The current photography market is defined by its spectacular diversity, both in terms of price and specifications. We have DSLRs ready to use for less than 300 euros, formidable mirrorless around 800 euros, and the so-called ultracompact superzoom cameras, ideal for travel without much extra equipment. One of the most recent is the Panasonic Lumix DC-TZ95, which besides its 720mm (equiv.) zoom brings RAW support, 4K video, a tilting screen for selfies, and a 10 FPS burst, all for less than 500 euros.
"And why not a smartphone?" is the classic question that intercepts any attempt to recommend a dedicated ultracompact. I admit that their sensors and processing power are growing, but that will never change the fact that photography is only a function on a mobile phone, while on a camera it is the priority, and all its advanced configuration options contribute to increasing its versatility and obtaining better images.
That's when the ultracompact superzoom format intervenes, which continues to gain members and technical complexity. Panasonic is one of the most committed players in this space, and its response is the Panasonic Lumix DC-TZ95, a relatively minor update compared to the TZ90, but one that still draws attention.
Panasonic Lumix DC-TZ95: If It Isn't Broken, Optimize It
Launched officially in April of this year, the Panasonic Lumix DC-TZ95 features a 20.3-megapixel effective CMOS sensor, powered by the Venus Engine processor. Its ISO sensitivity ranges from 80 to 3,200 with an extended boost up to 6,400, while shutter speed spans from 1/2,000 to 4 seconds, or 1/16,000 with the electronic shutter, and around 30 seconds under the special "Artistic Night Landscape" mode.
Its main screen is 3 inches with 1.04 million dots, offers touch support, and tilts up 180 degrees, a trick that screams 'selfie' in all directions. The viewfinder is one of the aspects Panasonic decided to improve in the TZ95, going from 1.16 to 2.33 million dots. It's a good jump in definition, but it might still be too small for some users.
Panasonic made a safe bet with the body of the Lumix DC-TZ95, and we can say it came out winning. The adjustments were minimal compared to the TZ90, gaining just two millimeters in height (67 vs. 69), one in depth (41 vs. 42), and five grams (322g vs. 327g). Its metallic construction is solid (with a good balance between metal and plastic), and its more pronounced grip on the front helps one-handed operation, but it offers no weather sealing.
Shooting in RAW allows us to extract a bit more quality from images, although its JPEG results are not lacking either. Only in very low light conditions did we notice the sensor stumble with excessive smoothing to compensate for noise, but that doesn't mean it's impossible to take photos at night. Even so, the Panasonic Lumix DC-TZ95 positions itself as a travel-friendly ultracompact, with its greatest strength outdoors in abundant light.
The autofocus system is based on 49 points with object, face, and eye tracking. You can modify its behavior with a single touch on the screen, or disable that option if needed (some users report accidental presses with their nose when using the viewfinder). The Depth From Defocus (DFD) function does an excellent job, as do post focus and focus stacking under the 4K Photo mode. The burst reaches 10 FPS in its normal setting, or 5 FPS with continuous autofocus enabled. Technically, it's not a camera designed for high speed, but if you need to capture faster, 4K Photo mode raises the burst to 30 FPS with 8-megapixel shots.
The interface of the Panasonic Lumix DC-TZ95 offers no surprises except for the absence of a dedicated 4K Photo button (now part of the rear dial), something we've seen in many models from the company. Regardless, the camera delivers four physical Fn buttons you can program, plus five virtual ones on the screen. Alongside these, there's the control ring, a great candidate for handling the zoom (besides the lever and touchscreen, of course).
We found a total of ten options on the mode dial: Intelligent Auto (with its Plus variant), Program AE 'P', Aperture Priority 'A', Shutter Priority 'S', Manual 'M', Creative Movie (the camera), Panorama Shot, Scene Guide 'SCN', Creative Control (the palette), and Custom 'C' mode under which we can register a personal configuration. The rest of the details are in the manual. It's just over 300 pages, but you'll master it in minutes.
Like other ultracompacts in this space, the Panasonic Lumix DC-TZ95 can record 4Kp30 or 4Kp25 video at 100 megabits per second. Personally, I've noticed that when filming in vlogging mode (i.e., filming your own face while walking with the panel at 180 degrees), the autofocus has to work a bit harder than normal. Maybe Panasonic will adjust that behavior in the future with a firmware update, but we can always intervene manually.
In terms of connectivity, here we discover the second major update of the TZ95: the inclusion of Bluetooth, something the TZ90 doesn't have. Teaming up with Wi-Fi, any attempt to link the ultracompact to a smartphone should be simpler. That said, Panasonic's official app still rows against the current. Its last update was published in early July, but users aren't very happy. Patience.
Accessories for Panasonic Lumix DC-TZ95
You have two options: dive right into the Panasonic Lumix DC-TZ95 for 425 euros, or save 100 euros, lose Bluetooth and the improved viewfinder, and opt for the TZ90. Regardless of which path you choose, the good news is that its compatible accessories are very affordable.
Batteries and power
With a record of 380 shots per charge, the battery of the Panasonic Lumix DC-TZ95 shows no changes. The DMW-BLG10 module is one of the most used by the company, and even in its original version it has a reasonable price, but Gloxy offers two very attractive alternatives. The first is its own compatible DMW-BLG10 battery that retains the 1025 mAh, and the second is the 2-in-1 hybrid charger for home and car, a good complement for USB recharging. The relevant SKU is "0712001269,VDTS-4604-CH-VDTS-114".
Tripods and supports
The weight of the camera with battery and memory card doesn't exceed 360 grams, so its demands on supports are very low. If we have to talk about a tripod for the Panasonic Lumix DC-TZ95, the first option on our list is the Manfrotto Pixi, with a very lightweight design and the possibility of using it as a sort of selfie stick when closed. Now, if you prefer something more robust, the Takeway T2 has what you want, with spectacular grip, extra legs for tripod mode, and fabulous portability.
Bags and cases
As I mentioned above, the Panasonic Lumix DC-TZ95 has no weather sealing, so you'll need to take certain precautions during transport and storage. Fortunately, there are very affordable cases and pouches, starting with the Manfrotto Piccolo 5. Its design is rigid, dust-resistant, and has a loop for attaching a belt. Our second suggestion is the Pacsafe Camsafe ZP. You can carry the camera, smartphone, and several accessories thanks to its space. Its structure with reinforced strap, cut-resistant material, discreet color, and secondary hooks help prioritize security, and as if that weren't enough, we can buy it today with a small discount. The corresponding SKU is "IM712002573,IM712837640".
Memory cards
The 100 megabits per second of 4K recording on the Panasonic Lumix DC-TZ95 doesn't place too much pressure on the memory card. That gives more relevance to the price-performance ratio, and one of the best right now is the SanDisk Extreme UHS-I 64GB. With a minimal investment of 25 euros, you'll get a base write speed of 30 MB/s, more than enough for the TZ95.
Special kits
To finish, a small section dedicated to miscellaneous items that will be very useful as companions for the Panasonic Lumix DC-TZ95. First is the Gloxy 6-in-1 cleaning kit, which includes everything to keep the ultracompact in optimal condition, from a brush and anti-dust blower to special cloths and cleaning liquid. Second is the portable mini studio 40 by 40 by 40 centimeters, which includes colored backgrounds, a stand, and two auxiliary lights. If you ever decide to explore product photography, this will serve you.
The Panasonic Lumix DC-TZ95 is not a revolutionary product. On the contrary, its profile is conservative, and it limits itself to reproducing the virtues of its twin sister, optimizing two critical points (connectivity and viewfinder). At the same time, its performance as a travel-friendly ultracompact superzoom doesn't disappoint, and it can only get better over the months, especially if it leaves some euros along the way. A good purchase, but if you need to save to the max, go for the TZ90. Good luck!
