Panasonic Lumix ZS100 Vs. ZS200: Right Travel Zoom Camera

For travel photographers looking for a pocketable camera with a long zoom range, the Panasonic Lumix ZS100 and ZS200 are two excellent options to consider. These advanced point-and-shoot cameras pack large 1-inch sensors and 10x zoom lenses into compact bodies.

While sharing many similarities, they have key differences that affect their usefulness for different types of travel photography.

This article compares the ZS100 and ZS200’s designs, image quality, performance, video features, and other specs. Pros and cons of both cameras are covered to help you decide which model better fits your travel needs.

A Brief Comparison Table

Specs	Lumix ZS100	Lumix ZS200
Sensor Resolution	20MP	20MP
Sensor Size	1-inch MOS	1-inch MOS
Image Processor	Venus Engine	Venus Engine
Lens Focal Range	25-250mm (10x)	24-360mm (15x)
Max Aperture	f/2.8-5.9	f/3.3-6.4
Image Stabilization	5-axis hybrid O.I.S.	5-axis hybrid O.I.S. +
Display	3″ fixed LCD	3″ tilting LCD
Display Resolution	1.04M dots	1.24M dots
Electronic Viewfinder	2.36M dots	2.36M dots
Max Video Resolution	4K 30fps	4K 30fps
Mic Input	No	Yes
Continuous Shooting	5.6 fps	10 fps
ISO Range	125-12800	125-12800
Built-in Flash	Yes	Yes
WiFi / Bluetooth	WiFi	WiFi + Bluetooth
Battery Life	300 shots	350 shots
Dimensions	4.4 x 2.5 x 1.7 in	4.5 x 2.8 x 1.8 in
Weight	11 oz	12 oz

Overview Of The Panasonic Lumix ZS100 And ZS200

The Lumix DMC-ZS100 was released in early 2016, providing a major upgrade over standard compact cameras thanks to its 1-inch sensor – the same size found in acclaimed Sony RX100 series cameras. This large imaging sensor allows for excellent image quality in a small package.

Two years later in 2018, Panasonic released the Lumix ZS200 as the successor. It retains the 1-inch sensor and 10x zoom lens but adds several enhancements like a higher resolution sensor, improved image stabilization, and an updated Venus processing engine.

Here’s a quick overview of how the two cameras compare:

Panasonic Lumix ZS100 Key Specs:

• 20MP 1-inch MOS sensor
• Venus image processor
• 10x optical zoom lens, 25-250mm equivalent f/2.8-5.9
• 5-axis hybrid O.I.S.
• 4K video at 30fps
• Fixed 3″ touchscreen LCD with 1.04M dots
• Built-in electronic viewfinder with 2.36M dots
• Full manual controls & RAW capture
• WiFi photo sharing and remote control

Panasonic Lumix ZS200 Key Specs:

• 20MP 1-inch MOS sensor
• Venus image processor
• 15x optical zoom lens, 24-360mm equivalent f/3.3-6.4
• 5-axis hybrid O.I.S. +
• 4K video at 30fps
• 3″ touchscreen tilt LCD with 1.24M dots
• 2.36M dot electronic viewfinder
• Full manual controls & RAW capture
• Bluetooth + WiFi connectivity
• Larger grip and improved ergonomics

Now let’s take a deeper look at how the designs, features, and performance of these travel zoom cameras compare.

Design And Handling

While both ZS100 and ZS200 share a similar look, the newer ZS200 offers a more refined exterior design. It’s marginally larger but retains the sleek styling of its predecessor. The front and rear grips are more substantial, making it easier to hold steady, and the rubber coating has a higher quality feel.

The control layout has also been improved. The ZS200 adds an AF/AE lock button and repositions some other controls for easier access. This addresses a handling issue with the ZS100 for photographers wanting to change settings quickly.

Some users found the ZS100’s smooth finish made it feel slippery and hard to grip securely. The ZS200 remedies this with its grippier surface while remaining pocketable at 2.8 x 4.5 x 1.8 inches compared to the ZS100’s 2.5 x 4.4 x 1.7 inches. Despite its slightly larger size, the ZS200 manages to be 2 ounces lighter at 12oz.

Both models offer an ample range of physical controls while sharing a very similar button and dial interface. Each has a mode dial on top plus a rear thumb dial for changing exposure settings. The ZS200 gains an extra customizable control ring around the lens, giving you further flexibility when adjusting aperture, shutter speed, or other settings.

The fixed 3-inch touchscreen LCD is one difference – the updated ZS200 now has a tilting screen that flips up 180 degrees. This makes it enormously helpful when shooting from high or low angles. Touch functionality allows you to set focus points and access camera menus and settings.

Image Quality

A key consideration for any camera purchase is the quality of images and videos it can produce. The large 1-inch sensor in both ZS100 and ZS200 gives them excellent quality for a compact camera. However, the newer ZS200 sensor offers higher 20MP resolution compared to 12MP on the ZS100.

This gives the ZS200 the advantage for large prints and heavily cropped images. The higher resolution sensor also provides sharper, more detailed images particularly at the long end of the zoom range. Combined with the updated Venus processing engine, the ZS200 shows noticeable improvements in reducing image noise.

The 24-360mm 15x zoom lens on the Panasonic ZS200 is also optically superior to the 25-250mm 10x lens on the earlier ZS100 model. It maintains the bright f/3.3 maximum aperture through the entire zoom range rather than narrowing to f/5.9 at full telephoto. This gives you much better low light performance when zoomed in.

Both cameras produce excellent image quality in good lighting conditions. But with its crisper details and lower noise, the ZS200 has an edge for dynamic range and shooting in dim conditions like indoor events or nighttime scenes.

Shooting Performance

Speed of operation and autofocus performance are critical for a travel camera you’ll be carrying around all day. Here the newer ZS200 again outperforms its predecessor but only marginally.

The ZS200 offers improved continuous shooting speed, letting you capture up to 50JPEG images at 10 fps in burst mode compared to only 5.6 fps on the ZS100. This better freezing of fast action and movement. But for shooting sustained bursts in RAW format, both cameras slow to around 2.5 fps.

Autofocus acquisition times are nimble on both models. The ZS200 is a tad quicker at 0.1 sec compared to 0.14 sec on the ZS100. Tracking focus on moving subjects has also been enhanced thanks to Panasonic’s Depth from Defocus technology. This allows more accurate predictive focus to keep your subject sharp when shooting bursts.

Bottom line, while the ZS200 is faster for action photography, the autofocus speeds of the ZS100 remain responsive enough for everyday shooting. Both cameras deliver a very capable shooting experience. But the ZS200’s improved burst rates give it the edge for sports, wildlife, and active kids.

Also Read: Is Sony ZV-1 Better Than Canon G7X Mark III?

4k Video Recording

A key feature of both Lumix ZS100 and ZS200 is their ability to record 4K Ultra HD video at 30fps with full autofocus capabilities. This allows you to capture travel adventures and sightseeing in beautiful high resolution footage.

Video quality is excellent from both cameras with crisp details and accurate colors. A core advantage of the large 1-inch sensor is that it enables you to isolate focus on your main subject and blur the background nicely. This gives your videos a professional, cinematic quality not possible with smaller sensor cameras.

The ZS200 provides minor video enhancements over its predecessor. It can record for 15 minutes continuously in 4K compared to 5 minutes on the ZS100. This extended clip length reduces the need to stitch together seperate video segments in editing.

Slow motion options are also improved on the ZS200. It can shoot 120fps video at Full HD 1080p resolution versus only 720p on the older model. This allows for high quality slow motion when played back.

A drawback of the ZS100 for video shooters is that it lacks a microphone input jack. Only the ZS200 provides this 3.5mm port so you can connect an external mic to improve audio quality.

For basic travel filming, the ZS100 should still suffice. But the ZS200’s expanded capabilities make it better suited if video is a priority.

Travel Zoom Advantages And Disadvantages

Advanced travel zoom cameras like the ZS100 and ZS200 provide extraordinary zoom range in a highly portable package. This combination makes them an enticing all-in-one solution for vacations and trips where you want to travel light. But there are some inherent advantages and compromises to consider with this genre.

Benefits include:

• Massive zoom range – no need to carry multiple lenses
• Compact and lightweight for easy portability
• Excellent image quality from 1-inch sensor
• Fast wide aperture at the wide end (f/2.8 or f/3.3)
• Great for landscape and travel photography
• Hybrid O.I.S. provides 5 stops of shake reduction
• Full manual exposure controls
• Large high-resolution electronic viewfinder
• Touchscreen LCD for easy operation
• Built-in ND filters to control bright light
• High-speed continuous shooting capabilities
• Fast autofocus suitable for action
• 4K video and 4K Photo modes
• WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity for sharing images

Potential drawbacks:

• Smaller sensor than interchangeable lens cameras
• Images not quite as sharp at full telephoto
• Maximum apertures slow at full zoom (f/5.9 – f/6.4)
• No Weather Sealing
• Battery life limited to 300-350 shots per charge
• No microphone jack (ZS100 only)
• No access to different lenses

As you can see, advanced travel zooms like the ZS100 and ZS200 offer outstanding quality and features for their size. But the tradeoff is some loss of image quality, high ISO performance, and lens limitations versus larger camera systems. Ultimately, choosing a travel zoom is about deciding if the ultra long zoom range outweighs the desire for swappable lenses and the best possible images.

Which Is Better: Lumix ZS100 Or ZS200?

So which of these compact Lumix cameras is best for your needs? While both ZS100 and ZS200 are excellent choices, here is a brief comparison of their main differences:

Panasonic Lumix ZS100 Advantages:

• Less expensive MSRP ($699 Vs. $797)
• Smaller and lighter body
• Wider aperture at full zoom (f/5.9 Vs. f/6.4)

Panasonic Lumix ZS200 Advantages:

• Higher 20MP sensor resolution
• Sharper 15x zoom lens with better optics
• Improved high ISO noise performance
• 5-axis hybrid image stabilization system
• Tilting touchscreen LCD
• Longer zoom range (24-360mm Vs. 25-250mm)
• Better handgrip and body design
• Added control ring around lens
• Faster continuous shooting (10 fps Vs. 5.6 fps)
• 4K video for up to 15 minutes continuously
• External microphone jack
• Newer generation image processor

In most respects, the ZS200 is a clear upgrade over the original ZS100 travel zoom camera. The extended zoom range, tilting screen, mic input, and improved ergonomics make it better suited for travel and video work. Image quality shows visible improvements across the board as well.

The Lumix ZS100 remains a highly capable camera in its own right however – especially if you find it at a bargain used price. For budget-minded buyers or those who value compactness over zoom range, it still packs great performance into the smallest possible body. But with only minor price difference, the ZS200 is certainly worth the extra cost for most buyers thanks to its solid enhancements.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Also Read: Choose Between Panasonic S1 And S5.

Conclusion

The Panasonic Lumix ZS100 and ZS200 are two of the best long zoom travel cameras you can buy while still fitting in your pocket. Both offer excellent quality thanks to their large 1-inch image sensors and Leica branded zoom lenses.

The ZS200 improves upon nearly every aspect of its predecessor with more resolution, better optics, enhanced design, and additional features like a tilting screen and microphone jack.

For these reasons, the ZS200 stands as the best option currently available in this category. Yet the older ZS100 remains a cost-effective alternative for budget-focused buyers wanting a slightly smaller camera.

Ultimately, choosing between these two excellent travel zooms comes down to your needs for zoom range, video, and overall performance versus savings on size and price.