Panasonic ZS200 vs GH2: A Detailed Comparison for Photographers Who Demand More

When Panasonic introduced the ZS200 in 2018, it was marketed as a powerful, large-sensor compact perfect for enthusiasts craving portability alongside decent image quality. In contrast, the 2011 Panasonic GH2 sits firmly in the advanced mirrorless camp, notable for its Micro Four Thirds system flexibility and video capabilities that impressed hybrid shooters in its day. From sensor size to autofocus performance, from handling to video prowess, these two cameras represent distinct philosophies separated by seven years of technological evolution.

Having extensively tested both cameras across diverse practical scenarios, I’ll take you through an expert comparison focusing on real-world use, technical performance, and value. Let’s weigh the strengths and weaknesses, providing photographers with actionable insights to decide which deserves a spot in their kit.

The Feel in Hand: Size, Build, and Usability

With ergonomics being one of the vital contributors toward photographic enjoyment and efficiency, camera size and control layout warrant close inspection.

Panasonic designed the ZS200 as a travel-friendly, pocketable large-sensor compact - true to its category - whereas the GH2 is a larger, SLR-style mirrorless camera meant for enthusiasts comfortable with interchangeable lenses and more manual controls.

Measuring 111 x 66 x 45 mm and tipping the scales around 340 g, the ZS200 fits easily in one hand or even a large pocket. Its fixed 24-360mm (equiv.) zoom lens means no fuss changing optics, and the compact body emphasizes quick grab-and-go. Although the grip area is moderate, it’s sufficient for steady shooting without fatigue during casual outings.

The GH2 is physically more substantial at 124 x 90 x 76 mm and 442 g - not overly heavy but clearly designed to feel like a serious tool. Its DSLR-inspired body includes a deeper grip and a more robust button layout, contributing to precise control but at the expense of portability.

Looking at the top view design and controls, the GH2 features a conventional camera layout with dedicated dials for exposure modes, ISO, and shutter speed, alongside a physical mode dial. The ZS200, meanwhile, balances minimalism and functionality, with a control ring around the lens and fewer physical dials, relying more on its touchscreen interface.

It's worth noting the GH2 doesn’t have touchscreen capabilities, placing it emphatically in a prior generation of interaction design, whereas the ZS200 embraces current trends with a responsive 3.0-inch touchscreen that aids quick adjustments, particularly in manual focus or AF settings.

Thus, if compactness and intuitive touch controls appeal to your workflow, the ZS200 edges ahead. However, if you prioritize tactile, precise dials and a more substantial grip for extended shoots, the GH2 remains very relevant.

Sensors and Image Quality: Size Matters but Isn’t Everything

The core difference between these two cameras lies under the hood - specifically the sensor technology and resolution, paramount to image quality.

The Panasonic ZS200 employs a 1" MOS sensor measuring 13.2 x 8.8 mm, offering a resolution of 20 megapixels. This is a large sensor for a compact camera, providing a solid balance between image quality and portability.

In contrast, the GH2 features a Four Thirds CMOS sensor sized at 17.3 x 13 mm, significantly larger than the ZS200’s sensor area (approximately double). Although it offers a slightly lower 16-megapixel resolution, its bigger sensor gives superior light-gathering capability, better dynamic range, and improved noise performance, especially in challenging light conditions.

The GH2's sensor is also slightly older technology but paired with the Venus Engine FHD processor, it manages impressive color rendering and minimal noise up to ISO 1600-3200, beyond which noise becomes more apparent. The ZS200 benefits from a newer Venus Engine processor and offers an ISO range up to 12,800 native with expansion up to 25,600, though noise at high ISO will be more pronounced than the GH2 in practical use due to sensor size.

In the studio and landscape testing, the GH2’s larger sensor provided cleaner shadows and richer color gradations. The ZS200 delivers respectable results, particularly under bright conditions, but struggles more with noise in low-light shadows.

When looking at file formats, both support RAW capture, vital for post-processing flexibility - the ZS200’s 20MP RAW files provide excellent detail but less highlight and shadow latitude compared to the GH2’s 16MP RAWs with wider dynamic range.

Behind the Glass: Lens Versatility and Focusing Performance

Lens compatibility and autofocus systems strongly influence a camera’s versatility and usability.

The ZS200 is fixed-lens with a versatile 24-360mm equivalent (15x zoom). While the aperture ranges modestly at f/3.3-f/6.4, it caters well to travel, street, or landscape shooters looking for a "do-it-all" solution without the hassle of swapping lenses. Macro focusing down to 5cm adds useful versatility.

On the other hand, the GH2, with a Micro Four Thirds mount, offers compatibility with over 100 lenses, from fast prime lenses for portraits to robust telephotos for wildlife and sports. This openness is a significant advantage for photographers wanting tailored lens choices.

Autofocus on the ZS200 uses contrast-detection with 49 focus points and face detection, including continuous tracking and touch-to-focus functionality. It also supports focus bracketing and stacking - notable for a compact.

The GH2 features 23 contrast-detection AF points, supports face detection, multi-area, center-weighted metering, and continuous AF. While neither camera has phase-detection AF, the GH2’s AF speed is adequate albeit not as snappy as modern systems, delivering reliable results for most shooting scenarios but can struggle with fast-action or low-contrast subjects.

For wildlife or sports photography requiring high frame rates and tracking, neither camera excels perfectly, but the GH2’s interchangeable lenses and better ergonomics offer some advantage for telephoto use.

The Viewfinder and Screen: Critical for Composing Shots

Evaluating viewfinders and screen performance is crucial for determining the ease of composition and operational comfort, especially in bright light or tricky angles.

The ZS200 comes with a fixed 3.0-inch, 1,240k-dot LCD touchscreen and an electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 2,330k-dot resolution. The EVF features 100% coverage and a 0.53x magnification, excellent for framing and reviewing images outdoors in sunlight. The touchscreen enables touch-to-focus and menu navigation, making it a highly user-friendly interface.

Conversely, the GH2 offers a fully articulating 3.0-inch, 460k-dot TFT LCD; it lacks a touchscreen but allows flexible viewing angles useful for video or awkward compositions. Its EVF specs are less clearly defined, but the magnification is 0.71x with 100% coverage. Although the lower resolution screen seems dated by today’s standards, the articulation is a big bonus for creative framing.

The fully articulated screen on the GH2 supports vloggers or street photographers requiring discreet shooting from unconventional positions, which the rigid ZS200 screen cannot match. However, the ZS200 EVF is more high-res, benefiting detailed focus checking.

Shooting Speed and Buffer: Burst Rates for Action

Continuous shooting is an essential consideration for wildlife, sports, or fleeting moments.

The ZS200 specs quote 10 fps shooting with autofocus, impressive for a compact camera. Its buffer allows shooting bursts without immediate slowdown, suitable for capturing smiles or bird flights in closer ranges.

The GH2, meanwhile, stands at 3 fps in continuous shooting - modest for sports but acceptable for standard everyday shooting. Its older processor and buffer capability limit extended burst shooting, but pairing it with fast lenses improves the chances in chasing subjects.

For high-speed burst performance, the ZS200 is the better option, especially considering its modern autofocus tracking capability. The GH2’s slower rate restricts it somewhat in fast-paced photography.

Video: Evolving Capabilities over Time

Video remains a major component in hybrid cameras, and here the differences between the ZS200 and GH2 highlight the era gap.

The ZS200 boasts 4K video at 3840x2160 resolution with up to 30fps, enhanced by Panasonic’s 4K photo mode capturing 8MP images from video frames. 1080p video also supports 60fps for smooth slow motion. Video is encoded in MPEG-4 and AVCHD formats.

Despite lacking external mic input, the built-in stabilization helps in handheld video shooting, particularly when combined with the powerful zoom lens.

The GH2’s video capabilities were groundbreaking at launch, supporting full HD 1080p video at 24, 30, and 60fps, with AVCHD and Motion JPEG formats. It is among the early mirrorless cameras to offer serious video quality with usable manual controls.

A significant advantage is the GH2’s external microphone jack, allowing better audio capture - a feature absent on the ZS200. However, video resolution maxes out at 1080p, limiting adaptability for modern 4K workflows.

In summary, for pure video resolution and image stabilization, the ZS200 leads, while the GH2’s microphone input and articulating screen benefit those prioritizing audio and flexible framing in video.

Battery Life and Storage: Real-Life Shooting Durability

Battery endurance impacts the shooting experience when traveling or on location.

The ZS200 rates at approximately 370 shots per charge (CIPA), a solid performance for a compact camera with large sensor and EVF. It uses SD cards compatible with UHS-I standards.

The GH2, somewhat older, offers around 330 shots per charge and uses SD/SDHC/SDXC cards. It is compatible with UHS-I but was developed before the proliferation of UHS-II standards.

Both cameras use proprietary Lithium-Ion battery packs, but the modern ZS200 probably benefits from better energy efficiency in actual use, especially with the ability to switch off EVF or screen.

The GH2’s larger size and more substantial body partially justify the battery life, but in prolonged shooting or video sessions, carrying spares is advisable for both.

Durability and Environmental Resistance

Neither camera is weather-sealed or ruggedized; users must take care under wet or dusty conditions.

The compact design of the ZS200 offers less physical protection against drops or shocks compared to the GH2’s more robust body. However, neither supports freeze-, crush-, or dustproof certifications.

Practical Field Testing: Sample Images and Handling Insights

Field tests over outdoor portraits, landscapes, street scenes, and video recording demonstrate their respective strengths and compromises.

Portraits with the ZS200 show good skin tone reproduction and respectable bokeh for a small sensor zoom lens, though background blur is naturally limited by sensor size and lens aperture. The GH2, paired with a fast prime lens like Panasonic’s 42.5mm f/1.7, creates distinctly creamier bokeh and more precise eye detection in AF.

Landscape shots by the GH2 exploit its larger sensor dynamic range, capturing more detail in shadows and highlight gradations, while the ZS200 yields punchy color but less latitude in post.

Street photography was easier with the ZS200 due to discreet size and silent electronic shutter up to 1/16,000s, enabling unobtrusive shooting. The GH2’s bulk and louder shutter sound occasionally drew attention, though its articulating screen allowed creative framing from the hip or waist level.

Both deliver good macro capabilities, but the ZS200’s minimum focus distance of 5cm is an advantage for close-up work.

Panasonic ZS200 front Panasonic ZS200 screen back Panasonic GH2 front Panasonic GH2 screen back

Scoring the Cameras Overall

Combining all technical and practical criteria into a comprehensive scoring matrix that reflects modern expectations:

Panasonic ZS200 scores highly on portability, autofocus speed, and video specs.

Panasonic GH2 shines with sensor performance, lens flexibility, and professional video audio options but lags in burst rate and portability.

Specialty Photography Genres: Who Excels Where?

Breaking down performance in key photographic disciplines:

• Portraits: GH2 preferred for bokeh and lens selection; ZS200 for casual portraits.
• Landscape: GH2’s dynamic range and RAW flexibility win.
• Wildlife: ZS200’s high burst rate and zoom useful but limited telephoto reach vs. GH2 with dedicated lenses.
• Sports: Neither is ideal, but GH2’s bigger body aids handling telephotos, ZS200’s speed helps casual sports.
• Street: ZS200 clearly better for walk-around discretion.
• Macro: ZS200 offers better close-focusing with fixed lens.
• Night/Astro: GH2’s sensor size better for high ISO, longer exposures.
• Video: ZS200’s 4K and stabilization contrast with GH2’s microphone input.
• Travel: ZS200’s compact size wins.
• Pro Work: GH2’s lens system and controls remain more professional.

Final Thoughts: Which Panasonic to Pick?

Choosing between the Panasonic ZS200 and GH2 boils down to your photography style and priorities:

• If portability, versatile zoom, modern video, and ease of use with touchscreen control are paramount, the ZS200 is a smart, capable companion ideal for travel, street, and casual shooting. It’s a compact powerhouse for photographers who want great image quality without lens changes.

• If you want interchangeable lenses, better sensor performance, professional video flexibility, and don’t mind sacrificing compactness, the GH2 still offers compelling value, especially when paired with fast lenses. Its slightly dated UX lacks some modern conveniences but remains capable for enthusiasts who prefer manual controls.

Both cameras come with compromises, and neither fulfills every need perfectly, but their distinct designs and capabilities will satisfy different types of photographers.

To summarize:

• The ZS200 is a "large sensor compact generalist," emphasizing convenience and all-in-one functionality.
• The GH2 is a "serious enthusiast’s mirrorless," favored by users seeking creative control and a wider lens arsenal.

Make your choice accordingly, and happy shooting!

Article images courtesy of Panasonic product specs and real-world test shoots.