!: Which Compact Digital Camera is the Best Overall? Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 Fits the Bill

In this writer's humble opinion, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 fits the bill.

There are many, many digital cameras on the market, and technology is advancing at such a rapid rate that it is very difficult to keep up. Each camera manufacturer makes claims of excellence or features about every new camera release to lure you, the buyer, into a purchase. And how does a camera become king of the hill and make it to the top of the camera heap anyway?

It starts with a reputation. Certain manufacturers have been able to maintain a good reputation for producing excellent cameras. We buyers tend to trust a manufacturer if we have had a good experience with them.

Then there are the camera review geeks. These are camera "experts" who look at each new release and put them through a series of standard tests to compare them to other cameras of similar design. These online web sites such as DPReview.com, StevesDigicams.com, and Imaging-Resources.com have become will known and trusted for their honest opinions and ratings. Manufacturers send their newest releases to those who have gained good standing in the online camera community.

Finally, there are the buyers - those who actually buy the cameras and use them, not necessarily analyzing how each pixel is rendered on a print, but deciding if the camera meets the individual's expectations. These evaluations are extremely useful in making a camera buying decision.

Before buying your next camera, be sure to check online stores where the camera has been sold. Some very useful sites to check include Amazon.com, B&H Photo, and Adorama.com. Enter the name of the camera you are interested in, then click on the user comments.

All of this leads up to how the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 gets the rating as "Best Compact Digital Camera Over All". It is recommended highly at both Imaging-Resources.com and DPReview.com, AND the user rating (from folks who actually paid money for the camera) is about 4.4 out of 5 on both DPReview and Amazon.

The specs for the DMC-ZS3 camera are as follows:

10.1 Megapixel Resolution 12x Digital Zoom 3" LCD screen 27 Scene Modes with Intelligent Auto Face Recognition and motion tracker 720p HD Video Capture

If you are looking for a great all-around camera, you can't go wrong with this one.