I picked up this little beauty, after I gave my son my Panasonic DMC-FZ1000, which is a really fine camera, although it is a bit larger than I would prefer. And now I am thinking I will sell my Sony A7-II, simply because this little camera is so much fun! Sure, I won't get the image quality I do with my Full frame Sony, especially in marginal lighting. But, the Panasonic DMC-FZ100 takes very respectable photos! And for my posts and such, I don't think anyone will ever be able to tell a whiskers worth of difference. Also, it seems to me the little Panasonic beats my Sony A7-II, in some ways, when considering the nice macro's it takes, with a deeper field of view, and the beauty of the portability of my little Panasonic. And, if I want to "reach out and touch someone", I still have my old Sony SLR, ASP-C, with my 600 mm "bazooka" lens, 😁which gives me plenty of punch, especially considering the crop factor. The only real dislike I have for the little Panasonic, is, no tilt screen. I think they mised the boat with that omission. But maybe they will come out wit a newer version someday fairly soon, that does have a tilt screen. Thanks for the great video! I can't wait to see what I can do with my "little giant"!
Oh, wow! You're not only highly knowledgeable on various competing cameras' features, you're just too good in explaining it all so well, so fast and so convincingly that I have made up my mind to buy this DMC-ZS100 as an upgrade to my trusty old LX7, which is missing on WiFi and is lacking on powerful zoom. I can't thank you enough for this great review! Cheers!
Just purchased this camera for travel/fun. Have professional Nikon gear but this little zs100 is great for a compact grab and go camera. Awesome pics and fun to shoot!
Great video I know this camera has been around for a while but I still think its features make it relevant in 2021 Also, you can record slow motion video with the ZS100, using the "High Speed Video" mode setting that can be found after setting the dial to "Manual Video." The options are 120 fpsin FHD or 240 fps with VGA
I purchased this to compliment my other 1" compact, the Canon G9X. I needed the longer zoom and the EVF is handy in bright shooting situations. I have observed a few aspects which I dislike about the camera. First of all in comparing it with my Canon it's clear the Panasonic exposes very differently. It seems the ISO setting is approx 1 full stop different. Seting both cameras to the identical shutter/aperture and Iso at the same focal length, the Canons image is a full stop brighter!! You need to increase the ISO by one stop on the Panasonic to match the Canons exposure. Interestingly the Panasonic extends it's top end Iso by one stop to max 25600 compared to the Canons 12800. My theory is that Canons Iso 100 is Panasonics Iso 200, Canons Iso 200 is Panasonics Iso 400, and so on until you reach Canons Iso 12800 which is Panasonics Iso 25600. The other issue is the poor handgrip. It's too shallow and with the ZS100 being smooth metal it becomes very slippy...you will drop it eventually trust me! I have since added a flip bac grip to the front of my camera and it's made a huge improvement. I dont agree that the menu is well thought out. Sure, you will find everything you need but it's hardly intuitive. I do however love the ability to customise both the Q menu and Fn buttons. Battery life is frankly terrible, you will need spares!! Other than the above negatives the camera performs well, even auto focus is impressive. All in all this camera is in a class of its own and the zoom can be very useful. The EVF whilst not outstanding is perfectly usable. I do wish it had an in built ND filter but the 16000th/sec shutter does a decent job. You cannot use the flash unless you set the camera to auto ( up to 2000th/sec) or mechanical shutter. Once electronic shutter is used the flash won't work. All in all I recommend this camera especially if you want a light easy to carry travel camera :-D
2022 My RX100 V has the horrible overheating at like 3 minutes- ruining most of my vacation videos. In 2022, is this zs100 better for video and lens range?
Hi! I've heard that the Android app (Panasonic Image) doesn't work very good with some tablets. What tablet are you using and what's your experience? Also often people complain that the newer versions of that app are worse! Some ppl even has real problems with WiFi connectivity (the connection breaks up often). It's interesting that Sony gives HFR mode which isn't here in Panasonic. I may guess that this mode can be a software feature included in the camera. But I'm not 100% sure! There are some PC program exists that can build additional frames in between. It's not new... I've read about that ~ 10 years ago. I may guess that it could be improved and some camera manufacturers could borrow it.
My first and only camera has been the FZ1000. I've owned it for like 2 years now and it's been great. It's big and heavy but I manage to bring it with me every where I plan to take pictures and videos. The ZS100 is so damn sexy, I want it but can't get it right now. My question is for strictly quality of photos and videos, is the FZ1000 better than the ZS100? What does the FZ1000 do better than the ZS100 besides zoom. Thank you!
I chose this over the Sony RX100 ...... I would rather have the zoom and touch screen than the tilting screen and a few features that the Sony is best. This camera does some cool stuff the Sony doesn't too.
Great review. Regards the aperture size, roughly what is the maximum aperture when set at different focal lengths? I am aware that at 25mm it can go to f2.8 and at 250mm it's f5.9 but at popular focal lengths like 35mm, 50mm, 70mm and 100mm what would be the maximum aperture? I've found particularly with bridge cameras minimum f stop tends to fall off very quickly after you start to zoom out from the widest focal length. If this camera can maintain f4 up to 70mm then it could be very useful given the assistance from the IBIS. If it's hitting f5.9 by the time it gets to 50mm then this would probably make it a no purchase for me. In that instance I'd be more inclined to go for the Sony RX alternative as I rarely do video.
Quick question. We use it for livestream but the icons that show up on the camera, show up as well on the computer live-streaming. How can they be taken away
I have a question I bought one used and the issue I have is when I insert a battery and turn on it won’t turn on but if I take out the battery, move dial to on, and then Insert the battery it turns on and works without any problems. Anybody know why that happens?
While I was appreciating ZS100 based on your review, I just saw that Panasonic now has an upgrade... ZS200! Is that the latest? If yes, I would love to see your review on that.
Please review the Macro function on the ZS100. I find it close to unuseable. I love the many other features, but have found the Macro difficult to use, never get good close ups with it. The manual is frustratingly brief in its comments and insufficient. I can find little to no comments, explanation, direction anywhere on the web. So would appreciate comments, explanation. I suspect there needs to be a software update re the Macro function, and definitely a better manual update on the feature.
+David García de Fórmica-Corsi Up to 29 Min 59 Sec GPS tracking works with Panasonic image app on IOS/Android (track GPS on smart device and than sync via wifi to your camera)
+Khalid Aziz Thanks: I didn't know you could do that. I imagine that the GPS information isn't embedded in the JPEG/RAW file as metadata. Do you know how it works?
+David García de Fórmica-Corsi in the Panasonic image app ther is a dedicated tab for "GPS" there you can tell the app it should record/Track GPS but before that you have the synchronize the clocks (there is a button for that) then you hit track GPS. at the end of the day you connect the smart device/app via built in wifi and then hit send GPS data to Camera button on the app after that you have all the GPS data in the metadata of the pictures. Pretty easy.
Does anyone know if there is a Mac application that allows the selection of a pic from a burst which can be saved as a 4K photo like you can do in the camera?
I'm not sure but I don't think so. That's called touch focus and I think that he probably would have mentioned it if that were the case. That's the reason why I almost bought the G7X, but I ended up going with the LX100.
+Lilian Yes, absolutely it has touch focus which Panasonic introduced many years ago. It can focus, or if you choose, focus and shoot whet you touch the desired subject point on the screen. It also has Post Focus, a feature that takes a fast burst of shots in 4K (8MP quality) and then lets you keep the one that has the focus point you prefer.
If only this had a wider aperture lens I'd be all over it. I'd prefer a shorter zoom with a wider aperture, than a longer zoom with a narrower aperture.
Khalid Aziz Touch screen for focusing... It wouldn't be practical for me to be holding two devices. The point of getting the camera is that it's small. I'd just get the Canon 80D if size wasn't an issue.
a great review - and yes I think Panasonic does not get much credit - they are like the bastard child - Sony and Fuji and Olympus get all the attention in the mirrorless world - I have lots of gear - I have the Fuji X20, X100s the Xt1 - the Sony RX100 and RX100m4 Nex5n NEX7 A6000 and A7 and A7r - Olympus Stylus 1 EM-5 and EM-1 - Canon G3X G7X - Panasonic GX1 GX7 GX8 GM1 GM5 LX100 - and yes there are things I love about in all of them - but I enjoy using the GX8 the most - lots of lenses for the M43 bodies - No native 24-70mm F2.8 or 70-200mm F2.8 for E APS-C - my RX100m4 overheats at 3 minutes on a warm day - No Touch LCD on any of my Sony's - so Sony frustrates me at times - they have great sensors but always something that is annoying - So far mostly very expensive Zeiss and G and GM glass for the FE mount - how about some more Sony branded lenses ?? not everyone needs a Pro grade lens for $2000 plus :) - my favorite FE lens is the 55mm F1.8 - but it has no IS - so now I need to upgrade to the A7r M2 - :( Anyway I have the RX100m4 and the Canon GX7 for 24-100 range at F1.8-F2.8 and the G3X for the 600mm zoom but larger - so now I will for sure get the ZS100 for that all-around guilty sensor/lens with 25-250mm zoom in a great size - Yes I would have loved to see a tilt LCD - but amazing that Panasonic is adding all the features of the G series into the Zs/TZ range - fantastic -
I purchased this to compliment my other 1" compact, the Canon G9X. I needed the longer zoom and the EVF is handy in bright shooting situations. I have observed a few aspects which I dislike about the camera. First of all in comparing it with my Canon it's clear the Panasonic exposes very differently. It seems the ISO setting is approx 1 full stop different. Seting both cameras to the identical shutter/aperture and Iso at the same focal length, the Canons image is a full stop brighter!! You need to increase the ISO by one stop on the Panasonic to match the Canons exposure. Interestingly the Panasonic extends it's top end Iso by one stop to max 25600 compared to the Canons 12800. My theory is that Canons Iso 100 is Panasonics Iso 200, Canons Iso 200 is Panasonics Iso 400, and so on until you reach Canons Iso 12800 which is Panasonics Iso 25600. The other issue is the poor handgrip. It's too shallow and with the ZS100 being smooth metal it becomes very slippy...you will drop it eventually trust me! I have since added a flip bac grip to the front of my camera and it's made a huge improvement. I dont agree that the menu is well thought out. Sure, you will find everything you need but it's hardly intuitive. I do however love the ability to customise both the Q menu and Fn buttons. Battery life is frankly terrible, you will need spares!! Other than the above negatives the camera performs well, even auto focus is impressive. All in all this camera is in a class of its own and the zoom can be very useful. The EVF whilst not outstanding is perfectly usable. I do wish it had an in built ND filter but the 16000th/sec shutter does a decent job. You cannot use the flash unless you set the camera to auto ( up to 2000th/sec) or mechanical shutter. Once electronic shutter is used the flash won't work. All in all I recommend this camera especially if you want a light easy to carry travel camera :-D
![Six Hundred Strike [EPIC: The Musical] Full Animatic](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/zov6NXIAuow/mqdefault.jpg)
I picked up this little beauty, after I gave my son my Panasonic DMC-FZ1000, which is a really fine camera, although it is a bit larger than I would prefer. And now I am thinking I will sell my Sony A7-II, simply because this little camera is so much fun! Sure, I won't get the image quality I do with my Full frame Sony, especially in marginal lighting. But, the Panasonic DMC-FZ100 takes very respectable photos!
And for my posts and such, I don't think anyone will ever be able to tell a whiskers worth of difference. Also, it seems to me the little Panasonic beats my Sony A7-II, in some ways, when considering the nice macro's it takes, with a deeper field of view, and the beauty of the portability of my little Panasonic.
And, if I want to "reach out and touch someone", I still have my old Sony SLR, ASP-C, with my 600 mm "bazooka" lens, 😁which gives me plenty of punch, especially considering the crop factor.
The only real dislike I have for the little Panasonic, is, no tilt screen. I think they mised the boat with that omission. But maybe they will come out wit a newer version someday fairly soon, that does have a tilt screen.
Thanks for the great video! I can't wait to see what I can do with my "little giant"!
Still a fantastic camera to this day. Haven't found anything better in this price range 6 years later.
Oh, wow! You're not only highly knowledgeable on various competing cameras' features, you're just too good in explaining it all so well, so fast and so convincingly that I have made up my mind to buy this DMC-ZS100 as an upgrade to my trusty old LX7, which is missing on WiFi and is lacking on powerful zoom. I can't thank you enough for this great review! Cheers!
Just purchased this camera for travel/fun. Have professional Nikon gear but this little zs100 is great for a compact grab and go camera. Awesome pics and fun to shoot!
Great video I know this camera has been around for a while but I still think its features make it relevant in 2021
Also, you can record slow motion video with the ZS100, using the "High Speed Video" mode setting that can be found after setting the dial to "Manual Video." The options are 120 fpsin FHD or 240 fps with VGA
This is exactly the review and comparison I was looking for. It was comprehensive and direct. Thank you so much!
I purchased this to compliment my other 1" compact, the Canon G9X. I needed the longer zoom and the EVF is handy in bright shooting situations. I have observed a few aspects which I dislike about the camera. First of all in comparing it with my Canon it's clear the Panasonic exposes very differently. It seems the ISO setting is approx 1 full stop different. Seting both cameras to the identical shutter/aperture and Iso at the same focal length, the Canons image is a full stop brighter!! You need to increase the ISO by one stop on the Panasonic to match the Canons exposure. Interestingly the Panasonic extends it's top end Iso by one stop to max 25600 compared to the Canons 12800. My theory is that Canons Iso 100 is Panasonics Iso 200, Canons Iso 200 is Panasonics Iso 400, and so on until you reach Canons Iso 12800 which is Panasonics Iso 25600. The other issue is the poor handgrip. It's too shallow and with the ZS100 being smooth metal it becomes very slippy...you will drop it eventually trust me! I have since added a flip bac grip to the front of my camera and it's made a huge improvement. I dont agree that the menu is well thought out. Sure, you will find everything you need but it's hardly intuitive. I do however love the ability to customise both the Q menu and Fn buttons. Battery life is frankly terrible, you will need spares!! Other than the above negatives the camera performs well, even auto focus is impressive. All in all this camera is in a class of its own and the zoom can be very useful. The EVF whilst not outstanding is perfectly usable. I do wish it had an in built ND filter but the 16000th/sec shutter does a decent job. You cannot use the flash unless you set the camera to auto ( up to 2000th/sec) or mechanical shutter. Once electronic shutter is used the flash won't work. All in all I recommend this camera especially if you want a light easy to carry travel camera :-D
2022 My RX100 V has the horrible overheating at like 3 minutes- ruining most of my vacation videos. In 2022, is this zs100 better for video and lens range?
Great review and interesting tips. Would be great if you could do another video about how to use some of the advanced features for a novice like me 🙂
will zoom work while recording a video ?
What is the ISO ?
Hi! I've heard that the Android app (Panasonic Image) doesn't work very good with some tablets. What tablet are you using and what's your experience?
Also often people complain that the newer versions of that app are worse! Some ppl even has real problems with WiFi connectivity (the connection breaks up often).
It's interesting that Sony gives HFR mode which isn't here in Panasonic. I may guess that this mode can be a software feature included in the camera. But I'm not 100% sure! There are some PC program exists that can build additional frames in between. It's not new... I've read about that ~ 10 years ago. I may guess that it could be improved and some camera manufacturers could borrow it.
I used to buy Canon, Canon and Canon... Now, I really like Panasonic and Sony. Interestingly, the two 'competitors' both co-developed AVCHD!
"if you're really living dangerously..." Ha! Great review - wonders how the low-light photo compares to the rx100iv?
My first and only camera has been the FZ1000. I've owned it for like 2 years now and it's been great. It's big and heavy but I manage to bring it with me every where I plan to take pictures and videos. The ZS100 is so damn sexy, I want it but can't get it right now. My question is for strictly quality of photos and videos, is the FZ1000 better than the ZS100? What does the FZ1000 do better than the ZS100 besides zoom. Thank you!
I chose this over the Sony RX100 ...... I would rather have the zoom and touch screen than the tilting screen and a few features that the Sony is best. This camera does some cool stuff the Sony doesn't too.
Great review. Regards the aperture size, roughly what is the maximum aperture when set at different focal lengths? I am aware that at 25mm it can go to f2.8 and at 250mm it's f5.9 but at popular focal lengths like 35mm, 50mm, 70mm and 100mm what would be the maximum aperture? I've found particularly with bridge cameras minimum f stop tends to fall off very quickly after you start to zoom out from the widest focal length. If this camera can maintain f4 up to 70mm then it could be very useful given the assistance from the IBIS. If it's hitting f5.9 by the time it gets to 50mm then this would probably make it a no purchase for me. In that instance I'd be more inclined to go for the Sony RX alternative as I rarely do video.
Quick question. We use it for livestream but the icons that show up on the camera, show up as well on the computer live-streaming. How can they be taken away
Press the display button on the camera multiple times till it's all going away!
I have a question I bought one used and the issue I have is when I insert a battery and turn on it won’t turn on but if I take out the battery, move dial to on, and then Insert the battery it turns on and works without any problems. Anybody know why that happens?
My camera scree does not turn on. What do I do?
While I was appreciating ZS100 based on your review, I just saw that Panasonic now has an upgrade... ZS200! Is that the latest? If yes, I would love to see your review on that.
Please review the Macro function on the ZS100. I find it close to unuseable. I love the many other features, but have found the Macro difficult to use, never get good close ups with it. The manual is frustratingly brief in its comments and insufficient. I can find little to no comments, explanation, direction anywhere on the web. So would appreciate comments, explanation. I suspect there needs to be a software update re the Macro function, and definitely a better manual update on the feature.
Excellent review very thorough. Thanks
Hi, thanks for the update! I have two questions: is there GPS? Is there a time limit for Full HD and 4K video? Thank you again.
Sam Santana Thank you!
+David García de Fórmica-Corsi Up to 29 Min 59 Sec GPS tracking works with Panasonic image app on IOS/Android (track GPS on smart device and than sync via wifi to your camera)
+Khalid Aziz Thanks: I didn't know you could do that. I imagine that the GPS information isn't embedded in the JPEG/RAW file as metadata. Do you know how it works?
+David García de Fórmica-Corsi in the Panasonic image app ther is a dedicated tab for "GPS" there you can tell the app it should record/Track GPS but before that you have the synchronize the clocks (there is a button for that) then you hit track GPS. at the end of the day you connect the smart device/app via built in wifi and then hit send GPS data to Camera button on the app after that you have all the GPS data in the metadata of the pictures.
Pretty easy.
+Khalid Aziz Thank you for the detailed information. It's great the GPS info is embedded as metadata.
Does anyone know if there is a Mac application that allows the selection of a pic from a burst which can be saved as a 4K photo like you can do in the camera?
The touch screen does it work like canon line camera where you touch the screen to determine where the focus will be before shooting the picture?
I'm not sure but I don't think so. That's called touch focus and I think that he probably would have mentioned it if that were the case. That's the reason why I almost bought the G7X, but I ended up going with the LX100.
+Lilian Yes, absolutely it has touch focus which Panasonic introduced many years ago. It can focus, or if you choose, focus and shoot whet you touch the desired subject point on the screen. It also has Post Focus, a feature that takes a fast burst of shots in 4K (8MP quality) and then lets you keep the one that has the focus point you prefer.
+Lilian Panasonic had touch auto focus way before canon had
Does it help with getting a nice depth of field?
+Jonathan Pressman no, it does select the area which should be in focus, DOF is affected by aperture and focal length
camcorder?
Can this camera record video and be powered by USB charger at the same time and not draining the battery?
Could you mention the RX100 one more time? I don't think you mentioned it enough...
great review
If only this had a wider aperture lens I'd be all over it. I'd prefer a shorter zoom with a wider aperture, than a longer zoom with a narrower aperture.
+Wayne Carter than get the LX100 ;)
Khalid Aziz Yeah I've researched that a ton, but no touch-screen and sub par image stabilization are deal-breakers.
+Wayne Carter for what purpose do you want to use a touch screen? You can connected with a smart device and then you have touchscreen :D
Khalid Aziz Touch screen for focusing... It wouldn't be practical for me to be holding two devices. The point of getting the camera is that it's small. I'd just get the Canon 80D if size wasn't an issue.
+Wayne Carter than the shoul take a close look at the lumix GX80
a great review - and yes I think Panasonic does not get much credit - they are like the bastard child - Sony and Fuji and Olympus get all the attention in the mirrorless world -
I have lots of gear - I have the Fuji X20, X100s the Xt1 - the Sony RX100 and RX100m4 Nex5n NEX7 A6000 and A7 and A7r - Olympus Stylus 1 EM-5 and EM-1 - Canon G3X G7X - Panasonic GX1 GX7 GX8 GM1 GM5 LX100 - and yes there are things I love about in all of them - but I enjoy using the GX8 the most - lots of lenses for the M43 bodies -
No native 24-70mm F2.8 or 70-200mm F2.8 for E APS-C - my RX100m4 overheats at 3 minutes on a warm day - No Touch LCD on any of my Sony's - so Sony frustrates me at times - they have great sensors but always something that is annoying -
So far mostly very expensive Zeiss and G and GM glass for the FE mount - how about some more Sony branded lenses ?? not everyone needs a Pro grade lens for $2000 plus :) - my favorite FE lens is the 55mm F1.8 - but it has no IS - so now I need to upgrade to the A7r M2 - :(
Anyway I have the RX100m4 and the Canon GX7 for 24-100 range at F1.8-F2.8 and the G3X for the 600mm zoom but larger - so now I will for sure get the ZS100 for that all-around guilty sensor/lens with 25-250mm zoom in a great size -
Yes I would have loved to see a tilt LCD - but amazing that Panasonic is adding all the features of the G series into the Zs/TZ range - fantastic -
+jon hermannsson Get some help.
+fiki2304 Thanks for the insult - maybe you would be so kind to help -
cool jon :)
Did you buy the Lumix DMC-ZS100, and how do you compare it with the Sony RX100 m4?
Good if you are a photo buff.... if you are a vlog'er the non move-able screen is a deal killer.
Leica glass …. just look at how much you pay for a Leica lens.
I purchased this to compliment my other 1" compact, the Canon G9X. I needed the longer zoom and the EVF is handy in bright shooting situations. I have observed a few aspects which I dislike about the camera. First of all in comparing it with my Canon it's clear the Panasonic exposes very differently. It seems the ISO setting is approx 1 full stop different. Seting both cameras to the identical shutter/aperture and Iso at the same focal length, the Canons image is a full stop brighter!! You need to increase the ISO by one stop on the Panasonic to match the Canons exposure. Interestingly the Panasonic extends it's top end Iso by one stop to max 25600 compared to the Canons 12800. My theory is that Canons Iso 100 is Panasonics Iso 200, Canons Iso 200 is Panasonics Iso 400, and so on until you reach Canons Iso 12800 which is Panasonics Iso 25600. The other issue is the poor handgrip. It's too shallow and with the ZS100 being smooth metal it becomes very slippy...you will drop it eventually trust me! I have since added a flip bac grip to the front of my camera and it's made a huge improvement. I dont agree that the menu is well thought out. Sure, you will find everything you need but it's hardly intuitive. I do however love the ability to customise both the Q menu and Fn buttons. Battery life is frankly terrible, you will need spares!! Other than the above negatives the camera performs well, even auto focus is impressive. All in all this camera is in a class of its own and the zoom can be very useful. The EVF whilst not outstanding is perfectly usable. I do wish it had an in built ND filter but the 16000th/sec shutter does a decent job. You cannot use the flash unless you set the camera to auto ( up to 2000th/sec) or mechanical shutter. Once electronic shutter is used the flash won't work. All in all I recommend this camera especially if you want a light easy to carry travel camera :-D
I've taken 750 shots on one battery (no flash) and it wasn't flat. I think that is pretty good.