Panasonic Lumix DMC ZS50

[juletee]

I am still shopping for a camera to take to Germany on a trip later this year and wondered if any 365 friends has this camera and would like to have your reviews. Looking for something lightweight, single lens, viewfinder with some zoom. Thanks for your views and suggestions in advance.

[Frank Hymus]

Here's what DPReview thought about it in their 2015 End of Year review of long-zoom compact cameras. I have no experience with it. https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/2015-roundup-long-zoom-compacts/11

[Leana Niemand]

I have the TZ80. Easy to use on automatic but small and finicky when doing manual. Mega zoom which is nice for your purpose.

[Leana Niemand]

Look at my album and you will see many shots taken with the TZ80.

[Helge Erik Storheim]

Many of my shots are taken with the ZS50/TZ70. I always carry the camera with me. It also shoots RAW which is an advantage if you edit your photos. The viewfinder is small and not very good but nice to have if you can't see the display.

[Stephomy]

My first year of 365 was done on that camera. I loved it, but eventually had problems keeping dust out of the inside of it. It was too much of a hassle for me to take it apart and clean it, and camera repair shops seem to charge more to clean it than the camera costs. From what I read, the dust gets into the lens because the zoom action caused air to suck in. So, I'd be careful to keep it in a case when not in use, and to check for dust on the camera before zooming. I'm actually really sad about the dust, because I liked using that camera.