Excellent observation. Refurbs always leave me a worried buyer.
Yes. This camera is noticeably faster than the previous version I owned (TZ5).
I’ve taken good pictures and crappy pictures and the crappy pictures were all my fault for choosing incorrect settings. RTFM: Who would have thought?
I’m a gonna need a second battery.
I really don’t have to worry about dodgy low-light performance. I’m rarely up past sundown. And due to my senile gluten intolerance, this will be much more useful than a breadbox. I loved my previous Panasonics. In 41.
I got this camera as an Xmas present. As someone that only had Canon cameras in the past I was hesitant. But each new Canon disappointed me over the last. I absolutely love this camera. Excellent still photos and movies. I highly recommend it.
Thanks for the example pics and video. Seeing is believing and much better than all the opinions that different shutterbugs have with their various degrees of expertise and bias.
I like what I see. I’m in for one.
Thanks for the reviews! I’m in for one 
Been wanting a camera for awhile and now. Hope it goes as smoothly as my Toshiba Thrive Tablet
Does anyone have a promo code for squaretrade, please.
Nice review. Thanks for taking the time to post.
Since nobody else has said this:
It’s $30 cheaper than last October, now at $159.99–Previous woot:
http://www.woot.com/Forums/ViewPost.aspx?PostID=4662267
My previous comments now updated:
Woot from August:
http://www.woot.com/forums/ViewPost.aspx?PostID=4588038&PageIndex=1&ReplyCount=103
4 posts from previous woot by me:
It was $239.99 last August, $199.99 last September and $189.99 October.
Product webpage:
http://panasonic.net/avc/lumix/compact/zs10_tz20/index.html
including tab to multiple reviews:
http://panasonic.net/avc/lumix/evaluated/index.html#zs10
From the US Panasonic website:
Product support page:
http://www2.panasonic.com/consumer-electronics/support/Cameras-Camcorders/Digital-Cameras/Lumix-Digital-Cameras/model.DMC-ZS10K
including product manual assuming I picked the right model:
http://service.us.panasonic.com/OPERMANPDF/DMCZS10_ADV.PDF
Limited consumer reviews on tab for main US product page (but I’m having trouble with my browser getting this link to work now. Edit: it’s working in internet explorer, but my firefox browser is having trouble with it. 4.2 stars)
http://www2.panasonic.com/consumer-electronics/shop/Cameras-Camcorders/LUMIX-Digital-Cameras-Point-amp-Shoot-Models/model.DMC-ZS10K
I can tell you that I have bought several Panasonic cameras (including 1 refurb–see definition in my signature below) and have not been disappointed, and provide
froogle starts at about $200
and show you that PC Magazine’s last Readers’ choice awards for digital cameras got Panasonic an honorable mention (#3 in 2011, versus when won the award with Canon in 2010) behind Canon and Nikon:
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2393458,00.asp
Speaking of cameras in general, not necessarily this model, PC World readers also dropped Panasonic from #1 to #3 in 2011, also behind Canon and Nikon:
http://www.pcworld.com/article/244570/digital_camera_reliability_and_satisfaction_canon_and_nikon_score_best.html#tk.mod_stln
Other reviews:
CNet:
http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-cameras/panasonic-lumix-dmc-zs10/4505-6501_7-34505755.html
PCWorld:
http://www.pcworld.com/article/224737/review_panasonic_lumix_dmczs10.html
ZDNet’s collection of the reviews if you would prefer:
http://www.zdnet.com/reviews/product/digital-cameras/panasonic-lumix-dmc-zs10-silver/34505713
Digital Camera Review:
A word to the unwise from the author of a new book on “how to use the digital camera you just bought.”
Think very hard about how you intend to use the camera, what shots you want to take. This is especially true if you don’t know an aperture from an apple pie. There are certain laws of physics that do not change just because you went digital. Specifically, if you are hoping to get great action shots of your kid at an inside basketball court, you may discover that the largest lens opening and the highest ISO your camera offers STILL will not produce a fast enough shutter speed to do it. Don’t know what a lens opening is or an ISO??? By a book, my book, any book that explains exposure (or look it up online.) There is not yet a “Nerf” camera that always works, always is beautiful and requires no effort on your part. Maybe someday.
Keep in mind that consumer digital cameras are only about 12 years old. We have a LONG way to go. Think what film cameras looked like when they were only 12 years old.
But in the mean time look carefully at the specs and learn what they mean. For example, zoom lenses are often f/4-f/5.6. That means the lens opening changes to let in LESS light as you zoom. But at what point does it change? How often are you really using an f/5.6 lens that is only sometimes an f/4 lens?
My book is on Amazon by the way. The clue is in the quotations marks. Good luck!
genii69,
Thanks for taking the time to share your pics and video clips. I decided to buy one before they were all gone. Your time to do all this is appreciated !!!
I bought this camera in October for about $50.00 more and I’m still happy with it, The GPS function is pretty much useless but besides that I’m super happy with the purchase.
Creepy!!
I’ve appreciated your comments before, I just hope the book does come out eventually.
I bought the 12 MP version of this from woot over a year ago, and it has since been my adventure buddy on countless trips in the Colorado rockies. I’ve woken up with this thing buried in a snow drift the formed overnight in my tent. I’ve unzipped my rain jacket pocket and pulled the camera out, along with several ounces of water. It’s frozen solid, thawed, frozen again, been dropped, and it still comes along happily for the ride. Shoots great HD video, and nice photos. It creaks and groans a little bit with age now, opening and closing the lens, but it’s still going strong.
I got the Panasonic DMC-ZS6 from woot before my trip to Ireland last year… It took some amazing pictures, and I love the zoom. This looks like a step up. Tempting… but I think my DMC-ZS6 is fine for now.
Those who are concerned about refurbs. If I hadn’t known mine was one I couldn’t have figured it out from the look of the camera. It looked brand spanking new. Will that be the case with these? Who knows… Just my experience with the DMC-ZS6 I got in the past.
Really? Guess it depends on your sense of humor,I thought it was clever and funny.
I’ve heard about reliability issues with Panasonic cameras in general. Is there any data on failures? Does it come with a damn good warranty?
Very tempted but I’m a little worried at the number of refurbs of this model that have been available on Woot. I assume these are returns to Costco since it comes with the accessory kit. I am a Panasonic camera fan though so I have to think about it some more.
My view on ‘refurbs’…
In the factory, just my guess, maybe one in fifty off the line might get a cursory quality control ‘once over’…between taking breaks, and BSing with the person next to them…
When it’s been ‘refurbed’, someone actually put the thing on their workstation, addressed/repaired the problem at hand that was reported. Additionally, I’d like to think it was checked for any other noted problems that have shown up with that particular model, before putting it back in the box.
I’ve bought a number of ‘refurbed’ things in the past, and (I shouldn’t jinx myself) I have never had to return one.
As for Panny cameras, I’ve had several, and have had no complaints.
Just wish they wouldn’t have gone to the proprietary battery…
They hung on to the AA the longest I think…
Got my Folks hooked on them, as well as the in-laws now too…
Shoot like a pro!
I have bought two of these, the first a little more than a year ago, that camera is fine, the 2nd one I bought last last spring, I just had to use my square trade warranty.