Canon 1D Mark II vs Panasonic ZS100

The Canon EOS-1D Mark II and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS100 (labelled Panasonic TZ100 in some countries) are two digital cameras that were announced, respectively, in January 2004 and January 2016. The 1D Mark II is a DSLR, while the ZS100 is a fixed lens compact. The cameras are based on an APS-H (1D Mark II) and an one-inch (ZS100) sensor. The Canon has a resolution of 8.2 megapixels, whereas the Panasonic provides 20 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications

	VS
Canon 1D Mark II		Panasonic ZS100
Digital single lens reflex		Fixed lens compact camera
Canon EF mount lenses		25-250mm f/2.8-5.9
8.2 MP, APS-H Sensor		20 MP, 1" Sensor
no Video		4K/30p Video
ISO 100-1600 (50-3200)		ISO 125-12800 (80-25600)
Optical viewfinder		Electronic viewfinder (1166k dots)
2.0" LCD, 230k dots		3.0" LCD, 1040k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)		Fixed touchscreen
8.3 shutter flaps per second		10 shutter flaps per second
Lens stabilization only		In-body stabilization
Weathersealed body		Not weather sealed
1200 shots per battery charge		300 shots per battery charge
156 x 158 x 80 mm, 1535 g		111 x 65 x 44 mm, 312 g

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Canon EOS-1D Mark II and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS100? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison

The side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size and weight of the Canon 1D Mark II and the Panasonic ZS100. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The ZS100 can be obtained in two different colors (black, silver), while the 1D Mark II is only available in black.

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Panasonic ZS100 is considerably smaller (71 percent) than the Canon 1D Mark II. It is worth mentioning in this context that the 1D Mark II is splash and dust resistant, while the ZS100 does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete and possibly misleading, as the ZS100 has a lens built in, whereas the 1D Mark II is an interchangeable lens camera that requires a separate lens. Attaching the latter will add extra weight and bulk to the setup. You can compare the optics available for the 1D Mark II and their specifications in the Canon EF Lens Catalog.

Concerning battery life, the 1D Mark II gets 1200 shots out of its NP-E3 battery, while the ZS100 can take 300 images on a single charge of its DMW-BLG10 power pack. As can be seen in the images above, the 1D Mark II has a battery grip built in. This facilitates image-taking in portrait orientation and gives it additional battery power. The power pack in the ZS100 can be charged via the USB port, which can be very convenient when travelling.

The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. If you want to switch the focus of the display and review another camera pair, just select a new right or left comparator from among the camera models in the table. Alternatively, you can also move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible camera comparisons there.

Camera Body Specifications

	Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life (CIPA)	Weather Sealing (yes/no)	Camera Launch (announced)	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price (USD)	Camera Model
	Canon 1D Mark II»	6.1 in	6.2 in	3.1 in	54.1 oz	1200	Y	Jan 2004	4,499		Canon 1D Mark II
	Panasonic ZS100«	4.4 in	2.6 in	1.7 in	11.0 oz	300	n	Jan 2016	699		Panasonic ZS100
	Canon 5DS« »	6.0 in	4.6 in	3.0 in	32.8 oz	700	Y	Feb 2015	3,699		Canon 5DS
	Canon 5DS R« »	6.0 in	4.6 in	3.0 in	32.8 oz	700	Y	Feb 2015	3,699		Canon 5DS R
	Canon 1D Mark IV« »	6.1 in	6.2 in	3.1 in	43.4 oz	1500	Y	Oct 2009	4,999		Canon 1D Mark IV
	Canon 1D Mark III« »	6.1 in	6.2 in	3.1 in	40.7 oz	2200	Y	Feb 2007	4,499		Canon 1D Mark III
	Canon 1Ds Mark III« »	5.9 in	6.3 in	3.1 in	48.9 oz	1800	Y	Aug 2007	7,999		Canon 1Ds Mark III
	Canon 1D Mark II N« »	6.1 in	6.2 in	3.1 in	55.2 oz	1200	Y	Aug 2005	3,999		Canon 1D Mark II N
	Canon 5D« »	6.0 in	4.4 in	3.0 in	31.6 oz	400	Y	Aug 2005	3,299		Canon 5D
	Canon 1Ds Mark II« »	6.1 in	6.2 in	3.1 in	42.9 oz	1200	Y	Sep 2004	7,999		Canon 1Ds Mark II
	Canon 1Ds« »	6.1 in	6.2 in	3.1 in	44.6 oz	600	Y	Sep 2002	8,999		Canon 1Ds
	Canon 1D« »	6.1 in	6.2 in	3.1 in	55.9 oz	500	Y	Sep 2001	6,499		Canon 1D
	Panasonic ZS200« »	4.4 in	2.6 in	1.8 in	12.0 oz	370	n	Feb 2018	799		Panasonic ZS200
	Panasonic LX10« »	4.2 in	2.4 in	1.7 in	10.9 oz	260	n	Sep 2016	699		Panasonic LX10
	Sony RX100 V« »	4.0 in	2.3 in	1.6 in	10.5 oz	220	n	Oct 2016	999		Sony RX100 V
	Sony RX100 III« »	4.0 in	2.3 in	1.6 in	10.2 oz	320	n	May 2014	799		Sony RX100 III
	Sony RX100 II« »	4.0 in	2.3 in	1.5 in	9.9 oz	350	n	Jun 2013	749		Sony RX100 II
Convert to Metric
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.

Any camera decision will naturally be influenced heavily by the price. The listed launch prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The ZS100 was launched at a lower price than the 1D Mark II, despite having a lens built in. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down.

Sensor comparison

The imaging sensor is at the core of digital cameras and its size is one of the main determining factors of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units in a sensor of the same technological generation. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Canon 1D Mark II features an APS-H sensor and the Panasonic ZS100 an one-inch sensor. The sensor area in the ZS100 is 79 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.3 and 2.7. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

Despite having a smaller sensor, the ZS100 offers a higher resolution of 20 megapixels, compared with 8.2 MP of the 1D Mark II. This megapixels advantage comes at the cost of a higher pixel density and a smaller size of the individual pixel (with a pixel pitch of 2.41μm versus 8.17μm for the 1D Mark II). However, it should be noted that the ZS100 is much more recent (by 11 years and 11 months) than the 1D Mark II, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that make it possible to gather light more efficiently.

The resolution advantage of the Panasonic ZS100 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the ZS100 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 27.4 x 18.2 inch or 69.5 x 46.3 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 21.9 x 14.6 inch or 55.6 x 37.1 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 18.2 x 12.2 inch or 46.3 x 30.9 cm. The corresponding values for the Canon 1D Mark II are 17.5 x 11.7 inch or 44.5 x 29.7 cm for good quality, 14 x 9.3 inch or 35.6 x 23.7 cm for very good quality, and 11.7 x 7.8 inch or 29.7 x 19.8 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Canon EOS-1D Mark II has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 1600, which can be extended to ISO 50-3200. The corresponding ISO settings for the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS100 are ISO 125 to ISO 12800, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 80-25600.

For many cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. Of the two cameras under consideration, the ZS100 has a markedly higher DXO score than the 1D Mark II (overall score 4 points higher), which will translate into better image quality. The advantage is based on 0.5 bits higher color depth, 1.4 EV in additional dynamic range, and 0.8 stops of reduced low light sensitivity. The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. The ZS100 indeed provides for movie recording, while the 1D Mark II does not. The highest resolution format that the ZS100 can use is 4K/30p.

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. For example, the ZS100 has an electronic viewfinder (1166k dots), while the 1D Mark II has an optical one. Both systems have their advantages, with the electronic viewfinder making it possible to project supplementary shooting information into the framing view, whereas the optical viewfinder offers lag-free viewing and a very clear framing image. The viewfinders of both cameras offer the same field of view (100%), but the viewfinder of the 1D Mark II has a higher magnification than the one of the ZS100 (0.55x vs 0.46x), so that the size of the image transmitted appears closer to the size seen with the naked human eye. The following table reports on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Canon 1D Mark II, the Panasonic ZS100, and comparable cameras.

One feature that is present on the 1D Mark II, but is missing on the ZS100 is a top-level LCD. While being, of course, smaller than the rear screen, the control panel conveys some of the essential shooting information and can be convenient for quick and easy settings verification.

The reported shutter speed information refers to the use of the mechanical shutter. Yet, some cameras only have an electronic shutter, while others have an electronic shutter in addition to a mechanical one. In fact, the ZS100 is one of those camera that have an additional electronic shutter, which makes completely silent shooting possible. However, this mode is less suitable for photographing moving objects (risk of rolling shutter) or shooting under artificial light sources (risk of flickering).

The Panasonic ZS100 has an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

The 1D Mark II writes its imaging data to Compact Flash or SD cards, while the ZS100 uses SDXC cards. The 1D Mark II features dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails. In contrast, the ZS100 only has one slot. The ZS100 supports UHS-I cards (Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 104 MB/s), while the 1D Mark II cannot take advantage of Ultra High Speed SD cards.

Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Canon EOS-1D Mark II and Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS100 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

It is notable that the 1D Mark II has a hotshoe, while the ZS100 does not. This socket makes it possible to easily attach optional accessories, such as an external flash gun.

Studio photographers will appreciate that the Canon 1D Mark II (unlike the ZS100) features a PC Sync socket, so that professional strobe lights can be controlled by the camera.

Both the 1D Mark II and the ZS100 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on eBay. The 1D Mark II was replaced by the Canon 1D Mark II N, while the ZS100 was followed by the Panasonic ZS200. Further information on the two cameras (e.g. user guides, manuals), as well as related accessories, can be found on the official Canon and Panasonic websites.

Review summary

So what is the bottom line? Is the Canon 1D Mark II better than the Panasonic ZS100 or vice versa? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.

Reasons to prefer the Canon EOS-1D Mark II:

• Better low-light sensitivity: Requires less light for good images (0.8 stops ISO advantage).
• Brighter framing: Features an optical viewfinder for clear, lag-free composition.
• Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.55x vs 0.46x).
• Easier setting verification: Features an LCD display on top to control shooting parameters.
• Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/8000s vs 1/2000s) to freeze action.
• More flexible: Can take a variety of interchangeable lenses, including specialty optics.
• More portrait friendly: Features an integrated vertical grip for easier portrait shooting.
• Longer lasting: Can take more shots (1200 versus 300) on a single battery charge.
• Better sealing: Is weather sealed to enable shooting in dusty or wet environments.
• Better lighting: Features a hotshoe and can thus hold and trigger an external flash gun.
• Better studio light control: Has a PC Sync socket to connect to professional strobe lights.
• Greater peace of mind: Features a second card slot as a backup in case of memory card failure.
• More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in January 2004).

Arguments in favor of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS100:

• More detail: Has more megapixels (20 vs 8.2MP), which boosts linear resolution by 56%.
• Better image quality: Scores markedly higher (4 points) in the DXO overall evaluation.
• More dynamic range: Captures a broader range of light and dark details (1.4 EV of extra DR).
• Broader imaging potential: Can capture not only stills but also 4K/30p video.
• More framing info: Has an electronic viewfinder that displays shooting data.
• Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.0" vs 2.0") for image review and settings control.
• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1040k vs 230k dots).
• Fewer buttons to press: Has a touchscreen to facilitate handling and shooting adjustments.
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (10 vs 8.3 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• Less disturbing: Has an electronic shutter option for completely silent shooting.
• Easier time-lapse photography: Has an intervalometer built-in for low frequency shooting.
• Ready to shoot: Comes with an integrated lens, while the 1D Mark II requires a separate lens.
• More compact: Is smaller (111x65mm vs 156x158mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
• Less heavy: Has a lower weight even though it has a lens built in (unlike the 1D Mark II).
• Easier travel charging: Can be conveniently charged via its USB port.
• Sharper images: Has stabilization technology built-in to reduce the impact of hand-shake.
• Easier fill-in: Has a small integrated flash to brighten shadows of backlit subjects.
• Faster data transfer: Supports a more advanced USB protocol (2.0 vs 1.1).
• Easier file upload: Has wifi built in for automatic backup or image transfer to the web.
• Faster buffer clearing: Has an SD card interface that supports the UHS-I standard.
• More affordable: Was introduced at a lower price, despite coming with a built-in lens.
• More modern: Reflects 11 years and 11 months of technical progress since the 1D Mark II launch.

If the count of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a measure, the ZS100 is the clear winner of the contest (21 : 13 points). However, the pertinence of the various camera strengths will differ across photographers, so that you might want to weigh individual camera traits according to their importance for your own imaging needs before making a camera decision. A professional wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Canon 1D Mark II and the Panasonic ZS100 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best DSLR Camera and Best Superzoom Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the specs-based evaluation of cameras can be instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance when actually working with the 1D Mark II or the ZS100. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate.

Expert reviews

This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The following table reports the overall ratings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (cameralabs, dpreview, ephotozine, imaging-resource, and photographyblog). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

Review Scores

	Camera Model	cam era   labs	dp re   view	e photo   zine	ima ging resource	photo graphy   blog	Camera Launch (announced)	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price (USD)	Camera Model
	Canon 1D Mark II	..	+ +	..	o	..	Jan 2004	4,499		Canon 1D Mark II
	Panasonic ZS100	+ +	82/100	4.5/5	4/5	4.5/5	Jan 2016	699		Panasonic ZS100
	Canon 5DS	+	83/100	4.5/5	5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2015	3,699		Canon 5DS
	Canon 5DS R	+	83/100	5/5	5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2015	3,699		Canon 5DS R
	Canon 1D Mark IV	..	89/100	..	5/5	..	Oct 2009	4,999		Canon 1D Mark IV
	Canon 1D Mark III	..	..	..	o	..	Feb 2007	4,499		Canon 1D Mark III
	Canon 1Ds Mark III	..	+ +	4.5/5	..	..	Aug 2007	7,999		Canon 1Ds Mark III
	Canon 1D Mark II N	..	..	..	..	..	Aug 2005	3,999		Canon 1D Mark II N
	Canon 5D	88/100	+ +	o	o	..	Aug 2005	3,299		Canon 5D
	Canon 1Ds Mark II	..	+ +	..	..	..	Sep 2004	7,999		Canon 1Ds Mark II
	Canon 1Ds	..	+ +	..	..	..	Sep 2002	8,999		Canon 1Ds
	Canon 1D	..	+ +	..	..	..	Sep 2001	6,499		Canon 1D
	Panasonic ZS200	+ +	81/100	4.5/5	..	4.5/5	Feb 2018	799		Panasonic ZS200
	Panasonic LX10	+ +	81/100	4/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2016	699		Panasonic LX10
	Sony RX100 V	+ +	83/100	4/5	5/5	4.5/5	Oct 2016	999		Sony RX100 V
	Sony RX100 III	+ +	82/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	5/5	May 2014	799		Sony RX100 III
	Sony RX100 II	+ +	79/100	4.5/5	5/5	4.5/5	Jun 2013	749		Sony RX100 II
Notes: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? If you would like to see a different side-by-side camera review, just use the search menu below. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting.

Specifications: Canon 1D Mark II vs Panasonic ZS100

Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

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