Panasonic Lumix ZS200 Review

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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.

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PANASONIC LUMIX ZS200 15X Leica DC Lens with Stabilization, 20.1 Megapixel, Large...

Last update was on: January 19, 2024 2:08 pm

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 typeLarge sensor compact
Body materialMetal
Sensor
Max resolution5472 x 3648
Image ratio w:h1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9
Effective pixels20 megapixels
Sensor photo detectors21 megapixels
Sensor size1″ (13.2 x 8.8 mm)
Sensor typeCMOS
ProcessorVenus Engine
Color spacesRGB
Color filter arrayPrimary color filter
Image
ISOAuto, 125-12800 (expands to 80-25600)
Boosted ISO (minimum)80
Boosted ISO (maximum)25600
White balance presets5
Custom white balanceYes (4 slots)
Image stabilizationOptical
Image stabilization notesHybrid 5-axis available in movie mode
Uncompressed formatRAW
JPEG quality levelsFine, standard
File formatJPEG (Exif v2.31)Raw (Panasonic RW2 format)
Optics & Focus
Focal length (equiv.)24–360 mm
Optical zoom15×
Maximum apertureF3.3–6.4
AutofocusContrast Detect (sensor)Multi-areaCenterSelective single-pointTrackingSingleContinuousTouchFace DetectionLive View
Autofocus assist lampYes
Digital zoomYes (2X)
Manual focusYes
Normal focus range50 cm (19.69″)
Macro focus range3 cm (1.18″)
Number of focus points49
Screen / viewfinder
Articulated LCDFixed
Screen size3″
Screen dots1,240,000
Touch screenYes
Screen typeTFT LCD
Live viewYes
Viewfinder typeElectronic
Viewfinder coverage100%
Viewfinder magnification0.53×
Viewfinder resolution2,330,000
Photography features
Minimum shutter speed60 sec
Maximum shutter speed1/2000 sec
Maximum shutter speed (electronic)1/16000 sec
Exposure modesProgramAperture PriorityShutter PriorityManual
Scene modesClear 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 flashYes
Flash range6.80 m (at Auto ISO)
External flashNo
Flash modesAuto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync., Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Continuous drive10.0 fps
Self-timerYes (2 or 10 secs, 3 shots @ 10 sec)
Metering modesMultiCenter-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
FormatMPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Modes3840 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
MicrophoneStereo
SpeakerMono
Storage
Storage typesSD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I compatible)
Connectivity
USBUSB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
USB chargingYes
HDMIYes (microHDMI)
Microphone portNo
Headphone portNo
WirelessBuilt-In
Wireless notes802.11b/g/n + Bluetooth 4.2 LE
Remote controlYes (via smartphone)
Physical
Environmentally sealedNo
BatteryBattery Pack
Battery descriptionDMW-BLG10 lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA)370
Weight (inc. batteries)340 g (0.75 lb / 11.99 oz)
Dimensions111 x 66 x 45 mm (4.37 x 2.6 x 1.77″)
Other features
Orientation sensorYes
Timelapse recordingYes
GPSNone

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

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PANASONIC LUMIX ZS200 15X Leica DC Lens with Stabilization, 20.1 Megapixel, Large...

Last update was on: January 19, 2024 2:08 pm

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