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Panasonic TZ100 Comparison Review

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ100 (called Panasonic ZS100 in some regions) is a fixed lens compact camera that was officially introduced in January 2016 and is equipped with an one-inch sensor. It offers a resolution of 20 megapixel.

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Is the Panasonic TZ100 a good camera? The TZ100 has a Camera Elo of 2128. This rating puts the TZ100 among the top 40 percent of all superzoom compact cameras. In terms of its sensor size category (one inch cameras), the TZ100 ranks below average. Based on its within category standings, the camera earns a 3-star performance rating.

Headline Specifications
Panasonic TZ100
Fixed lens compact camera
25-250mm f/2.8-5.9
20 MP, 1" Sensor
4K/30p Video
ISO 125 - 12 800 (80 - 25 600)
Electronic viewfinder (1166k dots)
3.0 LCD, 1040k dots
Fixed touchscreen
10 shutter flaps per second
In-body stabilization
300 shots per battery charge
111 x 65 x 44 mm, 312 g

Read on to find out more about the camera's size, sensor, features, reception by expert reviewers, and how it compares to other digital cameras.

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Body comparison with a credit card

The physical dimensions of the Panasonic TZ100 relative to a credit card are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Panasonic TZ100 vs credit card front
TZ100 versus credit card top view
TZ100 and credit card rear side

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the Panasonic TZ100 alongside a set of similar cameras. If you want to review a particular camera pair side-by-side, just move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible comparisons there.

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Body Specifications
#   Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Panasonic TZ100 111 mm 65 mm 44 mm 312 g 300 n Jan 2016 699ebay.com
2.
 
Canon G7 X Mark II 106 mm 61 mm 42 mm 319 g 265 n Feb 2016 699ebay.com
3.
 
Canon G5 X 112 mm 76 mm 44 mm 353 g 210 n Oct 2015 799ebay.com
4.
 
Canon M3 111 mm 68 mm 44 mm 366 g 250 n Feb 2015 679ebay.com
5.
 
Canon G7 X 103 mm 60 mm 40 mm 304 g 210 n Sep 2014 699ebay.com
6.
 
Panasonic TZ200 111 mm 65 mm 45 mm 340 g 370 n Feb 2018 799 amazon.com
7.
 
Panasonic TZ90 112 mm 67 mm 41 mm 322 g 380 n Apr 2017 449ebay.com
8.
 
Panasonic GX80 122 mm 71 mm 44 mm 426 g 290 n Apr 2016 799 amazon.com
9.
 
Panasonic LX15 106 mm 60 mm 42 mm 310 g 260 n Sep 2016 699 amazon.com
10.
 
Sony RX100 V 102 mm 58 mm 41 mm 299 g 220 n Oct 2016 999ebay.com
11.
 
Sony RX100 IV 102 mm 58 mm 41 mm 298 g 280 n Jun 2015 999ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
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The listed prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The Panasonic TZ100 was launched in the US market at a price of $699. 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. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

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Sensor comparison with a 35mm slide

The size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants 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. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow depth-of-field in order to isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.

The Panasonic TZ100 features an one-inch sensor and has a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 2.7. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the Panasonic TZ100 among the medium-sized sensor cameras that aim to strike a balance between image quality and portability.

Panasonic TZ100 sensor measures

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for most cameras. This service determines an overall sensor rating, as well as sub-scores for low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and color depth ("DXO Portrait"). The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.

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Sensor Characteristics
#   Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Panasonic TZ100 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p22.812.555970
2.
 
Canon G7 X Mark II 1-inch 20.0 5472 36481080/60p21.811.926062
3.
 
Canon G5 X 1-inch 20.0 5472 36481080/60p21.412.347162
4.
 
Canon M3 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/30p22.811.8116972
5.
 
Canon G7 X 1-inch 20.0 5472 36481080/60p23.012.755671
6.
 
Panasonic TZ200 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p22.012.244964
7.
 
Panasonic TZ90 1/2.3 20.2 5184 38884K/30p19.110.610636
8.
 
Panasonic GX80 Four Thirds 15.8 4592 34484K/30p22.912.666271
9.
 
Panasonic LX15 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p21.912.031562
10.
 
Sony RX100 V 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p22.812.458670
11.
 
Sony RX100 IV 1-inch 20.0 5472 36484K/30p22.812.659170
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.
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Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. The TZ100 indeed provides movie recording capabilities. The highest resolution format that the TZ100 can use is 4K/30p.

Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the TZ100 has an electronic viewfinder with a resolution of 1166k dots. The viewfinder offers a field of view of 100% and a magnification of 0.46x. The following tables report on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Panasonic TZ100 and comparable cameras.

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Core Features
#   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 TZ1001166 n3.0 / 1040 fixed Y 1/2000s 10.0/s Y Y
2.
 
Canon G7 X Mark IInone n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/2000s 8.0/s Y Y
3.
 
Canon G5 X2360 n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/2000s 5.9/s Y Y
4.
 
Canon M3optional n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/4000s 4.2/s Y n
5.
 
Canon G7 Xnone n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/2000s 6.5/s Y Y
6.
 
Panasonic TZ2002330 n3.0 / 1240 fixed Y 1/2000s 10.0/s Y Y
7.
 
Panasonic TZ901166 n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/2000s 10.0/s Y Y
8.
 
Panasonic GX802765 n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/4000s 8.0/s Y Y
9.
 
Panasonic LX15none n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/4000s 10.0/s Y Y
10.
 
Sony RX100 V2359 n3.0 / 1229 tilting n 1/2000s 24.0/s Y Y
11.
 
Sony RX100 IV2359 n3.0 / 1228 tilting n 1/2000s 16.0/s Y Y
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
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One convenient feature of the TZ100 is the presence of an on-board flash. While this built-in flash is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light to brighten deep shadow areas.

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Connection 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 DMC-TZ100 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
#   Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Panasonic TZ100-stereo / mono--micro2.0Y--
2.
 
Canon G7 X Mark II-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
3.
 
Canon G5 XYstereo / mono--mini2.0YY-
4.
 
Canon M3Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0YY-
5.
 
Canon G7 X-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
6.
 
Panasonic TZ200-stereo / mono--micro2.0Y-Y
7.
 
Panasonic TZ90-stereo / mono--micro2.0Y--
8.
 
Panasonic GX80Ystereo / mono--micro2.0Y--
9.
 
Panasonic LX15-stereo / mono--micro2.0Y--
10.
 
Sony RX100 V-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
11.
 
Sony RX100 IV-stereo / mono--micro2.0YY-
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It is notable that the TZ100 offers wifi support. Wifi can be a very convenient means to transfer image data to an off-camera location.

The TZ100 has a zoom lens built in (9.1-91mm f/2.8-5.9), which, in full frame equivalent terms, provides a focal length range from 25 to 250mm. The camera is, hence, ready to shoot, while remaining more compact in size than an interchangeable lens camera with an optic that offers similar focal length and aperture specifications.

Further information on the features and operation of the TZ100 can be found in the free online Panasonic TZ100 Manual or on the Panasonic support site.

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Expert reviews

While the specs-based evaluation of cameras is instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the handling experience and imaging performance when actually working with the TZ100. 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. This is why expert reviews are important. The table below summarizes the assessments of some of the best known camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]).

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Review Scores
#    Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Panasonic TZ1004.5/5+ +..82/1004.5/54.5/5 Jan 2016 699ebay.com
2.
 
Canon G7 X Mark II4.5/5+ +..81/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2016 699ebay.com
3.
 
Canon G5 X5/5+ +..78/1004.5/54.5/5 Oct 2015 799ebay.com
4.
 
Canon M34/5o..75/1004.5/54/5 Feb 2015 679ebay.com
5.
 
Canon G7 X4/5+ +..77/1004.5/54.5/5 Sep 2014 699ebay.com
6.
 
Panasonic TZ200..+ +4.5/581/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2018 799 amazon.com
7.
 
Panasonic TZ90..+ +4/5..4/54/5 Apr 2017 449ebay.com
8.
 
Panasonic GX804.5/5+ +..82/1005/55/5 Apr 2016 799 amazon.com
9.
 
Panasonic LX15..+ +4/581/1004/54.5/5 Sep 2016 699 amazon.com
10.
 
Sony RX100 V4.5/5+ +..83/1004/54.5/5 Oct 2016 999ebay.com
11.
 
Sony RX100 IV4.5/5+ +..85/1004/54.5/5 Jun 2015 999ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
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The above review scores should be interpreted with care, 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 comparing ratings of very distinct cameras or ones that are far apart in terms of their release date have little meaning. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.

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Panasonic TZ100 FAQ

Below are some additional questions and answers concerning some particular features of the TZ100.

What type of imaging sensor is used in the Panasonic TZ100?

The camera has a CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensor at its core.

Which image processing chip is used in the Panasonic TZ100 to convert the raw signal into an image file and perform noise reduction and image sharpening?

Panasonic equipped the TZ100 with the Venus image processor.

What is the ISO sensitivity range of the Panasonic TZ100?

The camera has a native sensitivity range from ISO 125 to ISO 12800, which can be extended to ISO 80-25600.

Is completely silent shooting possible with the Panasonic TZ100?

The camera has an electronic shutter option, so that it is indeed feasible to capture images without any shutter noise.

Do I need to purchase an external camera trigger to shoot time-lapse sequences with the Panasonic TZ100?

No, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ100 has an intervalometer built-in, so that low frequency shooting (for example, flower blooming, sunset, moon rise) can be undertaken without the need to purchase a separate external intervalometer and related software.

Is it difficult to use manual focus lenses with the Panasonic TZ100?

The TZ100 offers focus peaking as a manual focus aid. This feature works by placing a colored highlight on in-focus zones within the image.

Does the Panasonic TZ100 feature an autofocus assist light?

Yes, the camera has a lamp built-in that can illuminate the subject and improve autofocus in low-light settings.

Does the Panasonic TZ100 support the Ultra High Speed (UHS) bus interface for SD cards?

Yes, the camera can indeed use UHS-I cards (data transfer speed of up to 104 MB/s).

Which battery does the Panasonic TZ100 use?

The camera gets its power from the DMW-BLG10 (here at amazon), which is a rechargeable Lithium-Ion power pack.

Camera to camera comparisons

If you would like to see a side-by-side review with another camera, just make a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. An an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.

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    Specifications Summary
    Camera Model Panasonic TZ100
    Camera Type Fixed lens compact camera
    Camera Lens 25-250mm f/2.8-5.9
    Launch Date January 2016
    Launch Price USD 699
    Sensor Specs
    Sensor Technology CMOS
    Sensor Format 1" Sensor
    Sensor Size 13.2 x 8.8 mm
    Sensor Area 116 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 15.9 mm
    Crop Factor 2.7x
    Sensor Resolution 20 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 5 472 x 3 648 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 2.41 μm
    Pixel Density 17.18 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability 4K/30p Video
    ISO Setting 125 - 12 800 ISO
    ISO Boost 80 - 25 600 ISO
    Image Processor Venus
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 70
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 22.8
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 12.5
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 559
    Screen Specs
    Viewfinder Type Electronic viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 100%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.46x
    Viewfinder Resolution 1166k dots
    Top-Level Screen no Top Display
    LCD Framing Live View
    LCD Size 3.0 inch
    LCD Resolution 1040k dots
    LCD Attachment Fixed screen
    Touch Input Touchscreen
    Shooting Specs
    Focus System Contrast-detect AF
    Manual Focusing AidFocus Peaking
    Maximum Shutter Speed 1/2000s
    Continuous Shooting 10 shutter flaps/s
    Silent ShootingElectronic Shutter
    Time Lapse PhotographyIntervalometer Built-in
    Image StabilizationIn-body stabilization
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash
    Storage Medium SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot
    UHS card support UHS-I
    Connectivity Specs
    External Flash no Hotshoe
    USB Connector USB 2.0
    HDMI Port micro HDMI
    Wifi Support Wifi built-in
    Body Specs
    Battery Type DMW-BLG10 power pack
    Battery Life (CIPA)300 shots per charge
    In-Camera Charging USB charging
    Body Dimensions 111 x 65 x 44 mm
    (4.4 x 2.6 x 1.7 in)
    Camera Weight 312 g (11.0 oz)

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