Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7, Lumix DMC-ZS5 expand ZS line

BY: Allison Johnson, DigitalCameraReview.com Editor

Panasonic updates today its popular ZS series with the Lumix ZS7 and Lumix ZS5. These new compact high-zoom cameras add geo-tagging functionality and manual controls to the 12x optical zoom range of the previous generation.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7

The 12.1 megapixel Panasonic Lumix ZS7 and Lumix ZS5 will both record 720p HD video. Before it, the ZS3 was touted as an all-purpose creative tool that was both a camcorder and still camera. The latest ZS models carry on in the same direction, adding to the list of features manual exposure settings including manual, aperture priority, shutter priority, and program modes.

Fans of automatic shooting will still find Panasonic's iA Intelligent Auto mode here, a function that worked reasonably well in our testing of the ZS3. In fact, the Lumix ZS3 merited an Editor's Choice award from DCR, producing high-quality images with minimal distortions. Part of that distinction is thanks to a Leica-branded zoom lens. The "L" is back for this ZS generation, and both models sport a 25-300mm equivalent 12x optical zoom lens. It isn't particularly fast lens with a wide angle maximum aperture of f/3.3, but the telephoto end starts at a nice f/4.9.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7
The Lumix ZS7 will feature GPS functionality and will record latitude and longitude information in the image's EXIF data when a photo is taken. Later, users will be able to pinpoint the location in which the photo was taken when they add it to the map function of sharing sites like Flickr.

The ZS7 will also offer a large 3.0 inch, 460k dot LCD, and it will record those 720p video files in AVCHD Lite. Additionally, Panasonic has added a new feature called "intelligent resolution" to the ZS7 - it's a feature that's designed to reclaim the image detail lost when using digital zoom. The new Venus Engine HD II processor seeks out the distortions and jagged edges that digital zoom often creates and smoothes them over. The feature is put to work in the camera's Intelligent Zoom mode, which boasts an increase in zoom power from 12x to 16x.

In a similar vein, Panasonic has added a feature called Happy Mode to the ZS7. Like other manufacturers, they've attempted to create a sort of shortcut to capturing more vibrant, saturated images of subjects like sunsets. High Dynamic mode is new as well, a feature that should help shooters in situations with both light and dark areas.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5
The Lumix ZS5 doesn't have the GPS functionality or new tech features that the ZS7 boasts, but otherwise it's very similar to the ZS7. Though slightly smaller, a 2.7 inch, 230k dot monitor should be sufficient for composing and reviewing images. Rather than recording video in AVCHD Lite, the ZS5 spits out motion JPEG video files.

Panasonic claims that the results are on par with images that use only optical zoom. At the very least, it's an interesting solution to the problem of digital zoom.

Pricing and availability
As with Panasonic's CES announcements, they have not released pricing or release dates at this time. The Lumix ZS3 debuted a year ago at $399.95, so it seems fair to assume that the ZS7 will cost upwards of $400.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 boasts 8x zoom, thin form factor

BY: Allison Johnson, DigitalCameraReview.com Editor

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 is announced today following in the slim footsteps of its predecessor, the Lumix ZR1. Measuring about an inch thick, the ZR3 houses an impressive 8x optical zoom lens branded with a familiar Leica "L." A handful of new features like Intelligent Resolution have been included in this update.

The 14.1 megapixel Lumix ZR3 will feature the 25mm wide angle lens we've come to expect from Panasonic. The 8x optical zoom range equates to an equivalent telephoto reach of 200mm with a maximum aperture range of f/3.3-5.9.

Shooting modes will include the "program mode" equivalent Normal Picture, Scene, and iA Intelligent Auto among others. Like the also-new Lumix ZS7, the ZR3 incorporates a feature called Intelligent Resolution to help preserve detail when using digital zoom. Intelligent Resolution is utilized in iA mode as part of Panasonic's Intelligent Zoom feature.

Panasonic claims the Lumix ZR3 is equipped with a fast auto focus system clocking in under 0.30 seconds. On the back panel, they've included a 2.7 inch 230k dot monitor that will automatically adjust brightness level based on shooting conditions. Also new to the ZR3 is a function called Happy Mode, which is a setting designed to boost color and saturation for situations that call for a vibrant photo, such as a sunset.

Pricing and availability
No word yet from Panasonic what the Lumix DMC-ZR3 will cost. They'll announce pricing 30 days before the camera starts shipping. When it hits the market, it will be available in silver, black, red, and blue.

Pentax Optio H90 and Optio I-10 unveiled

BY: Allison Johnson, DigitalCameraReview.com Editor

Pentax rolls out the Optio H90 and Optio I-10 today, a pair of attractively styled compacts with 5x zoom lenses and 12.1 megapixel sensors. Each camera marks the launch of a new series in the Optio bullpen - the retro-chic Optio I-10 brings a classic SLR look down to the compact Optio line, while the modern H90 offers a minimalist design aesthetic. Both cameras will support Eye-Fi wireless SD cards in addition to traditional SD/SDHC.

Pentax Optio I-10
The Optio I-10 is immediately a standout from the traditionally-designed Pentax compacts of recent years. A leather-like grip wraps around the body of the camera while a 2.7 inch, 16:9 wide aspect LCD dominates the rear. The four-way controller and surrounding buttons offer the same functions as found in previous Optio cameras.

The f/3.5-5.9, 5x optical zoom lens covers an equivalent range of 28-140mm. Backing it up is a sensor-shift image stabilization system accompanied by digital Pixel Track shake reduction. Like the Optio H90, the I-10 will shoot 720p HD videos at 30 fps.

We hope it's every bit as capable as it is good-looking, and we can't help wishing that manual exposure modes were included. The auto-only Optio I-10 should appeal to hands-off photographers looking for an attractive camera to do most of the work for them.

Pentax Optio H90
The Optio H90 shares the same 12.1 megapixel 1/2.3 sensor as the I-10, but while the I-10 looks back at designs of the past, the H90 is modern all the way. It features a clean, minimalist design and that 28mm wide angle 5x zoom lens also found on the I-10. However, the H90 won't offer mechanical image stabilization - it features only pixel track digital shake reduction.

The H90 shares plenty more of the same features you'll find in the I-10 including 720p HD video, a 2.7 inch LCD, and Auto Picture mode.

Pricing and availability
The Pentax Optio I-10 will be available in February 2010 with a price tag of $299.95. Customers will be able to take their pick of black or white models. The Optio H90 is also scheduled for February availability at a price of $179.95. It will be offered in silver-orange, ceramic white, and matte black.

Round Up: Pocket HD Camcorder Guide

BY: Jamison Cush, DigitalCameraReview.com Contributor

With their low price, small size, ease of use, and ability to shoot high-definition video, pocket camcorders remain a hot item. Sometimes referred to as Flip cameras after Pure Digital's (now Cisco's) pioneering and industry-leading product line, pocket camcorders are ideal for those looking to shoot quick and simple videos, especially for YouTube and other sharing service. While many technology insiders predict doom and gloom for the devices due to competition from the iPhone and other connected smartphones with video cameras, the big names in digital imaging are still rolling out new models and cramming more features into pocket-sized cases.

Cisco Flip MinoHD and UltraHD:
There are three HD Flip models: the 120 minute (approximate recording time) MinoHD and UltraHD, and the 60 minute MinoHD. The differences between the Ultra and Mino 120-minute models are minimal; both shoot 1280x720 video (720p) at 30 fps, use the H.264 video compression scheme, and spit out MPEG-4. They only really differ in size (the UltraHD is a bit larger, but still pocket-sized), battery type (the UltraHD uses replaceable AAs to MinoHD's internal lithium), and the UltraHD has a wider-angle lens coupled with a stereo on-board mic to the Mino's mono offering. The 60-minute MinoHD shares the same features as the 120-minute version, though has the wider-angle lens, is a tiny bit smaller, and has a composite video out instead of HDMI.

Reviews suggest that the UltraHD shoots a slightly better video than the MinoHD, and for that matter, most of the competition in its class. Though, compared with other pocket camcorders, the Flip models do not feature expandable memory, which means that once you fill up the camera with footage, you must find a computer to unload it on before shooting any more.

Is the Flip for you? Flip is the device most pocket HD camcorders are judged against. The competition has steadily released devices with more features and higher resolutions, but don't count the Flip out just yet. Cisco all but confirmed a Wi-Fi enabled Flip for early 2010, a necessary move to head off pending competition from the iPhone and other connected, mobile devices.

Sony bloggie
Sony unveiled their first pocket HD camcorder at CES 2009, calling it the Webbie. At CES 2010, they re-unveiled their pocket HD camcorder, adding a few features and rebranding it the "bloggie." There are currently two bloggie models: the pistol-grip CM5 with its 5x optical zoom (a rare feature in pocket HD camcorders), and the PM5, a Flip look-a-like with a unique 270-degree swivel lens. Both shoot 1920x1080 HD video (1080p, H.264/MPEG-4), support SD/SDHC (the Webbie, like many Sony products, was Memory Stick exclusive), and take 5 megapixel stills.

The PM5 has a 2.4 inch LCD display and flip-out USB, there is no HDMI or dedicated TV out. Sony is offering it in a bundle package that ships with a 360-degree lens for panoramic shots.

The CM5 features a 2.5 inch flip-out LCD display, HDMI out, and a USB 2.0 port.

The bloggie isn't expected to ship until late January 2010, so video quality remains a mystery. That said, there seemingly isn't much difference between the new models and last year' Webbie, sans a handful of new features. Critics lauded the Webbie for its ability to take stills, unique swivel lens, and expandable storage, but overall video quality wasn't enough to distinguish it from the pack.

Memorex MyVideo
There are no real defining features or gimmicks that set the Memorex MyVideo apart from the competition. What you have is a simple Flip look-a-like HD pocket camcorder with the standard specs. That includes 720p video (1280x720) coupled with the ability to shoot 5 megapixel stills, 4GB of internal memory (not expandable), 2.0 inch LCD display, integrated USB connector, 2.5 hours of juice from an internal lithium battery and an HDMI port complete with cable.

Considering the Memorex MyVideo retails for a bit less than other pocket HD camcorders, one would think it's the best deal of the bunch. Unfortunately, critics cited the MyVideo's clunky 3x digital zoom and poor video quality at low lighting as major drawbacks to an otherwise comparable product.

Samsung HMX-U10
If the video specs were the only feature that mattered with pocket HD camcorders, the Samsung HMX-U10 would be tops. Thanks to its relatively larger CMOS sensor, the HM-U10 is able to snap 10-megapixel stills in addition to 1080 HD video at 30 fps. It looks similar to the Flip in its form factor and is approximately the same size, though is angled slightly upward around the lens.

Otherwise, it fits the bill of a pocket HD camcorder and could comfortably fit in just about any pouch or pocket. Other specs include a 2.0 inch LCD display, SDHC card support, H.264 video compression, 90 minutes of battery life per charge, and a USB 2.0 port. Compared with other models, it lacks HDMI support, zoom, internal memory, and image stabilization. Overall, its impressive video specs don't make up for its lack of features, considering other manufacturers are catching up to Samsung with new models.

Kodak Zi8, Zi6, Zx1 and Playsport
Of Kodak's four offerings, the Zi8 is the next-gen Zi6, while the Zx1 and Playsport are their sporty/rugged counterparts.

The Zi8 shoots 1080p video and 5.3 megapixel stills while the Zi6 tops out at 720p and 3 megapixels, respectively. Both support SDHC, have an internal USB connector, and are approximately the same size. The Zi8 has an internal battery, while the Zi6 can run on two AAs. Also the Zi8 has an HDMI port and a larger LCD display, 2.5 inches to the Zi6's 2.4.

DigitalCameraReview.com lauded the Zi8 for its bells and whistles, including electronic image stabilization and an external mic jack. The reviews also claimed that, "the resolution of the video you can capture with the Zi8 is pretty much at the top of the heap as far as pocket camcorders go. However, you'll still find that videos captured under certain conditions are plagued with noise, artifacts and several distortions."

The Zx1 shoots video and stills comparable to the Zi6, but has a smaller form factor, 2-inch LCD display, HDMI port, and is weather resistant. The Playsport ups the ante by shooting 1080p, taking 5 megapixel stills, and being waterproof in up to 10 feet.

Kodak seems to have found a nice niche with its sporty Playsport and Zx1. There is certainly a market for low-cost, rugged HD video cameras. For now, Kodak remains the only game in town.

Creative Vado HD
Now in its third generation, the Creative Vado HD offers many of the same features as its form-factor rivals, the Flip and the Memorex MyVideo, including 720p video shooting at 30 fps, H.264 video compression, MPEG-4 encoding, 4GB of internal memory (there is an 8GB second generation model available) good for approximately two hours of HD video, internal USB connector, 2.0 inch LCD display, HDMI out complete with included cable, 2x digital zoom, multi-function jack (for an external mic), and the ability to shoot what Creative refers to as "HD quality stills." There is also an internal battery capable of powering the Vado for up to two hours per charge.

What's missing is expandable memory and any distinguishing features, like the bloggie's swivel lens. Critics generally claim the video quality is comparable to other pocket HD camcorders that also lack optical zoom and image stabilization. That said, Creative did tout their third generation Vado as having "manual exposure adjustments" for shooting in low or bright lights.

Just like the Flip and and MyVideo, the Vado does little to distinguish itself from the competition. That said, Creative has released three generations of the product, each with incremental improvements and new features. No word from Creative on a new model, but given Creative's history (second and third gen Vado were released two months apart), users may not have to wait long for a fourth-gen.

Sanyo Xacti VPC-CG10 and VPC-CS1
Of all the camcorders in Sanyo's Xacti line, there are only two that could qualify as pocket HD models, the VPC-CG10 and what Sanyo claims is "this world's smallest, lightest, and thinnest," the VPC-CS1. Both models are pistol-grip-style "dual cameras," a Sanyo branding term referring to the devices' ability to take both video and stills.

The VPC-CG10, which will be available in February 2010, is feature loaded. It has 5x optical zoom, digital image stabilization, 3.0 inch flip-out LCD display, focus, ISO, and white balance controls, and the ability to snap 10.0 megapixel stills. Other specs are on par with the lot, however, including 720p video (MPEG-4/H.264) at 30 fps, no internal memory (SD and SDHC card up to 32GB only), HDMI support, and an internal lithium battery good for approximately 70 minutes of juice, which is actually less than many of the competitors' offerings.

Few could argue with Sanyo's claim that their VPC-CS1 is extremely thin, as it is approximately half the width of the CG-10 when viewed face on. Despite the small size, Sanyo still managed to cram in the features, including 1920x1080 pixel HD (1080p), MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 video, mini HDMI out, and SDXC support. It also includes a host of Sanyo-branded features, including Sound Zoom (three separate recording modes), 10x Advanced Zoom, Digital Image Stabilizer, Face Chaser Function, and Target a Color Function.

Comparison shopping
When deciding on a pocket HD camcorder, keep in mind the device's limitations. These are not intended to be HD camcorder replacements, but rather simple devices for quick and dirty shooting. As such, there is very little that separates the wheat from the chaff. Many times, the buying decision is influenced by which device looks the sleekest or most fun. Cisco certainly understands this as they've released a number of design options, including NBA-branded and celebrity-inspired Flips.

That's not to say that the video quality and features don't vary by device or matter to users. For instance, if you intend to display your videos on an HDTV, an HDMI out is a necessity. And on a larger screen, the difference between 720p and 1080p is noticeable. With that in mind, this chart lays out the bare specs on the leading pocket HD camcorder devices.

	Video Resolution	Stills	Zoom	Image Stabilization	Display	Internal Memory	Approx Battery Life (up to, in hours)	TV Out	Form	Dimensions (H x W x D)
Cisco Flip MinoHD 120 min	1280 x 720	NA	2x digital	NA	2-inch LCD	8GB	2	HDMI	candy bar	3.94" x 1.97" x 0.66"
Cisco Flip MinoHD 60 min	1280 x 720	NA	2x digital	NA	1.5-inch LCD	4GB	2	Composite	candy bar	3.94" x 1.97" x 0.63"
Cisco Flip UltraHD	1280 x 720	NA	2x digital	NA	2-inch LCD	8GB	2.5	HDMI	candy bar	4.25" x 2.19" x 1.17"
Sony bloggie CM5	1920 x 1080	5MP	5x optical (20x digital)	Yes	2.5-inch LCD	NA	1.75	HDMI	pistol grip	4" x 2.75" x 1.6"
Sony bloggie PM5	1920 x 1080	5MP	4x digital	Yes	2.4-inch LCD	NA	(info not available)	NA	candy bar with 270-degree swivel top lens	4.38" x 2.25" x 0.75"
Memorex MyVideo	1280 x 720	5MP	3x digital	NA	2-inch LCD	4GB	2.5	HDMI	candy bar	(info not available)
Samsung HMX-U10	1920 x 1080	10MP	NA	NA	2-inch LCD	NA	1.5	Component	candy bar with slightly angled lens area	4.06" x 2.2" x 0.61"
Kodak Zi8	1920 x 1080	5MP	4x digital	Yes	2.5-inch LCD	NA	(info not available)	HDMI	candy bar	4.5" × 2.4" × 0.9"
Kodak Zi6	1280 x 720	3MP	2x digital	NA	2.4-inch LCD	NA	(info not available)	Component	candy bar	4.5" x 2.5" x 0.9"
Kodak Zx1	1280 x 720	3MP	2x digital	NA	2-inch LCD	NA	(info not available)	HDMI	candy bar	4.2" × 2" x 0.8"
Kodak Playsport	1920 × 1080	5MP	(info not available)	Yes	2-inch LCD	(info not available)	(info not available)	HDMI	candy bar	(info not available)
Creative Vado HD	1280 x 720	"HD Stills"	2x digital	NA	2-inch LCD	4GB (3rd gen)	2	HDMI	candy bar	3.9" x 2.2" x 0.6"
Sanyo Xacti VPC-CG10	1280 x 720	10MP	5x optical (12x digital)	Yes	3-inch LCD	NA	1.17	Composite	pistol grip	4.4" x 2.8" x 1.5"
Sanyo Xacti VPC-CS1	1920 × 1080	8MP	"10x Advanced Zoom"	Yes	(info not available)	NA	(info not available)	HDMI	pistol grip	(info not available)