This is the summary of TechRadar’s review, which provides you with all the essential information you want if you are seeking rapid purchase recommendations in less than a minute — our regular comprehensive, in-depth assessment comes after this.
The sensor at the core of the camera is what differentiates the Panasonic Lumix ZS200 (also known as the Lumix TZ200 outside of the US, except in Australia, where it is named the Lumix TZ220) from comparable travel zoom compacts that cost half as much as it does.
PANASONIC LUMIX ZS200 15X Leica DC Lens with Stabilization, 20.1 Megapixel, Large...
- [Larger 1 Inch Sensor] 20.1 Megapixels large sensor for brighter and more colorful photos (12800 Max ISO).
- [LEICA DC 15x Lens] Leading class optical zoom performance with a bright F3.3 – 6.4 aperture for soft defocus background effects. (24-360mm, 5 Axis Hybrid O.I.S. plus)
- [Larger 1 Inch Sensor] 20.1 Megapixels large sensor for brighter and more colorful photos (12800 Max ISO).
- [LEICA DC 15x Lens] Leading class optical zoom performance with a bright F3.3 – 6.4 aperture for soft defocus background effects. (24-360mm, 5 Axis Hybrid O.I.S. plus)
- [Creative Control] Scene modes, filter modes, adds creativity while traditional aperture and shutter priority modes allow for background defocus or eliminate sports motion blur.
- [4K Features] 4K Video 30p, 4K PHOTO, and 4K Live Crop turn 4K frame capture into photography.
- [Electronic Viewfinder] plus a touch-enabled LCD for greater control and easier image viewing.
- Mounting Type: Bayonet
This camera has a 1.0-inch sensor with a resolution of 20.1 megapixels, and its surface area is almost four times larger than the sensors in most other travel zoom compacts. As a result, it is one of the finest cameras for beginners. This indicates that the image quality is much improved, with significantly increased levels of detail.
It’s not the first time we’ve seen a 1.0-inch sensor in a travel zoom compact; that honor goes to the Lumix ZS100 / TZ100. However, while that camera had a relatively modest (for a travel zoom camera) 10x zoom range, the Lumix ZS200 / TZ200 manages to pack a 15x zoom range into a body roughly the same size. The incredible versatility of the Lumix ZS200 / TZ200 is enabled by its 24-360mm focal length range, which makes it suitable for shooting anything from wide-angle panoramas to close-up details.
Features
The Lumix ZS100 / TZ100 has a 10x optical zoom range of 25-250mm and a maximum available aperture of f/2.8-5.9. However, the Lumix ZS200 / TZ200 has a 15x optical zoom with a coverage of 24-360mm and a maximum aperture of f/3.3-6.4;
a bit more expansive at the beginning of the zoom range while having a maximum aperture that is somewhat less wide and slower but with a significantly longer reach after the zoom range. The improved lens design also allows the Lumix ZS200 / TZ200 to focus down to a distance of 3 centimeters, which makes it possible to take close-up macro photographs.
Still, images can be stabilized with the help of Panasonic’s Power OIS system, and video can be stabilized with the help of a five-axis hybrid OIS system. This is because the camera shake that can occur when using a zoom lens as powerful as the 15x on this model increases the likelihood that the shots will be ruined.
It was the comparatively big 1.0-inch sensor that set the Lumix ZS100 / TZ100 apart from other travel zoom compacts. The Lumix ZS200 / TZ200 also has a comparable 20.1MP 1-inch sensor and offers an ISO range from 125-12,800. (expandable to 80-25,600).
Design
The Lumix ZS200 / TZ200 is just somewhat more extensive than its predecessor, the Lumix ZS100 / TZ100, despite the longer focal length of its lens. It is just 1 millimeter wider at 112 millimeters, 1 millimeter thicker at 45 millimeters, and 2 millimeters taller at 66 millimeters; this is very astounding considering that it fits a 15x magnification and a 1-inch sensor into its body.
Even though it’s probably a little too wide to go into a jeans pocket comfortably (although you could likely force it in there), it won’t take up much room in a day bag at all, and the sleek metal exterior finish gives it the appearance and feel of a high-end product that’s built to last.
Including a little textured grip on the front of the camera is an improvement over its predecessor and is very much appreciated.
The streamlined design is a continuation of the Lumix ZS100 and TZ100. Still, a welcome improvement over those cameras is the inclusion of a slightly textured grip on the front. This provides you with a bit more of a reassuring hold on the camera, although we believe that the supplied wrist strap should still be used for the additional protection it provides.
The controls of the Lumix ZS200 / TZ200 are relatively intuitive, and they are arranged in such a way that you can operate the camera with one hand if you so want.
There is a dedicated mode dial on the top of the camera (there is a selection of automated modes, along with a more advanced program, aperture priority, shutter priority, and manual options), and there is an additional dial that offers control over different functions depending on the shooting mode you are working in; for instance, if you are working in aperture priority mode, you can use it to alter the aperture, and it can also be used for toggling exposure compensation.
Panasonic Lumix ZS200 Image Quality
The Lumix ZS200 / TZ200 can provide wonderfully detailed photographs that have a natural yet bright and lively look; if you’re going to be printing images at A4 or lower, these indeed stand up quite well in comparison to cameras that boast bigger sensors.
For a small travel zoom camera, the Lumix ZS200 / TZ200 does quite well in picture noise. Image noise refers to the grainy quality that becomes more apparent in photos as the ISO setting increases. At lower sensitivities, photographs (both JPEG and raw) withstand noise rather well. However, when the ISO value is increased, it is inevitable that the quality of the JPEGs, in particular, would decrease.
If you shoot in JPEG format, you should be aware that the camera will attempt to lessen the impact of noise by smoothing out the details of the photos it captures. Raw files are far more appealing when used at higher sensitivities; even with noise in the image, more detail is preserved, and you’ll have a better outcome if you’re prepared to edit your photographs when you get back to your house after your trip.
Panasonic Lumix ZS200 Specs
Body type | Large sensor compact |
---|---|
Body material | Metal |
Sensor | |
Max resolution | 5472 x 3648 |
Image ratio w:h | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 |
Effective pixels | 20 megapixels |
Sensor photo detectors | 21 megapixels |
Sensor size | 1″ (13.2 x 8.8 mm) |
Sensor type | CMOS |
Processor | Venus Engine |
Color space | sRGB |
Color filter array | Primary color filter |
Image | |
ISO | Auto, 125-12800 (expands to 80-25600) |
Boosted ISO (minimum) | 80 |
Boosted ISO (maximum) | 25600 |
White balance presets | 5 |
Custom white balance | Yes (4 slots) |
Image stabilization | Optical |
Image stabilization notes | Hybrid 5-axis available in movie mode |
Uncompressed format | RAW |
JPEG quality levels | Fine, standard |
File format | JPEG (Exif v2.31)Raw (Panasonic RW2 format) |
Optics & Focus | |
Focal length (equiv.) | 24–360 mm |
Optical zoom | 15× |
Maximum aperture | F3.3–6.4 |
Autofocus | Contrast Detect (sensor)Multi-areaCenterSelective single-pointTrackingSingleContinuousTouchFace DetectionLive View |
Autofocus assist lamp | Yes |
Digital zoom | Yes (2X) |
Manual focus | Yes |
Normal focus range | 50 cm (19.69″) |
Macro focus range | 3 cm (1.18″) |
Number of focus points | 49 |
Screen / viewfinder | |
Articulated LCD | Fixed |
Screen size | 3″ |
Screen dots | 1,240,000 |
Touch screen | Yes |
Screen type | TFT LCD |
Live view | Yes |
Viewfinder type | Electronic |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.53× |
Viewfinder resolution | 2,330,000 |
Photography features | |
Minimum shutter speed | 60 sec |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/2000 sec |
Maximum shutter speed (electronic) | 1/16000 sec |
Exposure modes | ProgramAperture PriorityShutter PriorityManual |
Scene modes | Clear PortraitSilky SkinBacklit SoftnessClear in BacklightRelaxing ToneSweet Child’s FaceDistinct SceneryBright Blue SkyRomantic Sunset GlowVivid Sunset GlowGlistening Water*Clear NightscapeCool Night SkyWarm Glowing NightscapeArtistic NightscapeGlittering IlluminationsHandheld Night ShotClear Night PortraitSoft Image of a FlowerAppetizing FoodCute DessertFreeze Animal MotionClear Sports ShotMonochrome |
Built-in flash | Yes |
Flash range | 6.80 m (at Auto ISO) |
External flash | No |
Flash modes | Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync., Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off |
Continuous drive | 10.0 fps |
Self-timer | Yes (2 or 10 secs, 3 shots @ 10 sec) |
Metering modes | MultiCenter-weightedSpot |
Exposure compensation | ±5 (at 1/3 EV steps) |
AE Bracketing | ±3 (3, 5, 7 frames at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 1 EV steps) |
Videography features | |
Format | MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 |
Modes | 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, MOV, H.264, AAC3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 100 Mbps, MOV, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 28 Mbps, MOV, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 28 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Dolby Digital1920 x 1080 @ 60i / 17 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Dolby Digital1920 x 1080 @ 30p / 20 Mbps, MOV, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 30p / 24 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Dolby Digital1920 x 1080 @ 24p / 24 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Dolby Digital1280 x 720 @ 30p / 10 Mbps, MOV, H.264, AAC |
Microphone | Stereo |
Speaker | Mono |
Storage | |
Storage types | SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I compatible) |
Connectivity | |
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
USB charging | Yes |
HDMI | Yes (microHDMI) |
Microphone port | No |
Headphone port | No |
Wireless | Built-In |
Wireless notes | 802.11b/g/n + Bluetooth 4.2 LE |
Remote control | Yes (via smartphone) |
Physical | |
Environmentally sealed | No |
Battery | Battery Pack |
Battery description | DMW-BLG10 lithium-ion battery & charger |
Battery Life (CIPA) | 370 |
Weight (inc. batteries) | 340 g (0.75 lb / 11.99 oz) |
Dimensions | 111 x 66 x 45 mm (4.37 x 2.6 x 1.77″) |
Other features | |
Orientation sensor | Yes |
Timelapse recording | Yes |
GPS | None |
Panasonic Lumix ZS200 Verdict
The Panasonic Lumix DC-ZS200/TZ100 incorporates a lens with an equivalent focal length of 24-360 millimeters into a body that is small enough to slip into almost any pocket. Its tried-and-true sensor creates photographs of exceptionally high quality, its focusing mechanism is lightning fast, 4K video usually is of excellent quality, and the battery life is exceptional.
However, there is a 1.5X cut in 4K footage, which also increases the amount of noise; the lens tends to be soft, and the electronic viewfinder (EVF) may annoy certain people. The ZS200 is one of the finest alternatives available for those individuals who need a long lens in addition to a small body and a 1″ sensor.
Panasonic Lumix ZS200 Price
PANASONIC LUMIX ZS200 15X Leica DC Lens with Stabilization, 20.1 Megapixel, Large...
- [Larger 1 Inch Sensor] 20.1 Megapixels large sensor for brighter and more colorful photos (12800 Max ISO).
- [LEICA DC 15x Lens] Leading class optical zoom performance with a bright F3.3 – 6.4 aperture for soft defocus background effects. (24-360mm, 5 Axis Hybrid O.I.S. plus)
- [Larger 1 Inch Sensor] 20.1 Megapixels large sensor for brighter and more colorful photos (12800 Max ISO).
- [LEICA DC 15x Lens] Leading class optical zoom performance with a bright F3.3 – 6.4 aperture for soft defocus background effects. (24-360mm, 5 Axis Hybrid O.I.S. plus)
- [Creative Control] Scene modes, filter modes, adds creativity while traditional aperture and shutter priority modes allow for background defocus or eliminate sports motion blur.
- [4K Features] 4K Video 30p, 4K PHOTO, and 4K Live Crop turn 4K frame capture into photography.
- [Electronic Viewfinder] plus a touch-enabled LCD for greater control and easier image viewing.
- Mounting Type: Bayonet