I'm an experienced "enthusiast" amateur who has owned 10+ DSLRs and advanced "point and shoots". The Lumix ZS100, on balance, is the most advanced and most competent high quality camera I have ever held in my hand. It packs all of the capabilities of most mid-priced DSLRs and has a 250mm Leica optical lens (that zooms further up to 1000mm equivalent with its seamlessly integrated digital zoom). The ZS100 also includes a phenomenal 4K photo burst video/photo option and also has post shot focus (by allowing you to shoot simultaneously along multiple focal points). In short it includes an unbelievable amount of technology in a very small package.
Also I believe it is the only compact "point and shoot" camera on the market with both a large 1 inch sensor (approaching DSLR size) and a 10x optical zoom.
And, with almost all of the capabilities of a DSLR it is about 1/4 the size and weight. I expect to leave my DSLR at home from now on.
The fully interactive touch screen and separate digital view finder (useful on sunny days) are both quite decent and somewhat unusual in this price range. And not sure why some are complaining on this site, the picture quality is top notch, comparable to the best of them at this sensor level and below. And I think the picture equals or beats many DSLRs with larger sensors.
And its a pretty good bargain, especially with the $100 price drop that happened at the end of August (I suspect a new model is around the corner, but so what). And if you are looking for a bargain, what clinched it for me is that Panasonic is running a free three year warranty extension through March of 2018. So be sure NOT TO PAY FOR AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON YOUR OWN. Just search on "Lumix camera extended 3 year warranty" and you should find the registration forms (you need to buy it new from Amazon directly or one of Panasonic's other authorized USA dealers to get this deal.)
You can set the camera to "auto" mode and forget about all the settings, but I would not recommend this camera if that's what you are going to do. Yes, as other reviews have said, to take advantage of all of the features (even for an experienced hobbyist) will take a bit of homework as using all these options can be (if you choose) a complicated. The mini-manual in the box is not very good, so be sure to download the full 400 page instruction book from the Panasonic support site. It is a bit dense but quite comprehensive.
Also I would recommend the third-party guide book written by Alexander White available on Amazon. It is great book (hard copy or Kindle).
So if you are pretty experienced and looking for a very advanced, high quality, easy to travel with camera this is the right one for you! And the free extra 2 years on your warranty (3 years total), will give you peace of mind if you are worried about all the technology that Panasonic has squeezed into the ZS100.
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This Item  Panasonic LUMIX ZS100 4K Digital Camera, 20.1 Megapixel 1-Inch Sensor 30p Video Camera, 10X LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT Lens, F2.8-5.9 Aperture, HYBRID O.I.S. Stabilization, 3-Inch LCD, DMC-ZS100K (Black) |  |  |  |  |  | |
| Price | — | $549.00 | $123.95 | $497.99 | -29% $497.99 List: $699.99 | $468.99 |
| Delivery | — | — | Get it May 13 - 15 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, May 14 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, May 14 | Get it May 14 - 16 |
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| Sold By | — | Woodland Hills Camera & telescopes | Focus Camera LLC | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | CR Distributors (S/N Recorded) |
| display type | LCD | LCD | LCD | LCD | LCD | LCD |
| display size | 3 inches | 3 inches | — | 3 inches | 3 inches | 5 inches |
| lens type | Fisheye | Wide Angle | Wide Angle | all-in-one-zoom | mirror-lens | Close-Up |
| zoom type | Depth From Defocus | Optical Zoom | Optical Zoom | Depth From Defocus | Digital zoom | Optical zoom |
| shooting modes | Clear Portrait, Silky Skin, Relaxing Tone, Child's Face, Distinct Scenery, Bright Blue Sky, Sunset Glow, Glistening Water, Nightscape, Glittering Illuminations, Night Shot, Soft Image, Appetizing Food, Dessert, Sports Shot, Monochrome | Automatic, Movie, Panorama | Easy | N&A | Silent Shooting | P, hybrid auto, creative shot, portrait, smile, wink self-timer, face self‐timer, high-speed burst, night scene, low light, monochrome and more |
| connectivity tech | HDMI D (Micro), USB Micro-B (USB 2.0) | Wireless | USB | HDMI, USB | HDMI, USB | HDMI D (Micro), USB Mini-B (USB 2.0) |
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PANASONIC LUMIX ZS100 Parent
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From the manufacturer
Panasonic LUMIX Digital Camera DMC-ZS100K
4K Point-and-Shoot Camera
The perfect point-and-shoot camera for travelers, the Panasonic LUMIX Digital Camera DMC-ZS100K combines exclusive 4K Photo with 4K video capture performance that everyone can enjoy. This 20.1 megapixel digital camera features a large, 1-inch high-sensitivy MOS sensor and 25-250mm (10X) LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT lens with a super bright F2.8-5.9 aperture range that is optically stabilized with Panasonic’s HYBRID O.I.S. technology. High-resolution 4K video technology enables you to capture fast-paced action in stunning quality and create printable photos with 4K Photo’s blistering 30 frames per second burst feature.
For additional creative freedom, Post Focus and Focus Stacking allow for changing the photos depth of field or focus points after you take the picture. A lens-mounted control ring brings DSLR-like exposure control to a compact point-and-shoot camera body. Enjoy travel-ready technologies like USB charging and Wi-Fi connectivity to your mobile device for on the go convenience.
At a Glance:
- Exclusive 4K Photo combined with 4K video capture performance
- 1-inch, 20.1-megapixel MOS sensor
- Optically stabilized 25-250mm (10X) LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT lens
- High-resolution 1,166K-dot viewfinder and touch-enabled 3-inch LCD display
- Lens-mounted control ring for DSLR-like exposure control
- Travel-ready USB charging and Wi-Fi connection to a mobile device
Features & Benefits
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4K Video Captures 4X the Resolution of Standard Full HDThe Panasonic LUMIX DMC-ZS100K unleashes 4K technology with 4K video capture mode that captures up to 4X the resolution (3840 x 2160) of standard Full HD. It makes for amazing quality for your fast-paced action and exciting scenes. |
5-Axis Correction / Tilt Correction Eliminates BlurringHYBRID O.I.S.+ uses 5-axis correction to fully suppress blurring caused by unwanted handheld shaking. At the same time, Level Shot function* automatically detects and corrects camera tilt to let you record more confidently. *Not available with 4K mode. |
Advanced Image Processing for Improved PerformanceThe Venus Engine in the LUMIX ZS100 is Panasonic’s premier processor. It enables both high-quality image capture and the high-speed signal processing required for 4K video recording. Plus, it integrates superior noise reduction for improved sensitivity, gradation performance, resolution and color. |
20.1 Megapixel MOS Sensor Captures Day and NightKeep shooting into the night with a large 1-inch, 20.1-megapixel MOS sensor for more color, detail and clarity, even in low light conditions. |
Features & Benefits
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High Speed Auto-Focusing for Increased Image StabilityPanasonic's Depth From Defocus (DFD) Auto Focus (AF) technology instantly calculates subject distance, then drives the focus mechanism in one fast, continuous movement for faster AF speeds. |
Process In-Camera for Customized Picture SettingsRAW-format images can be easily developed in-camera with adjustments for Color Space Setting (sRGB / AdobeRGB). |
Improved Visibility with High Resolution ViewfinderDifficult viewing and shot framing under harsh sunlight is eliminated with the built-in 0.2-inch 1,166K-dot LVF (Live View Finder). |
Shoot Now, 'Post Focus' Later for Creative FreedomPanasonic’s 4K technology 'Post Focus' feature allows you to set your desired focus points after the photo has been taken. Plus, selecting several focus points via the Focus Stacking feature provides greater depth of focus creative freedom. |
Features & Benefits
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Travels Light with Power and PortabilityThe compact LUMIX ZS100 travels light with a heavy-duty list of features like a crystal-clear LEICA zoom lens and innovative 4K Video / 4K Photo capture. |
10X LEICA DC VARIO-ELMART Zoom Helps You Get the ShotThe ZS100 features a world-renowned LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT 10X zoom lens, offering incredible flexibility ranging from 25mm-250mm (35mm camera equivalent). |
4K Photo Action Records and Saves High-Quality Images4K video technology enables Ultra HD photography with the innovative 4K Photo feature. Simply capture ultra high-resolution 4K video at super-fast 30 frames per second, then press Play, Pause and Save to extract the exact instant you want from individual 4K video frames to create a 4K still image. |
Light Composition Produces Luxurious Nighttime ImagesLight Composition processing selects and saves brighter pixels to provide more dramatic imaging in situations like fireworks and nighttime scenery. |
Reviews with images
Not Perfect but a Major Step Forward
I wanted this camera badly, so I bought it a day or two after it became available. It was through Amazon, but the order was fulfilled by Focus Camera. The ZS100 arrived in a few days (seemed a little slow on the shipping) and immediately there were problems out of the box. I got lots of error messages just trying to do the initial setup. I did get it set up and took a couple of photos, but was getting error messages and freeze ups every minute or so. So the same day I received it, I shipped it back to Focus Camera for a refund. Once the camera arrived at Focus, the refund was slow in coming and I was not reimbursed for the return shipping. I eventually got the refund and Amazon reimbursed for the shipping after I complained.The camera was in short supply and I wanted it badly for an upcoming assignment (a paying photography gig), so I ordered a replacement from Adorama. That one came promptly with a carton full of accessories -- and the camera worked perfectly out of the box. On to the review of the Panasonic ZS100:I like it... I really like it. I have had several Panasonic ZS series cameras starting with the ZS7, but the last one I got (the ZS50) was not nearly as good as I expected. It's photos were just fair at best, although video was pretty good. I loved the size and the long zoom (30x) but the lens added distortion and artifacts, especially when zoomed all the way in. I knew what I needed: I wanted to trade some zoom length for a bigger sensor. That's exactly what the ZS100 is, and it works much as I expected.The Panasonic ZS100 has a "1-inch" sensor, which works out to a diagonal of about 16mm. That doesn't sound that big, but it has something like four times the area of the sensor in the ZS50 (which is a 1/2.3 inch sensor). More area means bigger pixels that have better light gathering ability, which means lower noise and higher resolution from less optical interference. This sounds complex, but I can tell you that it works -- the ZS100 takes much better photos and much better video than the ZS50. Of course, it costs quite a bit more.What I like about photos from the ZS100:-Excellent clarity and color-Much better in low light than a small-sensor camera. The ZS100 really is usable to ISO1600.-The flash on the ZS100 is excellent. It's a pop-up flash that lines up with the lens almost exactly, eliminating ugly flash shadows.-Even though the lens is f5.9 when zoomed all the way in, I still get excellent bokah. Check one of my images below.-At 20 megapixels, there is plenty of resolution for my applications, which includes magazine publishing.What I don't like about photos from the ZS100:-The lens is not as good as the removable Panasonic lenses I have for my GX8 Micro-FourThirds camera. Lens quality seems to be the limiting factor on the ZS100-The auto focus doesn't always find the right focus, even when the subjects are in the clear and seemingly obvious.I want to re-iterate what I said about the flash on the ZS100: This is the best flash I have seen on a pocketable camera, and I have owned about 10 such cameras over the years. It reaches out 15 feet or so with good illumination and the results look natural. Because it's a pop-up flash, it is virtually impossible to accidentally cover it with a finger. (It was much too easy to accidentally cover the flash on the ZS50.)I complained about the autofocus on the ZS100 and you might think that I could just use manual focus. I do use manual focus and it is easy to use, but it's just not as fast as touching the shutter button to get a focus. I love that the ZS100 has a convenient manual focus, which I find especially useful for video shooting -- more about that in a moment.As for my photography assignment, I completed it with the ZS100 with good results. A couple of these photos are shown below.Now onto the ZS100's video capabilities. I actually shoot video more than I do photos, so I was really excited to get the ZS100 for its 4K video capability.Here's what I like about the Panasonic ZS100's video:-4K video quality is excellent, and HD (1080p) is even better.-The format the ZS100 uses for 4K video (100 Mbps MP4) plays back on all my computers with minimal complaint. I can even take the raw video files and play them on my Hisense 4K TV. That has a REAL "wow" factor!-When shooting 4K video, the lens works out to be 37mm to 370mm, and I like the 370mm telephoto. Having 37mm at the wide end is not so good.-Although no one has mentioned it that I've seen, the ZS100 will record 1080p at 120 fps for nice slow motion. Yes, it will do 120 fps at 1080p -- very nice. When shooting at 1080p, either slow-motion or normal speed, the zoom range is 31mm to 310mm.Here's what I don't like about the ZS100's video:-Again, the lens is not as good as the MUCH more expensive lenses I have for the Panasonic GX8. As with photos, the lens quality limits the ultimate quality of the images. They just don't look quite as pristine as the photos and videos I get from the GX8, although the ZS100 does fine with both. (The cheapest lens I have for the GX8 costs as much as the ZS100 camera, so this is not a surprise.)-There's no jack for external audio.-Having the widest shot be 37mm (31mm at 1080p).For a pocketable camera, the ZS100 does a great job with photos and video, although a tick below the similarly priced Panasonic LX100. On the other hand, the LX100 has just a 3x lens, although higher quality... decisions, decisions.Ergonomics and handling:The ZS100 is chunkier and noticeably heavier than the ZS50. The ZS100 will easily fit in a jacket pocket and will even go in a roomy pants pocket, but you'll notice it. I carried it for four days at a big convention, where I took dozens of photos for publication. It was in the pocket of my sport coat and was not a problem there at all.The 3-inch touch screen display on the ZS100 is excellent, and I quickly adapted to the touch screen after not having one on the ZS50. The ZS100 also has a small but useful eyepiece (electronic) viewfinder that is wonderful when shooting outdoors or when I need the added stability of holding the camera to my face. The eyepiece viewfinder has just enough pixels to be useful -- as far as I can tell, the ZS100's eyepiece viewfinder is identical to the viewfinder on the ZS50.The other buttons and controls on the ZS100 are in logical locations, although there is a knob on top of the camera that I don't really see the need for. I can probably assign it to do something I regularly use, such as exposure, but I haven't yet done that. It's just there and does nothing at the moment.Overall, I like the size, photo quality and video quality of the ZS100 quite a bit. I wish the auto focus was better, but I very much enjoy the lower noise and higher sensitivity of the ZS100, as compared to the ZS50. It does exactly what I expected the larger sensor to do. And the flash -- I'm very happy with the flash on the ZS100, despite the fact that it shoots only straight forward and can't be pointed anywhere else.Below are a couple photos from the ZS100. Amazon won't let me post a link to a video, but if you go to YouTube and search on my name (Bob Kovacs) and ZS100, you will find multiple videos that I've shot with the ZS100. I also have a l-o-n-g video review of the ZS100, and a comparison video: ZS100 vs. the Panasonic LX100. One nice recent video I shot with the ZS100 is on Arlington Cemetery on Memorial Day 2016. Go to YouTube and search on "arlington cemetery memorial day 2016 zs100" and you'll find it.I recommend the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS100, and appreciate Amazon's customer service for making right the initial problem I had.
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on June 4, 2016
Now with the main negatives out of the way, here are things that I like about this camera. The combination of size,sensor size and zoom range is unmatched. There were definitely compromises but I like the balance. Compared to 1”in sensor bridge cameras like the FZ1000, the ZS100 is one fifth the volume and retains the 1”in sensor and max aperture. The sensor size for a ultra compact camera is also a plus. The 1”in sensor is a step up over the smaller 1/2.3 sensors found in cheaper compact zooms. You will get usable images up to ISO 6400. The ZS100 also beats out its 1’in compact sensor rivals(RX100/G7X) by offering a 10x zoom lens. In outdoor settings, the 10x lens is substantially more useful than the short 3x zoom on the RX100. 4K video is of high quality(100 mbps) and unlike the RX100 MK4, you can record up to 15 minutes of 4K. At under $700, the ZS100 is $250 dollars cheaper than the RX100 MK 4.
Overall, if you can overlook the compromises, the ZS100 offers a great value and a nice blend of features and form factor.
Style: ZS100Verified Purchase
Large 1"in sensor compact with a useful zoom range. 15 minutes of 4K recording.
Reviewed in the United States on June 4, 2016
If you want a camera that is compact. has a large sensor and a useful zoom range, then the ZS100 is for you. Granted, there are negatives to this camera. Compared to other 1" inch sensor compacts, the lens is on the slower side. The max aperture of 2.8 is little over one stop slower compared to other 1"in cameras like the RX100/G7X. Zooming in to 70mm drops the max aperture down to F4.5 and at 100mm, it is at F5.2. These high Fstops take a hit on low light situations. If you are shooting in a dim setting, I would stay below 70mm to maintain acceptable image quality. Also zooming out to 250mm results in a soft image. Granted, it is substantially better than smartphone/iPhone digital zoom but it is no DSLR zoom lens. The camera also lacks a rubber grip but has a indent. 4K video also has a small crop to 37mm, so you lose some wide angle. The viewfinder is on the smaller side and the screen is fixed.Reviewed in the United States on June 4, 2016
Now with the main negatives out of the way, here are things that I like about this camera. The combination of size,sensor size and zoom range is unmatched. There were definitely compromises but I like the balance. Compared to 1”in sensor bridge cameras like the FZ1000, the ZS100 is one fifth the volume and retains the 1”in sensor and max aperture. The sensor size for a ultra compact camera is also a plus. The 1”in sensor is a step up over the smaller 1/2.3 sensors found in cheaper compact zooms. You will get usable images up to ISO 6400. The ZS100 also beats out its 1’in compact sensor rivals(RX100/G7X) by offering a 10x zoom lens. In outdoor settings, the 10x lens is substantially more useful than the short 3x zoom on the RX100. 4K video is of high quality(100 mbps) and unlike the RX100 MK4, you can record up to 15 minutes of 4K. At under $700, the ZS100 is $250 dollars cheaper than the RX100 MK 4.
Overall, if you can overlook the compromises, the ZS100 offers a great value and a nice blend of features and form factor.
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Top reviews from other countries
erichdzo
Sensor de gran calidad. Poquito pesada pero fácil de transportar en el pantalon.
Reviewed in Mexico on February 19, 2022Style: ZS100Verified Purchase
david silburt
Solid, well designed and worth the price
Reviewed in Canada on January 31, 2018Style: ZS100Verified Purchase
Amazon Customer
The LUMIX ZS-100 Does Not Disappoint
Reviewed in Canada on March 20, 2024Style: ZS100Verified Purchase
Amazon Customer
Reviewed in Canada on March 20, 2024
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r
buena calidad de producto pero una interfaz un tanto compleja
Reviewed in Mexico on February 16, 2022Style: ZS100Verified Purchase
José Alberto
Excelente calidad de imagen en un tamaño discreto y portátil
Reviewed in Mexico on November 18, 2020Style: ZS100Verified Purchase
José Alberto
Reviewed in Mexico on November 18, 2020
Su lente 25 - 250 mm tiene un gran rango a tu disposición, es bastante luminoso f2.8 en su distancia más corta, sin embargo tan pronto y haces zoom, rápidamente se vuelve algo oscuro hasta un 5.6, lo cual no es ideal en condiciones de poca luz como un cumpleaños cuando soplas las velas del pastel, aquí viene el flash al rescate, el cual puedes ajustar de intensidad y tener una excelente exposición en tus fotos. Su sensor de una pulgada es de buen tamaño y en general se desempeña muy bien, pero no esperes que sea el menos ruidoso, su ISO al máximo lo colocaría en un 800 antes de que se vuelva notorio el ruido en fotos RAW o el suavizado del filtrado en jpeg.
Yo aprendí a tomar fotografías completamente manual con esta cámara, es mi primera cámara que consideraría un poco más seria, así que realmente me dediqué a aprender a utilizarla en su máxima extensión, sin embargo, si eres un usuario más bien de disparar y que la cámara haga el trabajo por ti, también tiene un desempeño excepcional, su autofocus es rápido y preciso, en condiciones de poca luz puede tardar un poco más, pero hace bien su trabajo.
Haciendo un lado la fotografía, y entrando a la sección de video, lo que sin lugar a dudas vuelve extraordinaria esta cámara es su capacidad 4K y la estabilización de imagen, puedes tomar videos sumamente suaves y nítidos en todo momento, no tengo queja alguna de sus capacidades de video. Tiene muchas opciones desde VGA, pasando por FULL HD a 60P o 30P y 4K a 24P únicamente. Sin embargo, notas de inmediato la calidad de imagen y sobre todo, no se me calentó demasiado el tiempo que estuve grabando (tampoco es que grabe mucho video, pero lo hace muy bien).
En cuanto a su batería, es sencillamente excelente, puedes pasarte todo el día tomando fotos y dándole un uso rudo y te alcanzará perfectamente, realmente me sorprendió su versatilidad en este sentido. Puedes controlarla remotamente utilizando la app de panasonic para celular (en mi caso android), y enviar fotografías desde la cámara, obviamente, en detrimento de la duración de la batería, pero es bueno cuando quieres tomar fotos grupales donde estás incluido.
En cuanto a ergonomía, ví algunas reseñas (en inglés) antes de comprar la cámara, donde muchos se quejaron de que no tenía un agarre firme, lo cual, descarté de inmediato cuando la tuve en mis manos. La cámara es tan ligera, que no es necesario tener un mango de hule rugoso o algo parecido, con tus propias manos es más que suficiente. Su pantalla touch no fue para nada un problema como algunos indicaban también, todo el tiempo que la utilicé jamás toqué por error algún botón en pantalla (aun así, si lo deseas la puedes desactivar) y por el contrario, resultó sumamente útil poder incluso tener la función de tocar en algún punto y que la cámara lo enfocara y que automáticamente tomara la fotografía (algo así como en los celulares).
Si te tomas el tiempo de aprender a utilizarla (que tiene un manual bastante extenso y detallado), estoy seguro de que le podrás sacar muy buen jugo a una cámara de excelentes prestaciones como esta.
Finalmente, como todo, los puntos que creo no son un defecto, sino un aspecto inevitable de intentar tener todo en un empaque tan pequeño: la cámara NO es la mejor para tomar retratos, si lo que te interesa son fotos con un bokeh bestial, sencillamente no lo conseguirás, por el otro lado, si lo que te interesa es tomar fotografías en entornos oscuros, tampoco cumplirá tu cometido, hará lo que pueda y con el apoyo del flash puede salir muy bien, pero no es su ambiente más cómodo. Yo diría que su potencial es en un plan de vacaciones, donde necesitas algo versátil, cómodo y pequeño, listo para salir de tu bolsillo y capturar todo lo que necesites, desde aquellos motivos distantes metiendo todo el zoom y fotos más abiertas en entornos más oscuros con su máxima apertura y sensibilidad.
En resumen, si lo que quieres es una cámara discreta, nada ostentoso y que sencillamente haga su trabajo, a un buen precio al fin que no planeas ser fotógrafo profesional, que te ahorre el problema de tener que comprar lentes, tripie, flash y una infinidad de aditamentos que tienen las cámaras gama un poco más alta que apenas y caben en una mochila, esta es tu cámara.
PD Adjunto algunas fotografías, como comentaba, si sabes utilizar la cámara, puedes hacer un lado sus defectos y por el contrario saber cómo enfrentarlos para tener excelentes fotos, en este caso, realicé astrofotografía, lo cual, salió excepcionalmente bien, algo que me decían sería muy complicado y no saldría bien.
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