How do i transfer pictures from a Panasonic DMC-ZS8 to my laptop

Most cameras don't have enough internal memory to take more than 1 or 2 pictures internally. Picture transfer is normally accomplished via usb cord. The process begins when you plug in your usb and power on the camera. You have to navigate between internal memory and SD card in windows explorer.

If your built in memory is full you will want to backup the pictures you have on the camera onto another drive, the easiest way to do this is to plug your camera into your computer (via the USB cable provided with the camera) and transfer all of the files from the camera onto your PC. You can then clear the memory in the camera and begin taking new pictures.

The best way to download pictures from your camera to your computer involves removing the memory card from the camera and plugging it into a card reader (either built-in to the computer or connected via USB or FireWire). This is likely to be faster than connecting the camera to the computer, and won't run down your camera's batteries.


Once the card is plugged in, it will appear to your computer as a removable drive. You can use the operating system's drag&drop facility to copy pictures from the card to the computer's hard drive, the same way you copy any other files. Or you can use any photo cataloging program such as Picasa.

Another way to download your photos. Remove the memory card from the camera and insert the memory card into an USB memory card reader. Connect the card reader into the USB port on your computer. The computer will see the memory card as an external storage device, you can open the folders and files and copy them to your computer.

Consider NOT connecting your camera to your computer.

The best way to download pictures from your camera to your computer involves removing the memory card from the camera and plugging it into a card reader (either built-in to the computer or connected via USB or FireWire). This is likely to be faster than connecting the camera to the computer, and won't run down your camera's batteries.

Once the card is plugged in, it will appear to your computer as a removable drive. You can use the operating system's drag&drop facility to copy pictures from the card to the computer's hard drive, the same way you copy any other files. Or you can use any photo cataloging program, such as Picasa ( http://picasa.google.com ).

If you take the memory card out of the camera, you can view the internal pictures one by one, and delete them, or transfer them to you computer through the cable...they will show up as another drive in Computer, or My Computer, depending on which version of Windows you are running.
Good luck, and hope this helps.

there might not be a way of transferring picture within the camera. However the SD card _should_ have resolved the memory full issue. Plug the camera into a computer with its USB cable. Transfer the pictures to the computer and delete them off the internal memory. Assure that your SD memory card is functional by trying it in another camera or in the slot on a computer.

I assume you want to download pictures from your camera to your computer through your USB cable instead of by transferring your memory card. Actually, most people prefer to use the memory card method, I know I do. The camera/USB method will not work unless you install the camera software to your computer and it must be compatible. Many of the camera software is not compatible with some versions of Vista, for example.

First of all, it's faster to use a fast SD to USB adapter with a fast SD card. This beats attaching a (slow) cable to the camera by far. Plus, the method of transfer gets confusing when considring internel memory via cable, on some systems. Skip the cable. I like to get my SD card with matching USB adapter. Both of these need to rated fast. Not just a "Class 6" and not just big but FAST. It saves your time! Repeatedly.

Therefore, switch to "Play" mode. Go down to the "Playback" menu and find "Copy". Copy "in" to the SD icon. That's it.

You might want to clear you internal memory too. But only after your pictures are safe.