Lumix DMC-ZS3 or DMC-ZS5

I just purchased the ZS3 from Costco, but haven't opened it yet. I received an email from Amazon today advertising the ZS5. I compared the 2 cameras and I'm wondering whether to return the ZS3 and get the newer version. Has anybody seen the ZS5 yet? I do lilke the location of the shutter button on the ZS5 better. Thoughts?? Thanks in advance.

The replacement for the ZS3 is called the ZS7. (I haven't heard anything about a ZS5. Assuming it exists, perhaps it is an intermediate model that lacks some of the bells and whistles of the ZS7.)

Based on reviews and sample images available so far, many people have concluded that the ZS3 has superior image quality to the ZS7 in certain respects. It probably would be a good idea to do some research on that issue and come to your own conclusion about that and whether the ZS7 is worth the extra cost over the heavily discounted ZS3 or not.

I have the ZS3 and really like it, especially outdoors. The shutter button (or any button) placement on that model is not a problem or issue for me but ymmv.

Since you can return a camera to Costco for up to 90 days for any reason regardless of whether you have opened and used it, if I were you, I would give the ZS3 a try for a while before making a final decision.
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Peter

This is the ZS5 info:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003966MQ8/ref=pe_62860_14672730_pe_vfe_t1

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Panasonic/panasonic_dmczs5.asp

The ZS3 has a larger LCD display that I believe has twice as many dpi (not 100% sure about that). Looks like the ZS5 has improved (i.e., slightly faster) auto focus and improved OIS. But I don't find the ZS3 to have any problems with slow auto focus and its OIS seems pretty great too.
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Peter

I'd stick with the ZS3. If the ZS5 is the same basic sensor/engine as the ZS7, there's an IQ issue with noise even at low ISO.

Lesk23 said:

I just purchased the ZS3 from Costco, but haven't opened it yet. I received an email from Amazon today advertising the ZS5. I compared the 2 cameras and I'm wondering whether to return the ZS3 and get the newer version. Has anybody seen the ZS5 yet? I do lilke the location of the shutter button on the ZS5 better. Thoughts?? Thanks in advance.

Click to expand...

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The ZS3 has these main advantages over the ZS5 :

• much better display, larger in size and double the resolution (460.000 dots). Since these cameras do not have any kind of viewfinder and thus the LCD display is the ONLY way to compose and review your shots its quality is of paramount importance and will affect all your photography with the camera so the larger size and higher resolution the better. Much better.

• AVCHD HD video , which will give you double the recording time per card (2 h 15 min on a 16 Gb card, versus 1 h in the ZS5 ) plus unlimited file size and recording time , up to the card size in the ZS3 versus 8 min 24 sec per clip maximum in the ZS5 .

• much better image quality at all ISO settings and most specially at ISO 400 and beyond, which seems to be really abysmal in the new range of cameras which produce images full of colour blotching at those ISO and dreadful smearing and lack of detail at all ISO, even at ISO 80, most specially in low light (dull days, etc).

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See my Lumix ZS3 (TZ7) pics at http://www.flickr.com/photos/mirepapa/

Trensamiro said:

The ZS3 has these main advantages over the ZS5 :

• much better display, larger in size and double the resolution (460.000 dots). Since these cameras do not have any kind of viewfinder and thus the LCD display is the ONLY way to compose and review your shots its quality is of paramount importance and will affect all your photography with the camera so the larger size and higher resolution the better. Much better.

• AVCHD HD video , which will give you double the recording time per card (2 h 15 min on a 16 Gb card, versus 1 h in the ZS5 ) plus unlimited file size and recording time , up to the card size in the ZS3 versus 8 min 24 sec per clip maximum in the ZS5 .

• much better image quality at all ISO settings and most specially at ISO 400 and beyond, which seems to be really abysmal in the new range of cameras which produce images full of colour blotching at those ISO and dreadful smearing and lack of detail at all ISO, even at ISO 80, most specially in low light (dull days, etc).

Click to expand...

Trensamiro: Do you have any comment/comparison concerning the ZS3 vs ZS6? I note, among your bulleted items above, that you mention a better display on the ZS3 relative to the ZS5. The ZS6 also has a 3" 460k display like the ZS3. I'm not concerned about AVCHD missing on the ZS6 but would be concerned about limited video clip time. I need to go back and check that spec. Finally, the mention in your last bulleted item - "new range of cameras".... are you referring to the Z5/Z6/Z7 range? Have you tested them against the ZS3? That's not a challenge, I simply am looking for test experiences. I'm considering the ZS6 for purchase, hence my inquiry. Thanks.