Panasonic FZ47 vs. Lumix ZS100: A Deep Dive Into Two Generations of Superzoom Excellence

Choosing the right camera is an intricate balance between technical specs, user experience, and photographic aspirations. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ47 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS100 are both compelling superzoom offerings from the same brand - but they cater to distinctly different needs, generations, and technological expectations. Having spent countless hours testing these cameras side-by-side across multiple genres - from portrait to wildlife to videography - I’m ready to unpack every nuance essential to your purchasing decision.

Taking the Measure: Size, Build, and Handling

First impressions matter - especially in the highly competitive superzoom category. The FZ47 embraces a robust bridge camera profile, with a heftier 498-gram body and a fairly chunky 120x80x92 mm footprint. It’s SLR-like, with a substantial grip and a well-weighted feel that caters to photographers accustomed to traditional DSLR ergonomics.

Contrast this with the ZS100’s sleek and compact form: at just 312 grams and 111x65x44 mm, it’s significantly more pocketable. It oozes discreet travel charm, appealing to street shooters and travelers who prioritize portability without sacrificing image quality. The slimmer profile inevitably affects handling - the ZS100 requires a lighter grip, but its refined contours and textured thumb rest compensate well.

Ergonomics extend beyond size. The FZ47’s control layout is straightforward but somewhat dated - buttons are less tactile, the mode dial can feel a bit loose. The ZS100, benefiting from five years of design evolution and a touch interface, boasts a more concentrated yet thoughtfully arranged top and rear control set. It features a responsive joystick for AF point selection and is equipped with a touchscreen that accelerates menu navigation - a welcome feature for those accustomed to smartphone interfaces.

In practical terms, if you often shoot handheld for extended sessions, the FZ47’s heft can lend stability, especially when paired with long telephoto reach. Meanwhile, the ZS100 is the go-to for spontaneous shooting or when travel weight is a priority.

Sensor Size & Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Let’s dive straight into the meat of the subject - the sensor. The FZ47 houses a modest 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor measuring 6.08x4.56 mm with a 27.72 mm² area. In contrast, the ZS100 sports a significantly larger 1-inch MOS sensor, at 13.2x8.8 mm and 116.16 mm² area. This difference isn’t trivial - it dictates the potential for higher resolution, better dynamic range, and cleaner low-light performance.

Image-wise, the ZS100’s 20-megapixel sensor comfortably out-resolves the FZ47’s 12 megapixels, delivering files up to 5472x3648 pixels versus 4000x3000. More than sheer pixels, the difference lies in detail retention, noise control, and color depth. DXOMark testing backs this up: the ZS100 scores a respectable overall 70 points with strong marks for color depth (22.8 bits) and dynamic range (12.5 EV), while the FZ47 hasn’t earned official DxO ratings - understandable given its older sensor tech.

In side-by-side comparisons (see sample gallery), the ZS100 renders skin tones more naturally and with finer gradation. Subtle textures hold up much better, avoiding the softening effect typical of smaller CCD sensors. When shooting landscapes or scenes demanding wide tonal latitude, the ZS100’s bigger sensor reveals richer shadows and highlights, crucial for post-processing latitude.

Real-World Examples: Images That Speak

To crystallize these findings, I pushed both cameras through their paces under identical lighting conditions in the field, covering multiple genres.

Panasonic FZ47 front Panasonic FZ47 screen back Panasonic ZS100 front Panasonic ZS100 screen back

The FZ47’s images, with their 24× zoom (25–600 mm equivalent), offer an excellent range for casual zoom photography but suffer from noise creeping in past ISO 800, which limits low-light usefulness. Colors are somewhat muted compared to the ZS100, and fine detail dissipates under scrutiny - especially towards the telephoto end where lens softness adds to sensor limitations.

The ZS100 shines in diverse conditions. Its 10× zoom (25–250 mm equivalent) may seem limited compared to the FZ47’s massive reach, but optical quality holds up impressively across the range. High ISO shots are cleaner, with usable detail at ISO 3200 that would challenge the older FZ47. The ability to shoot in RAW format unlocks creative control, which the FZ47 lacks altogether. This is a decisive advantage for professionals and serious enthusiasts investing effort in image editing.

Autofocus Systems: Speed and Accuracy Under Pressure

The autofocus system is pivotal, especially for wildlife and sports photography. The FZ47 relies on contrast detection with 23 AF points, including center-weighted and face detection modes, but no phase detection technology. The ZS100 advances this with 49 contrast-detection points and wider AF area coverage, plus more sophisticated face and eye detection paired with touchscreen AF point control.

In practice, the FZ47’s AF can feel sluggish in low contrast or fast-motion scenarios. Continuous autofocus tracking works but struggles to maintain lock on erratically moving subjects. The ZS100 is markedly snappier - its Venus Engine processor and updated AF algorithms help ensure accurate focus acquisition and tracking. For wildlife or sports, the ZS100’s nearly 10 frames per second burst rate versus the FZ47’s 4 fps matters greatly for capturing decisive moments.

While neither camera features advanced phase-detection AF or animal eye autofocus (now common in premium models), the ZS100 holds an edge for casual action shooters and travelers needing reliable autofocus responsiveness.

Shooting Modes and Manual Controls: Flexibility for Creatives

Both cameras support full manual exposure controls, including shutter priority, aperture priority, and manual mode - a boon for photographers wanting creative control rather than point-and-shoot simplicity.

The FZ47’s Venus Engine FHD processor allows for exposure compensation, custom white balance, and basic bracketing (AE and WB), as well as manual focus via a separate ring - a feature appreciated by macro and landscape shooters seeking precise focus.

The ZS100’s Venus Engine processor advances these capabilities further: not only does it offer exposure and white balance bracketing (though WB bracketing is not available), but it also supports postfocus functionality. This lets you select the focus point after capture - a genuinely innovative tool for macro or intricate scenes and perfect for beginners experimenting with focus stacking workflows.

Additionally, the ZS100 adds a touchscreen for point-and-tap focusing, intuitive menu navigation, and faster access to key functions, which the FZ47 clearly lacks.

Display and Viewfinder: The Eyes With Which You Shoot

Both cameras employ electronic viewfinders (EVFs), a necessity for framing in bright sunlight. However, their quality diverges decisively.

The FZ47 features a fairly rudimentary EVF with 100% coverage but no reported resolution details - user feedback and my testing indicate a basic, somewhat grainy viewfinder image that feels constricted.

The ZS100 significantly upgrades with a 0.46x magnification electronic viewfinder rendering 1166k dots on a 100% coverage panel. It’s a clear, crisp viewfinder with excellent clarity and color fidelity that can make manual focusing and composition more comfortable.

LCD screens differ similarly: The FZ47’s 3-inch fixed display has a modest 460k-dot resolution and no touchscreen functionality, resulting in a less vibrant and responsive interface.

The ZS100's 3-inch fixed LCD packs 1040k dots, vividly rendering images and menus with great brightness and a capacitive touchscreen that enhances usability for creative shooting and menu adjustments.

This evolution in viewfinder and LCD technology greatly enhances everyday usability and shooting enjoyment on the ZS100.

Video Capabilities: From 1080p to 4K Versatility

With video now a core requirement, both cameras offer Full HD (1080p) at 30 fps recording, but the similarities end there.

The FZ47 records AVCHD video with no advanced profile options. Video quality is adequate for casual users but somewhat soft, with no in-body microphone input or headphone monitoring - and no 4K support.

The ZS100 pushes the envelope with UHD 4K video recording at 30p and 24p, opening up new creative possibilities for videographers. Its inclusion of 4K Photo mode (capturing 8-megapixel frames at 30 fps) is a powerful feature that lets you extract high-res stills from videos, ideal for wildlife and sports shooters wanting to capture split-second moments without missing a beat.

Although the ZS100 lacks external mic and headphone ports, optical image stabilization works smoothly in video mode, reducing handheld shake effectively. The FZ47's stabilization is limited by older technology and less refined algorithms.

For anyone for whom video is more than an afterthought, the ZS100 provides a significant upgrade that balances quality, flexibility, and ease of use.

Lens Reach and Macro: Finding the Sweet Spot

Zoom capability is often a deciding factor in superzoom cameras.

The FZ47 dazzles with a massive 25–600 mm equivalent zoom (24× optical) at F2.8-5.2 aperture - one of the largest zoom ranges available. This makes it ideal for telephoto applications, wildlife, sports, and distant subjects. But be aware the image quality at the extreme telephoto end softens, and low-light capability diminishes.

The ZS100 trims the zoom reach to 25–250 mm (10× optical) with a slightly narrower maximum aperture of F2.8-5.9. While less intimidating on paper, the ZS100’s lens benefits from better glass quality and a large sensor, resulting in crisper edges and less chromatic aberration.

Both cameras support close focusing for macro work, but the FZ47 can focus down to 1 cm - virtually touching the subject, which is excellent for extreme close-ups and insect photography.

The ZS100’s macro minimum focus distance is 5 cm, still respectable but requiring more working space.

In my macro tests, the FZ47 allowed extraordinary proximity and better depth of field control, but the ZS100 captured higher fidelity detail with less noise and better color accuracy, thanks to its sensor.

Battery Life and Storage: Longevity and Convenience

The FZ47 manages about 400 shots per charge, a solid figure reflecting its dedication to a more traditional camera design. The ZS100, packing newer sensors and faster processors with a smaller battery capacity, delivers roughly 300 shots per charge - a tradeoff expected in compact cameras.

While the FZ47 edges out in sheer longevity, the ZS100’s smaller size means carrying spare batteries is less cumbersome.

Both cameras utilize a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot for storage, with the ZS100 supporting larger card capacities and more file formats including RAW, which the FZ47 cannot capture.

Connectivity and Extras: What the Future Holds

The FZ47 does not support any wireless connectivity - no Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC. It offers USB 2.0 and HDMI output limited to standard modes.

The ZS100 answers the modern demand with built-in Wi-Fi for wireless image transfer and remote control via smartphone apps. Although it lacks Bluetooth and NFC, the Wi-Fi capability is a huge bonus for on-the-go sharing or multi-device workflow integration.

Neither camera boasts environmental sealing or ruggedized construction, so neither is well-suited for harsh conditions.

Price-to-Performance: Where Does Value Lie?

As of current market conditions, the FZ47 is aggressively priced around $379, making it an affordable gateway into superzoom photography with a broad zoom range and manual controls.

The ZS100 commands nearly double that ($700) but rewards with a substantial technology leap: larger sensor, 4K video, touchscreen, Wi-Fi, and RAW shooting.

If your budget is tight and you prioritize reach over image quality, the FZ47 is a respectable choice. However, the ZS100 justifies its premium with features, sensor prowess, and versatility that align better with enthusiast and semi-professional needs.

Putting It All Together: Performance Scores and Genre-Specific Strength

To encapsulate these points, here’s an overview of performance ratings and specialty scores tested over hundreds of shooting sessions.

• Portraits: ZS100 excels due to superior skin tone rendering, bokeh quality from larger sensor, and more refined AF face detection.
• Landscape: ZS100’s dynamic range and resolution enable stunning landscapes; the FZ47’s limited sensor size and dynamic range show restraints.
• Wildlife: FZ47’s reach gives an edge for distant subjects; however, ZS100’s faster AF and burst rate often result in more keepers.
• Sports: ZS100’s better tracking and higher frame rate make it more suited, despite zoom compromise.
• Street: ZS100’s compact size, quiet operation, and low-light performance win comfortably.
• Macro: FZ47’s close focusing (1 cm) outperforms ZS100’s slightly longer minimum distance, but detail fidelity leans to the ZS100.
• Night & Astro: ZS100’s higher ISO capability and larger sensor capture brighter, cleaner night shots.
• Video: ZS100 is head and shoulders above with 4K, 4K Photo mode, and stabilization.
• Travel: ZS100’s size and connectivity favor travel photographers, although FZ47’s battery life and zoom are notable.
• Professional: Neither camera is a “pro” body per se, but the ZS100’s RAW files, postfocus, and modern features suit semi-pro contexts better.

Final Recommendation: Matching Camera to Shooter

Panasonic Lumix FZ47: Best for budget-minded superzoom enthusiasts needing massive zoom reach. Its extensive zoom, manual control, and macro proximity make it a compelling tool for beginners and casual photographers who want versatility without complexity. However, expect compromises in image quality, low-light ability, and lack of modern conveniences like RAW and Wi-Fi.

Panasonic Lumix ZS100: Ideal for enthusiasts and prosumers seeking compact high image quality, 4K video, and modern features in a pocketable package. It suits travel, street, portraits, and even wildlife to a degree, delivering superior sensor performance, faster autofocus, and richer creative options.

If you must pick one camera today, the ZS100 represents a significant step forward in sensor technology and features, providing greater longevity as a versatile photography companion. Yet, the FZ47 remains a reliable, rugged superzoom effort with a price that’s hard to ignore.

Appendix: Key Specs at a Glance

The Bottom Line

Choosing between the Panasonic FZ47 and the Lumix ZS100 boils down to a classic trade-off: zoom reach versus sensor size and feature set. The FZ47 is a commendable choice for users who value extensive optical zoom and manual controls on a modest budget. The ZS100, meanwhile, offers a modern photographic experience highlighted by a larger sensor, higher resolution, 4K video, and intelligent autofocus tasks, at a price reflecting these advanced capabilities.

For my personal workflow and based on extensive side-by-side comparisons, the ZS100’s combination of image quality, handling, and feature richness places it well ahead - particularly for enthusiast photographers who demand versatility and quality without hauling bulky gear.

However, if your primary goal is to reach out to distant subjects affordably and effortlessly, the FZ47 still packs a punch worth considering. Having tested both extensively, I believe each camera remains a worthy tool for distinct photographic journeys.

Whatever your choice, understanding the practical differences and strengths presented here will ensure you invest in a camera well-matched to your creative ambitions.

Feel free to reach out with questions or specific scenario requests; after all, the perfect camera is the one that fits your unique vision and shooting style!