Panasonic FZ70 vs Panasonic ZS100

Choosing between the Panasonic FZ70 and Panasonic ZS100: A Deep-Dive Superzoom vs. Large Sensor Compact Comparison

As an enthusiast or professional photographer, selecting a camera that aligns with your photographic ambitions and shooting scenarios can be richly rewarding yet challenging. Panasonic’s Lumix lineup offers two compelling yet fundamentally different models that illustrate distinct approaches in camera design and technology - the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ70 (FZ70) and the Lumix DMC-ZS100 (ZS100). Both target users seeking powerful zoom lenses and versatile imaging capabilities but cater to sharply contrasting priorities: the FZ70 embodies the quintessential superzoom “bridge” camera with an enormous focal range and approachable ergonomics, while the ZS100 is a compact powerhouse that combines a larger sensor with modern features in a pocketable form factor.

Having extensively tested thousands of cameras across genres and use cases, I will break down their characteristics on sensor technology, optics, autofocus, usability, and performance in real-world photography disciplines. Integrating detailed specs with hands-on insights, this comprehensive comparison will empower informed choices tuned to your artistic and technical needs.

First Impressions: Size, Ergonomics, and Handling

The FZ70 and ZS100 differ markedly in physicality - one a substantial bridge camera and the other a compact traveler’s companion. The FZ70 measures approximately 130x97x118 mm and weighs 606g, while the ZS100 is significantly smaller at 111x65x44 mm and 312g. This size and weight difference plays directly into handling, portability, and shooting comfort.

The FZ70, with its SLR-like ergonomics and substantial handgrip, offers stable holding especially beneficial when zoomed into extreme focal lengths (up to 1200mm equivalent). Its physical heft and extensive grip surface aid steadiness but limit pocket portability. Conversely, the ZS100’s compact dimensions and lighter weight render it highly suited for street, travel, and candid photography. Its small profile encourages discreet shooting, although smaller bodies may sometimes challenge prolonged stability.

Physically, the FZ70's robust build gives users tactile assurance, whereas the ZS100 leans on modern compact design cues - with a slimmer grip and more minimalistic form. Ergonomics also extend to external controls, which I explore in detail in the following section.

A Peek from Above: Controls and Interface Design

The arrangement and tactile feedback of camera controls heavily affect shooting efficiency, especially in dynamic environments.

The FZ70 hosts a traditional array of buttons and dials, with clearly labeled control wheels and dedicated aperture/shutter priority settings on the mode dial, catering more to users who appreciate manual override during fast-paced shooting. The button layout is spacious with good spacing, reducing accidental presses and allowing quick adjustments without diving into menus.

Meanwhile, the ZS100 features a more compact control scheme with multifunctional buttons and a mode dial similar in concept but scaled down for the smaller body. Notably, it incorporates a touchscreen interface, a significant usability advantage for navigating menus, selecting autofocus points, and reviewing images on the fly - features absent on the FZ70.

The lack of illuminated buttons on both models is something photographers accustomed to shooting in low light might notice, requiring button familiarization in dark conditions. Overall, the FZ70 feels more tactile and traditional, whereas the ZS100 bridges compactness with touch-based inputs to modernize interaction.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of Photographic Performance

When evaluating cameras fundamentally, sensor size and technology cannot be overstated - these impact resolution, image noise, dynamic range, color reproduction, and low-light capability.

The FZ70 is equipped with a 1/2.3" 16MP CMOS sensor (6.17x4.55 mm), a sensor size generally classified as small for interchangeable or advanced compact cameras. Its sensor area of roughly 28.07 mm² results in inherent limits in high-ISO noise performance and dynamic range, though it performs adequately in well-lit and moderate-ISO conditions (native ISO range 100-3200).

Conversely, the ZS100 boasts a 1-inch 20MP MOS sensor measuring 13.2x8.8 mm, quadrupling the sensor area (~116.16 mm²) compared to the FZ70. This significantly larger sensor allows for finer detail rendition, superior dynamic range (with a DXOmark dynamic range score of 12.5 vs. 10.8), enhanced color depth (22.8 bits compared to 19.4 bits), and far better high ISO usability (native ISO range 125-12800). The ZS100’s sensor uses a backside-illuminated architecture and MOS type, enabling more efficient light capture and readout.

For photographers prioritizing image quality, particularly in low light or shadow detail retention (e.g., landscape, portrait, night photography), the ZS100’s sensor advantage is tangible. The FZ70’s sensor is more in line with casual users or scenarios where zoom reach is prioritized over ultimate image quality.

Lens and Zoom Capability: Reach vs. Versatility

Panasonic makes distinct trade-offs in lens design between these models, directly influencing photographic potential.

• Panasonic FZ70: Fixed superzoom lens with an extraordinary 20-1200 mm (60x) equivalent focal range and maximum aperture of f/2.8-5.9.

• Panasonic ZS100: Fixed zoom lens covering 25-250 mm (10x) equivalent with maximum aperture also f/2.8-5.9.

The FZ70’s 60x zoom is remarkable - allowing users to capture distant wildlife, sports action, and inaccessible subjects without lens changes. However, this comes with compromises in optical complexity and aperture narrowing at long focal lengths. The lens’s macro capability is exceptional, supporting focusing as close as 1cm, beneficial for extreme close-ups.

The ZS100’s more modest 10x zoom falls short in absolute reach but offers a versatile focal length for portraits, landscapes, street, and travel shooting with generally sharper optics and faster autofocus performance. Macro focusing starts at 5cm, less aggressive but still sufficient for typical close-up work.

In practice, FZ70 users gain phenomenal telephoto reach but may contend with slower zoom ring action and potential image softness at extremes, while ZS100 users enjoy a balance of sharpness, speed, and zoom practical for multifaceted shooting.

Autofocus System: Speed, Accuracy, and Tracking

Autofocus (AF) proficiency directly impacts the ability to capture decisive moments, especially in wildlife, sports, and street photography.

• FZ70 AF: 23 Contrast Detection AF points, face detection, continuous AF, center-weighted metering, but no phase-detection AF. It tracks subjects with reasonable accuracy but can struggle in lower light or fast-moving scenarios due to slower contrast detection methodology.

• ZS100 AF: 49 Contrast Detection AF points with selective AF area options, touch AF, face detection, continuous AF with better tracking capabilities, and a faster overall AF system due to advanced sensor and processor coordination. Although lacking phase detection, the ZS100 compensates with refined contrast-based algorithms and touch-activated focus.

Real-world testing reveals that the ZS100 consistently acquires focus more rapidly and maintains tracking on dynamic subjects better than the FZ70, making it a preferable choice for ambitious wildlife and sports photographers who need quick AF response in compact packaging. The FZ70’s slower AF system diminishes some effectiveness when shooting fast action, although it remains reliable in static or moderately paced contexts.

Video Capabilities: Resolution, Frame Rates, and Features

For creators blending stills and video, the cameras’ movie capabilities are a crucial criterion.

• The FZ70 offers Full HD recording at 1920x1080 pixels in interlaced (50i/60i) or progressive (25p/30p) formats using MPEG-4 or AVCHD codecs. It lacks 4K video capacity, continuous autofocus during video is limited, and lacks external microphone input, which restricts audio quality control. Stabilization is optical but less effective at extreme telephoto lengths in video mode. The approach here is more casual video recording for family or travel memories.

• In contrast, the ZS100 steps up with 4K UHD video recording (3840x2160) at 30/24 fps, Full HD up to 60 fps, and introduces 4K photo modes enabling frame extraction from video, a highly useful feature for action photographers needing precise moment capture. Video stabilization is effective optically, with improvements over the older FZ70 system. It also lacks external mic inputs but benefits from touchscreen AF for smooth focus transitions during recording.

Overall, the ZS100 is significantly more video-friendly, merging 4K capture with responsive focusing and advanced codec support, clearly benefiting vloggers and multimedia content creators.

Viewing Experience: Screens and Viewfinders

Composing and reviewing images comfortably and accurately are facilitated by display quality and viewfinder effectiveness.

The FZ70 sports a fixed 3-inch TFT LCD with 460k-dot resolution - notably lower than modern cameras - resulting in grainier previews under bright daylight and limited detail discernment for critical focus checks.

The ZS100 upgrades this with a 3-inch fixed 1040k-dot LCD touchscreen that is brighter, sharper, and more intuitive thanks to touch-focus and menu navigation. Its touch capacity is invaluable for street and candid photographers wishing to rapidly swap AF points or pinch zoom for focus checks.

Electronic viewfinders (EVF) are another feature where the ZS100 excels: it has a high-resolution 1166k-dot EVF with 100% coverage and 0.46x magnification, providing clear composition in bright conditions. The FZ70 has a basic 202k-dot EVF with similar coverage but lower clarity, suitable as a last resort but often superseded by the rear LCD in practical use.

In sum, the ZS100 delivers a more refined and versatile viewing experience critical for compositional accuracy and ease of use.

Battery, Storage, and Wireless Connectivity

Shooting endurance, media options, and connectivity are paramount for convenience and workflow efficiency.

• Battery Life: The FZ70 offers approximately 400 shots per charge, which is generous due to the less power-hungry sensor and inferior screen resolution. The ZS100 rates around 300 shots per battery, understandable given the bigger sensor, higher-resolution screen, and 4K video recording capability.

• Storage: Both use SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, a ubiquitous standard facilitating ease of media handling.

• Connectivity: The FZ70 lacks wireless features entirely, limiting immediate image sharing or remote control. The ZS100, while not equipped with Bluetooth or NFC, incorporates built-in Wi-Fi for image transfer and remote shooting via the Panasonic app - a vital feature for modern photographers needing fast social media pipeline.

• Ports: Neither camera includes microphone or headphone jacks, restricting professional audio capture and monitoring during video shooting.

Build and Weather Resistance

Neither the FZ70 nor the ZS100 provides official weather sealing, dustproofing, or ruggedness certifications (e.g., shockproof or freezeproof capabilities). This places both as non-ideal for extreme or harsh environment shooting without additional protective measures.

However, the FZ70’s larger body may feel more robust in use, whereas the ZS100’s smaller form factor allows for easier protection inside padded cases or jacket pockets.

Performance Overview: Benchmark Scores and Practical Takeaways

Summarizing the core metrics emphasizes the distinct strengths each camera brings to the table.

The ZS100 attains a significantly higher DXOmark overall score of 70, reflecting superior sensor quality, dynamic range, and high ISO performance. The FZ70’s lower score of 41 highlights its limitations in image quality despite offering remarkable zoom.

Genre-Specific Performance: Strengths and Best Use Cases

Exploring performance across popular photography types provides actionable guidance.

• Portraits: The ZS100 excels with better color depth, higher resolution, effective face and eye detection AF, and high-quality bokeh given its larger sensor, though its shorter max focal length limits extreme telephoto headshots. The FZ70’s extreme zoom allows creative framing but with less pleasing background separation.

• Landscape: The ZS100’s larger sensor, wider dynamic range, and higher resolution offer crisper landscapes with richer tonal gradations. The FZ70’s extraordinary zoom may capture distant scenes but at compromised image quality.

• Wildlife: The FZ70’s 1200mm reach is unmatched for distant wildlife, paired with 9 fps burst shooting suited for action. However, AF speed and accuracy favor the ZS100, which is faster but limited to 250mm - necessitating closer proximity or crop.

• Sports: Both cameras have ~9 fps continuous shooting, but ZS100’s faster AF tracking and 4K video give it an edge capturing sports. The FZ70’s longer zoom may be needed for certain fields but at slower AF response.

• Street: The ZS100’s compactness, discreet styling, fast AF, and touchscreen controls make it superior for candid street shooting. The FZ70 is bulkier and louder, potentially drawing unwanted attention.

• Macro: The FZ70’s 1cm macro capability outperforms the ZS100’s 5cm minimum focusing distance, advantageous for extreme close-ups and insect photography.

• Night/Astro: ZS100’s high ISO performance renders it vastly superior for astro and low-light photography, with cleaner images and better exposure control. The FZ70 struggles as ISO raises, introducing noise and detail loss.

• Video: The ZS100’s 4K recording, advanced AF, and stabilization make it a clear winner for videographers. The FZ70 is functional for casual Full HD video.

• Travel: The ZS100’s lightweight, compactness, wireless features, and versatility are optimal for travel, while the FZ70's bulk and modest video options limit travel-friendly convenience.

• Professional Use: Neither camera offers rugged weather sealing or pro-level connectivity, but ZS100’s large sensor and 4K support integrate better into professional workflows requiring high-res RAW files and multimedia content.

Price-to-Performance Analysis

At the time of review, the FZ70 typically retails near $300, aiming at budget-conscious buyers seeking huge zoom ranges. The ZS100 commands approximately $700, targeting enthusiasts who prioritize image quality, compactness, and advanced features.

Given the image quality, sensor, and video advantages, the ZS100’s price premium is justified for serious photographers needing a compact high-performance camera. Conversely, the FZ70 delivers exceptional zoom capabilities at an entry-level price, well suited for beginners or wildlife hobbyists on a budget.

Who Should Buy Which Camera?

Choose the Panasonic FZ70 if you:

• Require extreme telephoto reach (1200 mm) for wildlife or sports at close to medium range.
• Prefer a budget-friendly option with familiar SLR-like ergonomics.
• Value macro photography with ultra-close focusing.
• Shoot primarily in good to moderate lighting.
• Prioritize battery life over compactness and advanced video.
• Don’t need 4K video or high-res sensor performance.

Choose the Panasonic ZS100 if you:

• Demand best-in-class image quality from a compact large sensor camera.
• Need 4K video recording with responsive video autofocus.
• Shoot portraits, landscapes, street, and night photography requiring excellent dynamic range and low-light noise control.
• Desire wireless image sharing and touchscreen usability.
• Prefer a pocketable camera suited for travel and everyday carry.
• Are willing to spend more for modern technology and versatility.

Final Thoughts: Balancing Reach and Resolution in a Changing Market

The Panasonic FZ70 and ZS100 illustrate how camera design philosophies affect photographic outcomes profoundly. The FZ70’s gargantuan zoom and traditional controls position it as a superzoom powerhouse for users valuing focal length and tactile operation over image refinement. The ZS100’s approach leverages modern sensor technology, compactness, and video innovation to serve a feature-rich and image-quality-oriented photographer.

While the FZ70 remains a unique tool for dedicated telephoto needs on a budget, the ZS100 offers a more versatile and future-proof platform for emerging hybrid shooters combining still and video pursuits. Assess your priorities carefully - no camera is perfect, but the right choice fuels your creativity.

Sample Images from Both Cameras

Examining sample images side-by-side reveals the differences in detail, color, and sharpness that underscore this comparison.

Panasonic FZ70 front Panasonic FZ70 screen back Panasonic ZS100 front Panasonic ZS100 screen back

This detailed, evidence-backed comparison aims to empower your camera choice with actionable insights drawn from methodical testing and photography experience. Should you have further questions or seek personalized advice for your niche, feel free to reach out.

Happy shooting!