A potelyt.com – Photography & Imaging Resources
ad

When you use links on apotelyt.com to buy products,
the site may earn a commission.

PW

Panasonic FT7 vs TZ95

The Panasonic Lumix DC-FT7 (called Panasonic TS7 in some regions) and the Panasonic Lumix DC-TZ95 (labelled Panasonic ZS80 in some countries) are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in May 2018 and February 2019. Both the FT7 and the TZ95 are fixed lens compact cameras that are equipped with a 1/2.3-inch sensor. Both cameras offer a resolution of 20.2 megapixels.

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

Headline Specifications
Panasonic FT7
versus
Panasonic TZ95
Panasonic FT7   Panasonic TZ95
Fixed lens compact camera Fixed lens compact camera
28-128mm f/3.3-5.9 24-720mm f/3.3-6.4
20.2 MP – 1/2.3" sensor 20.2 MP – 1/2.3" sensor
4K/30p Video 4K/30p Video
ISO 80-3,200 (80 - 6,400) ISO 80-3,200 (80 - 6,400)
Electronic viewfinder (1170k dots) Electronic viewfinder (2330k dots)
3.0" LCD – 1040k dots 3.0" LCD – 1040k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive) Tilting touchscreen
10 shutter flaps per second 10 shutter flaps per second
Waterproof body (31m)not weather sealed
300 shots per battery charge380 shots per battery charge
117 x 76 x 37 mm, 319 g 112 x 69 x 42 mm, 327 g
logo
Check FT7 offers at
ebay.com
logo
Check TZ95 offers at
ebay.com

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Panasonic Lumix DC-FT7 and the Panasonic Lumix DC-TZ95? 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.

ad

Body comparison

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Panasonic FT7 and the Panasonic TZ95 is provided in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The FT7 can be obtained in three different colors (black, blue, orange), while the TZ95 is available in two color-versions (black, silver).

Size Panasonic FT7 vs Panasonic TZ95
Compare FT7 versus TZ95 top
Comparison FT7 or TZ95 rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Panasonic TZ95 is notably smaller (13 percent) than the Panasonic FT7. However, the TZ95 is slightly heavier (3 percent) than the FT7. It is worth mentioning in this context that the FT7 is splash and dust resistant, while the TZ95 does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing. More than that, the FT7 is water-proof up to 31m and can, thus, be used for underwater photography.

Concerning battery life, the FT7 gets 300 shots out of its Panasonic DMW-BCM13 battery, while the TZ95 can take 380 images on a single charge of its Panasonic DMW-BLG10 power pack. The battery packs of both cameras can be charged via USB, which can be very convenient when travelling.

The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. In case you want to display and compare another camera duo, you can use the CAM-parator app to select your camera combination among a large number of options.

scroll hint
Body Specifications
# image Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Panasonic FT7 117 mm 76 mm 37 mm 319 g 300 Y May 2018 449ebay.com
2.
 
Panasonic TZ95 112 mm 69 mm 42 mm 327 g 380 n Feb 2019 449ebay.com
3.
 
Canon SX740 110 mm 64 mm 40 mm 299 g 265 n Jul 2018 399 amazon.com
4.
 
Canon G1 X Mark III 115 mm 78 mm 51 mm 399 g 200 Y Oct 2017 1,299ebay.com
5.
 
Canon SX730 110 mm 64 mm 40 mm 300 g 250 n Apr 2017 399ebay.com
6.
 
Fujifilm X-A5 117 mm 68 mm 40 mm 361 g 450 n Jan 2018 399ebay.com
7.
 
Fujifilm XF10 113 mm 64 mm 41 mm 279 g 330 n Jul 2018 499ebay.com
8.
 
Nikon W300 112 mm 66 mm 29 mm 231 g 280 Y May 2017 389ebay.com
9.
 
Panasonic LX100 II 115 mm 66 mm 65 mm 392 g 300 n Aug 2018 999ebay.com
10.
 
Panasonic TZ90 112 mm 67 mm 41 mm 322 g 380 n Apr 2017 449ebay.com
11.
 
Panasonic FZ82 130 mm 94 mm 119 mm 616 g 330 n Jan 2017 399 amazon.com
12.
 
Ricoh WG-6 118 mm 66 mm 33 mm 246 g 340 Y Feb 2019 399 amazon.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
padding

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 two cameras under review were launched at the same price and fall into the same market segment. 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. All other things equal, a large sensor will have larger individual pixel-units that offer better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow depth-of-field to isolate a subject from its background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.

Both cameras under consideration feature a 1/2.3-inch sensor and have a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 5.6. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the review cameras among the smaller-sensor digicams that favor affordability and compact design. Both cameras feature a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 4:3.

Panasonic FT7 and Panasonic TZ95 sensor measures

The two cameras under review do not only share the same sensor size, but also offer an identical resolution of 20.2 megapixels. This similarity in sensor specs implies that both the FT7 and the TZ95 have the same pixel density, as well as the same pixel size. It should, however, be noted that the TZ95 is a somewhat more recent model (by 9 months) than the FT7, and its sensor might have benefitted from technological advances during this time. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the TZ95 has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

The Panasonic Lumix DC-FT7 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 80 to ISO 3200, which can be extended to ISO 80-6400. The Panasonic Lumix DC-TZ95 offers exactly the same ISO settings.

Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with BSI-CMOS (Backside Illuminated Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

FT7 versus TZ95 MP

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. The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.

scroll hint
Sensor Characteristics
# image Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Panasonic FT7 1/2.3 20.2 5184 38884K/30p20.612.1102851
2.
 
Panasonic TZ95 1/2.3 20.2 5184 38884K/30p20.712.2110352
3.
 
Canon SX740 1/2.3 20.2 5184 38884K/30p20.612.1105051
4.
 
Canon G1 X Mark III APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p23.813.2164981
5.
 
Canon SX730 1/2.3 20.2 5184 38881080/60p20.511.992450
6.
 
Fujifilm X-A5 APS-C 24.0 6000 40004K/15p24.013.3180082
7.
 
Fujifilm XF10 APS-C 24.0 6000 40004K/15p24.013.4184483
8.
 
Nikon W300 1/2.3 15.9 4608 34564K/30p20.512.093850
9.
 
Panasonic LX100 II Four Thirds 16.8 4736 35524K/30p22.812.797972
10.
 
Panasonic TZ90 1/2.3 20.2 5184 38884K/30p19.110.610636
11.
 
Panasonic FZ82 1/2.3 18.0 4896 36724K/30p20.511.990049
12.
 
Ricoh WG-6 1/2.3 20.2 5184 38884K/30p20.712.2110452
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.
padding

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. Both cameras under consideration have a sensor with sufficiently fast read-out times for moving pictures, and both provide the same movie specifications (4K/30p).

ad

Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The two cameras under review are similar with respect to both having an electronic viewfinder. However, the one in the TZ95 offers a substantially higher resolution than the one in the FT7 (2330k vs 1170k dots). The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Panasonic FT7 and Panasonic TZ95 along with similar information for a selection of comparators.

scroll hint
Core Features
# image Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Panasonic FT71170 n3.0 / 1040 fixed n 1/1300s 10.0/s Y Y
2.
 
Panasonic TZ952330 n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/2000s 10.0/s Y Y
3.
 
Canon SX740none n3.0 / 922 tilting n 1/3200s 10.0/s Y Y
4.
 
Canon G1 X Mark III2360 n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/2000s 9.0/s Y Y
5.
 
Canon SX730none n3.0 / 922 tilting n 1/3200s 5.9/s Y Y
6.
 
Fujifilm X-A5none n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n
7.
 
Fujifilm XF10none n3.0 / 1040 fixed Y 1/4000s 6.0/s Y n
8.
 
Nikon W300none n3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/4000s 7.0/s Y Y
9.
 
Panasonic LX100 II2764 n3.0 / 1240 fixed Y 1/4000s 11.0/s n Y
10.
 
Panasonic TZ901166 n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/2000s 10.0/s Y Y
11.
 
Panasonic FZ821166 n3.0 / 1040 fixed Y 1/2000s 10.0/s Y Y
12.
 
Ricoh WG-6none n3.0 / 1040 fixed n 1/4000s 1.0/s Y n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
padding

One differentiating feature between the two cameras concerns the touch sensitivity of the rear screen. The TZ95 has a touchscreen, while the FT7 has a conventional panel. Touch control can be particularly helpful, for example, for setting the focus point.

The TZ95 has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing. This characteristic will be appreciated by vloggers and photographers who are interested in taking selfies. In contrast, the FT7 does not have a selfie-screen.

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, both cameras under consideration feature an 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).

Both the FT7 and the TZ95 have zoom lenses built in. The FT7 has a 28-128mm f/3.3-5.9 optic and the TZ95 offers a 24-720mm f/3.3-6.4 (focal lengths in full frame equivalent terms). Hence, the TZ95 provides a wider angle of view at the short end, as well as more tele-photo reach at the long end than the FT7. Both cameras offer the same maximum aperture.

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the FT7 and the TZ95 write their files to SDXC cards. Both cameras can use UHS-I cards, which provide for Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 104 MB/s.

ad

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 Panasonic Lumix DC-FT7 and Panasonic Lumix DC-TZ95 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

scroll hint
Input-Output Connections
# image Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Panasonic FT7-stereo / mono--micro2.0Y--
2.
 
Panasonic TZ95-stereo / mono--micro2.0Y-Y
3.
 
Canon SX740-stereo / mono--micro2.0Y-Y
4.
 
Canon G1 X Mark IIIYstereo / mono--micro2.0YYY
5.
 
Canon SX730-stereo / mono--micro2.0YYY
6.
 
Fujifilm X-A5Ystereo / monoY-micro2.0Y-Y
7.
 
Fujifilm XF10-stereo / monoY-micro2.0Y-Y
8.
 
Nikon W300-stereo / mono--micro2.0Y-Y
9.
 
Panasonic LX100 IIYstereo / mono--micro2.0Y-Y
10.
 
Panasonic TZ90-stereo / mono--micro2.0Y--
11.
 
Panasonic FZ82Ystereo / mono--micro2.0Y--
12.
 
Ricoh WG-6-mono / mono--micro3.0---
padding

Both the FT7 and the TZ95 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. Neither of the two has a direct successor, so they represent the end of the respective camera lines from Panasonic. Further information on the features and operation of the FT7 and TZ95 can be found, respectively, in the Panasonic FT7 Manual (free pdf) or the online Panasonic TZ95 Manual.

ad

Review summary

So what is the bottom line? Is the Panasonic FT7 better than the Panasonic TZ95 or vice versa? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.


Arguments in favor of the Panasonic Lumix DC-FT7:

  • Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
  • Better sealing: Is weather sealed to enable shooting in dusty or wet environments.
  • Water-proof: Is rugged and sealed and can thus be used for underwater photography (up to 31m).
  • More heavily discounted: Has been on the market for longer (launched in May 2018).


Advantages of the Panasonic Lumix DC-TZ95:

  • Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
  • More detailed viewfinder: Has higher resolution electronic viewfinder (2330k vs 1170k dots).
  • Larger viewfinder image: Features a viewfinder with a higher magnification (0.53x vs 0.45x).
  • More flexible LCD: Has a tilting screen for odd-angle shots in landscape orientation.
  • Fewer buttons to press: Has a touchscreen to facilitate handling and shooting adjustments.
  • More selfie-friendly: Has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing.
  • Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/2000s vs 1/1300s) to freeze action.
  • Wider view: Has a wider-angle lens that facilitates landscape or interior shots.
  • More tele-reach: Has a longer tele-lens for perspective compression and subject magnification.
  • More compact: Is smaller (112x69mm vs 117x76mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
  • Longer lasting: Gets more shots (380 versus 300) out of a single battery charge.
  • Easier wireless transfer: Supports Bluetooth for image sharing without cables.
  • More modern: Was introduced somewhat (9 months) more recently.

If the count of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a measure, the TZ95 is the clear winner of the contest (13 : 4 points). However, the relevance of individual strengths will vary across photographers, so that you might want to apply your own weighing scheme to the summary points when reflecting and deciding on a new camera. A professional wildlife photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a family photog, and a person interested in architecture has distinct needs from a sports shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

FT7 04:13 TZ95

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Panasonic FT7 and the Panasonic TZ95 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Travel-Zoom Camera and Best Superzoom Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the FT7 or the TZ95 perform in practice. At times, user reviews, such as those published at amazon, address these issues in a useful manner, but such feedback is on many occasions incomplete, inconsistent, and unreliable.

Expert reviews

This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The adjacent summary-table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). 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.

scroll hint
Expert Camera Reviews
# image  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Panasonic FT7..+....3.5/53.5/5 May 2018 449ebay.com
2.
 
Panasonic TZ95..+ +....4.5/5.. Feb 2019 449ebay.com
3.
 
Canon SX740..+3.5/5..4/54/5 Jul 2018 399 amazon.com
4.
 
Canon G1 X Mark III5/5+4/579/1004.5/54.5/5 Oct 2017 1,299ebay.com
5.
 
Canon SX730..+....4/54/5 Apr 2017 399ebay.com
6.
 
Fujifilm X-A5..+4.1/5..4/53.5/5 Jan 2018 399ebay.com
7.
 
Fujifilm XF10....4/575/1004/54.5/5 Jul 2018 499ebay.com
8.
 
Nikon W300..+....4/54/5 May 2017 389ebay.com
9.
 
Panasonic LX100 II4.5/5+4.2/582/1004.5/54.5/5 Aug 2018 999ebay.com
10.
 
Panasonic TZ90..+ +4/5..4/54/5 Apr 2017 449ebay.com
11.
 
Panasonic FZ82..+ +....4.5/54.5/5 Jan 2017 399 amazon.com
12.
 
Ricoh WG-6........3.5/53.5/5 Feb 2019 399 amazon.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
padding

Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The assessments were made in relation to similar cameras of the same technological generation. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, 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.

logo
Check FT7 offers at
ebay.com
logo
Check TZ95 offers at
ebay.com

Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you are interested in seeing how other cameras pair up, just make your choice using the following search menu. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting.

~
    loader
    ad

    Specifications: Panasonic FT7 vs Panasonic TZ95

    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.

    Camera Specifications
    Camera Model Panasonic FT7 Panasonic TZ95
    Camera Type Fixed lens compact camera Fixed lens compact camera
    Camera Lens 28-128mm f/3.3-5.9 24-720mm f/3.3-6.4
    Launch Date May 2018 February 2019
    Launch Price USD 449 USD 449
    Sensor Specs Panasonic FT7 Panasonic TZ95
    Sensor Technology BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
    Sensor Format 1/2.3" Sensor 1/2.3" Sensor
    Sensor Size 6.17 x 4.55 mm 6.17 x 4.55 mm
    Sensor Area 28.0735 mm2 28.0735 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 7.7 mm 7.7 mm
    Crop Factor 5.6x 5.6x
    Sensor Resolution 20.2 Megapixels 20.2 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 5184 x 3888 pixels 5184 x 3888 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 1.18 μm 1.18 μm
    Pixel Density 71.80 MP/cm2 71.80 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter no AA filter
    Movie Capability 4K/30p Video 4K/30p Video
    ISO Setting 80 - 3,200 ISO 80 - 3,200 ISO
    ISO Boost 80 - 6,400 ISO 80 - 6,400 ISO
    Image Processor Venus Venus
    Screen Specs Panasonic FT7 Panasonic TZ95
    Viewfinder Type Electronic viewfinder Electronic viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 100% 100%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.45x 0.53x
    Viewfinder Resolution 1170k dots 2330k dots
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 3.0inch 3.0inch
    LCD Resolution 1040k dots 1040k dots
    LCD Attachment Fixed screen Tilting screen
    Touch Input no Touchscreen Touchscreen
    Shooting Specs Panasonic FT7 Panasonic TZ95
    Focus System Contrast-detect AF Contrast-detect AF
    Manual Focusing Aidno Peaking FeatureFocus Peaking
    Max Shutter Speed (mechanical) 1/1300s 1/2000s
    Continuous Shooting 10 shutter flaps/s 10 shutter flaps/s
    Electronic Shutterup to 1/16000sup to 1/16000s
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash Built-in Flash
    Storage Medium SDXC cards SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot Single card slot
    UHS card support UHS-I UHS-I
    Connectivity Specs Panasonic FT7 Panasonic TZ95
    External Flash no Hotshoe no Hotshoe
    USB Connector USB 2.0 USB 2.0
    HDMI Port micro HDMI micro HDMI
    Wifi Support Wifi built-in Wifi built-in
    Bluetooth Support no Bluetooth Bluetooth built-in
    Body Specs Panasonic FT7 Panasonic TZ95
    Environmental SealingWaterproof body (31m)not weather sealed
    Battery Type Panasonic DMW-BCM13 Panasonic DMW-BLG10
    Battery Life (CIPA)300 shots per charge380 shots per charge
    In-Camera Charging USB charging USB charging
    Body Dimensions 117 x 76 x 37 mm
    (4.6 x 3.0 x 1.5 in)
    112 x 69 x 42 mm
    (4.4 x 2.7 x 1.7 in)
    Camera Weight 319 g (11.3 oz) 327 g (11.5 oz)
    logo
    Check FT7 offers at
    ebay.com
    logo
    Check TZ95 offers at
    ebay.com

    Did you notice an error on this page? If so, please get in touch, so that we can correct the information.

    You are here Home  »  CAM-parator  »  Panasonic FT7 vs Panasonic TZ95