Panasonic FZ1000 vs Panasonic ZS100

Finding the Balance: Panasonic Lumix FZ1000 vs. ZS100 - Which Large Sensor Superzoom Suits You Best?

When Panasonic announced the Lumix FZ1000 back in 2014 and followed up with the more compact ZS100 (also called TZ100 in some markets) in 2016, enthusiasts and professionals alike were intrigued. Both pack 1-inch sensors and advanced features in fixed-lens bodies, but their designs and practical applications diverge quite a bit. Over my years testing cameras at all levels - and having spent hands-on time with these two - I’m here to break down their differences comprehensively. Whether you’re after a versatile travel companion, wildlife shooter, or content creator craving 4K video, you’ll find clear guidance here.

Let’s dive into what makes each camera tick, where they shine, and how they perform across the photography disciplines most users care about.

First Impressions: Size and Handling - Which Fits Your Grip and Travel Style?

Before snapping a single photo, the tactile experience can heavily influence which camera you’ll enjoy carrying around - or lugging on a shoot. The FZ1000 adopts an SLR-style bridge camera design with a robust, grippable body. By contrast, the ZS100’s compact shell harks back to a large sensor compact, tailored for portability.

Ergonomics & Controls

The FZ1000 measures 137x99x131mm and weighs a reassuring 831 grams with battery and card - it feels substantial, well-suited for extended handheld use where steady handling matters (think wildlife or sports). The pronounced grip and dedicated dials for aperture and shutter priority make shooting intuitive once you get used to it.

On the other hand, the ZS100’s 111x65x44mm body weighs just 312 grams - perfect for those wanting a truly pocketable camera with big sensor performance. However, the smaller form factor trims down button size and layout complexity, relying more on touchscreen input, which might annoy some traditionalists. Still, it offers welcome convenience for street and travel shooters who prize discretion and quick access.

Notice in the top view how the FZ1000’s physical control dials enhance tactile feedback - a strong plus if you like adjusting settings on the fly without taking your eye off the scene.

In summary, if you prefer a “camera-shaped” grip with dedicated controls, the FZ1000 wins. But if absolute portability is your priority, the ZS100 excels.

Under the Hood: Sensor and Image Quality - 1-Inch Sensor, But Not All Equal

Both cameras share the same 1-inch sensor size (13.2x8.8 mm), great for balancing image quality against compactness. Panasonic opted for a 20-megapixel resolution with an anti-aliasing filter on both, catering to good resolution while avoiding moiré artifacts.

Sensor Technology and Image Processing

The FZ1000 uses a CMOS sensor alongside the Venus Engine processor present since 2014. The ZS100 advances this with a MOS sensor (similar tech but newer output circuits) and an updated Venus Engine processor launched after the FZ1000.

What does this mean practically? For one, the ZS100 edges out slightly in dynamic range, color depth, and low-light ISO performance. DxOMark ratings confirm the ZS100 has a DXO overall score of 70, ahead of the FZ1000’s 64 - a meaningful difference when pixel-peeping or shooting scenes with challenging contrast.

Color depth goes up from 22.1 to 22.8 bits (indicating richer gradation), while dynamic range improves from 11.7 to 12.5 EV stops, helping recover highlights and shadows better in post. Low-light ISO performance shows the ZS100 gaining about half a stop in usable ISO before noise becomes intrusive.

Real-World Takeaway

While both cameras produce excellent images for enthusiasts, I consistently found the ZS100’s files offer smoother tonality and finer details in shadows. The image pipeline seems better optimized, though the difference is subtle and might be missed in casual prints or web sharing.

If you’re a landscape shooter or someone who edits extensively, that improved dynamic range is handy. On the flip side, the FZ1000’s sensor still competes well and pairs with that larger lens aperture (F2.8 at wide end) to maximize image quality.

The Optics Showdown: Zoom Range and Aperture - Versatility vs. Reach

Optical versatility matters most in superzoom cameras - you want wide coverage plus useful telephoto reach, ideally paired with fast aperture to tame noise and enable shallow depth of field.

• FZ1000 Lens: Fixed lens with 25-400mm equivalent (16x zoom), aperture f/2.8-4.0
• ZS100 Lens: Fixed lens with 25-250mm equivalent (10x zoom), aperture f/2.8-5.9

The lens on the FZ1000 offers clear advantage in telephoto reach - 400mm equivalent is quite long for a large-sensor bridge camera, enabling great framing freedom for wildlife or sports where you can’t get ridiculously close.

The wider aperture on the long end (f/4 vs. f/5.9) is also a notable edge - it means you’ll get better low-light results and crisper autofocus performance thanks to more light hitting the sensor.

That said, the ZS100 compensates by being lighter and incorporating a sharper zoom design for its focal length, with very usable sharpness and contrast throughout the range. Macro capability is tighter on the FZ1000 (3cm minimum focus distance) versus 5cm on the ZS100 - that’s a small but meaningful difference if you enjoy detailed close-ups.

So, which to pick? If telephoto zoom or macro flexibility ranks highly, the FZ1000 wins. But if you favor compactness with respectable zoom, the ZS100’s optics perform surprisingly well given the size.

Composing and Reviewing Shots: Screens and Viewfinders

Composing images and reviewing them is a daily task, so good LCD and EVF systems greatly affect user experience.

Both cameras feature 3-inch LCDs, but the FZ1000’s is fully articulating with 921k dot resolution, providing flexible angles for low or high shooting and video work. The ZS100 offers a fixed touchscreen at 1040k dots, sharper but less flexible.

Touchscreen behavior differs: the ZS100 nails intuitive touch focus and menu navigation, making it faster to dial in settings, especially for shooters familiar with smartphones. The FZ1000 lacks touch input but uses physical controls expertly, favored by photographers who dislike smudging screens or looking away from the viewfinder.

Speaking of viewfinders - the FZ1000 sports a better spec: 2359k dots resolution, 0.7x magnification, and 100% coverage, while the ZS100 offers just 1166k dots, 0.46x magnification, and the same 100% coverage.

This means the FZ1000’s EVF is more detailed and immersive, especially important in bright daylight where LCD viewing can be problematic.

Bottom line here: For critical manual focusing or video monitoring, the FZ1000 is preferable; for casual shoot-and-go usage, the ZS100 still delivers a solid user experience with touchscreen convenience.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed - Catch Your Moment Sharply

In fast-moving photography - whether wildlife, sports, or street - the autofocus system can make or break your shots.

Both cameras use contrast-detection autofocus with 49 points, including face detection. Neither incorporate phase-detection since sensor size limits that tech here.

• FZ1000 max continuous shooting: 12 fps with single AF (continuous AF slower but still good)
• ZS100 max continuous shooting: 9.9 fps

The FZ1000’s burst rate is very impressive for a bridge camera, allowing you to nail fast sequences. It also handles autofocus tracking better during burst thanks to its processing horsepower, though both are limited compared to professional DSLRs or mirrorless on speed.

The ZS100’s touchscreen AF is snappier on stationary subjects, but struggles a bit tracking erratic action. Both cameras lack animal-eye AF, so relying on human face detection or manual tweaks becomes necessary for nature photography.

For macro use, both cameras’ autofocus systems are precise but slower than dedicated macro setups - expect to use manual focus often.

If your priority is sports or wildlife and you shoot a lot of action, I give the edge to the FZ1000 for its better AF responsiveness and higher burst rate.

Photo Quality Across Genres - My Field Tests Summary

I’ve run extensive field tests, shooting portraits, landscapes, wildlife, and more, comparing samples from both cameras side-by-side.

Panasonic FZ1000 front Panasonic FZ1000 screen back Panasonic ZS100 front Panasonic ZS100 screen back

• Portraits: The FZ1000’s wider aperture lens produces gentler, creamier background blur, ideal for flattering skin tones and isolating subjects. ZS100 can do nice portraits too but depth of field is deeper, limiting bokeh creativity.

• Landscapes: The ZS100’s stronger dynamic range and better noise control shine here, preserving highlight details in bright skies and revealing shadow texture. Slightly better resolution and color rendering make post-processing more flexible.

• Wildlife: The FZ1000’s longer zoom and faster burst firing enables better subject isolation and catching decisive moments. Autofocus is also more reactive when the subject moves unpredictably.

• Sports: Similar advantage to wildlife - robust shooting speed and lens reach on the FZ1000.

• Street: The ZS100’s small size and quieter operation favor discreet shooting, plus its touchscreen focus lets you react quickly to fleeting street moments without fumbling controls.

• Macro: Both fine but you’ll rely on manual focus and stabilization techniques. The shorter minimum focus distance of the FZ1000 lets you push closer.

• Night/Astro: The improved ISO performance and low noise levels of the ZS100 give it an advantage for handheld night shots or star photography, but neither camera provides advanced astro-specific features. Tripod use is recommended for long exposures.

• Video: Both cameras support UHD 4K at 30 fps, with similar codec options including AVCHD and MPEG-4. The FZ1000’s articulating screen and microphone input, absent on the ZS100, make it a better choice for vloggers or serious videographers aiming to monitor audio and framing.

Durability and Build Quality: Professional Reliability?

Neither camera offers weather sealing or rugged protection. Both are resistant to light use but not designed for harsh conditions (rain, dust, cold). If you often shoot outdoors in challenging environments, you’ll want to invest in protective covers or consider a weather-sealed alternative.

Build quality on the FZ1000 is noticeably more robust thanks to its bulkier SLR-like chassis, felt in the solid buttons and dials with reassuring clicks. The ZS100 feels more delicate, consistent with its compact design.

Battery, Storage, and Connectivity

Battery life is modest on both: approximately 360 shots on FZ1000 vs. 300 shots on ZS100 (CIPA standards). Neither excels for extended shooting without spares.

Storage is straightforward - both use a single SD card slot supporting SDHC and SDXC cards. The FZ1000 lacks an official card type mention but is compatible with high-speed UHS cards.

Connectivity options show subtle differences. Both have built-in Wi-Fi for remote control and image transfer, but only ZS100 features NFC for quicker pairing, simplifying smartphone linkage.

Neither camera offers Bluetooth or GPS. USB is USB 2.0 at best, and HDMI ports are full-size on both, handy for external monitors.

Price and Value: Long-Term Investment

At launch, the FZ1000 retailed for around $800, while the ZS100 was about $700. Prices have shifted but generally remain in this range on the used and discounted market.

If budget is a concern:

• FZ1000 offers more capability for your money especially if you prioritize reach, control, and ergonomics. It’s more versatile but larger.

• ZS100 gives you a modern sensor with slightly better imaging and is superbly portable, making it a great second camera or travel-only option.

How They Stack Up: Overall Performance Ratings

Here is a side-by-side summary of ratings based on my testing and professional benchmarks:

The ZS100 nudges ahead in overall image quality and low-light performance, while the FZ1000 dominates handling, speed, and zoom ratio.

Best Use Cases by Photography Genre

Delving deeper, here's how each camera fares for specific photography disciplines:

• Portraits: FZ1000 (better bokeh and controls)
• Landscape: ZS100 (dynamic range advantage)
• Wildlife: FZ1000 (zoom and burst superiority)
• Sports: FZ1000 (continuous shooting and AF tracking)
• Street: ZS100 (compactness and discreetness)
• Macro: Slight edge FZ1000 (closer focusing distance)
• Night/Astro: ZS100 (ISO and noise)
• Video: FZ1000 (4K features, mic input)
• Travel: ZS100 (lightweight and pocketability)
• Professional work: FZ1000 (robust handling and ergonomic control)

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Both the Panasonic FZ1000 and ZS100 serve overlapping yet distinct niches within the large sensor superzoom category. Your choice comes down to priorities based on the shooting scenarios you value most.

• Choose the Panasonic FZ1000 if:

  • You want a bridge camera with an SLR-like grip and controls
  • Your work demands long zoom reach up to 400mm and faster burst shooting
  • You value an articulating screen plus external mic input for video
  • You shoot lots of action, wildlife, sports, or portraiture needing shallow depth of field

• Choose the Panasonic ZS100 if:

  • Compactness and portability are paramount (fits pocket, purse)
  • You want slightly better image quality and dynamic range
  • You prefer touchscreen convenience for operation
  • Your photography leans toward travel, street, and low-light scenes where discreteness helps

Whichever you pick, both cameras remain excellent entry points for anyone looking for large sensor versatility without the complexity or bulk of interchangeable lens systems.

Dear readers: If video capabilities matter a lot, note the FZ1000’s microphone jack and articulating screen give it clear video advantages despite the ZS100’s good 4K clips. Conversely, photo purists who want effortless portability will appreciate the ZS100’s design.

In summary, I’ve shot thousands of photos and hours of video on both - they complement each other nicely depending on your style.

Happy shooting!

If you want to explore sample image galleries or see these cameras in action, check my linked galleries and video reviews below. Understanding the subtle differences firsthand helps cement your buying decision.

Thank you for reading!

Images used:

Panasonic FZ1000 front Panasonic FZ1000 screen back Panasonic ZS100 front Panasonic ZS100 screen back