Panasonic Lumix ZS200 / TZ200 review

The Important Evaluate

That is TechSwitch’s assessment abstract that offers you all the important thing info you want in the event you’re in search of fast shopping for recommendation in 30 seconds – our normal full, in-depth assessment follows.

What separates the Panasonic Lumix ZS200 (generally known as the Lumix TZ200 exterior of the US, besides in Australia the place it is known as the Lumix TZ220) from different journey zoom compacts that price half the value is the sensor.

It is a 1.Zero-inch sensor with a decision of 20.1MP, and that floor space is about 4 occasions the dimensions of the sensors in most different journey zoom compacts. This implies picture high quality is a lot better, with a lot better element.  

It isn’t the primary time we have seen a 1.Zero-inch sensor in a journey zoom compact – that accolade goes to the Lumix ZS100 / TZ100, however whereas that digicam sported a fairly modest (for a journey zoom digicam) 10x zoom vary, the Lumix ZS200 / TZ200 sees Panasonic squeeze a 15x zoom into an identical sized physique. The 24-360mm vary makes the Lumix ZS200 / TZ200 extremely versatile, suited to capturing all the pieces from sweeping vistas to tightly cropped particulars. 

There’s a big Three.Zero-inch touchscreen on the rear of the digicam (though it sits flush with the physique and cannot be angled outwards), whereas the Lumix ZS200 / TZ200 follows on from the Lumix ZS100 / TZ100 and sports activities a built-in digital viewfinder (EVF); this will get a small bump up in decision over its predecessor, but it surely nonetheless feels fairly small and claustrophobic to look via, so whereas it is helpful for composing pictures in brilliant daylight, the remainder of the time you will end up utilizing the wonderful rear show.

For hassle-free pictures there is a vary of auto modes and options, however the Lumix ZS200 / TZ200 additionally options extra superior controls too, together with aperture precedence and shutter precedence modes, in addition to full handbook management. There’s additionally uncooked seize to assist obtain the highest quality outcomes out of your photos, whereas the helpful management wheel around the lens presents fast adjustment for a variety of settings.

If you wish to seize movies in your travels the Lumix ZS200 / TZ200 options 4K seize as much as 30p, whereas Panasonic’s 4K PHOTO mode lets customers extract single nonetheless frames from 4K burst information shot at 30fps earlier than saving them as 8MP-equivalent photos.

It is the most costly journey digicam on the market proper now, however there is no different digicam on the market that gives a 15x optical zoom and 1.Zero-inch sensor in a compact physique.

Who’s it for and may I purchase it?

The Panasonic Lumix ZS200 / TZ200 is a good possibility in the event you’re in search of a compact all-in-one digicam you could take in your travels. The big 1.Zero-inch sensor delivers nice outcomes, whereas the 15x zoom vary means you need to be capable of shoot something from landscapes and structure to tight portraits and particulars.

It is simple to make use of, however there are additionally loads of handbook controls do you have to need to get a bit extra inventive, whereas the compact steel physique should not weigh you down. 

If the 15x zoom is not fairly the deal-breaker, then check out the older Lumix ZS100 / TZ100. It delivers related picture high quality, the 10x zoom nonetheless presents loads of versatility and it is that bit extra reasonably priced. However if you’d like the final word journey compact digicam, the Lumix ZS200 / TZ200 ticks just about each field.  

Panasonic Lumix ZS200 / TZ200 worth

• Present worth: £729 / $799.99 / AU$1,199

The Lumix ZS200 / TZ200 is exclusive amongst journey compacts

• Mild Velocity AF delivers snappy focusing
• 30x optical zoom is extremely versatile
• Digital viewfinder is a pleasant addition

Whereas Panasonic managed to squeeze a 10x optical zoom into the Lumix ZS100 / TZ100, with a variety of 25-250mm and a most obtainable aperture of f/2.Eight-5.9, the Lumix ZS200 / TZ200 incorporates a 15x optical zoom with a protection of 24-360mm and a most aperture of f/Three.Three-6.four; a contact wider firstly of the zoom vary then (though with a barely narrower/slower most aperture), however noticeably extra attain on the lengthy finish. The brand new lens design additionally permits the Lumix ZS200 / TZ200 to focus right down to 3cm to allow the seize of close-up macro pictures.

 With such a big 15x zoom comes the danger of digicam shake ruining pictures, so Panasonic’s Energy OIS stabilization system is available to counteract undesirable motion for stills pictures, and there is five-axis hybrid OIS stabilization for video.

What made the Lumix ZS100 / TZ100 distinctive amongst journey zoom compacts was its comparatively giant 1.Zero-inch sensor, and the Lumix ZS200 / TZ200 encompasses a related 20.1MP 1-inch sensor providing an ISO vary from 125-12,800 (expandable to 80-25,600). 

The Lumix ZS200 / TZ200 boasts Panasonic’s Mild Velocity AF expertise, and we discovered focus speeds to be fairly snappy all through the zoom vary in good mild; the AF system will battle when mild ranges are actually poor, however this is not distinctive to the Lumix ZS200 / TZ200. The digicam is not actually suited to fast-paced motion, however the Lumix ZS200 / TZ200’s focus monitoring will do a strong job for normal topics.

In addition to a rear Three.Zero-inch touchscreen show, which has a good decision of 1,240,000 dots, there’s additionally a small built-in digital viewfinder (EVF) on the Lumix ZS200 / TZ200.

In comparison with the EVF discovered on the Lumix ZS100 / TZ100, the newer mannequin will get a good increase in decision, from 1.17m dots to a formidable 2.3m. It is also slightly bigger at Zero.21 inches (in comparison with Zero.2 inches on the older mannequin), and presents barely higher magnification, at Zero.53x in comparison with Zero.45x.

These enhancements make framing pictures in brilliant ambient mild that a lot simpler, but it surely’s nonetheless fairly cramped, and you will be higher served utilizing the rear show in most taking pictures conditions.

The battery within the Lumix ZS200 / TZ200 / TZ220 is rated for 350 pictures, or 300 in the event you use the EVF. The digicam additionally encompasses a new eco30fps mode, which reduces the Dwell View refresh charge and which ought to see the digicam good for round 370 pictures (in the event you’re utilizing the rear LCD) per cost. The battery may be charged through AC or USB, though in the event you’re not going to be close to an influence provide for some time, you may need to put money into a second battery. 

Lastly, there is a Bluetooth Low Power connection to allow a constant reference to a smartphone or pill with minimal energy consumption, alongside the standard Wi-Fi connectivity, which permits for fast switch of photos.  

Glossy design is a delicate enchancment on predecessor

• Each auto and handbook controls
• Strong steel development
• Weighs 340g

Regardless of the additional attain of its lens over the Lumix ZS100 / TZ100, the Lumix ZS200 / TZ200 is hardly any larger. The truth is, it is solely 1mm wider at 112mm, 1mm thicker at 45mm and 2mm taller at 66mm; that is fairly spectacular contemplating the 15x zoom and 1-inch sensor it packs into its physique. 

Whereas it is most likely a bit too massive to slide right into a denims pocket comfortably (though you possibly can most likely cram it in at a push), it will hardly take up any area in a day bag, whereas the sleek steel exterior end offers it a premium and sturdy really feel.

The modern design follows on from the Lumix ZS100 / TZ100, however a welcome addition over that digicam is a barely textured grip on the entrance of the digicam to provide you a bit extra of a reassuring maintain – we nonetheless reckon the equipped wrist strap is price utilizing for the additional safety although. 

The controls on the Lumix ZS200 / TZ200 are fairly easy, and are grouped in such a method that you should utilize the digicam one-handed if you want. There is a devoted mode dial on the highest (there are a collection of automated modes, together with extra superior program, aperture precedence, shutter precedence and handbook choices), and there is an extra dial that gives management over completely different features relying on the taking pictures mode you are in; in the event you’re working in aperture precedence mode, for instance, you should utilize it to change the aperture, whereas it may also be used for toggling exposure compensation.

The controls on the rear of the digicam are clearly marked, whereas the Fn3 button gives entry the Lumix ZS200 / TZ200’s fast menu, enabling you to regulate frequent settings corresponding to ISO, metering and white stability with out the necessity to dive into the primary menu. The pace of adjustment is helped by the Lumix ZS200 / TZ200’s touchscreen interface, as you’ll be able to faucet your required setting on-screen reasonably than having to bodily choose it.

The management ring across the lens facilitates fast changes to quite a lot of settings, relying on the mode you are in. As an illustration, in the event you’re in aperture precedence mode its default setting is to regulate the lens aperture. Should you want, although, you’ll be able to set it to regulate different settings, together with zoom, publicity compensation and white stability.

Picture high quality

• Lumix ZS200 / TZ200 delivers properly detailed photos
• Good dynamic vary
• ISO125-12,800 (expandable to 80-25,600)

As we have seen with different cameras that characteristic a 20.1MP 1.Zero-inch sensor, the Lumix ZS200 / TZ200 is able to delivering properly detailed pictures which have a pure, but brilliant and vibrant look; if you are going to be printing photos at A4 or under these definitely arise very properly in comparison with cameras that take pleasure in bigger sensors.

In terms of image noise (the grain-like impact that encroaches on photos as you enhance the ISO), the Lumix ZS200 / TZ200 performs very properly for a journey zoom compact. At decrease sensitivities photos (each JPEG and uncooked) deal with noise properly, however inevitably the standard of JPEGs specifically suffers as you increase the ISO.

Should you’re taking pictures JPEGs, be ready for photos to show indicators of element smoothing because the digicam tries to cut back the consequences of noise. Uncooked information are much more pleasing at increased sensitivities – whereas picture noise is current, extra element is retained, and you may finally get a greater outcome in the event you’re ready to course of your photos when you’re again dwelling.

Should you’re touring, chances are high you are going to be taking pictures in some fairly high-contrast circumstances (brilliant daylight and shade for instance). This will trigger cameras to battle, both producing photos which can be too darkish or too mild, because the sensor does not have the dynamic range to deal with the broad tonal vary. 

Whereas it is potential to get well some misplaced element with JPEG information, the power to seize uncooked information with the Lumix ZS200 / TZ200 signifies that at decrease ISOs you’ll be able to claw again a great deal of element within the shadows for a way more pleasing last picture; attempt to keep away from taking pictures at increased ISOs in the event you intend to do that, although, as you aren’t getting fairly the identical flexibility.

Lens efficiency is nice contemplating that Panasonic has managed to squeeze a 15x optic into such a compact physique. Sharpness does undergo slightly on the lengthy finish of the vary, however vignetting and distortions are properly managed on the wider finish. 

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