Just took my biweekly stroll to Costco. They finally got the ZS3 - they had the ZS1 for the longest time, which doesn't have the hi-res 3" screen or HD video. $299 with a 2GB SD card and a Panasonic leather (so it says on the box, might be leatherette who knows) case.
I've had mine since it first came out. Excellent pocket camera. I use it mainly as my camcorder. Awesome HD videos (720/30p, specs says 60fps, do not believe it, the sensor output is only 30fps), 10x optical zoom with stabilizer (25-250mm) fully usable during videos, and records in stereo sound. Taking videos in iA mode (intelligent fully automatic mode, intelligent in that it will automatically change scene modes *on the fly* during recording) is almost fool-proof. It works really well even in darker settings.
Availability may vary depending on your Costco location. My Costco is not particularly busy so I would think most of them would have it.
Camera Effective Pixels 10.1 Megapixels Optical Image Stabilizer MEGA O.I.S. (Auto/Mode1/ Mode2) Optical Zoom 12x Image Sensor 1/2.33-inch / 12.7 Total Megapixels / Primary Color Filter Image Sensor Size 1/2.33-inch Extra Optical Zoom 14.3x (4:3 / 7M), 17.1x (4:3 / 5M), 21.4x (under 3M) Digital Zoom 4x Focal Length f=4.1-49.2mm (25-300mm in 35mm equiv.) Lens LEICA DC VARIO-ELMAR Focusing Area Normal: Wide 50cm/ Tele 200cm - infinity Dimensions (H x W x D) 2.35" x 4.07" x 1.29" Weight Approx. 0.45 lbs
garfield00
Senior Member
posted: Oct. 8, 2009 @ 10:05p
For people who don't have Costco membership or a location nearby, you have the same price from Amazon (you have to add it to cart before you can check the price) Linky
garfield00 said: For people who don't have Costco membership or a location nearby, you have the same price from Amazon (you have to add it to cart before you can check the price) Linky
That's the next best deal if you don't have Costco membership. I didn't closely examine the case, but it does say Panasonic on it. If that case is form fitting for the ZS3, it's worth paying the sales tax to get it from Costco (if you have membership). Plus you get 90 days return and a 2GB card.
My bad. Haven't used my ZS3 in a while, plus I just got my shiny GF1
Having an extra 10mm on the wide end is much more significant than having an extra 50mm on the long end - 25mm vs 35mm is a HUGE difference; it's the difference between fitting a whole group of people in your typically sized dining room, vs 35mm you might fit 1/2 or 2/3 of the group. 250mm vs 300mm on the long end is hardly noticeable.
In the ZS3's case, you get it on both ends, all 12x
Thank you OP! I have had my eye on this camera and was waiting for Costco to get it. The peace of mind their return policy gives me makes it worth paying the added tax. Will have to check this out tomorrow.
Just ran to Costco and picked one up. Thanks OP. They're not with the expensive cameras on the shelf but in a big bubble pack with the other cheapo cameras!
Picked up one of these two weeks ago for my wife for $278 shipped from electronics expo from a deal post here, but it looks like that deal is dead.
In most ways it is as good of a camera as the various comments and reviews, not to mention specs and features list, would suggest, but there is one thing about it that is extremely annoying: the function dial and the shutter/zoom toggle are reversed in position from how they are with most cameras, with the function dial on the right edge of the camera and the shutter button more toward the center. The problem is that the function dial takes a pretty light amount of pressure to rotate and can very easily turn off the setting you had it on when you pulled it from your pocket or the camera's case; this would not happen if the function dial was located to the left of the shutter button. Furthermore, the writing on the function dial is rather light and not very visible. If you are in some place where there are overhead spotlights, like at a restaurant where I was last night, the glare from the lights on the chrome function dial made it completely impossible to see the markings and tell what settings are selected for the camera. It wouldn't be enough to recommend against purchasing the camera, in light of its many very strong positives, but that function dial is a very poorly implemented feature.
Got one, they had to go into the cage to get it. It has a Sandisk 2GB card (on the outside of the box it says a Class 4 card is included, but the card itself doesn't say). The case is very nice, it's a semi-firm case like a sunglass case, and has a little magnetic button that seems to close itself when the flap is put down.
sonicx123
Member
posted: Oct. 9, 2009 @ 8:05p
Does anyone know how strict Costco is on the 90 day return policy for cameras? I bought the ZS1 at Costco about 120 days ago, and would like to exchange for the ZS3.
Does anyone know the part number for the Lumix case that comes with the Costco version of this camera? Did not get my camera at Costco but would like to buy the custom case. Tried calling Panasonic about it but they did not have a clue! Please post if anyone has purchased this.
proutyhs
Senior Member
posted: Dec. 3, 2009 @ 6:48a
I saw this at Costco this week for a bit less and also there is a $50 off in the coupon book good until 12/20 (although no cooupon necessary at store)
LambertJohn
New Member
posted: Dec. 4, 2009 @ 2:59p
Costco now has it for $249 including leather case and 2 GB chip. I bought one yesterday. When back today, and they only had 4 left. They're crazy flying out of the store. The leather case is fantastic! It's top quality and definitely adds to the value of the camera. Go to Costco. Get one before they're all gone!
LambertJohn
New Member
posted: Dec. 4, 2009 @ 2:59p
Costco now has it for $249 including leather case and 2 GB chip. I bought one yesterday. When back today, and they only had 4 left. They're crazy flying out of the store. The leather case is fantastic! It's top quality and definitely adds to the value of the camera. Go to Costco. Get one before they're all gone!
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