In the Lumix DMC-ZS10's normal high-definition movie mode, the camera shoots 1920 by 1080 AVCHD video at 60 interlaced fields per second, as well as 720p video at 60 frames per second. You can use the full range of the camera's 16X-optical-zoom lens while filming, and the camera has automatic scene-recognition modes (but no full manual controls) while you're filming video. Here again, the Lumix DMC-ZS10's optical stabilization feature does a fine job of keeping long-zoom shots steady.

Like many other Panasonic cameras we've tested, the Lumix ZS10 turned in slightly underexposed images in PCWorld Labs' subjective tests for image and video quality. Image quality kicks up a few notches when you use the camera's manual controls and exposure compensation settings, but there's no to help with heavy-duty fixes.

In PCWorld Labs' subjective tests, the Lumix DMC-ZS10 earned a color accuracy rating of Good, while exposure levels received a score of Fair due to their generally dark, underexposed quality. Our judges rated the camera's sharpness and distortion levels as Fair, too, yielding an overall still-image quality rating of Fair.

Click on the thumbnail images at left to see the full-size test shots used for our subjective tests.