Stepping Back

I'm not going to challenge your review but I would like to know whether you considered using the raw format feature of this camera.

I have a TZ60 (zs40) and it has very similar specs and features (except for sensor size and evf - of which the zs50 should be better)

However I love my TZ60, but only because I can get wonderful photos from it by saving to RAW format and post processing to my individual likes.

The colour and saturation of the jpeg engine produces rather drab photos a bit like you describe, so if you are expecting optimum colour and saturation straight from the camera I can understand you frustration.

I think this may have been recognized by Panasonic as the just released TZ80 now has the colour, saturation and brightness controls that used to be in the earlier TZ range. While the raw features in the TZ60/70 are great for photographers like me, Panasonic seemed to forget that some people want the camera to do ALL the processing.

Neil....
The Sky is a Beautiful Place

Surprising to me that you dislike the camera that much.

It would be interesting to know your expectation of it was?

A "compact superzoom" is almost a 'contradiction in terms', it -of course- have several compromises.

The viewfinder is allegedly bigger than on the predecessor, but is still so small that it for my vision is not adequate so I almost never use it.

Personally I have not used any of the "i"-modes for other than testing, so they might well be poor.

IMHO it does a pretty great job in P/A/S/M modes. But I guess it is a matter of what I expected of it.

Of course my RX100 III makes much much better images within its extremely limited zoom-range.

Glad to hear that you sold it, And I hope you find something that better suits your needs and requirements. If the superzoom is not crucial I would suggest you to have a look at the RX100 series or one of its competitors to get more image quality in a similar sized camera.

EskeRahn said:

... The viewfinder is allegedly bigger than on the predecessor, but is still so small that it for my vision is not adequate so I almost never use it....

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Based on what I've read the ZS40/ZS50 EVF same physical size but higher resolution;
ZS40 200,000 vs ZS50 1,166,000.

Same with rear LCD: ZS40 920,000 vs ZS50 1,040,000.

Cheers,
Jon

DonnerSummit said:

I bought the ZS50 for the viewfinder. We already have a TZ4 and a TZ5 that work great but are hard to use in bright sunlight. I guess the kids have the viewscreens worked out or their eyes are better. I like a viewfinder. I was pretty excited, but that did not last long. The best way to describe the images is dull, lifeless, and boring. I read and re-read the manual and tried the settings. Automatic panorama produced an image that looks like a watercolor. As mentioned in another review it shoots an HDR when it thinks you need it. ...

Click to expand...

Agree that the ZS50 not a good choice for those who want a P&S with good overall IQ from SOOC JPG images. The ZS50 users' reviews at B&H are mixed from poor to good.

Due to the small 1/2.3" sensor and small max apertures at longer focal lengths, ZS50 going to need good daylight lighting to get good quality SOOC JPG's; in lesser lighting SOOC JPG images can be soft and flat. Diffraction due to small tele focal length max apertures impacts IQ.

Unfortunately Panasonic crippled the ZS50 by not having the ability to improved SOOC JPG images not providing the ZS50 with any mage adjustments settings; sharpening, contrast, saturation and noise reduction. IMHO serious omission to a camera for its original price. Hence for any improvements to JPG images one will have to post process JPG images on their computer.

As to the iA mode selecting HDR, if one uses the iA+ mode you can disable HDR and several other modes.

As I commented in a older post; I bought an Open Box ZS50 at B&H for $US220.00 as I figured it be a good buy as a update/ replacement to my old SX130 IS as a pocket travel/ superzoom.

IMHO:
Based upon my ZS50 experiences so far, to get the best IQ from ZS50 one needs to know/ understand photography basics of using a camera to have an awareness of the ZS50/TZ70 limitations, and to use the camera within its limitations to obtain best IQ.

Hence not really the best camera for novice P&S type user expecting the same ease of use and/ IQ of their smart phone.

For those who don't mind post processing images will benefit with improved image quality. RAW images will generally benefit from better nose reduction and highlights/ shadows recovery.





Cheers,
Jon

Completely agree with you on your summary.

Given the similarities between the ZS40 and the ZS50 - great cameras for those that know about and understand the basics of photography and how to post process images. Not that great for someone who wants best quality straight from the camera.

Really interesting, honest comments. I am looking at buying a zoom camera that my wife would be using and she is a point and shoot person. Would the new ZS60 also have the same attributes as the ZS40, ie not a point/shoot type camera.

Would the Sony HX90v or Casio ZR850 be better for that, if anyone has tested those?

Thanks!

GD1 said:

Really interesting, honest comments. I am looking at buying a zoom camera that my wife would be using and she is a point and shoot person. Would the new ZS60 also have the same attributes as the ZS40, ie not a point/shoot type camera.

Click to expand...

Basically yes. Look through posts in the "ZS60. DPR Samples Gallery is Up. Comments?" HERE.

GD1 said:

Would the Sony HX90v or Casio ZR850 be better for that, if anyone has tested those?

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Based on the Sony HX90v images I've seen yes; have not seen any images from the Casio ZR850.

Basically can expect same overall results from small/ pocket size superzooms due to the very small 1/2.3" sensor, and long zoom range lens with small max apertures.

Luckily now days can do a Google search for reviews for a camera; quite few of the online camera review sites will provide full sizes images one can download and do comparisons at their own leisure.

Just checked at B&H Photo and Adorama do not have any Casio cameras, and at the Casio USA camera site (HERE) notes "Only available outside US". The reviews I found on the Casio ZR850 were from 2014, hence camera probably no longer in production and various resellers are selling what they have in inventory.

Would recommend looking at something like the Panasonic LX7 or Powershot G7 X as a good all-round "pocketable" (i.e., not pocket size as the ZS60) P&S options.

Being that you're in the USA at the Canon Refurbished Powershots at the time of the post can get the refurb G7 X for $535.99, includes 4GB card and Canon 1-Year Warranty.

Need to keep mind that small pocket size long zoom lens and small f/3.3-6.4 max apertures like the ZS60, HX90v, Powershot SX710, etc. need good daylight type lighting for novice P&S shooter to get good quality images.

Cheers,
Jon

A poor workman blames his tools. You can adjust settings any way you want them.

Kawika Nui said:

A poor workman blames his tools. You can adjust settings any way you want them.

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I think your sarcasm is being a bit harsh here. It is easy to expect a superzoom to be able to do 'everything'. But as all devices it is a result of compromises. Here the narrowing factors especially are the size versus the large zoom, that means hat the lo light abilities are not amazing. And I do agree that some of all these 'modes' many cameras have seems more like gimmicks than useful.

For me it is a great overall compact travel camera in good light, but compared to my RX100 III it is hopeless in wide mode in lo light.

What's the point in replying to a two year old post?

Tom

I think you are asking the wrong person. I replied an eight hour old comment.

(the camera it is all about is still fully relevant though)

I replied to the latest post which just happened to be yours but of course it applied to all of those that recently replied. The camera is still relevant of course, I have one myself, but any recent replies to the original thread are completely superfluous. Particularly so as the OP did indicate in his post that he had already got rid of the camera.

Tom

GD1 said:

Really interesting, honest comments. I am looking at buying a zoom camera that my wife would be using and she is a point and shoot person. Would the new ZS60 also have the same attributes as the ZS40, ie not a point/shoot type camera.

Would the Sony HX90v or Casio ZR850 be better for that, if anyone has tested those?

Thanks!

Click to expand...

Foe what it's worth, and in agreement with Viking9, the Casio ZR 700, 800, & 850 (which are basically the same) are very good cameras and can be bought on Amazon - not always in stock.

For a comparison between my Casio ZS700 and my Panasonic ZS40, look here (the orangutan photos are NOT mine - this was a reply to an earlier post):

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/54583266

In addition, the Casios use an extremely fast burst to capture realistic HDRs and handheld night shots - compensating for some subject movement.

Also for wives and others using video on, say, pets & kids, the Casios have a neat trick: when you press "Go" for a video, the camera attaches a few seconds of what it saw BEFORE the "go" button was pressed so you don't miss the cute scene that made you press the button in the first place (provided, of course, that the camera was "on" and pointed at the subject).

And - in regard to the EVF, I have another suggestion, my reply to another question:

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/54583266

Regards,



--
"Measure wealth not by things you have but by things for which you would not take money"
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