The best pocket camera--but COMPLICATED!

[Tholzel]

The best camera in the world is one you have on you. Thus, my closet full of full-size Nikons and many other pocket cameras gather dust. The ZS100 is ALWAYS in the front pants pocket, wherever I go. This enables candid shots at dinner parties, hiking in the woods, driving along and spotting a beautiful vista, etc.

After 3-months if daily use, what I like most about this camera is the one-inch sensor (which runs low-light circles around my previous Panasonic LX5), the fabulous zoom range (25-250mm) and the darn-good pop-up flash.

What I'm not wild about is the overwhelming complexity of features, the autonomous action that sometimes zooms-in (!) and the plethora of back-panel buttons almost impossible to not sometimes push inadvertently. The 420-page insurrection manual certainly has everything you'd ever want to know--if you a year or two to read it. (I wish engineers who write these manuals would separate them into three stages: Stage one--a few instructions to get you going; Stage Two, adding the most desirable features; Stage three--the whole nine yards.)

Color saturation is a bit on the low side for my taste as is brightness. Fortunately both are easily corrected in PhotoShop--which I use for 95% of all the photos I take. The dynamic range is really good--there is a lot of detail hidden in underexpose shots that is pulled right up in post processing.

All-in-all, not quite a perfect camera, but for my money--there are none better.

 

[kkardster]

Glad you like your ZS100. I bought one for my wife but she thinks I cheated her because it looks like a toy compared to my FZ200. I've offered to switch but that didn't work. I haven't used her ZS100 much as it's always in her purse (where it belongs).

Yes, the camera is complicated and the manual doesn't help much. There is both the regular Users Guide for getting started as well as the separate/lengthy Advanced Features manual, but I agree they could be better organized. And they should separate out the ZS60 into its own manual set - it deserves it and both resulting manuals would be shorter and easier to follow. You'd think with modern documentation software it would be easier to keep them distinct.

--
Bruce
You learn something new every time you press the shutter

 

[digitallollygag]

That 420-page instruction manual is one big reason why smartphones are so popular. A few years ago I bought my wife a Canon S95 for Christmas. I ended up being the primary user because she was intimidated by the 230-page instruction manual. Once she got her first easy-to-use smartphone she never looked back.

 

[thinkinginimages]

The best camera in the world is one you have on you. Thus, my closet full of full-size Nikons and many other pocket cameras gather dust. The ZS100 is ALWAYS in the front pants pocket, wherever I go. This enables candid shots at dinner parties, hiking in the woods, driving along and spotting a beautiful vista, etc.

After 3-months if daily use, what I like most about this camera is the one-inch sensor (which runs low-light circles around my previous Panasonic LX5), the fabulous zoom range (25-250mm) and the darn-good pop-up flash.

What I'm not wild about is the overwhelming complexity of features, the autonomous action that sometimes zooms-in (!) and the plethora of back-panel buttons almost impossible to not sometimes push inadvertently. The 420-page insurrection manual certainly has everything you'd ever want to know--if you a year or two to read it. (I wish engineers who write these manuals would separate them into three stages: Stage one--a few instructions to get you going; Stage Two, adding the most desirable features; Stage three--the whole nine yards.)

Color saturation is a bit on the low side for my taste as is brightness. Fortunately both are easily corrected in PhotoShop--which I use for 95% of all the photos I take. The dynamic range is really good--there is a lot of detail hidden in underexpose shots that is pulled right up in post processing.

All-in-all, not quite a perfect camera, but for my money--there are none better.

"Insurrection manual"? That's brilliant. Yes, Panasonic's do tend to have a lot of options. And the manual is far from perfect. Sometimes things just don't translate or make much sense.

I download the manuals in PDF and put them on my phone. I can search from there. That's easier and faster than flipping pages.

I haven't used the ZS100 so I can't comment on the saturation levels. I find my other Panasonics a tiny bit too saturated in "Standard mode". I prefer the "Natural" setting. Of course, that only applies to JPEG's.

 

[KonradDC]

I have to agree regarding the learning curve to this camera. I have mastered most of the features, but still need to learn and understand more. Sometimes I forget how to access some modes, then 10 minutes later get there. The TZ100 (ZS100 in US) has given me photo opportunities that were not available before, especially the 4K modes.

Because I also use TZ30 (small and handy) and TZ70 (lots of features and flexible, I tend to protect the TZ100 and take it on certain trips and certain events. Sometimes I choose raw+jpeg and the edit some photos in camera, then send to phone. Especially in tricky light conditions, when will photos need some fixing.

It will be a while before a rival makes something similar or better. There is only one thing that could update the camera - tilt screen.

I use this camera over my Canon 700D, due to its compact size and good quality.

 

[Gerry Siegel]

I have more than enough micro four thirds cameras and was reluctant to go back to one that is even smaller than the Lumix GX 7 ILC with a smaller sensor size and single attached lens however decent it sounded. However I am as always a lover of a bargain and the package of camera and goodies at a large discount tempted me. So far, in a week's use I am delighted with this model. It is the first zoom lens compact I have bought since the Camedia C 5050 which came out when many of you were in high school gym classes. What I like about this model is that it follows Panasonic's sensible menu style. Now the camera, being small, needs to be held like a cream puff or a Long John pastry. With two finger grip on the top deck.. But hey, it takes the same battery as the GX 7. It has control over what one needs to control. Sure I have to find out what Intelligence Auto PLus is all about, but that makes me (ahem) a Serious Amateur ( stern upper lip type). So far, the camera will fit very nicely on a belt next to my old fashioned flip phone.. I am as I said delighted with this model. Best buy in years. Panasonic has come into its heyday with models. What next, pray tell. Moore's Law still applies. Happy holiday season all. Aloha gs

 

[thinkinginimages]

I have to agree regarding the learning curve to this camera. I have mastered most of the features, but still need to learn and understand more. Sometimes I forget how to access some modes, then 10 minutes later get there. The TZ100 (ZS100 in US) has given me photo opportunities that were not available before, especially the 4K modes.
Because I also use TZ30 (small and handy) and TZ70 (lots of features and flexible, I tend to protect the TZ100 and take it on certain trips and certain events. Sometimes I choose raw+jpeg and the edit some photos in camera, then send to phone. Especially in tricky light conditions, when will photos need some fixing.

It will be a while before a rival makes something similar or better. There is only one thing that could update the camera - tilt screen.

I use this camera over my Canon 700D, due to its compact size and good quality.

I've been handling cameras for decades, but digital cameras? That's like studying a foreign language. But one thing doesn't change: the basics.

Auto, Program, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and Manual are pretty much what they are,

The rest is "fluff", sometimes useful "fluff", but still "fluff". The idea is to "make it easier", but if you want "easier" then you might as well leave it on Auto. There's a time to let the camera be "the smart one". The experiment is to see how "smart" Auto really is.

On my main cameras I want to be "in charge". I need predictable, reliable, results. Odds are I lock down the ISO and work in Aperture or Shutter priority.

On my casual, pocket camera, I let Auto take charge. More often than not it surprises me by just how well it works. On the other hand, when it gets it wrong, it's really, really, wrong. It would be hard to duplicate that level of wrong manually.

On the other hand, I do like more settings than less. It's nice to know they're there if I need them. It's the screwball scene modes that make me shake my head. Who thinks those up?

 

[Gerry Siegel]

Many of the functions of modern digital are there as selling features. For the most part I rely on the Program Shift or A priority and let the camera do its own thing, Though one can profit from knowing how to lock the exposure and move the field of view to compose a shot. Having a video capability is nice. There are some events worth preserving in action. And now my point and shoot says it can give me a single crisp frame. That I must try. Anyway, looking at it from a positive standpoint, learning new functions and choices keeps the brain cells alive. So I hope anyway.

 

[thinkinginimages]

Many of the functions of modern digital are there as selling features. For the most part I rely on the Program Shift or A priority and let the camera do its own thing, Though one can profit from knowing how to lock the exposure and move the field of view to compose a shot. Having a video capability is nice. There are some events worth preserving in action. And now my point and shoot says it can give me a single crisp frame. That I must try. Anyway, looking at it from a positive standpoint, learning new functions and choices keeps the brain cells alive. So I hope anyway.

Same here. Ah, the "little grey cells". I prefer to challenge my cameras than for them to challenge me.

 

[tom graham]

The pocket camera makers thought what consumers wanted was more pixels and more options. Wrong on both counts. What consumers want is to snap a pic of the baby and email it to grandma.

Manufacturers are still in the old mode for DSLRs and superzooms. More pixels, more features, more pixels, more features. Yes, that is what photographers want when they don't know diddly-squat about light.

A photographer who worries about equipment is an amateur.

A photographer who worries about money is a professional.

A photographer who worries about light is a photographer.

Tom

 

[coody]

[No message]

 

[saudidave]

The pocket camera makers thought what consumers wanted was more pixels and more options. Wrong on both counts. What consumers want is to snap a pic of the baby and email it to grandma.

Manufacturers are still in the old mode for DSLRs and superzooms. More pixels, more features, more pixels, more features. Yes, that is what photographers want when they don't know diddly-squat about light.

A photographer who worries about equipment is an amateur.

A photographer who worries about money is a professional.

A photographer who worries about light is a photographer.

Tom

Light, Light and more light, particularly side. Well said Tom

Dave

 

[thinkinginimages]

The pocket camera makers thought what consumers wanted was more pixels and more options. Wrong on both counts. What consumers want is to snap a pic of the baby and email it to grandma.

Manufacturers are still in the old mode for DSLRs and superzooms. More pixels, more features, more pixels, more features. Yes, that is what photographers want when they don't know diddly-squat about light.

A photographer who worries about equipment is an amateur.

A photographer who worries about money is a professional.

A photographer who worries about light is a photographer.

Tom

I agree. I think it part of the design spec, a committee decision:

That area on the camera back needs something. It will look more sophisticated. OK. Let's put a few buttons.

What should they do?

We'll make them programmable!

Brilliant! We'll add another menu level!

And submenus!

And make them a different color!

Get the camera manual people in here. OK, tech people explain this to the camera manual people.

I have no clue what he's talking about, but I wrote it down. I think I got it. We'll use one of those computer programs to translate it into several languages.

We get the camera, open the manual, and wonder what the "al dente" setting does.

 

[Gerry Siegel]

I don't think it works that way, This is an advanced camera and those who buy it expect to get what they have heard or experience in the larger and more costly models. Yes, it has likely too many features we will never use. But at least I can find them.. well most of the time. If they were not there I guess there would be bitching. Especially on DPR where some one's loved value is precious and you never can have too much love. I think it is a clever package and easier than learning a new language. Well, sort of..

 

[Digital Nigel]

I don't think it works that way, This is an advanced camera and those who buy it expect to get what they have heard or experience in the larger and more costly models. Yes, it has likely too many features we will never use. But at least I can find them.. well most of the time. If they were not there I guess there would be bitching. Especially on DPR where some one's loved value is precious and you never can have too much love. I think it is a clever package and easier than learning a new language. Well, sort of..

Yes, I bought my TZ100 after my FZ1000. The features and menus are almost identical, so I found the TZ100 really easy and intuitive. I was able to pick it up and use it with almost no learning curve. The only problem is that the smaller body has room for fewer physical controls, so it has to use the touch screen instead. That's not quite as convenient as having dedicated buttons or knobs, but I can live with it in return for the much smaller body.

Of course, the smaller body is also harder to hold steady, and the lens is slower, so you need to choose higher shutter speeds. And the tiny, low res EVF isn't nearly as nice to use as the excellent, large FZ000 EVF.

 

[Chris 222]

The pocket camera makers thought what consumers wanted was more pixels and more options. Wrong on both counts. What consumers want is to snap a pic of the baby and email it to grandma.

Manufacturers are still in the old mode for DSLRs and superzooms. More pixels, more features, more pixels, more features. Yes, that is what photographers want when they don't know diddly-squat about light.

A photographer who worries about equipment is an amateur.

A photographer who worries about money is a professional.

A photographer who worries about light is a photographer.

Tom

I agree. I think it part of the design spec, a committee decision:

That area on the camera back needs something. It will look more sophisticated. OK. Let's put a few buttons.

What should they do?

We'll make them programmable!

Brilliant! We'll add another menu level!

And submenus!

And make them a different color!

Get the camera manual people in here. OK, tech people explain this to the camera manual people.

I have no clue what he's talking about, but I wrote it down. I think I got it. We'll use one of those computer programs to translate it into several languages.

We get the camera, open the manual, and wonder what the "al dente" setting does.

You have no idea how close you are... I have actually worked at a company (different field but very high tech as well and "world number 1" at the time) where this is what they did. Whether they used reports by "focus groups" or "customer feedback" (all "filtered on the way up" and therefore useless) or by underlings, "higher-management" MORONS actually do this all the time.
One would be shocked how common this practice is, including among some of the most well-known corporations in the world (and THEN they complain that they lose market share, or go out of business...)

 

[thinkinginimages]

I don't think it works that way, This is an advanced camera and those who buy it expect to get what they have heard or experience in the larger and more costly models. Yes, it has likely too many features we will never use. But at least I can find them.. well most of the time. If they were not there I guess there would be bitching. Especially on DPR where some one's loved value is precious and you never can have too much love. I think it is a clever package and easier than learning a new language. Well, sort of..

I agree. I just like poking fun at some of the "added features". I think PASM is excellent. I think the execution is a little wonky on some cameras. I won't go point for point since every camera is different.

I sometimes think the people who come up with camera programming aren't photographers, or handle the cameras.

Personally, I have no problem with Auto mode, so long as it's smart about it. I won't thank any less of a photographer who uses it.

In a perfect setting, I would like to be able to program scene modes on my computer and transfer them to the camera. That way they're a bit more relevant. Some are pretty obtuse.

 

[durst]

Hi - Just got one of these for xmas as I'm always chasing that perfect compact camera.......

I've a Sony RX100M2 and the Alexander S White book and both are great but the RX100 zoom is not so long reach but the low light fast lens is very good.

First impressions of TZ100. Manual is ok but complicated. I've the Alexander S White book too and....well....its no where near as well laid out as the book for the RX100 and helps but on it's own still leaves questions and jumps around a bit.

I'm still playing with it but I like the arrow buttons access to eV, Defocusing (though I'm using it more for higher F stop), and access to focus mode but I hate the poor use of the right arrow button to change colour balance as I never use this and would have preferred ISO control - Can I reprogram this button?

I miss (or can't find) how I can force fill in flash in iA or iA+ .....I assume this can be done PASM but I need to look. RX100 does this easily!

Other thing I dislike is how one point colour works...well I can see it is flexible in that you can select any colour, but I mostly like to use RED and the test I've tried I find it does not work anywhere as easily or as accurately as the RX100 does.

But still learning, I mainly bought it for the zoom and 4k video so we will see.

I guess coming from the RX100 (which I am keeping) I will find differences, some good (manual focusing) some not so good.

Ideally I think I want an auto compact that allows me to force ISO/eV/Aperture/Shutter as I see fit...ok this is PASM but sometimes in fully Auto I'd like to control DOF and grain and flash.

I'm old school film SLR but now retired and can't be bothered to carry anything so looking for that ultimate compact digital.

I'm guessing TZ100 and RX100 are the 2 I need to carry from now on.

 

[thinkinginimages]

Hi - Just got one of these for xmas as I'm always chasing that perfect compact camera.......

I've a Sony RX100M2 and the Alexander S White book and both are great but the RX100 zoom is not so long reach but the low light fast lens is very good.

First impressions of TZ100. Manual is ok but complicated. I've the Alexander S White book too and....well....its no where near as well laid out as the book for the RX100 and helps but on it's own still leaves questions and jumps around a bit.

I'm still playing with it but I like the arrow buttons access to eV, Defocusing (though I'm using it more for higher F stop), and access to focus mode but I hate the poor use of the right arrow button to change colour balance as I never use this and would have preferred ISO control - Can I reprogram this button?

I miss (or can't find) how I can force fill in flash in iA or iA+ .....I assume this can be done PASM but I need to look. RX100 does this easily!

Other thing I dislike is how one point colour works...well I can see it is flexible in that you can select any colour, but I mostly like to use RED and the test I've tried I find it does not work anywhere as easily or as accurately as the RX100 does.

But still learning, I mainly bought it for the zoom and 4k video so we will see.

I guess coming from the RX100 (which I am keeping) I will find differences, some good (manual focusing) some not so good.

Ideally I think I want an auto compact that allows me to force ISO/eV/Aperture/Shutter as I see fit...ok this is PASM but sometimes in fully Auto I'd like to control DOF and grain and flash.

I'm old school film SLR but now retired and can't be bothered to carry anything so looking for that ultimate compact digital.

I'm guessing TZ100 and RX100 are the 2 I need to carry from now on.

This is hard to put into words. Panasonic's auto mode (iA) is very comprehensive. It's also hard to tinker with settings in that mode. Think of it as the "grab and go" mode. Or, "let's see how smart this camera is" mode.

There's a BIG leap between iA and PASM. As for flash control, that's PASM. For lack of a better way of putting it. iA will do something like a quasi HDR by exposure stacking when it needs to. I think. It's clever, and I could be wrong. As for the built in flash, think of how powerful and big it would have to be to be relevant at long focal lengths. It can't "zoom".

The point I'm not explaining well is you know PASM well from experience. Find the limits, your limits, of iA mode. You might be surprised. You might not agree with its decisions across the board but, more often than not, I find it manages to capture good images in some pretty bad situations.

 

[durst]

Hi & thanks for the comments.

I know and agree about idea of iA and iA+ as similar offering on RX100 and to be fair on the whole I'm happy with most shots but really cheesed off with some of them when they chose poor mix of iso/aperture & shutter ...in low light going for max A high iso and higher than needed shutter or in good light medium A/medium shutter and higher than needed iso.....well that's what I have found so far though early days for TZ100.

To me the firmware should limit iso (if you can't force it), then look for the best A for the lens and then shutter down to say 1/60th minimum in low light or whatever in good light. This for me would be best for any iA/iA+ after that its up to the user.

So in low light if you could set max iso, min shutter and Ap follows as required.

In good light be able to set min Aperture, max iso and shutter follows as required.

As for flash...this for me is always for a short distance irrespective of zoom.

I know I need to use PASM ...just I really want fully auto but with user available limits to set to force the firmware to prioritize quality.

I'm still a learner..but now learning to live with "intelligent" camera's.

Looking forward to seriously test driving the TZ100.

Happy New Year.