Panasonic ZS3 with dust bunnies help please

[DaveL]

I have dust on the sensor of my ZS3.
Do you have a simple way to clear dust on the sensor?
I'm reluctant to open the camera without instructions.
Camera is about a year old, and has been well treated but used  a lot.

Time to invest in a custom ZipLok case; too late for this P&S marvel though.

DaveL

[DaveL]

I've had information from posters at dpreview that shows disassembly of other Panasonic cameras so they could reach the sensor to clean it.
I'm not that brave. (yet )
I shall contact Panasonic to  see if it's a warranty item.
Perhaps it is just a throw away camera.
If so I'll replace it with the little Sony 25-250 P&S with gps that Mr. Michael has reviewed positively.

Should have kept it hermetically sealed in a ziplok bag.

DaveL

[DaveL]

evidence

Hard to get a BirdInFlight shot with a little P&S.

The UFO was free!

DaveL

[DaveL]

Should say that I now have 2 spots. The 2nd one showed later.

Be careful with your P&S! (I was; perhaps not careful enough)

DaveL

[DaveL]

3 spots now. I just checked.
I've stopped using the camera.
Shame.

Bought it in March. It has been well treated; used a lot. It's carried in a LowePro Classified pouch.

Panasonic Customer Service said to return it to the selling store. I shall.

A post at Facebook says they no longer repair cameras; they apparently replace them with a refurbished camera. (Must have quite a few!)

I really miss the camera.

DaveL

[250swb]

I had a Canon G7 that I kept in my coat pocket and never had a problem with it until I tried to sell it on Ebay. I tested it beforehand, but omitted to try smaller apertures (out of habit, never having felt the need to use them). The buyer did test the smaller apertures and the sensor was covered in dust! Fortunately it was all dealt with via an amicable refund. But P&S cameras can fill with dust easily. I now use a little neoprene pouch for my Canon S90, bought from a hiking shop and sold as a waterproof mobile phone pouch, perfect! But beware not to take as gospel the mantra 'pocket camera', it may need some further type of protection!

Steve

[DaveL]

Steve, thanks.
I took my Pany to Panasonic's service outlet today.
Called in and got a completely different response than my previous call.
The repair is warranty covered.
I have my receipt from the purchase.
The people there were very helpful, well informed and polite. I'm impressed!

My G11 is in a ziplok right now; my Pany went in for service in a ZipLok. Special fitted case.

Your advice is spot on. Thanks.

DaveL

[DaveL]

Pany Service (Mississauga) is incredible.
They repaired my camera quicker than they said they would. Spots were internal, within the lens.
They cleaned it, and realigned it. In days!

I'm a very happy Panasonic ZS3 owner.

DaveL
Toronto