON, I WAS SET TO START SNAPPING PICTURES. THE CAMERA IS VERY QUIET THROUGH ALL USES. I CANNOT EVEN HEAR THE
ZOOM WHEN IT GOES IN AND OUT!!!!!
THE INTELLIGENT AUTO OPTION IS INCREDIBLE!! FOR A NON TECHIE TYPE,
THIS CAMERA IS VERY EASY TO USE. THE OIS IS PHENOMINAL. I THINK IT WOULD HOLD STEADY DURING AN EARTHQUAKE!! EVEN AT MAX ZOOM, THE PICTURES COME OUT GREAT.
THE ZOOM IS AS ADVERTISED, INCLUDING THE ADDITIONAL DIGITAL ZOOM. THE LCD SCREEN IS LARGE, AND SHOWS GREAT PICTURES. I READ ONLY A FEW CRITIC REVIEWS, BUT
THE ZS8 LCD SCREEN WAS SAID TO BE INFERIOR TO ITS BIG BROTHER, THE ZS10. FOR A REGULAR JOE, THE ZS8 IS PERFECT. AS FAR AS CONTROLS, THEY ARE VERY WELL
PLACED AND NOT TOO COMPLICATED TO USE. THE ONLY THING I DO NOT LIKE IS THE ON/OFF SWITCH, WHICH SITS A LITTLE TALL. WHEN I PUT IT IN THE CASE, I KEPT
CATCHING IT WITH THE ZIPPER. BUT I JUST PUT THE CAMERA IN THE OPPOSITE WAY. BUT A GREAT THING IS THE CAMERA GOES TO SLEEP MODE IN A SHORT TIME. THE VIDEO
RECORDER WORKS VERY WELL, AND I CANNOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THIS AND A TRUE CAMCORDER. ALL IN ALL, THIS CAMERA IS UNBEATABLE. PHOTOS LOOK THE SAME
TAKEN OUTDOORS OR INDOORS, WITH NO LOSS OF QUALITY. EVEN PICTURES TAKEN IN A DARK ROOM COME OUT OUT GREAT. COMPARED TO ALL OTHER CAMERAS I HAVE HAD, THIS
IS WAY ABOVE THE REST. THE PRICE MAY SEEM HIGH, BUT YOU WILL BE IMPRESSED WITH THE QUALITY OF THE CAMERA AND THE QUALITY OF THE PHOTOS AND VIDEOS. I WOULD
RECOMMEND THIS CAMERA FOR ANYONE WHO DOES NOT WANT TO BUY ANOTHER CAMERA FOR 10 YEARS. EVERYTHING PANASONIC SAYS IT WILL DO, IT DOES. WORTH EVERY
PENNY!!!!!! - Wide Angle'
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