ZS200: Black or silver?

[Booted Cat]

At first, this was a no brainer for me - of course I would choose black, as it is the most low-profile (for birds) and dirty-resistant (if I touch a cat or dog outdoors and then touch the camera). But after a long story, I somehow have an unopened silver version at hand and a black version on the way to me, and I know the silver version is probably for attracting Leica fans as Leica has a rebranded C-LUX which is essentially a ZS200 and the C-LUX has a "midnight blue" version that has roughly the same gunmetal color as the ZS200 Silver:

Leica C-LUX Midnight Blue

Panasonic ZS200 Silver

So, should I go for utility (black, which is the most low-profile and dirty-resistant) or vanity (silver/gunmetal, which looks Leica)?

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* DPReview Alumni Association: Providing a series of online groups for all DPR users to stay together no matter which photo forum they go: https://www.dpralumni.com
* A Complete Survival Guide for DPReview Users: The above-mentioned alumni association plus 72 photo forums each DPR user can choose to go: https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/66993592

 

[jackwelch]

Personally I like black for the stealth and unobtrusiveness.

But here's why you might want to go for non-balack if you live in a hot climate:

 

[Gary Waugh]

Do you ever take a photo through a window? Years ago I had a camera with a silver lens and would get photos through a window with reflections of the lens. My advise is to pick the black camera.

 

[PhotoPoet]

Stealth option, no reflection, no flashy logo, same camera. Or as the Stones said, "Paint it black."

 

[JahnG]

ZS100: Black and black

Black and black ZS 100

 

[Rodolfo]

I'm shopping for one, and would probably opt for an actual silver, IF it was available: the gray for both the ZS100 and 200 is not distinctive enough for my tastes. While I hadn't thought of the Leica look, it is now a deterrent for my tastes. I really like and am definitely choosing black with that red trim, though a ZS 80's truer silver might be tempting.

Enjoy the camera, regardless of paint job.

 

[kh1234567890]

Japan Hobby Tool used to do stick on leatherette, precision cut for the TZ100 or TZ200. It is not listed on their website anymore, but they might still have old stock.

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Panasonic TZ100 / ZS100

Panasonic TZ100 Set - in random order ...

www.flickr.com

Most Interesting Panasonic TZ100 Shots

Most interesting photos taken with the Panasonic TZ100 camera. Set automatically created by dopiaza's set generator on 4th November 2025 at 11:46am UTC

www.flickr.com

 

[Rodolfo]

YES, now this is looking like my Fuji X10 -PLUS the important red trim!

 

[Jon_T]

Purely a personal preference.

I've read some user reviews (B&H, Amazon, etc.) said different sections of the Silver ZS200 body were not the same color of silver.

With some cameras, the black and silver provide more of a retro look—to those who used the older film cameras; e.g., Nikon DF. ;-)

 

[Booted Cat]

This has already been decided upon - I chose a Black. IQ is another story, which I will show in a new thread.

At first, this was a no brainer for me - of course I would choose black, as it is the most low-profile (for birds) and dirty-resistant (if I touch a cat or dog outdoors and then touch the camera). But after a long story, I somehow have an unopened silver version at hand and a black version on the way to me, and I know the silver version is probably for attracting Leica fans as Leica has a rebranded C-LUX which is essentially a ZS200 and the C-LUX has a "midnight blue" version that has roughly the same gunmetal color as the ZS200 Silver:

Leica C-LUX Midnight Blue

Panasonic ZS200 Silver

So, should I go for utility (black, which is the most low-profile and dirty-resistant) or vanity (silver/gunmetal, which looks Leica)?

--
* DPReview Alumni Association: Providing a series of online groups for all DPR users to stay together no matter which photo forum they go: https://www.dpralumni.com
* A Complete Survival Guide for DPReview Users: The above-mentioned alumni association plus 72 photo forums each DPR user can choose to go: https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/66993592

 

[Booted Cat]

Gotta go. Interesting country, interesting person. Are you Wong in the video?

Personally I like black for the stealth and unobtrusiveness.

But here's why you might want to go for non-balack if you live in a hot climate:

 

[jackwelch]

Gotta go. Interesting country, interesting person. Are you Wong in the video?

Personally I like black for the stealth and unobtrusiveness.

But here's why you might want to go for non-balack if you live in a hot climate:

 

[Booted Cat]

Do you ever take a photo through a window? Years ago I had a camera with a silver lens and would get photos through a window with reflections of the lens. My advise is to pick the black camera.

Great advice! That's another reason to choose the black, which I did.