starts recording video when I zoom in

I have the same problem with TZ40. As Peter has already written, the reason for this strange phenomenon is that the video button is connected to the same resistor chain as the zoom lever switch. In TZ40 it is possible to zoom using the “buttons” on the display. This, of course, is not as handy as using the lever, but it does not start video recording. I do not know if this is possible in ZS25.

I also tried the trick Saul presented, and it seems to work in my camera as well. It is a bit difficult to understand why, but does it matter…

Hi Patrick,

in my DMC-TZ40 I had the same symptom. Blowing seemed to be some kind of temporary solution. I am not sure about the mechanism, maybe it somehow makes some switch connections better for a time. The actual reason of the problem is the way the moving of the zoom ring and video recording are detected in the camera. It is analogue. There is a chain of resistors in the camera. One end of the chain is earthed. Apparently a constant current is fed to the chain, and the voltage in the not-eathed end of the chain is sensed. Turning the zoom ring or pushing the video button connects a different point in the resistor chain to earth. This solution makes the mechanical construction easy. Via only one connection to an IC the position of zoom ring and pushing of video button can be sensed. I got a solution to the problem by buying the PCB where the contacts and resistors are placed, and replacing the faulty unit. The PCB had name Top P.C.B. It was not very easy to purchase the unit, to say nothing of replacing it. But now the camera works again.

I have a PANASONIC DMC-TZ71. It had all problems described. Zooming started videorecording. Zoom going in wrong direction, or totally freezing. I sprayed contact cleaner "KONTAKT 60 Reiniger" into the tiny crevice around the zoom ring and shutter button. This was the solution - Fixed everything.

11.09.2022 dmc-tz71user

Hi. I have a Lumix DMC-ZS15 with the same symptoms as described by many people before me. I tried both of the methods; I blew hard on the shutter switch and the zoom ring several times (compressed air would have been better, but wth) and I turned the zoom ring back-and-forth about 25-30 times. The pronlem seems to have gone away, at least temporarily… Now, being an electronic engineer with a lifetime love affair with mechanical switches, this does make sense a bit: most likely it is a build-up of grime on the switch contacts that may be cleaned up by repeated activation. If, however, the malfunction is related to ageing of the contacts, the symptoms are expected to return with a vengeance, since the rapid activation causes more wear and the worn contact surfaces are more likely to gather more grime. I’ll be curious to see which way my beloved DMC-ZS15 will go. I think it is one of the greatest P&S cameras ever made, and I have used quite a few. It’s difficult to find one even on the used market. Cheers.

Hi,

Since my last answer some further changes have occurred. The replacement of the PCB was only a temporary solution. The same problem is there again. I have abandoned using the camera, even if it still shoots very good photos when zoom is not required. Two persons in the chain have had good results by using Kontakt 60 Reiniger. Is wd 40 something similar? There are also risks in using chemicals, but if you are ready to take them, you could at least try. Use a very small amount of the chemical at least to start with.