How does ZS7 perform in colors in low light indoor? Hi, I had ZS3 for a month and was satisfied with its performance, features mostly except for one thing. Shooting with flash under low lighting, especially a little yellow type of lighting. The default iA mode turns out bright objects in the center, front, but other objects near the edge, back are too dark. Also the colors are not so true to real scene when taken with flash under low light indoor. It tends to be a bit reddish or pinkish than real.I tried to resolve this with ISO, EV, WB settings in the normal mode. Though I made some improvements, still it's not so good. So I am looking at both ZS7 and Sony's HX5V to replace my ZS3. I wonder how ZS7 performs against ZS3 in colors in low lighting indoor. Has anyone had both cameras and compared its color performance? How does ZS7 perform in colors in low light indoor? Hi, I had ZS3 for a month and was satisfied with its performance, features mostly except for one thing. Shooting with flash under low lighting,... » Read More How does ZS7 perform in colors in low light indoor? Hi, I had ZS3 for a month and was satisfied with its performance, features mostly except for one thing. Shooting with flash under low lighting, especially a little yellow type of lighting. The default iA mode turns out bright objects in the center, front, but other objects near the edge, back are too dark. Also the colors are not so true to real scene when taken with flash under low light indoor. It tends to be a bit reddish or pinkish than real.I tried to resolve this with ISO, EV, WB settings in the normal mode. Though I made some improvements, still it's not so good. So I am looking at both ZS7 and Sony's HX5V to replace my ZS3. I wonder how ZS7 performs against ZS3 in colors in low lighting indoor. Has anyone had both cameras and compared its color performance? « Show Less
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If HX5V works better for your application and usage, then it's good for you. I have no problem with that. But for me the IQ of camera is very important (I consider both sharpness, distortion as part of IQ) and having more manual control is important too. I agree that many folks would just use auto mode or pre-set scene modes, but it's good to have option to tweak it when needed for people like me. In these two regards, ZS7 is the better camera for me.
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Look up "Imaging Resource" website. There is a very cool "Comparometer" (look on the left side, "Compare Sample Images). I, too, am trying to decide between the ZS7 and the HX5V. My biggest beef (in particular, with the Fuji F80, which I returned), is with over-processed images wiping out facial tone. I'm worried the Sony does that a bit, but it seems to retain some of the Fuji's low light magic. It's a shame the ZS7 went up on megapixels and therefore lost resolution in processing out noise. (Compare the house photos between the two on the Comparometer. The ZS3 clearly wins. Look up "Imaging Resource" website. There is a very cool "Comparometer" (look on the left side, "Compare Sample Images). I, too, am trying to decide between the ZS7 and the HX5V. My biggest beef (in particular, with the Fuji F80, which I returned), is with over-processed images wiping out facial tone. I'm worried the Sony does that a bit, but it seems to retain some of the Fuji's low light magic. It's a shame the ZS7 went up on megapixels and therefore lost resolution in processing out noise. (Compare the house photos between the two on the Comparometer. The ZS3... » Read More Look up "Imaging Resource" website. There is a very cool "Comparometer" (look on the left side, "Compare Sample Images). I, too, am trying to decide between the ZS7 and the HX5V. My biggest beef (in particular, with the Fuji F80, which I returned), is with over-processed images wiping out facial tone. I'm worried the Sony does that a bit, but it seems to retain some of the Fuji's low light magic. It's a shame the ZS7 went up on megapixels and therefore lost resolution in processing out noise. (Compare the house photos between the two on the Comparometer. The ZS3 clearly wins. « Show Less
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I just ordered the ZS7. I first tried the F80 but returned it after finding pictures had a remarkable amount of compression artifact. All the files come out around 4 MP (max) and faces start to look like pastel when you zoom in. That said, it does perform better in low light. If you don't care about HD video consider the F70, which I read is better. (For that matter, the ZS3 is supposed to be better, but I want the bells and whistles.)
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This is a great resource AnthonyB. I think the review clearly favors the Panasonic but I am biased ;-) I'm with you on the noise issue but all else aside the improvement over the first generation is remarkable. I especially like the macro modes. Much better (see my review).
359955
I think I am going to return this camera because all of my indoor photos are yellow. They are AWFUL. My old elph takes better indoor photos. I am so disappointed!
646120
Hello,On EXR and Auto mode I've found my images in low light to be sub par without using the flash - which then can unfortunately cause it's own set of problems. However, as I learn the camera I find adjusting the settings and really depending on the manual as a reference guide, along with youtube tutorial videos that my low and dim light photos are improving. I'm an Amateur at this stage of course but more advanced photographers would have an effortless time taking great shots in low light conditions. If you're shopping around check out the Panasonic FZ200 and the Sony DDSC-HX300 both have won tremendous accolades for low light performance. Hope this helps! Hello,On EXR and Auto mode I've found my images in low light to be sub par without using the flash - which then can unfortunately cause it's own set of problems. However, as I learn the camera I find adjusting the settings and really depending on the manual as a reference guide, along with youtube tutorial videos that my low and dim light photos are improving. I'm an Amateur at this stage of course but more advanced photographers would have an effortless time taking great shots in low light conditions. If you're shopping around check out the Panasonic FZ200 and the Sony... » Read More Hello,On EXR and Auto mode I've found my images in low light to be sub par without using the flash - which then can unfortunately cause it's own set of problems. However, as I learn the camera I find adjusting the settings and really depending on the manual as a reference guide, along with youtube tutorial videos that my low and dim light photos are improving. I'm an Amateur at this stage of course but more advanced photographers would have an effortless time taking great shots in low light conditions. If you're shopping around check out the Panasonic FZ200 and the Sony DDSC-HX300 both have won tremendous accolades for low light performance. Hope this helps! « Show Less
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What about low light performance? I took SD900 to Japan for cherry blossom viewing. Flash is definitely a big no no for taking those kinds of pictures at night, so I used Hi-ISO or ISO 3200 all the way. The night cherry blossom pictures turned out to be amazing. Video was fantastic too. I haven't yet read any comment on how SD800 performed in low light situations. Any experience?
1352346
Very good in low light situations - rarely have to use the flash indoors-eh!!
1082486
Jeffroar, have you had any luck in determining a solution? I just got my FZ100 last week and have been struggling with the same issue. Without the flash I'm amazed at how well it captures true color/light, but when I open the flash to "brighten up" my shot the resulting image is much darker. Any thought (Les or others) on if an external flash would help here by extending the range?Thanks - Rich
671656
This camera is great in low light if you use the flash. Without the flash the photo will come out a little dark. Trust me; you'll love this camera :)
653990
I found that it took better pictures in bright light or outside. Low indoor light provided the most challenges, when trying to get a good shot. I found the closer I was to the subject, the better the picture. There are modes you can use on the camera to compensate and enable you to get a good indoor photo. Good luck.
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I also purchased the FZ8 and returned it because of the noise (grainy photos). I went ahead and got the Sony DSC-H7 and like it much better. My only wish is that it would shoot in the RAW format (the FZ8 did!). Overall, we like the flash better, the speed better, the grip and position of the buttons and the H7 camera overall.
288757
Depends on definition of "Low" light. Inside buildings with artificial/natural light, works very well. In darkened areas where you think you might need a flash, it will still take very good pictures. The camera does give you a red warning if the light is too low to be acceptable with out flash.
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Following my initial post I found a comment from Kodak explaining the differences vs the Zi8. It seems that aside from touchscreen (if you really want it), the only real differences are a wider-angle lens and supposedly better low-light performance. I think I'll wait for a few reviews from people who actually buy it before investing on this update.PS: Like the Zi8 it also takes an external mic
2006106
The low light performance is probably the best in the consumer camcorder. Check the camcorderinfo website. Comparing low light performace with my old Canon ZR25, I can't be more satisfied.
653989
I took some sample pics in the house at night with just lights on. They looked OK without the flash. I find with indoor pics I usually don't like the flash because it seems to wash out the photo.
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Hi Lisa, I took pictures at an indoor water park. The pictures came out okay. I just scrapbook the pictures, I don't typically blow them up to 5x7 or 8x10. So, for my use the pictures are fine. The fast movements were a little blurry. I have not taken any underwater pictures yet. I took the camera outside for our school snow days. Those pictures in the sunlight were bright and colorful. The fast movements came out okay. I have a few inside pictures during the day and they look pretty good. I have one picture taken at night in my bedroom. My navy blue shirt looks great, but my face is a little orange/yellow and the bedroom in the background is not crisp at all. I think the lighting is responsible for that. I have a few movies on the camera, but can't play them. They are MOV. I tried Quicktime, movie maker, media player. I'll have to play around with it. I hope I don't have to convert these. So, at the moment I can't give you any information on the movies. I wanted the camera to take out to the pool and so far it seems like it will work great for our use. Please let me know if I can help with any else. I'm not sure what you mean by artifacts. I don't think graininess is an issue, but I'm just a mom taking pictures of kids and my photography knowledge is limited.
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Love my ZS3. One thing I really like is the dedicated "video capture" button. I don't have to change to a video mode, I just hit the button any time to capture movies. Great camera!www.panasonic.net/lumix
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I'm really surprised at how well the camera does at low lighted events. I usually take both flash pics and no flash pics but find many times the pics taken with available light are better than with the flash. Hope that helps.
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Hands down, indoor low light is the most difficult for this camera. I find that using the 'action' scene mode helps alot. The picture comes out better and the flash seems to go quicker after you press the button. Since you posted your comment last October, hopefully you've found some ways to improve the pictures that you can share with us.
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I bought this camera (ZS40) recently. In my experience, (I use the iA setting) the day time photos were very good although the night time (low light) photos were not very good; they had 'noise'. However, the video clips were very good and, I like the optical zoom of 30 times.