Panasonic Lumix ZS100 / TZ100 review

We find out why a compact from 2016 is still one of the best holiday cameras in our Panasonic Lumix ZS100 / TZ100 review

Panasonic Lumix ZS100 / TZ100 review: compact camera held in hand
(Image: © Panasonic)

Our Verdict

Superb for travel and wonderful for taking everywhere, the Panasonic Lumix ZS100/TZ100 is a great camera for anyone who’s fed up with the physical limitations of a smartphone. The image quality from its 1-inch sensor is surprisingly good in all different situations, and the clever 4K video features genuinely expand its versatility. The viewfinder is a bit rubbish, but if that doesn’t bother you, this is a camera to take on every trip.

For

  • Take-everywhere form factor
  • Impressive image quality
  • Generous zoom range

Against

  • Requires a firm grip
  • Poor-quality EVF

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In our Panasonic Lumix ZS100/TZ100 review (‘ZS’ in the USA, ‘TZ’ in most other markets), we’re looking back at a fine example of an increasingly rare breed of camera, the travel compact. With big zooms and small bodies, these cameras are perfect for holidays and exploring, though they have been somewhat usurped in recent years by the convenience of the smartphone. 

Panasonic Lumix ZS100 / TZ100 technical specs

• 21MP 1in CMOS sensor
• 25-250mm equivalent f/2.8-5.9 lens
• Contrast-detect, 49-area autofocus system
• 10fps continuous shooting
• 3in, 1,040k-dot fixed LCD
• Electronic viewfinder with 1,166k dots and 100% coverage
• 111 x 65 x 44mm
• 312g (with battery and memory card)

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The Verdict
9

out of 10

Panasonic TZ100

Superb for travel and wonderful for taking everywhere, the Panasonic Lumix ZS100/TZ100 is a great camera for anyone who’s fed up with the physical limitations of a smartphone. The image quality from its 1-inch sensor is surprisingly good in all different situations, and the clever 4K video features genuinely expand its versatility. The viewfinder is a bit rubbish, but if that doesn’t bother you, this is a camera to take on every trip.

Jon Stapley

Jon is a freelance writer and journalist who covers photography, art, technology, and the intersection of all three. When he's not scouting out news on the latest gadgets, he likes to play around with film cameras that were manufactured before he was born. To that end, he never goes anywhere without his Olympus XA2, loaded with a fresh roll of Kodak (Gold 200 is the best, since you asked). Jon is a regular contributor to Creative Bloq, and has also written for in Digital Camera World, Black + White Photography Magazine, Photomonitor, Outdoor Photography, Shortlist and probably a few others he's forgetting. 

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