Here is the entry for this camera on dpreview.com.
Very good reviews (4.5 out of 5.0) over at BHphotovideo.com
This is the camera you want ! If you travel, hike, or just want something handy that fits easily in your pocket. I take lots of wildlife and this does it all, zooms, actual view finder, wide, changes options with the turn of the wheel. I researched forever before purchasing this and another brand bridge camera for convenience. I’m tired of lugging lenses. At $140 refurbished it is $89.00 less than the best new price at the present time. I got mine new a few weeks ago for $199. Buy it but be sure to watch on line videos and learn to use it. Your phone photos won’t come close.
Under Specs, it says, basically, the camera is in the box. Is there a rechargeable battery and, if so, a charger?
How’s the shutter lag? One thing I always really want in a digital camera is to hit the button, and not have to wait for the shutter to click. It’s rare to find a short shutter lag in a non-SLR, but I’m always hoping. Hard to take pictures of kids when your shutter lag is slower than they are.
Responding in part to myself: I see from conan’s link that it has a “High Speed Shutter” mode. That bodes well.
While there, I found the answer to Alison’s question too:
BATTERY
1x DMW-BCM13 Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery Pack, 3.6 VDC, 1250 mAh
But now I want to know about the charger: USB? Proprietary?
My question too. Is there a charger “in the box”? My Leica has a neat little charger with a plug that folds out. Since Leica and Panasonic are so closely related at this price level, I would hope the Lumix has something similar that is included.
Got this a few weeks ago and love it. These how to videos were really helpful: LUMIX DMC-ZS40 - Basic Camera Controls - YouTube
My question, too. I see this in specs:
Supported Battery Types Lithium-ion battery and USB charger
I’d assume you get a camera to USB cord that would connect to PC or a wall wart converter, but still means you’d only be able to charge in the camera?
They’re not very clear and I see no separate ‘cradle’ or ‘dock’ to charge battery independently in any of the illustrations.
Looks like additional battery and outboard charger will set you back ~$40 @ Amazon.
Panasonic DMW-ZS50BTCG Lumix Travel Power Pack (Black)
by Panasonic
4.4 out of 5 stars 6 customer reviews
List Price: $59.99
Price: $34.95 + $6.44 shipping
You Save: $25.04 (42%)
Only 4 left in stock.
Estimated Delivery Date: Thursday, Jan. 21 when you choose Two-Day Shipping at checkout.
Ships from and sold by Samy’s Camera, Inc…
Panasonic Travel Power Pack
Includes External Battery Charger: DMW-BTC11
Includes Battery: DMW-BCM13
I believe this is correct match.
So I saw this one come up on Woot a few weeks back and my wife was in the market for a new camera. I told her about it, did some research on it, got ready to buy it, came back and it was gone from Woot. She was so disappointed, and I felt bad for getting her excited about a camera that was no longer available just hours later.
So I went on ebay and bought one for roughly $180 refurbished with a case and generic memory card. She got it and wow, it is a fantastic camera. We had some refurbed Lumix cameras many years ago that we loved and these are no different, other than that they’re way better. These are the 2014 models. The zoom is fantastic, the shutter speed seems nearly instant as it would need to be when taking pics zoomed in by hand and trying not to blur them with movement. It has a lot of creative controls and the camera is very intuitive. It has on screen information for many modes to help you pick the right one. You can switch creative filters and such from a little wheel on the back, or you can spin a wheel on the front where the lens is, which is very easy as you’re shooting. I can’t speak highly enough of this camera.
In fact, I liked it so much that I bought myself one to replace my Nikon J4 that I’ve had for a year or so. I was super jealous of the zoom and the intuitive nature of it. My Nikon wasn’t intuitive whatsoever. The only think I’ll miss from it was the touchscreen. If you want to wait until March and pay way more, it looks like Panasonic is basically releasing this camera plus a touchscreen and 4K capability for about $450 or so. I went ahead and picked this one up though and couldn’t be happier.
So Woot, had you kept that sale up before I’d have been in for two, but I spent a total of $80 more buying two on ebay. If you’re looking into this I think you’ll be very happy if you buy it.
The charger that I got was a plug with a usb outlet on one side and a usb cable that charges the battery inside the camera. No separate charger, all done via usb. I know some have asked about that.
Same question as others - is there a charger and connector cable included?
The one I bought here a few weeks back came with both.
I bought this from here last time it was up for sale. It came with a 16gb card, cheap case, and the charging cable.
It works well, nice camera. The wifi connection to my home computer is a real challenge, and I have given up. The wifi connection to Ipad, and android phone with the app works well .
I am still learning all of the various modes and features of this camera, but have found the panasonics to be a well featured and highly functional point and shoot at this price range.
Of note it is a proprietary cable for charging. Not a standard micro USB on the camera end.
Went on ebay and got 2 batteries and another charger for 18$ that are working well so far.
A really good buy IMHO.
Shutter lag is better than most p&s. To be sure if I’m shooting birds, or kids I put it in action mode. Works great for me. This isn’t like a $2,000 slr body but it’s very good and you can go manual with it.
You can use the zoom while recording?
Had to return camera purchased on Woot 12/28. NFC did not work. Accepted return no questions asked. Might be a common problem with this camera.