Panasonic ZS45 Review

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ZS45 Overview
Specifications
Prices

Basic Specifications
Full model name:	Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45
Resolution:	16.10 Megapixels
Sensor size:	1/2.33 inch (6.1mm x 4.6mm)
Lens:	20.00x zoom (24-480mm eq.)
Viewfinder:	No / LCD
Native ISO:	100 - 3200
Extended ISO:	100 - 6400
Shutter:	1/2000 - 30 sec
Max Aperture:	3.3
Dimensions:	4.2 x 2.4 x 1.3 in. (108 x 60 x 32 mm)
Weight:	8.8 oz (249 g) includes batteries
Availability:	04/2015
Manufacturer:	Panasonic
Full specs:	Panasonic ZS45 specifications

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16.10 Megapixels	20.00x zoom	1/2.33 inch size sensor

Panasonic ZS45 Review -- Hands-on Preview

by Mike Tomkins
Preview posted 01/05/2015

At the start of 2014, Panasonic launched the Lumix ZS35, a pocket-friendly camera with a powerful 20x optical zoom lens. A year down the road, it makes this versatile selfie-friendly shooter even more attractive with the Panasonic ZS45 -- alternately known in some markets as the Panasonic TX57.

Save for a modest restyling and a smaller handgrip, the Panasonic ZS45 looks pretty similar to its predecessor. Most specifications, too, are quite similar, save for a higher-resolution LCD monitor and slightly more internal memory.

At the heart of the Panasonic ZS45 is a 1/2.33"-type, 16-megapixel High Sensitivity MOS image sensor, which sits behind the powerful 28-560mm equivalent Lumix DC Vario zoom lens. Maximum aperture varies from f/3.3 to f/6.4 across the zoom range, and optical image stabilization is included to help steady your shots at the telephoto end of the range or in difficult lighting conditions.

The Panasonic ZS45 is capable of burst shooting at 10 frames per second for as many as 10 images, although if autofocus tracking is enabled, this plunges to just two frames per second. ISO sensitivity ranges from 100 to 3200 equivalents, and can be expanded to ISO 6400 equivalent in High Sensitivity mode.

Images are framed on the rear-panel, tilting LCD monitor, which can be flipped upwards 180 degrees for selfie shooting. The 3.0-inch LCD panel at the heart of the monitor has a total dot count of around 1,040,000 dots, a significant upgrade from the 460,000 dot panel in the earlier camera.

Movies, too, can be captured at up to Full HD (1,920 x 1,080 pixel) resolution, with a fixed frame rate of 30 frames per second, and are stored in MP4 format.

Images are stored in 78MB of built-in memory -- up from 70MB in the ZS35 -- or on Secure Digital cards. Power comes from a proprietary lithium-ion rechargeable battery pack, rated as good for 350 shots on a charge.

Connectivity options include high-def Micro HDMI and standard-def composite video outputs, and the latter also doubles as a USB data connection. There's also a Wi-Fi radio allowing you to connect to Android or iOS smartphones, share your images, and get them online as quickly as possible.

The Panasonic ZS45 will be available in early spring, listing for ~US$300.