The Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 is really a straightforward, mid-assortment stage-and-shoot digital photographic camera having a full selling price tag of $279.95. It packs a 14-megapixel image sensor alongside an 8x optical zoom huge angle lens, and HD video recording recording in both AVCHD Lite and Motion JPEG file formats. Moreover a huge assortment of 29 scene modes, a smattering of colour modes as well as a couple of "clever" functions -- automobile mode, ISO, exposure and LCD -- there is not considerably for the Panasonic ZR3 by which to have lost. Which is good in case you're inside market place for any primary stage-and-shoot, but more advanced users may perhaps locate on their own sensation somewhat constrained.

Look and Feel. The Panasonic ZR3 cuts a modest, somewhat unassuming figure, with silver trim circling the lens barrel, along with a silver accent operating lower the still left of your digicam body. Panasonic delivers the ZR3 in four color selections -- deep black, silver, red, or blue -- catering equally for those who want an understated seem, and for individuals who favor their digicam using a small more dramatic flair. The Panasonic ZR3 is fairly compact, at several.85 x two.15 x 1.02 inches, and weighs 5.6 ounces, together with memory space card and battery. It really is an unobtrusive companion on any excursion, but despite its lgt weight, the Panasonic ZR3 isn't going to really feel flimsy or low cost.

A gently rounded grip runs along the left facet in the Panasonic ZR3's entrance panel beneath the mode dial, and is accompanied by a small patch of textured dots on the thumb grip at rear -- the one vital ergonomic information on on its thoroughly clean, pocket-friendly body.

Controls. The top of the Panasonic ZR3 characteristics a sliding Ability switch which can be effortless to operate and features a business detent, so it is unlikely you'll accidentally turn the digicam on or off. To its appropriate sits a very well-sized zoom lever having a responsive shutter button resting inside the middle. Rounding out the prime is actually a Mode dial that provides accessibility to 6 working modes -- Clever Automobile (iAuto), Method Automobile, two slots for user-assigned scene modes, the major Scene mode menu plus a Notepad function. This previous option saves low resolution photos to the digital camera's internal reminiscence, and won't seem to be particularly worthy of priceless Mode dial genuine-est. (Frankly, I hardly ever located significantly use for it whatsoever).

Around the back from the digital camera, clustered for the suitable in the a couple of.7-inch LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY show is a switch for toggling involving seize and playback modes, a devoted Motion picture Report button, plus a 4-way Controller that serves double-duty in report mode, delivering discover to publicity payment, flash, macro focusing and self-timer options. Inside the middle, a Menu / Arranged button confirms selections, and accesses the Panasonic ZR3's primary menu technique. Beneath the Four-way Controller are two scaled-down buttons, for changing show modes and entering the swift menu, which brings a series of video camera features to your top with the digital camera's show so you really don't need to dig in to the a lot more expansive most important menu method.

To the most part, the controls about the Panasonic ZR3 are very well executed. The shutter button is relatively comfortably within reach shooting single-handed, but while using rear panel dominated by the LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY panel, controls listed here are really shut towards the edge from the camera, and so demand use of each fingers. The dedicated Film Document button is a good effect, given that it allows you to speedily start out movie documenting with out switching modes, but it surely's rather little and flush with video camera, so it is really more challenging to flip on than it needs to be. Equally the exhibit and quick menu buttons are also within the tiny facet, but they're raised away the system in the digicam, and so not terribly hard to activate even though -- like me -- you're going to be cursed with sausage-website link fingers.