Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7

I just picked up the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 – surprised?  While I’m primarily a Canon Guy for my pro equipment (Member in good standing of Canon Professional Services) I have been known to stray off the beaten path for my point and shoot cameras.  This is one of those times.  My primary reason for picking up the camera was so that my son would have a nice, portable point & shoot for his upcoming East Coast Trip that he’s taking with rest of his 8th grade class (he’ll be a Freshman in high scool next year…oy vey).  It’s also a replacement for my Pentax Optio W70, which I was never altogether happy with from a picture quality perspective.  I tend to like to bring a point and shoot with us when we’re out on the golf course instead of hauling around my DSLR and some lenses while playing a round.  So the ZS7 will be used in this capacity, and other instances where I just don’t want to bring the full camera bag full of equipment.

My good buddy John Rigano recently bought the Canon SX210 and recommended it to me, but after reading user reviews (DPreview.com is a favorite place for camera reviews) I decided to go with the ZS7.  Why?  Both the SX210 and the ZS7 are in the “Super Zoom” category.  The SX210 has more zoom, but the ZS7 goes wider – and from what I’ve read, the SX210 is pretty soft at the outer end of the zoom.  The ZS7has a Leica DC Vario-Elmar lens with an impressive 24 to 300mm focal range (35mm film equivalent).  That really is a pretty ideal range.  The ZS7 was also about $50.00 cheaper.  Cheaper.  More positive reviews.  Decision made!  It also comes in some nifty colors which my son will appreciate – he requested blue, so I obliged.  I haven’t used it a whole bunch yet (just got it last night) but I’ll be sure and post more about it when I do.  Maybe Rigano and I will do a “shoot out” with the SX210.  🙂