General ZS100 vs ZS200 compact question

I'm going to Europe this fall and am currently looking at a variety of camera options.

First off I should acknowledge that despite owning a variety of cameras over the years (currently using an FZ300 which is too large) my current goal is to find a small compact camera (fits in my bag) with zoom and ability to shoot in a wide variety of situations (ie: low light, macro, landscape, portrait and artchitecture). We will be visiting a number of museums, restaurants, night markets, vineyards etc.

In reviewing the dpreview comparison I see that the ZS100 gets a gold star rating and the ZS200 has a silver. In what I have read they are both good for macro, and the ZS100 has a longer zoom range.

I am wondering if the newer ZS200 is a better model because it is a newer model? It is $200.00 CDN more than the ZS100. Since I own neither I'm wondering which direction I should go.

Aside from using my FZ300 I take a lot of photos on my phone. It has been suggested that I just bring my IPhone, but I have difficulty accepting that suggestion, as I find taking photos fun and all part of the travelling experience.

I consider myself still very much a beginner despite having a had camera of various incarnations going back to the film days. Ease of use is important as I tend to get lost in the weeds if the menus are complex. I use EVF on my FZ300. I use Snapseed for post processing photos. My photos are only shared online and occassionally put together in a family calendar etc.

Sorry for blathering on - I wonder if anyone who has an ZS100 thought it was worth upgrading or if someone was going to make an initial purchase would pay an extra $200.00 CDN for the ZS200.

sheepless wrote:

I'm going to Europe this fall and am currently looking at a variety of camera options.

First off I should acknowledge that despite owning a variety of cameras over the years (currently using an FZ300 which is too large) my current goal is to find a small compact camera (fits in my bag) with zoom and ability to shoot in a wide variety of situations (ie: low light, macro, landscape, portrait and artchitecture). We will be visiting a number of museums, restaurants, night markets, vineyards etc.

In reviewing the dpreview comparison I see that the ZS100 gets a gold star rating and the ZS200 has a silver. In what I have read they are both good for macro, and the ZS100 has a longer zoom range.

I am wondering if the newer ZS200 is a better model because it is a newer model? It is $200.00 CDN more than the ZS100. Since I own neither I'm wondering which direction I should go.

Aside from using my FZ300 I take a lot of photos on my phone. It has been suggested that I just bring my IPhone, but I have difficulty accepting that suggestion, as I find taking photos fun and all part of the travelling experience.

I consider myself still very much a beginner despite having a had camera of various incarnations going back to the film days. Ease of use is important as I tend to get lost in the weeds if the menus are complex. I use EVF on my FZ300. I use Snapseed for post processing photos. My photos are only shared online and occassionally put together in a family calendar etc.

Sorry for blathering on - I wonder if anyone who has an ZS100 thought it was worth upgrading or if someone was going to make an initial purchase would pay an extra $200.00 CDN for the ZS200.

I'm a long term user of both cameras. Why the ZS100 gets a silver and the ZS100 a gold is a complete mystery to me. The IQ is the same and the 200 has vastly superior zoom (15 v 10x), the ergonomics are streets ahead and the evf is bigger and brighter. The longer zoom has a price to pay in terms of a slightly decreased aperture but it is so miniscule it makes no difference whatsoever in the real world. I have no scientifically proven evidence but I am convinced the IS is better on the 200 and that negates the aperture loss as lower shutter speeds can be used. That is what I have found with my copies.

The ZS200 is well worth the extra for the ergonomics alone, the rest of the improvements are a mssive bonus

sheepless wrote:

I am wondering if the newer ZS200 is a better model because it is a newer model? It is $200.00 CDN more than the ZS100. Since I own neither I'm wondering which direction I should go.

Sorry for blathering on - I wonder if anyone who has an ZS100 thought it was worth upgrading or if someone was going to make an initial purchase would pay an extra $200.00 CDN for the ZS200.

I've had my TZ100 for nearly five years. Unfortunately there can be a lot of variation between individual Panasonic units, some are set up better than others. Remember that reviews are usually based only on one sample, so don't pay much attention to ratings, look at some pictures instead.

If I was buying again I might go for the TZ200, but at the current price the TZ100 is a bargain, given what it can do.

Some TZ100 shots : https://www.flickr.com/photos/kh1234567890/albums/72157687585421680

My 'most interesting' TZ100 shots : https://www.flickr.com/photos/kh1234567890/albums/72157715187115192

And my Flickr stream in date order : https://www.flickr.com/photos/kh1234567890/

saudidave wrote:

sheepless wrote:

I'm going to Europe this fall and am currently looking at a variety of camera options.

First off I should acknowledge that despite owning a variety of cameras over the years (currently using an FZ300 which is too large) my current goal is to find a small compact camera (fits in my bag) with zoom and ability to shoot in a wide variety of situations (ie: low light, macro, landscape, portrait and artchitecture). We will be visiting a number of museums, restaurants, night markets, vineyards etc.

In reviewing the dpreview comparison I see that the ZS100 gets a gold star rating and the ZS200 has a silver. In what I have read they are both good for macro, and the ZS100 has a longer zoom range.

I am wondering if the newer ZS200 is a better model because it is a newer model? It is $200.00 CDN more than the ZS100. Since I own neither I'm wondering which direction I should go.

Aside from using my FZ300 I take a lot of photos on my phone. It has been suggested that I just bring my IPhone, but I have difficulty accepting that suggestion, as I find taking photos fun and all part of the travelling experience.

I consider myself still very much a beginner despite having a had camera of various incarnations going back to the film days. Ease of use is important as I tend to get lost in the weeds if the menus are complex. I use EVF on my FZ300. I use Snapseed for post processing photos. My photos are only shared online and occassionally put together in a family calendar etc.

Sorry for blathering on - I wonder if anyone who has an ZS100 thought it was worth upgrading or if someone was going to make an initial purchase would pay an extra $200.00 CDN for the ZS200.

I'm a long term user of both cameras. Why the ZS100 gets a silver and the ZS100 a gold is a complete mystery to me. The IQ is the same and the 200 has vastly superior zoom (15 v 10x), the ergonomics are streets ahead and the evf is bigger and brighter. The longer zoom has a price to pay in terms of a slightly decreased aperture but it is so miniscule it makes no difference whatsoever in the real world. I have no scientifically proven evidence but I am convinced the IS is better on the 200 and that negates the aperture loss as lower shutter speeds can be used. That is what I have found with my copies.

The ZS200 is well worth the extra for the ergonomics alone, the rest of the improvements are a mssive bonus

Thank you for this - it is exactly the first hand user information I was looking for. For the ergonomics and better EVF alone it sounds like the ZS200 would better suit my needs.

kh1234567890 wrote:

sheepless wrote:

I am wondering if the newer ZS200 is a better model because it is a newer model? It is $200.00 CDN more than the ZS100. Since I own neither I'm wondering which direction I should go.

Sorry for blathering on - I wonder if anyone who has an ZS100 thought it was worth upgrading or if someone was going to make an initial purchase would pay an extra $200.00 CDN for the ZS200.

I've had my TZ100 for nearly five years. Unfortunately there can be a lot of variation between individual Panasonic units, some are set up better than others. Remember that reviews are usually based only on one sample, so don't pay much attention to ratings, look at some pictures instead.

If I was buying again I might go for the TZ200, but at the current price the TZ100 is a bargain, given what it can do.

Some TZ100 shots : https://www.flickr.com/photos/kh1234567890/albums/72157687585421680

My 'most interesting' TZ100 shots : https://www.flickr.com/photos/kh1234567890/albums/72157715187115192

And my Flickr stream in date order : https://www.flickr.com/photos/kh1234567890/

Wow! You really have some spectacular shots there and they certainly showcase the versatility of the camera.  Thank you for sharing your photos with me.

Thanks everyone for your thoughts on this. I did a bit more research and dpreview comparisons and went to the camera shop this morning. I walked out with a Panasonic but as the salesman said “quite a different kettle of fish”. Like comparing apples with oranges?

I have decided to purchase the  LX100 ll  and I think I will be happy with it. Granted it doesn’t have nearly the the zoom capacity as the ZS100/200 models but it does have a 4/3 sensor so I’m anticipating better performance in suboptimal lighting conditions. It’s a little bit heavier and slightly larger but fits easily in my bag and felt good in my hands. It feels very reminiscent of my old 2007 Canon G9 (12MP) which I used for years.

Thanks again for your assistance with this.

sheepless wrote:

Thanks everyone for your thoughts on this. I did a bit more research and dpreview comparisons and went to the camera shop this morning. I walked out with a Panasonic but as the salesman said “quite a different kettle of fish”. Like comparing apples with oranges?

I have decided to purchase the LX100 ll and I think I will be happy with it. Granted it doesn’t have nearly the the zoom capacity as the ZS100/200 models but it does have a 4/3 sensor so I’m anticipating better performance in suboptimal lighting conditions. It’s a little bit heavier and slightly larger but fits easily in my bag and felt good in my hands. It feels very reminiscent of my old 2007 Canon G9 (12MP) which I used for years.

Thanks again for your assistance with this.

I think your new camera will serve you well.  Have a great trip.

TFP

Photographed with your camera's little brother a few years ago in Chianti, Italy:

Sunrise in Chianti

travelfoodphoto wrote:

sheepless wrote:

Thanks everyone for your thoughts on this. I did a bit more research and dpreview comparisons and went to the camera shop this morning. I walked out with a Panasonic but as the salesman said “quite a different kettle of fish”. Like comparing apples with oranges?

I have decided to purchase the LX100 ll and I think I will be happy with it. Granted it doesn’t have nearly the the zoom capacity as the ZS100/200 models but it does have a 4/3 sensor so I’m anticipating better performance in suboptimal lighting conditions. It’s a little bit heavier and slightly larger but fits easily in my bag and felt good in my hands. It feels very reminiscent of my old 2007 Canon G9 (12MP) which I used for years.

Thanks again for your assistance with this.

I think your new camera will serve you well. Have a great trip.

TFP

Photographed with your camera's little brother a few years ago in Chianti, Italy:

Sunrise in Chianti

Wow! This is stunning! Our trip in the fall is taking us to Italy as well. Though I’d be presumptuous to think that I will get these results- it’s great to see what the camera’s potential is.

sheepless wrote:

travelfoodphoto wrote:

sheepless wrote:

Thanks everyone for your thoughts on this. I did a bit more research and dpreview comparisons and went to the camera shop this morning. I walked out with a Panasonic but as the salesman said “quite a different kettle of fish”. Like comparing apples with oranges?

I have decided to purchase the LX100 ll and I think I will be happy with it. Granted it doesn’t have nearly the the zoom capacity as the ZS100/200 models but it does have a 4/3 sensor so I’m anticipating better performance in suboptimal lighting conditions. It’s a little bit heavier and slightly larger but fits easily in my bag and felt good in my hands. It feels very reminiscent of my old 2007 Canon G9 (12MP) which I used for years.

Thanks again for your assistance with this.

I think your new camera will serve you well. Have a great trip.

TFP

Photographed with your camera's little brother a few years ago in Chianti, Italy:

Sunrise in Chianti

Wow! This is stunning! Our trip in the fall is taking us to Italy as well. Though I’d be presumptuous to think that I will get these results- it’s great to see what the camera’s potential is.

Thanks.  I'm sure you'll get lots of great photos that will bring back memories for years.   As one who's been there 25+ times, I suggest being in the moment as often as possible.  Enjoy the sights, sounds, tastes and smells, as well as interact with the locals as often as you can.   Those impressions are far more important than photos, IMHO.

Enjoy every moment there!

TFP