Panasonic's geotagging DMC-ZS7 compact superzoom gets handled

It's been just a few days since Panasonic took the wraps off its update to the DMC-ZS3 that we liked so very much, the new DMC-ZS7, and Zumo Blog has been already given the opportunity to take a few pictures of one in the wild. The changes here are mostly evolutionary, with the same impressive 25 - 300mm 12x zoom lens on the front and the same AVCHD Lite 720p recording mode. New, though, is a GPS module nestled on top, capable of automatically tagging your photos, the SD slot can now accept SDXC cards, and it looks like the mode dial has been moved to a more natural position left of the shutter release. Still no word on price, but expect this one not to fall far from its predecessor's $399 MSRP.

[sibyy Posted Jan 28th 2010 10:39AM]

Cool update on a solid line of shooters. Had the old TZ5 super-zoom which I loved. You can't go wrong with Panasonic glass/hardware and the usability of the interface is very good as well.

[rcappo Posted Jan 28th 2010 10:52AM]

@sibyy

I had that camera, and it was a great travel camera. This one would be even better.

You did need to sharpen all of the pictures, and adjust some colors however. And noise was an issue. I wonder if they have made any improvements to image quality?

[jahmon Posted Jan 28th 2010 11:00AM]

@rcappo

You're clearly a photo pro, wot sort of sharpening do you do? And colour adjustments? I'm only really getting to grips with the camera and tips would be greatly appreciated.

[sibyy Posted Jan 28th 2010 11:11AM]

@rcappo It was my travel cam for a while as well. Took it with me to Japan a while back. I'm actually now re-touching the photos in Lightroom and can get pretty good results with minimal effort.

I wish though I had my GF1 back then though.

I would suppose they have made some improvements in this generation. Could get one as a carry everywhere do everything camera. Unfortunately I would guess bad low light performance as the predecessors (and all other compacts).

[sibyy Posted Jan 28th 2010 11:12AM]

@rcappo and agreed the main fixes I do is significant sharpening, some color and sometimes noise.

[Tekky Posted Jan 28th 2010 10:43AM]

I thought about getting the ZS3 but I'll gladly hod out for this baby.

[Tekky Posted Jan 28th 2010 10:46AM]

I hope you can still use the zoom for recording HD videos.

Excuse my typo from my last post.

[Tammacho Posted Jan 28th 2010 1:10PM]

@Tekky As long as it's like the ZS3, yes. The zoom is fully functional during HD filming, and is very quiet too. You just need to look out for bumping the mic on top.

[Kiwi Posted Jan 28th 2010 10:52AM]

I wonder how this compares to the Spny HX5V ?

Waiting on the PMA now

[jahmon Posted Jan 28th 2010 10:59AM]

I'm absolutely loving my ZS3, I opted to get it rather than the EU version as it allows HD videos over 15minutes in length.

A timelapse mode would be a good addition, as i've often wanted to set the camera up on a gorilla pod and take continuous photos. I wonder if this will be included?

I would love a firmware hack to enable it on the ZS3. I wonder if someone will do it?

[Yelis63103 Posted Jan 28th 2010 11:03AM]

s90 rulez !

[Tekky Posted Jan 28th 2010 11:06AM]

@(Unverified)

I've seen some really nice low light shots taken with the S90. Unfortunately, recording HD videos is deal breaker for me.

[liquidmonkey Posted Jan 28th 2010 11:27AM]

i was going to get last years model but i didn't like that it uses AVCHD lite. i read a lot its a pain in the arse to edit that video.

was really hoping they would go with FULL h264 codec with this model but no such luck :(

other than that, this digicam looks SOLID!!

[kalleboo Posted Jan 28th 2010 11:27AM]

@liquidmonkey It still supports PhotoJPEG recording if you want to keep editing capabilities, it just sucks up memory card space like there's no tomorrow.

[TimStevens Posted Jan 28th 2010 11:27AM]

@liquidmonkey It's getting better. Sony Vegas 9, for example, will edit AVCHD Lite without transcoding. The Movie Maker in Windows 7 will as well.

[liquidmonkey Posted Jan 28th 2010 12:28PM]

@kalleboo
photojpeg is not video IMO. its a duct tape fix to not having real codec support.
although i could be totally wrong on that one as i'm no video expert.

@TimStevens
yeah, i saw that vegas9 handles it, but apparently there are still issues with the final output.

i mean, would it have been 'really' that hard to just include h264? whats the big deal? storage costs peanuts these days :)

its seems that sammy and sony have done it so i might be buying one of those in april after some reviews are posted.

[TimStevens Posted Jan 28th 2010 12:29PM]

@liquidmonkey What sort of issues in Vegas? I've been using it for a few months and have had no issues with the format. Some issues with the camera hunting for focus at times, but that's it.

[liquidmonkey Posted Jan 28th 2010 12:47PM]

@TimStevens
i heard the final quality of output was not as good, but that was a year ago or so when these digicams first cam out.

i'm encouraged to hear from you that the quality if good, thanks! u might have just changed my mind ;)

[TimStevens Posted Jan 28th 2010 12:50PM]

@liquidmonkey Hmm, I haven't noticed anything. The only examples I have for sharing are streaming, so they're hardly ideal, but the exterior shots in this were filmed on my ZX3:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FaCutTuKDLk&feature=player_embedded

This was also filmed with it:

http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/09/cyber-clean-smears-our-keyboards-fills-our-nostrils-as-we-go-ha/

Both came out of Vegas. I've not had any complaints with the quality, personally, but of course different people have different expectations for such things.

[Tammacho Posted Jan 28th 2010 1:19PM]

@TimStevens Here's a ZS3 video in HD.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_profilepage&v=_zhJIzCmuCQ

[TimStevens Posted Jan 28th 2010 3:18PM]

@Tammacho As are the ones above... I'm not seeing any artifacts or video issues.

[Yelis63103 Posted Jan 28th 2010 11:22AM]

@ Tekky

yeah, no HD. maybe in next version (s91) or maybe a firmware update.
I personally have 2 year extended warranty and i can exchange for next model for free when it comes out.

[think before you react Posted Jan 28th 2010 12:09PM]

Nice optical zoom. I'd could use a new point and shoot...

[loocas Posted Jan 28th 2010 12:47PM]

iPad!

There, just increased Engadget's traffic and profit.

Can we finally move on?

Btw: not my fave camera, but still a pretty good compact non the less!

[Tammacho Posted Jan 28th 2010 1:18PM]

This is a great cam. I have the ZS3, but these incremental features aren't enough to upgrade. I highly recommend this cam for HD footage - the quality is great, and the camera will fully zoom during filming. My only two gripes are that it's kind of big for a point and shoot, and that you really need more than one battery if you're filming a lot. HD really sucks up the power.

[nsfw Posted Jan 28th 2010 3:17PM]

Pricing and availability for the Panasonic LUMIX ZS7 and LUMIX ZS5 will be announced 30 days prior to shipping date. The Panasonic LUMIX ZS7 will be available in silver, black, red and blue models

[ChuckM Posted Jan 28th 2010 3:06PM]

I hope this pushes Canon to adopt GeoTagging and SDXC in their camera line. This is the one thing stopping me from upgrading my 7MP Elph with a cracked screen.... works fine. Just need a good reason.

This is one step closer to the ultimate camera I want, just missing 1080p 30/24 fps (constand capture, without having to stop because of file size maximums).

Call me when they're available and I'll order it on the spot.

[SgtR Posted Jan 28th 2010 4:19PM]

What I would really love, is a camera with bluetooth so I can connect to an external GPS module. This would save battery, give instant exif data (instead of having to use software to calculate it), have better accuracy and faster lock on times.

[rtdunham Posted Mar 1st 2010 5:26PM]

@SgtR
what do you mean, that BT and an external gps would somehow tag exif information differently than the camera itself, "not requiring software..."?

I take tagged pix with my nikon p6000, pop 'em into iPhoto, and the geotagging's there, no software translation necessary.

[sonicyoof Posted Jan 28th 2010 5:21PM]

Nice camera, but I just don't see the market for cameras anymore. I mean, the iPad doesn't have one and if the iPad doesn't have it I'm assuming it's no longer needed since I've relinquished most of my decisions about what's good or bad for me to my best friend and top advisor Steve Jobs.

[xconan Posted Jan 28th 2010 9:14PM]

hopefully panasonic added manual, aperture priority, and shutter priority modes but then again maybe they didn't; otheriwse this would have been an easy sale