Compact superzooms always involve trade-offs, and every potential buyer has to weigh their strengths and weaknesses carefully. That's why it's worth looking for a more balanced option, a camera with some superzoom spirit that doesn't force you to sacrifice too much on the other end. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ100 is a great answer: it reaches 250mm equivalent focal length, while delivering excellent image quality and 4K video that earn it a place in your pocket or backpack.
The Right Zoom
Announced in January 2016, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ100 uses a 20.1-megapixel 1-inch CMOS sensor with the Venus Engine processor. Its ISO sensitivity ranges from 125 to 12,800, with Boost extending to 80-25,600. Shutter speeds go from 1/2000 to 60 seconds, or 1/16000 with the electronic shutter. The main screen is a standard 3-inch touchscreen with 1.04 million dots, but it doesn't tilt. The built-in electronic viewfinder has a resolution of 1.16 million dots, though those dots are "equivalent" due to the sequential field color system, so in practice you see about a third of them. In short, give it a try. Many people have no problem with this type of viewfinder, but others ignore it completely.
Beyond the 1-inch sensor and its 250mm maximum focal length, the TZ100's dimensions are on par with other ultracompacts. In fact, it's easy to imagine users with large hands having trouble with the grip. Its metal body certainly feels premium, but buying a case as a first accessory isn't a bad idea. The autofocus system uses 49 contrast-detect points, and at full resolution the burst rate reaches 10fps, or 6fps with continuous autofocus. Buffer sizes range from 11 to 16 frames, except for JPEG shots with normal autofocus, which are limited only by the memory card. If you want more speed and don't mind lower resolution, you can get 40-50fps bursts.
The interface is clean and efficient, which isn't surprising at this point. Panasonic added a dedicated button for the 4K Photo feature (which extracts 8MP stills from 4K video), but it's programmable. In total, the camera has four physical customizable buttons and five virtual ones, so you can adjust its functions to your liking. The mode dial offers options like Full Auto, Intelligent Auto Plus, Program, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, Manual, Creative Movie, Custom, Panorama, Scenes, and Creative Control. The manual spans more than 400 pages, but Panasonic combined support for several models, so don't be intimidated.
A great piece of news for vloggers and travelers is that the TZ100 delivers very solid 4K recording, and we can't deny the sensor size helps. The main modes are 4Kp30 and 4Kp24 at 100 Mbps, 1080p60 and 1080p30 at 28 and 20 Mbps, and a 1080p120 high-speed mode that definitely deserves your attention. Much of its solidity extends to low-light situations, but noise reduction can be a bit aggressive at very high ISO values. Don't hesitate to explore the 4K Photo, Live Crop, and Post Focus features. If connectivity is a priority, note that the TZ100 received some adjustments: it supports only Wi-Fi n, with no Bluetooth or NFC. Remote control is via smartphone, with the help of the official app, which by the way still hasn't been updated.
Accessories for the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ100
With an average price of 475 euros, the needle hasn't moved much for the TZ100. Personally, I don't feel it's a wrong price (which wasn't the case with the Nikon Coolpix A1000), but technically the camera already has a replacement model, so it's worth looking for additional discounts. If you want to save money (who doesn't?), you'll have no trouble doing so with this selection of compatible accessories.
Batteries and Power
Charging exclusively via USB is a double-edged sword. It's very convenient when you need a quick boost, but it complicates things if you want to keep a spare battery ready. Fortunately, fixing this with the TZ100 doesn't cost much. A secondary Gloxy DMW-BLG10 battery takes you beyond the standard 300-shot limit, and the Gloxy 2-in-1 hybrid charger for home and car cuts any chain that might restrict your mobility. You can find it under the SKU 0712001269,VDTS-4604-CH-VDTS-114.
Tripods and Supports
Another easy mission, considering the camera weighs less than 312 grams with its battery. Even though it's light and easy to carry, it's almost mandatory to add a tripod for the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ100 to your gear, and the best part is that alternatives cost much less than you think. For example, the Manfrotto Pixi tripod is extremely compact, supports a maximum load of one kilogram, and can be yours for under 25 euros. A great companion for that tripod is our classic favorite, the Clampod Takeway T1, once again on sale, with all its benefits intact: 40 kilograms of load capacity, excellent grip, and extra adapters included.
Bags and Cases
There's no doubt about it: the TZ100 is a travel camera, and any carrying solution needs to adapt to that reality. The first we recommend is the Manfrotto Piccolo 5 case, ideal for any ultracompact, with a rigid protective shell, strap, and resistance to liquids. If that doesn't seem practical enough, step up and look for the Lowepro Dashpoint 30 bag, which has room for the camera "and" memory cards, without forgetting the option to attach it to your belt.
Memory Cards
The maximum bitrate of the TZ100 is 100 Mbps. That's not very demanding, so why not give the camera what it wants? A Transcend 32GB card with 45 MB/s write speed already puts you well above the limit, and the investment is less than 20 euros. If you want to solve the capacity factor and forget about carrying extra cards, for 10 euros more you can get a Sony SF-64U 64GB card, which reads and writes even faster.
Special Kits
The last section in our accessory list focuses on special kits and deals that don't pop up often. For the TZ100, we have two attractive options. The first combines the aforementioned Clampod Takeway T1 with the Gloxy Power Blade, which together let you improvise a studio and shoot better in low light. Alternatively, if you prefer a more tangible studio, you can get a 40x40x40cm solution with several colored backdrops, a camera stand, and two auxiliary lights. For 80 euros, it's a must-have.
And that brings us to the end. Fortunately, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ100 doesn't fall into the trap that hits other superzooms. The manufacturer has trimmed the focal length a bit, and its electronic viewfinder isn't the best in the world, but these are more logical and reasonable adjustments that also unlock access to highly demanded features like high-quality 4K video. The camera is a solid entry in the 'sub-500' category, and if you decide to give it a chance, it won't disappoint you. Good luck!
