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

[ctsmith88]

Has anyone figured out how to lower the brightness of the LCD screen of the ZS7? There was a menu setting on the ZS3 that you could adjust, but from all the reading of the user guide and searching the internet, I have not found any information that would let me do the same thing on the ZS7. I have tried the LCD MODE and LCD POWER SAVE settings, but to no effect. I also let the camera record for 15 minutes straight and it was still at normal brightness.

[carbine000]

http://www.youtube.com/user/polewka123?feature=mhee#g/u

Been filming quite a lot of shows with mine over the last 12 months.

Very happy with it, stills for gigs are great.

To be honest I use it mosty for shows, and very little else.

Off to check out the TZ20 now......thanks for the link.

I see you taped some recoil! AWESOME!

[yousef]

Impressed by what I've read here and seen on the linked Youtube clips, I picked up a ZS-3 last week.

I've only done a short video test (family in bright light) but when I play the footage back through my TV it doesn't look very HD - in fact it has many of the "mottling" artefacts that I associate with SD material being played on a HD screen.

I've got it set to record in "SH AVCHD-lite" and the output setting on the camera is for 720p, TV aspect 16:9. I'm using a HDMI lead that has given fine results outputting from my dedicated Panasonic HD cam to the same TV.

I've not looked at the footage on the computer yet but I'm a bit underwhelmed thus far. Just wondering if I'm doing anything wrong as the footage that I've seen online (even that recorded under much darker conditions) looks much better.

[guitard]

Impressed by what I've read here and seen on the linked Youtube clips, I picked up a ZS-3 last week.

I've only done a short video test (family in bright light) but when I play the footage back through my TV it doesn't look very HD - in fact it has many of the "mottling" artefacts that I associate with SD material being played on a HD screen.

I've got it set to record in "SH AVCHD-lite" and the output setting on the camera is for 720p, TV aspect 16:9. I'm using a HDMI lead that has given fine results outputting from my dedicated Panasonic HD cam to the same TV.

I've not looked at the footage on the computer yet but I'm a bit underwhelmed thus far. Just wondering if I'm doing anything wrong as the footage that I've seen online (even that recorded under much darker conditions) looks much better.

Just curious - why did you opt for the ZS3 when there are such nice 1080p options available now (at pretty close to the same price)?

[yousef]

It was available (possibly refurbished) at a good reduction - and it was a known quantity: I knew I'd be happy if I could achieve the results other people had done with the same camera.

And here in the UK I'd be looking at paying at least 50-100% more for a similarly spec'd name brand 1080p model.

Then again, I'm in a spendy kind of place - any particular models you would recommend?

[guitard]

any particular models you would recommend?

Absolutely - the Sony DSC HX9V.

Here's a thread:  http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=144982.0;all

[yousef]

Absolutely - the Sony DSC HX9V.

Here's a thread:  http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=144982.0;all

Weird - I alread had a window open checking out the HX9V when I read this...

[polewka]

Just wanted to find this thread and revisit.

Over 220 clips on my YouTube Channel now...all done with this camera....loving it to be honest.

I have access to (via work) 2 x TZ10's (comes in handy so I can borrow the batteries and cards for festivals), but they don't film so 'warm', I'm not a tech head so maybe you catch my drift....

Think the best example I've got on the Channel of how it captures is here...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udXKyVki12s&feature=plcp&context=C3a9d725UPOEgsToPDskLfDZW-n2JDLewiXRcLJ4rm

Gonna run this camera until it dies I think....

[rastasean]

I can't say i like the music but the video and even the audio is great. The zs3 is pretty amazing even though its rather old now days.

[yousef]

I've been using a ZS3 alongside an Sanyo Xacti HD2000. Despite the Sanyo's (much)  better specs, the ZS3 consistently gives a much more pleasing result - certainly in gig conditions. And the audio is great - I always feel safe that even if my external recording went wrong, the camera audio would be a more than adequate backup.

It's one of the best purchases I've ever made and would buy another in heartbeat. Just hate the fact that the new versions have that 15min recording limit

[genesisoh]

Just wanted to find this thread and revisit.

Over 220 clips on my YouTube Channel now...all done with this camera....loving it to be honest.

I have access to (via work) 2 x TZ10's (comes in handy so I can borrow the batteries and cards for festivals), but they don't film so 'warm', I'm not a tech head so maybe you catch my drift....

Think the best example I've got on the Channel of how it captures is here...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udXKyVki12s&feature=plcp&context=C3a9d725UPOEgsToPDskLfDZW-n2JDLewiXRcLJ4rm

Gonna run this camera until it dies I think....

I love my ZS3 and am am seriously considering buying a second one (used) in case the first one dies!  :-)  Once I learned how to make a few adjustments (mainly exposure), have had some GREAT captures.  btw, like your YouTube video.  Are you using the default exposure setting? 

[guitard]

I also think the ZS3 is a great camera for shooting concert footage, but... (and this is a big BUT)... it doesn't shoot full HD.  For me - that's a show stopper.

[yousef]

I also think the ZS3 is a great camera for shooting concert footage, but... (and this is a big BUT)... it doesn't shoot full HD.  For me - that's a show stopper.

I know what you're saying but it does cope with low light beautifully and mine cost me about half of what a  DSC HX9V would've cost - it's a pretty good compromise if (like me) video is secondary to the audio.

[Thrudd]

I've been using a ZS3 to record music around Austin for a couple years now (about 700 videos) and my complaints are few:

1) vertical flair from bright lights (I avoid the lights mostly and zoom more than I would otherwise.)
2) zoom is jerky (really have to go easy on the zoom lever)

The audio from this little camera is fantastic!  The 12X zoom is perfect for the smaller venues that I frequent.

Here's the first video that I shot with my camera, it's handheld, but I use a monopod for almost everything I shoot now.  Check out my channel for more vids.

You Shook Me

The only "accessories" I carry for the camera are a little piece of foam I use as a wind shield for the mics, and a plastic, frozen orange juice can stuffed with foam that I will use to isolate the monopod foot in really loud clubs.

[hobbes4444]

Has anyone used a 64gb card in this camera?  Lkg to record a long show, 3+ hours and wasn't sure if a 32gb would suffice.

And any suggestions for a small tabletop tripod?  Lkg at the manfrotto http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/754229-REG/Manfrotto_MP1_C01_MP1_C01_Small_Pocket_Support.html  and the Joby http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/821600-REG/Joby_GP15_01AM_GorillaPod_Micro_250_Tripod.html  I'll possibly have a seat with a table.