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Super zoom and Pcketable camera SX730 vs ZS100

Started Oct 6, 2019 | Discussions
VadiV Contributing Member • Posts: 541
Super zoom and Pcketable camera SX730 vs ZS100
2

I am trying to get a decent/reasonably priced camera with good zoom range for travel since carrying DSLRs are not convenient. I bought SX730, and looks like I may keep this one. I have not received Panasonic ZS100 yet but I will do some testing.

Any input is welcome.

Thanks,

VadiV

 VadiV's gear list:VadiV's gear list
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3 Canon PowerShot SX50 HS Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50 Panasonic FZ80/FZ82 Nikon Coolpix P950 +6 more
Canon PowerShot SX730 HS Panasonic ZS100
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OpticsEngineer Veteran Member • Posts: 7,822
Re: Super zoom and Pcketable camera SX730 vs ZS100
1

I had a great time with my SX730 until my daughter dropped it in some water.  I was quite happy with the photo quality.  Particularly given how light and compact it is.

Not as much happy initially with my ZS100.  It seemed like the pictures never were quite sharp.  I read a few complaints, including on dpreview reviews and www.cameralabs.com about quality control issues with Panasonic.  But after quite a bit of use, the pictures seemed to get sharper.  So I am wondering if some mechanical mechanism needed to wear in a bit.   Anyway, happier with it now.

I will be curious to hear about your comparisons.

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Jon_T
Jon_T Veteran Member • Posts: 6,393
Re: Super zoom and Pcketable camera SX730 vs ZS100

VadiV wrote:

I am trying to get a decent/reasonably priced camera with good zoom range for travel ...

The ZS100 probably not a good alternative to the SX730 zoom zoom as the SX730 lens is 24-960mm 35mm EFL, and the ZS100 lens is 25-250mm 35mm EFL.

If you want similar zoom range as the SX730 you should be looking at the Panasonic ZS70 or the newer ZS80. Both have a 24-720mm 35mm EFL.

Just do a Google search for "ZS70 Review" or "ZS80 Review" to find full camera review that has sample images so you can download images and do your own comparisons.

If the ZS100's 250mm EFL long enough, the ZS100 has the much larger 1"-Type Sensor, and will have better overall IQ than the small 1/2.3" sensor in the SX730, ZS70, and ZS80.

FWIW can see CameraDecision Panasonic ZS80 vs Canon SX730 HS 'quick' side-by-side comparison HERE.

I'm still using my old ZS50 for a pocketable long range zoom (24-720mm EFL) that I've carried with my G15 for the wider 24mm EFL, and longer EFL beyond the G15's 140mm EFL.

Cheers,
Jon

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Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ200 Canon PowerShot G15 Canon PowerShot SX50 HS Canon PowerShot S110 Leica C +16 more
OP VadiV Contributing Member • Posts: 541
Re: Super zoom and Pcketable camera SX730 vs ZS100
1

Thanks for both of your responses, I received a used ZS100 and I did some test comparison. No big difference in IQ in daylight condition. I was looking at ZS100 only because of 1'' sensor thinking the IQ is much better than smaller sensors.  I may send back ZS100 and keep SX7

Thanks,

VadiV

 VadiV's gear list:VadiV's gear list
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3 Canon PowerShot SX50 HS Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50 Panasonic FZ80/FZ82 Nikon Coolpix P950 +6 more
Jon_T
Jon_T Veteran Member • Posts: 6,393
Re: Super zoom and Pcketable camera SX730 vs ZS100
1

VadiV wrote:

... I was looking at ZS100 only because of 1'' sensor thinking the IQ is much better than smaller sensors. I may send back ZS100 and keep SX7

Yes the larger 1"-Type Sensor IQ should be better overall than the 1/2.3" sensor as the 1"-Type sensor surface area a little over 4X the 1/2.3".

At lower ISO's and with good lighting may not see a big difference, especially with the ZS100's OOC JPG images with default settings.

However, at lower lighting/ higher ISO's the 1"-Type sensor will have far less image noise than the 1/2.3" sensor at the same ISO.

May want to post some of your ZS100 images in the "Panasonic Compact Camera Talk" forum to get some tips on using and tweaking the ZS100 JPG settings.

For example popular ZS100 JPG settings tweaks are:
NR -5; Contrast and sharpening +2

"IF" you bought a used ZS100, be sure to use the Menu to "RESET" camera back to factory default settings.

I would recommend:

• Avoid the "iA" as there are lighting conditions it can be more of a idiot Auto, than intelligent Auto. In the iA Auto mode the Muti-AF spots, and i.Zoom are enabled by default.

• For sharp images do not use the i.Zoom .

Below are some sample ZS100 PP RAW images:

800 ISO

1600 ISO

I went to a Titanic exhibit (DPR Album HERE); all shots with ZS100 PP RAW 1600 ISO images.

1600 ISO

25mm EFL

250mm EFL

The printed Basics Manual that comes in the box with ZS100 is just that, ONLY the bear basics.

You will need to download the PDF "Advanced Operating Manual" to learn how to use all the ZS100 settings/ features. Can download from the ZS100 web page HERE; scroll down to the bottom of page to download the "Advanced Operating Manual".

Cheers,
Jon

 Jon_T's gear list:Jon_T's gear list
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ200 Canon PowerShot G15 Canon PowerShot SX50 HS Canon PowerShot S110 Leica C +16 more
OP VadiV Contributing Member • Posts: 541
Re: Super zoom and Pcketable camera SX730 vs ZS100
1

Thanks for sharing lot of details and photos from ZS100. You are right I was comparing ZS100 and ZS50 , and some ZS50 images were sharper.  Looks like you are enjoying ZS100.

I also like 40X on SX730 !

Thanks,

VadiV

 VadiV's gear list:VadiV's gear list
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3 Canon PowerShot SX50 HS Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50 Panasonic FZ80/FZ82 Nikon Coolpix P950 +6 more
RGSAM Regular Member • Posts: 245
Re: Super zoom and Pcketable camera SX730 vs ZS100

OpticsEngineer wrote:

I had a great time with my SX730 until my daughter dropped it in some water. I was quite happy with the photo quality. Particularly given how light and compact it is.

Not as much happy initially with my ZS100. It seemed like the pictures never were quite sharp.

I've got both ZS100 and ZS200 and neither one has sharp pictures. I was always happy with my SX700 and I am now ordering the SX740.

I read a few complaints, including on dpreview reviews and www.cameralabs.com about quality control issues with Panasonic. But after quite a bit of use, the pictures seemed to get sharper. So I am wondering if some mechanical mechanism needed to wear in a bit. Anyway, happier with it now.

I will be curious to hear about your comparisons.

OP VadiV Contributing Member • Posts: 541
Re: Super zoom and Pcketable camera SX730 vs ZS100
1

I like SX730 for it's zoom, selfie screen and JPEG color.  ZS100 comes with lot more features ( view finder, touch screen, 1" sensor, RAW, and many other user friendly buttons/wheels etc). IQ wise, I do not see big difference between SX730, ZS50 and ZS100 - I posted another question in Panasonic forum on ZS50 vs Zs100.

Even the cheap ZS50 ( $250.00 - new) comes with 30X, RAW and view finder but 12MP.

All these P & S pocket able cameras produce good IQ under ISO 1600 in day light. I think all of them do poor in door with no day light.

I may end up in keeping 2 of them.

Thanks,

VadiV

 VadiV's gear list:VadiV's gear list
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3 Canon PowerShot SX50 HS Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50 Panasonic FZ80/FZ82 Nikon Coolpix P950 +6 more
saaber1 Senior Member • Posts: 2,164
Re: Super zoom and Pcketable camera SX730 vs ZS100

VadiV wrote:

I am trying to get a decent/reasonably priced camera with good zoom range for travel since carrying DSLRs are not convenient. I bought SX730, and looks like I may keep this one. I have not received Panasonic ZS100 yet but I will do some testing.

Any input is welcome.

Thanks,

VadiV

I’ve had good luck with the sx730. I mainly use it for travel in addition to a g7xii.

some pics from another post for reference (click “original size” to see fine detail):

... saaber1 wrote:

Found that thread that has some sx730 example pics. The Jupiter and Saturn pics were MF on a tripod. The dandelion was MF handheld (for macro I use minimum focus distance and move camera back and forth until u get proper focus -same technique for any camera, point and shoot, dslr, whatever). The rest are all AF handheld.

saaber1 wrote:

... The image stabilization is unbelievably good. All the photos below are handheld except for jupiter moons and Saturn photos. The first two are a test I did comparing DSLR to the SX730.

sx730, male robin guarding the nest while the mother is away

Nikon D750 with 135mm portrait lens (note that camera incorrectly reports lens as 16mm on exif)

about 450 feet away

almost at minimum focus distance

Jupiter and 4 of it's moons

Saturn

Dandelion, widest angle

saaber1 wrote:

Bridge un-zoomed in the rain, handheld

Bridge fully-zoomed, in the rain, handheld

Ship at middle right, un-zoomed, handlheld, in the rain

Ship fully-zoomed, handlheld, in the rain

Ship fully-zoomed, you can almost read the two dials in the center right (two round dials above the medium sized window on the bridge) which is nuts, even in good weather, much less in the rain, much less handheld

No-zoom. Focus is on the left side of the little round tower. Handheld

Full-zoom. Focus is on the left side of the little round tower. Handheld

Full-zoom. Focus is on the left side of the little round tower. Handheld

saaber1 Senior Member • Posts: 2,164
Re: Super zoom and Pcketable camera SX730 vs ZS100

I don’t know what the cost of zs100 is but u may want to consider a 1” pocketable camera with good lens to compliment ur sx730. I use g7xii for everything from 24-100 mm and for low light, and use sx730 for long focal length shots. That way they compliment each other and u get excellent performance for the most commonly used focal ranges. G7xii is $429-$480 for a refurb on sale. Used is around $350-$400ish. There are newer versions and g5xii for more money also of course. Just something to think about. Here are some g7xii travel pics as examples if interested:

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/63041200

OP VadiV Contributing Member • Posts: 541
Re: Super zoom and Pcketable camera SX730 vs ZS100

Thanks for sharing nice photos and details. I am also looking at ZS50 which has 30X ( 10X less than SX730) but supports RAW and has view finder.  IQ is relatively good with 12MP.

Thanks,

VadiV

 VadiV's gear list:VadiV's gear list
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3 Canon PowerShot SX50 HS Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50 Panasonic FZ80/FZ82 Nikon Coolpix P950 +6 more
saaber1 Senior Member • Posts: 2,164
Re: Super zoom and Pcketable camera SX730 vs ZS100

VadiV wrote:

Thanks for sharing nice photos and details. I am also looking at ZS50 which has 30X ( 10X less than SX730) but supports RAW and has view finder. IQ is relatively good with 12MP.

Thanks,

VadiV

I bought a zs50 and returned it after 2 days.  The image quality on the one I had was much worse than I expected. I also wasn’t happy with the user interface, menus, etc. but the image quality for me was the biggest letdown.

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