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28 of 32 found the following review helpful:
 THINK TWICE BEFORE BUYING the PANASONIC DMC-ZS3 CAMERA OR DMW-AC5 AC ADAPTER!!! Aug 27, 2009
By C. Surber
THINK TWICE BEFORE BUYING the PANASONIC DMC-ZS3 CAMERA OR DMW-AC5 AC ADAPTER!!!
BEWARE!!! The Panasonic "DMW-AC5PP" AC adapter is shipped in the Panasonic "DMW-AC5" box and it DOES NOT FIT the Panasonic DMC-ZS3 camera, even though the DMC-ZS3's instructions say/show that it will!!!
I wrote the following review on Amazon's Panasonic DMC-ZS3 site:
The ZS3 camera CAN take FANTASTIC photos (and video), BUT...
(1) YOU *MUST* USE at least "CLASS 6" or higher media to get a good quality photo at 10 MP. I did not realize that when I bought it, except that I noticed at the store that photos looked FAR BETTER at 5 MP than 10 MP! It is even better to opt for the "Class 10" media. I bought one Panasonic 16 GB "Class 10" media when I bought the camera. I WISH I had bought more and used THEM instead of the 8 GB, "Class 4" or "Class 6" that I had brought with me from home. If you're going to spend the money for the camera, use the BEST media you can get!
(2) YOU CANNOT GET EXTRA OEM *PROPRIETARY* BATTERIES, CHARGER or POWER SUPPLY!!!
I have been reading that the "over-the-counter" batteries will not work with the ZS3 due to a "Firm Ware" upgrade, so, since I spent what I did for the ZS3, I wanted to get OEM Panasonic batteries, charger and power supply. I had also heard that the "over-the-counter" batteries would overheat and cause problems.
Unfortunately, because of ONLY having ONE battery (DMW-BCG10PP), and having to carry the OEM charger (DE-A65B) around with me every time I want to take photos, I lost my OEM charger and have not been able to charge the ONLY battery supplied for several weeks.
After an EXHAUSTIVE, but unsuccessful search since then, and because I could not find another OEM charger (DE-A65B) ANYWHERE locally or online, last night, I ordered an OEM PROPRIETARY power supply (DMW-AC5PP) that was SUPPOSED to fit the ZS3, and got it overnighted. It DID NOT fit!!! It wasn't even close!!!
The fitting on the power supply I received looks like what you would plug into a portable hard drive (sort of a small trapazoid shape). The receptacle on the camera is about 50% larger and more rectangular with slight extensions on the bottom at the left and right edges. There is NO comparison in size or shape.
The ZS3's instructions say/show that DMW-AC5PP is the correct part number, and the DMW-AC5PP power supply itself says/shows that it is a DMW-AC5PP (as do its instructions), but the BOX says/shows it is a DMW-AC5 (i.e. without the PP) and it DOES NOT FIT!!!
I WANT to order a couple of extra batteries and OEM charger, but I am VERY leery now. Even Panasonic said THEY don't even have extra batteries or another charger, and that it would take 3+ weeks for THEM to get any. Interestingly, they told me I needed to order a DMW-BCG10 (i.e. without the PP at the end), but suggested I order it from a local dealer. They don't have either the DMW-BCG10PP or the DMW-BCG10, and after my experience, I don't TRUST what Panasonic says is the correct size!
My daughter's 10 year old birthday party is THIS coming Sunday (four days from now) and I CAN'T GET ANY MORE BATTERIES and I CAN'T GET ANYTHING to charge the ONLY battery I have!!!
I had bought the ZS3 on the first day of our vacation in Vancouver on 05/30/2009, because I had accidentally left my camera in my car at the airport in the US.
I tried buying a couple of extra batteries and another charger when I bought the ZS3, but Panasonic had not even made them available at all yet!
Since they ONLY supply ONE battery, and you can't even BUY spares, and I was going on an Alaskan cruise (and wanting to take LOTS of photos), I had to keep charging my ONLY battery every time I stopped to eat, then make sure I remembered to retrieve it before leaving the restaurant. Thankfully, it only happened twice, and there were only so many places I would have had to go to to retrace my steps to find it.
Unfortunately, I have now lost the charger and have no idea where. It wouldn't be so bad if you could just easily BUY another one---that FITS!
And, of course, I would NOT have lost it at all had I been ABLE to buy extra PANASONIC OEM *PROPRIETARY* batteries and charger (and/or power supply) when I bought the ZS3, so I could leave the charger AT HOME.
================================= UPDATE - 08/28/2009 - 6:06 P.M. ====================================
I just spent quite a long time on the phone with a Panasonic technical support agent, trying to figure out what the problem was re: the adapter. Among other things, he had me test whether the AV cable and USB connection cable fit, just as they came in the box. They did.
Right after I hung up, I found a "compatible" version on Amazon and zoomed in on the photo to see the fitting. It had the SAME fitting that the OEM DMW-AC5PP had. A reviewer of the "compatible" discovered that you MUST ALSO ORDER the PROPRIETARY "Multi Conversion Adapter" (DMW-MCA1) in order to use the DMW-AC5PP. I called Panasonic back to find out the cost of the PROPRIETARY "Multi Conversion Adapter" (DMW-MCA1) and it was $50.
THAT'S AN **ADDITIONAL** $50 + SHIPPING, for a TOTAL of $130 + SHIPPING (ordering directly from Panasonic).
Even if you get the OEM PROPRIETARY power supply (DMW-AC5PP) from Amazon, YOU STILL MUST SPEND THE ADDITIONAL $50 + SHIPPING for the PROPRIETARY "Multi Conversion Adapter" (DMW-MCA1) from Panasonic!
That's $130 + SHIPPING!!!
All Panasonic would need to do is put the CORRECT fitting on it for LITTLE or NO EXTRA CHARGE TO THEMSELVES, give it a new part number and SAVE THE CUSTOMER $50 + SHIPPING!!!
4 of 4 found the following review helpful:
PANASONIC RIP-OFF! Feb 16, 2010
By Theresa A. Rayfield
"wicca witch"
Please be advised that the Panasonic DMW-AC5 AC Adapter for Panasonic Lumix® Digital Cameras (or any other compatible a/c adapter) will not connect to your camera.......unless you also buy the propeietary Panasonic converter to go with it; MSRP 49.95. You can't avoid buying the cinverter as long as you want to use your camera's full capabilities. If you plan on keeping your camera, make certain that you can obtain the converter FIRST! Then decide whether you really want to pay the absorbently high price for this ac adater. Personally, I chose a compatible adapter that cost me 18.43, plus 3.95 USPS Shipping. This product definitely does not offer good value for the money.
6 of 7 found the following review helpful:
What a con! Lumix DMC-TS1 and DMW-AC5 don't work together Jan 12, 2010
By CRAIG LYKINS
"Craig"
You would think that Panasonic, for the price of the TS1, would include a power cable to charge the battery. Instead you get a wall-plug battery charger. So I opted to buy the DMW-AC5, which is a signifcant cost itself. AND it does not even plug into the DMC-TS1 unless you buy ANOTHER freaking adapter to make it plug compatible.
I certainly will NEVER, EVER buy another digital camera from Panasonic again.
8 of 10 found the following review helpful:
Does not work without purchasing another adapter Oct 10, 2009
By Gary Hendrickson
I purchased a DMW-AC5PP AC adapter and cable to download pictures from my new Panasonic DMC-ZS3. The advertisment indicates that this part will allow me to use the AC current to avoid battery use. THE CABLE DOES NOT FIT INTO MY CAMERA! The thing costs over $70 and is usless as is. Now I find I need another adapter at around $50 to plug into the other adapter.
Gary Hendrickson
10 of 13 found the following review helpful:
 Needs to be added to DMC-TZ3 Accessories Dec 08, 2007
By Ceylon J. Stowell
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3K 7.2MP Digital Camera with 10x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Black)
The Amazon description for this item does not show the TZ3 series for the DMW-AC5PP but it is listed in the TZ3 digital camera owners manual as an optional accessory.
See all 9 customer reviews on Amazon.com
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