anyone have a Panosonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 P&S?

[FINFAN]

We are Panasonic owners..thinking aobut getting this as a gift as it dropped to $169 on amazon..the zoom is the main selling point to me. However, in reading reviews some complain of dust issues, quality of sealing around the lens, etc. We have not run into stuff with our Lumix, but wondering if this model is quirky, especially at such a deep price drop? I know the zs8 is the lower end of the zs10 which has the GPS, but that feature is not needed. So, if anyone has or knows of this model please share! TIA

 

[rossb]

I have a ZS7, which is the predecessor to the ZS10. My ZS7 has been great with very good IQ. It's Leica lens is great with no visible CA and it stays very sharp all through it's zoom range. I have had no issues with it. The ZS7 has a CCD sensor and at the time of purchase it was better than the Canon and Nikon offerings in the same category and price range.

The ZS10/ZS8 switched to a CMOS sensor and the IQ took a significant hit. I don't think I would buy a ZS10/ZS8, there are better choices (Canon SX230).

 

[FINFAN]

I have a ZS7, which is the predecessor to the ZS10. My ZS7 has been great with very good IQ. It's Leica lens is great with no visible CA and it stays very sharp all through it's zoom range. I have had no issues with it. The ZS7 has a CCD sensor and at the time of purchase it was better than the Canon and Nikon offerings in the same category and price range.

The ZS10/ZS8 switched to a CMOS sensor and the IQ took a significant hit. I don't think I would buy a ZS10/ZS8, there are better choices (Canon SX230).

thanks for the info...have you heard anything on the dust issues or other mechanical issues? The canon looks great but out of my price range for a gift..the Lumix is pushing it as it is, but another family member is chipping in.

ETA: I have the zs3..my DD has the bulkier zs35 and we love ours, so far so good so that is why reading about a quality issue is concerning me

 

[Pooh2]

My daughter has the lumix sz 7. Based her her photos, I bought the sz8 because the 7 is no longer available (as a backup to my dslr). I do not know if I got a lemon, or if they changed the camera that much, but my photos were very washed out, using the same settings as my daughter's 7. So I brought it back to Best buy and got a refund and waiting to see what the next model is.
I previously owned the TZ5 and LOVED the camera (still in service, my son swiped it to take to college).
Amazon had decent reviews for the sz8, I was figuring I just got lemon.

 

[FINFAN]

My daughter has the lumix sz 7. Based her her photos, I bought the sz8 because the 7 is no longer available (as a backup to my dslr). I do not know if I got a lemon, or if they changed the camera that much, but my photos were very washed out, using the same settings as my daughter's 7. So I brought it back to Best buy and got a refund and waiting to see what the next model is.
I previously owned the TZ5 and LOVED the camera (still in service, my son swiped it to take to college).
Amazon had decent reviews for the sz8, I was figuring I just got lemon.

hmmmmm, interesting..your experience and rossb's info may explain the price drop. It was 169 on AMAZON, making it very competetively priced for a P&S with that powerful of a zoom(which is the main feature we are trying to find ) what to do...what to do....now amazon has it back up to 199~it keeps changing daily.

 

[rossb]

ETA: I have the zs3..my DD has the bulkier zs35 and we love ours, so far so good so that is why reading about a quality issue is concerning me

The ZS3 is a very good P&S. I haven't ready anything about QC issues with any of the Lumix models (I also have a G3 M43). If the Canon SX230 is out of your budget you might want to look at the Canon SX130 or the Nikon 9100. The Nikon offers less control, but IQ is pretty good. The SX130 also offers good IQ, it uses AA and is a bigger form factor.

 

[FINFAN]

thanks, looks like I have more research to do...and yeah I love my ZS3..bummer it was discontinued. I have it in red, would cost double to replace it now, lol!

 

[FINFAN]

well we went ahead with the zs8...once it hit 165 on amazon, well, nothing with that zoom was coming close. The person who will be receiving it always commented on my zs3's zoom and pic's so I hope it is a good choice.