Introduction:

The ZS5 camera is one of the popular manual-centric models released by Panasonic in the recent times. With a good number of manual controls thrown in, this camera comes equipped with Intelligent Resolution technology that ensures that each picture of yours remains perfectly clear and beautiful. Apart from 40 MB internal memory, the camera also supports SD/SDHC/SDXC memory cards for extended storage options.

Features:

Using 29 scene modes in Panasonic ZS5 can be a creatively learning experience for many. Nice shooting controls, 6 white balance settings and the Sonic Speed AF feature make this camera a prized possession for many. Some of the scene modes that deserve a special mention are Happy mode and Travel mode. Happy mode makes your pictures look bright and vibrant by filling in the dark gaps.

Pros:

• Shoot incredible videos of 1280 x 720 pixels resolution with stereo sound. This feature uses Motion JPEG format for compression thereby escalating the size of your video files.
• Capture vast landscapes easily and in great detail with 25mm equivalent wide-angled Leica DC Vario Elmar zoom lens of 12x size. If necessary, you can extend the zoom size from 12x to16x as well. This zoom function can be used while recording videos as well.

Cons:

• The camera does not sport an optical viewfinder.
• The video mode does not offer any controls for adjusting the exposure.
• The camera lacks a HDMI output.
• Pictures shot at high ISO settings in low-light environment are of inferior quality and noisier than usual.

Pricing Range: Make this camera yours by paying just $276 - $300. Available in Silver & Black!

Final Verdict: Panasonic ZS5 is a feature-rich compact camera whose performance lies somewhere between the beginners and professionals making it difficult to slot it. There are several quirks with its performance that might make this camera less appealing to many.