Topic: Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 - Feedback for HD Video

[tapeheadtoo]

Some clips I filmed recently with my DMC-ZS3.
The audio is the camera audio.  Not spectacular, but good enough for YouTube release.
I find that the ZS3 audio is better than that of my $1000 Sony HD camcorder.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOTkevYxhZY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTgxYj9f5og 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jvkWXz4aHI 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqUkg3TG5JA 


Just for kicks, here are some stills taken at the same show. 

http://tinyurl.com/2498kjo


I'm pretty happy with this camera.  Does a decent job up close when I can't use my big cam.

[sabrewulf]

Interesting fact regarding EUR vs US version of these cameras (at least applies to UK vs US, but I think it's the same all over Europe):
all Euro versions have a built in 15 minute limit for filming. The reason is taxes. As long as they put this limit in place, it is considered a photocamera with a video function. As soon as they remove it it is considered a camcorder resulting in higher taxation, resulting in higher street prices.
So I'll go for the US version and hope they don't tax me for this when ordering if from Amazon (being shipped to Ireland). Any guys from Europe having experience with this?

Edit:
Just did some research:
37.3% tax on total amount of product price + shipping. Wow! 

I still want it. Does anyone know if there is a difference in the mics between the zs3 and the zs7? zs7 is supposed to record dropped volume in load venues, and it seems the zs3 is more stable with this. Can anyone confirm? Which one is better for concert recorings?

[spyder9]

Nice Rush videos.  The black background is nice tight.  Very impressive.  Thanks for the upload. 

Also, noticed that Neil Peart is sporting a set of Audio Technica M50's.     

[guitard]

Nice Rush videos.  The black background is nice tight.  Very impressive.  Thanks for the upload. 

Also, noticed that Neil Peart is sporting a set of Audio Technica M50's.   

This little cam appears to shoot some amazingly high quality video.  The only show stopper for me is that you can't control the exposure.  When the lighting is right - the video is amazing.  But if it's too bright (you can see that in some the clips), it over-exposes, and I would really hate that. 

I realize you can't have the best of both worlds when it comes to cameras and shooting live concert footage.

[tapeheadtoo]

<<This little cam appears to shoot some amazingly high quality video.  The only show stopper for me is that you can't control the exposure.  When the lighting is right - the video is amazing.  But if it's too bright (you can see that in some the clips), it over-exposes, and I would really hate that.  >>

You are so right.  With the same camera, I've shot footage (also from up close) that was so overexposed as to be useless.

The latest model, DMC-ZS7, has manual exposure controls.  This is a significant upgrade and I'm considering getting one.  That way hopefully I won't have to rely on luck for the lighting situation.

[sabrewulf]

[...]The latest model, DMC-ZS7, has manual exposure controls.  This is a significant upgrade and I'm considering getting one.  That way hopefully I won't have to rely on luck for the lighting situation.

But isn't there an issue with the mics compared to the zs3? (sudden drop of recorded volume) Or is the zs7 sound processed exactly the same way as with the zs3?
Please guys, any info on this would be very useful, I'd like to order this little piece of candy asap and still have to decide between zs3 and zs7. 

Thanks to anyone who has some info on this.

[guitard]

[...]The latest model, DMC-ZS7, has manual exposure controls.  This is a significant upgrade and I'm considering getting one.  That way hopefully I won't have to rely on luck for the lighting situation.

But isn't there an issue with the mics compared to the zs3? (sudden drop of recorded volume) Or is the zs7 sound processed exactly the same way as with the zs3?
Please guys, any info on this would be very useful, I'd like to order this little piece of candy asap and still have to decide between zs3 and zs7. 

Thanks to anyone who has some info on this.

Just my opinion...take it for what it's worth.

If you're going to get this for shooting concert footage - I would value manual exposure much higher than audio quality. 

You can easily fix bad audio - by synching the video with an alternate source.  However, an over-exposed shot can't be fixed, and over-exposure is a very common occurrence because of the lighting at a lot of concerts.

This brings up another subject - the mics in these little cams simply are not made to handle the SPLs of a concert - so you should seriously consider recording the audio separately yourself.  I have been shooting video and recording audio at the same time for a while now.  For the audio - it's pretty much "hit the record button and hope it turns out nice."  I don't check it during the show because I put all my concentration into the video shooing.  Even a less than stellar audio recording will almost always sound better than what the cam's mic will record.

[rastasean]

isn't the sensor the same size on the zs3 as it is on the zs7 with more megapixles? Wouldn't that just mean a more crowded sensor with nearly impossible to detect differences?

BUT if you do want the zs7, consider selling me the zs3.

[sabrewulf]

Thanks, guitard! I absolutely agree with the stuff you just posted and will go for the zs7 now! 

[Chrisedge]

There is an exposure control on the ZS3 and while I haven't noticed a difference (I have it set lower) it DOES say it works with video in the manual. (Se page 49 of manual)

http://service.us.panasonic.com/OPERMANPDF/DMCZS1.PDF

[guitard]

I've gone to several stores recently to get a "hands on" look at the ZS7 - but no one has them in stock.  I went to Best Buy and the clerk checked the inventory of all Best Buy outlets within a several mile radius and not a single one to be found.

I suppose that's a good sign that it's a high quality camera.  Although having said that, my real interest is in its video capability - which is probably not the reason many people buy it.

[bluntforcetrauma]

not bad i put a note in another thread but i like the canon hv30 and hv40 series for the video.  And i use DPA 4022 and DPA 4061 for off camera audio.  Some real good captures, but since the internet community is a little suspect, shows are for personal viewing at this point.  Good luck in the vids

[spyder9]

This brings up another subject - the mics in these little cams simply are not made to handle the SPLs of a concert - so you should seriously consider recording the audio separately yourself. I have been shooting video and recording audio at the same time for a while now.  For the audio - it's pretty much "hit the record button and hope it turns out nice."  I don't check it during the show because I put all my concentration into the video shooing.  Even a less than stellar audio recording will almost always sound better than what the cam's mic will record.

Dead-on with that statement.  The mics on these cameras were made for backyard BBQs or a day at the beach.  Not live concerts.  If you want your video to stand out, running audio separate is the only way to go, IMO.

[exxile]

This brings up another subject - the mics in these little cams simply are not made to handle the SPLs of a concert - so you should seriously consider recording the audio separately yourself. I have been shooting video and recording audio at the same time for a while now.  For the audio - it's pretty much "hit the record button and hope it turns out nice."  I don't check it during the show because I put all my concentration into the video shooing.  Even a less than stellar audio recording will almost always sound better than what the cam's mic will record.

Dead-on with that statement.  The mics on these cameras were made for backyard BBQs or a day at the beach.  Not live concerts.  If you want your video to stand out, running audio separate is the only way to go, IMO.

I'd agree with that. ^^
But the mics on the ZS3 aren't bad (as far as cameras in this price range go) although I have noticed some audio disortion when filming close to the stacks, even when shows aren't that loud. I've have had good results from filming further back though - but I always tend to sync the video up with a separate audio source afterwards, and add a little 'sharpening' filter to the picture.

[polewka]

recorded some stand up this weekend with mine...audio came out pretty sweet....

see what you think...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbH7Kp9H744&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7A7al72ypq0&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EytxnoAPKc&feature=related

chuckling is my girlfriend btw...