Panasonic Lumix TZ7/ZS3 with u/w case DMW-MCTZ7 HD VIDEO test results

[Evie G]

my zs3 video taken in balicasag, bohol, philippines

Robert! Nice one! cant wait for our dive this Sat! So, i get to try my new cam & case.

 

[wicked_innit]

This question may have been answered: can you use the full zoom AND wide angle with the underwater housing?

yes you can though for video it is best to use 16:9..gives it a cinematic feel..

 

[wicked_innit]

Hi Evie, I could be mistaken but I thought you could add a tray to all cases (?). Anyway, this one has the fitting at the bottom that should accept the screw-in for the tray. Although the manual does not say anything about potential for attaching a tray. And it says the fitting can be used for attaching the included lead weight strip for adjusting buoyancy. But I hope these things are standard sized!

And you get an extra main o-ring with the case. Don't know about availability of o-rings for knobs. I've never heard of those being changed. The manual does not mention that either. Probably these are only removable by a service technician. What does the 10bar case say about knob o-rings?

i have a double arm and tray which is OEM..ie non-branded for 120 SGD...the case does fit as standard screw ..it rocks!

 

[wicked_innit]

one of my fav homegrown uw vids

YouTube - 4. Manta Rays "Aeroplane" @ Nusa Penida, Bali (Lumix TZ7/ZS3 - AVCHD)

 

[Blůę §pacε]

I absolutely loved the way you showed off the zoom capabilities of this camera while zooming into the herring/sardines (whatever they were), and then continuing to zoom until the menacing, yet beautiful wall of barracuda! Outstanding! I almost cried when it ended too soon. lol

 

[wicked_innit]

my zs3 video taken in balicasag, bohol, philippines

awesome vid ! love it and convinced me to dive there next year. when is the best time to go? and which resort etc?

 

[lofish]

I am thinking to get one while stopover in Hong kongbut I am curous to know the battery life.

 

[abbylou1910]

I've been researching digital cameras for about a month now and am really happy to have found this thread. Quick question for those of you who have posted pictures and video: are you just using camera and housing or do you have a strobe setup as well? I'm just trying to calculate about how much it's going to cost to get a good setup. Which housing for this camera is best? Thanks for your help!

 

[iSTRONG]

i just wanted to post some pics i took with this camera & the panasonic housing as this thread convinced me in buying the housing for it.

I have to say i'm very happy with the camera & housing. It's my first underwater camera & i couldn't fault it for the price (£460 or so with the housing- compared to 1500+ for an SLR).

Pics:
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_TxH4dJ7IXo4/SwdjGnQd6LI/AAAAAAAAB5s/Nk8xOXfJ1_U/s1024/P1000474.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_TxH4dJ7IXo4/Swdi6W702hI/AAAAAAAAB44/64NaaT7Aru0/s1024/P1000446.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_TxH4dJ7IXo4/SwdjklphzsI/AAAAAAAAB7g/GOchdw8s19Q/s1024/P1000525.JPG

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_TxH4dJ7IXo4/Swdildwz_7I/AAAAAAAAB3o/VY0vUCZPgk0/s1024/P1000382.JPG

More pics:
Picasa Web Albums - Kaveh - Red Sea Livea...

Video:
YouTube - Bottlenose Dolphin encounter - Red Sea 2009

Great first camera, or camera for those who want to take decent pics without the fuss of SLRs.
Battery time is pretty bad however, i was doing 4 dives per day and the battery was finished by the 4th dive.

 

[rab1412000]

awesome vid ! love it and convinced me to dive there next year. when is the best time to go? and which resort etc?

thanks wicked. summer is always a good time to go since its your best chance to avoid the storms. you will however have to contend with more tourists and possibly more expensive board and lodging.
october,november is also a good time to go since there are usually more fish in the colder months, but you do risk the presence of storms and typhoons.

i dive with sierra madre divers, who have a website online. if you want their local contact nos just send me a pm.