Panasonic Lumix ZS50 / TZ70 review

The Important ReviewThis is TechSwitch’s assessment abstract that offers you all the important thing data you want should you’re on the lookout for fast shopping for recommendation in 30 seconds – our standard full, in-depth assessment follows.It was Panasonic which started the pattern for making compact cameras which are particularly designed for travellers and people heading out on vacation, and the ZS sequence (often known as the TZ sequence exterior the US), continues to be probably the most extremely regarded of the style. It might now not be the latest mannequin within the ZS/TZ vary (that honor goes to the Lumix ZS70 / TZ90), however the Panasonic Lumix ZS50 / TZ70 should not be ignored.In a change from the norm of ever growing pixel counts, Panasonic opted to truly scale back the quantity of pixels to 12MP within the Lumix ZS50 / TZ70 in comparison with 18MP within the Lumix ZS40 / TZ60 and it is all the higher for it. With much less pixels crammed on the sensor, noise ranges are diminished and picture high quality total is best. In reality, we reckon it is higher than the Lumix ZS70 / TZ90.One other key promoting level of this digital camera is its very intensive zoom vary, operating from 24-720mm, making it extremely versatile for a variety of topics. What’s fairly uncommon for a digital camera at this worth is the addition of a built-in digital viewfinder and it actually makes composition simpler in vibrant situations, whereas there’s a big Three.Zero-inch show on the again, although it is a disgrace to see it not touch-sensitive. As you’d count on, there are a selection of auto controls for hassle-free images, however there’s additionally guide controls too and a helpful management wheel around the lens to rapidly alter settings.The 300-shot battery life ought to see you set for the day, however any longer than that and if you are going to be reviewing photographs repeatedly, we reckon an additional battery is likely to be helpful should you’re leaving your charger at house.Lastly, there’s the worth – we reckon you will be onerous pushed to discover a higher compact digital camera for the cash.  Picture 1 of 4Image 2 of 4Image Three of 4Image four of 4Who’s it for and may I purchase it?The Panasonic Lumix ZS50 / TZ70 is a superb possibility should you’re on the lookout for your first journey compact digital camera or just need a greater and extra versatile digital camera than the one in your smartphone. In case you’re an absolute newbie, you’ll be able to go away it in Automated mode and luxuriate in the advantages of the large zoom vary, whereas should you’re extra of an fanatic, the chance to shoot in uncooked format and manually management publicity is a particular plus.With an enormous zoom vary, you will discover it is versatile sufficient for plenty of totally different taking pictures eventualities from household portraits proper as much as far-off views and extra. You is likely to be tempted by the newer Lumix ZS70 / TZ90, particularly with its touchscreen performance and 4K video capabilities, and it is actually value a glance, however except these two options are deal-breakers, the Lumix ZS50 / TZ70 continues to be our decide.Panasonic Lumix ZS50 / TZ70 priceCurrent worth: £249 / $399One of the best worth journey zoom compact cameraLight Pace AF delivers snappy focusing30x optical zoom is extremely versatileElectronic viewfinder a pleasant additionLumix ZS50 / TZ70 specsSensor: half of.Three-inch, 12.1MPLens: 24-720mm, f/Three.Three-6.four Display: Three.Zero-inch, 1,Zero40Ok dots Viewfinder: EVF Steady taking pictures: 10fps Motion pictures: 1080p Battery life: 300 shotsUser degree: Newbie/intermediateThe Lumix ZS50 / TZ70 boasts Panasonic’s Mild Pace AF expertise and in use we discovered the ZS50 / TZ70 to be typically very fast to lock onto our desired topic, even when taking pictures on the far attain of its intensive telephoto lens. In decrease gentle, the AF system will search a little bit longer for the goal, nevertheless it’s pretty uncommon for a false affirmation of focus to be displayed.  Maybe the largest enchantment of the Lumix ZS50 / TZ70 is its large zoom vary, however with these sorts of focal lengths, picture blur brought on by even the slightest motion of the digital camera is a really actual threat. To that finish, Panasonic has as soon as once more included the superior Hybrid OIS+ (Optical Picture Stabilizer Plus) five-axis anti-shake system and the excellent news is that it does an important job at maintaining issues regular – a lot in order that it is doable to get handheld pictures even on the full attain of the lens.Picture 1 of 2The Lumix ZS50 / TZ70’s protection at 24mm…Picture 2 of two…and zoomed in to 720mmEven higher information is that at these reaches, the image, whereas not fairly nearly as good as on the huge finish of the lens, nonetheless has good decision with loads of element, actually at regular printing or viewing sizes.There’s additionally a further digital zoom, which doubles the 30x vary, which Panasonic dubs “Clever Zoom”, however we might keep away from utilizing that as you are simply cropping into the picture.Digital viewfinders are usually discovered on a lot pricier fashions, nevertheless it’s nice to see one featured on the Lumix ZS50 / TZ70. It might not be the most important one accessible, however the excessive decision 1,160,000-dot unit actually makes taking pictures a lot simpler in vibrant situations. Digital viewfinders are usually discovered on a lot pricier fashions, nevertheless it’s nice to see one featured on the Lumix ZS50 / TZ70There’s additionally a Three.Zero-inch 920,000-dot show that sits flush with the physique moderately than tilting, whereas the absence of any contact management is a little bit of a disappointment. It’s, nevertheless, doable to compose photographs on a smartphone display and management the Lumix ZS50 / TZ70 remotely by way of a Wi-Fi connection when utilizing Panasonic’s free app. So, you type of have a touchscreen by-proxy, should you like. The digital camera additionally options NFC for a faster connection in case you have a appropriate gadget.Different specification highlights embody a prime sensitivity setting of ISO 6400. As is just about the norm now, Full 1080p video recording is offered, whereas the flexibility to create time lapse motion pictures has additionally been included.Spectacular design, however you will want giant pocketsBoth auto and guide controlsCan be used one-handedWeighs 243gConsidering the heft zoom lens, the Lumix SZ50 / TZ70 continues to be fairly compact. You will want a fairly large, or free, denims pocket to suit the Lumix SZ50 / TZ70, nevertheless it stays pretty outstanding how producers are in a position to squeeze a lens able to such giant zoom vary in a comparatively small physique.There is a respectable sized grip on the entrance of the digital camera that helps your forefingers to sit down snugly, working along with the raised thumb-rest on the again of the digital camera. In reality, Panasonic has designed the Lumix SZ50 / TZ70 with the goal of utilizing it with one hand in thoughts, with all the buttons on the again inside simple attain of the thumb, and people on the highest plate inside simple attain of your forefinger. Simply do not forget that digital camera’s small inbuilt flash is discovered simply above the entrance grip nevertheless, so it may be comparatively simple to obscure, particularly in case you have pretty giant fingers.For these desirous to get a bit extra inventive and take a bit extra management, there’s each aperture and shutter precedence taking pictures optionsAs you’d count on, there’s a full automated mode, together with scene and artistic choices, to enchantment to those that need to think about the act of taking the picture itself. For these desirous to get a bit extra inventive and take a bit extra management, there’s each aperture and shutter precedence taking pictures choices, together with a full guide mode.The management ring across the lens permits fast changes to a wide range of settings, relying on the mode you are in. For example, whereas in aperture precedence mode, its default setting is to manage the lens aperture. In case you choose, although, you’ll be able to set it to manage different settings, together with Zoom, Publicity Compensation, White Steadiness and others.Picture qualityLumix ZS50 / TZ70 delivers properly detailed imagesRaw taking pictures optionISO80-6400Outcomes from the Lumix ZS50 / TZ70 look superb from a digital camera with this dimension sensor, with photographs showing pure, but nonetheless vibrant and vibrant. Element clever, the Lumix ZS50 / TZ70 delivers properly detailed pictures – actually at regular printing sizes resembling A4 or under. Nonetheless, should you zoom in at 100% and look at carefully, you start to see some examples of picture smoothing and lack of element, even at sensitivity values as little as ISO160.In the meantime, photographs shot at larger ISOs, resembling ISO3200, show a good quantity of picture smoothing even when viewing at comparatively small sizes. After all, it is higher to get the shot than in no way, however attempt to preserve ISO speeds to under 1600 if in any respect doable.Picture 1 of 3From regular viewing distances, the Lumix ZS50 / TZ70’s pictures give an important impression of element, however up shut you’ll be able to see some smoothing in areas of high quality detailImage 2 of 3You can get affordable high quality at ISO3200, nevertheless it’s greatest to maintain to ISO1600 or much less should you canImage Three of 3The Lumix ZS50 / TZ70’s auto white stability has left this artificially-lit scene trying moderately yellowWhile there’s a diploma of picture smoothing all through the sensitivity vary, this does imply that picture noise is often stored to a minimal. A pleasant function of the Lumix ZS50 / TZ70 is the very fact you’ll be able to shoot uncooked recordsdata too, permitting you to actually tinker with the recordsdata in post-processing to attract out as a lot element as doable.  The Lumix ZS50 / TZ70 all-purpose metering system does a sound job too, producing photographs which are typically correct on most events, solely requiring a little bit publicity compensation in very excessive distinction conditions.The automated white stability setting performs effectively too, nevertheless it errs in the direction of yellowish tones below synthetic gentle. It is likely to be value utilizing the Incandescent white stability setting should you’re discovering this to be an issue, or reap the benefits of the digital camera’s uncooked seize to change later.Not satisfied? Attempt these…If the Lumix ZS50 / TZ70 isn’t for you, then we’ve picked three wonderful decisions so that you can contemplate as an alternative. Picture 1 of 4Panasonic Lumix ZS100 / TZ100In case you’ve received a bit extra money to spend and picture high quality is your prime concern, then the Lumix ZS100 (often known as the TZ100 exterior the US) is our decide. The zoom vary is not fairly as spectacular, however the bigger 1-inch sensor delivers far superior photographs.Learn our in-depth Panasonic Lumix ZS100 / TZ100 reviewImage 2 of 4Panasonic Lumix ZS200 / TZ200In case you just like the sound of the Lumix ZS100 / TZ100, however desire a longer zoom, then take a look at the newer Lumix ZS200 / TZ200. Providing the identical 1-inch sensor, however with an extended 24-360mm zoom lens. Our favourite journey digital camera proper now.Learn our in-depth Panasonic Lumix ZS200 / TZ200 reviewImage Three of 4Canon PowerShot SX730 HSCanon’s newest PowerShot, the SX730 HS  contains a 20MP sensor, and might have its LCD display adjusted to face the entrance. Whereas it lacks the ZS50 / TZ70’s viewfinder, its 40x optical zoom vary does give it a little bit additional attain.Learn our in-depth Canon PowerShot SX730 HS reviewImage four of 4Sony Cyber-shot HX90VSony’s rival to the Lumix ZS50 / TZ70, and it shares many related options, in a 30x optical zoom, built-in EVF and uncooked seize, however has a couple of neat methods of its personal as effectively, together with a 180-degree tilting display.Learn our in-depth Sony Cyber-shot HX90V assessment