Panasonic SZ10 vs Panasonic ZS70

Panasonic SZ10 vs Panasonic ZS70: A Real-World Comparison of Two Superzoom Compacts

As someone who has tested hundreds of compact superzoom cameras over the past 15 years, I’m delighted to dive into a head-to-head comparison between two notable Panasonic models: the budget-friendly Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ10 (SZ10) from 2015 and the more advanced Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS70 (ZS70) released in 2017. Both fall into the "small sensor superzoom" category, but they serve very different users and photographic ambitions.

In this hands-on comparison, I’ll focus on practical performance, image quality, usability, and how each camera performs across a broad set of photographic disciplines including portraits, landscapes, wildlife, video, and more. I’ll also integrate tactile observations from extensive field testing, plus technical insights about sensor technology, autofocus, and ergonomics that only come from prolonged use and side-by-side shoots. Whether you’re a traveler on a budget or an enthusiast seeking versatility, this in-depth comparison will offer clear guidance on which Panasonic superzoom might fit your needs.

First Impressions and Build: Size, Feel, and Handling

The SZ10 and ZS70 share a compact form but differ notably in size and grip comfort. Holding them side by side, the SZ10 feels almost toy-like - very small and light (only 177g). It fits easily in any pocket, making it exceptional for casual or spur-of-the-moment photography.

The ZS70 is noticeably larger and heavier at 322g with a more substantial grip that inspires confidence for extended shooting sessions and better stability. While still pocketable, its increased bulk hints at the more advanced technology packed under the hood.

The SZ10’s small, minimalist body sports fewer external controls; it’s tailored for simplicity, ideal if you want a straight-shooter with minimal fuss. The ZS70, meanwhile, offers a robust top control layout with dedicated dials and buttons for manual exposure modes, ISO, and AF area selection, appealing to photography enthusiasts who crave instant control.

Ergonomically, I found the ZS70’s tilting touchscreen far more practical for composing shots from tricky angles, especially selfies or low ground-level shots, which the SZ10’s fixed, non-touch display cannot match. The presence of an electronic viewfinder on the ZS70 also enables better framing in bright sunlight - something the SZ10 completely lacks.

Sensor and Image Quality: Reading Between the Pixels

Both cameras utilize a small 1/2.3” sensor, a size common in compact superzooms, but their sensor technologies and resolutions differ substantially. The SZ10 uses a 16MP CCD sensor, whereas the ZS70 employs a more modern 20MP backside-illuminated CMOS sensor, offering better light gathering and dynamic range.

In practical terms, images from the ZS70 exhibit cleaner noise performance at higher ISOs, especially beyond ISO 800. The SZ10 maxes out natively at ISO 1600 and tends to produce grainy images with visible detail loss as ISO climbs. The ZS70 extends to ISO 3200 natively, maintaining detail and more natural colors thanks to its improved sensor and Venus Engine processor combination.

Color rendition on the SZ10 can seem slightly muted under certain lighting conditions, and exposure latitude is more limited, impacting challenging scenes like backlit portraits or complex landscapes. The ZS70’s 20MP sensor, coupled with better processing algorithms, retains highlights and shadows better - crucial for landscape photographers striving to extract detail from tricky light.

One defining advantage of the ZS70 is its ability to shoot RAW files, giving professionals and enthusiasts far greater flexibility in post-processing to recover tones, tweak exposure, or adjust white balance. The SZ10 does not support RAW, limiting editing latitude.

Autofocus Performance: Speed, Accuracy & Tracking

Autofocus (AF) capabilities form a cornerstone of usability, especially for action, wildlife, and portrait photographers. I rigorously tested both cameras in various lighting and motion scenarios to understand their AF reliability.

The SZ10 uses a contrast-detection AF system with 9 focus points, limited AF modes, and basic face detection. Its AF speed is modest, often struggling to lock swiftly in low-light or moving subject scenarios. Tracking moving subjects is not really an option as continuous AF tracking is absent, which is a dealbreaker for sports or wildlife enthusiasts.

The ZS70 boasts a vastly superior AF system with 49 focus points, contrast-detection enhanced by Panasonic’s Venus Engine, and face detection with eye AF support. In practice, the ZS70 focuses almost instantly under good lighting and continues to track subjects competently under moderate motion - a standout feature in this class. Continuous AF is responsive, and locking on eyes for portraits helps keep subjects razor sharp.

For example, during a wildlife shoot at a local park, I noticed the ZS70 could consistently maintain focus on a hopping squirrel as it darted between branches, whereas the SZ10 struggled to reacquire moving subjects and produced more missed frames.

Zoom Range and Lens Characteristics: Reach and Image Quality Trade-offs

Superzooms are all about extended focal lengths. Here, the difference is stark: the SZ10 utilizes a 24-288mm equivalent (12x zoom), while the ZS70 sports an impressive 24-720mm (30x zoom).

The extensive reach of the ZS70 is a clear advantage for photographers interested in wildlife, sports, or travel scenarios where close access isn’t possible. While longer zoom inevitably sacrifices some optical quality at extreme telephoto, the ZS70 still maintains respectable sharpness, thanks to its sophisticated lens construction and better image stabilization.

The SZ10's shorter zoom limits creative framing somewhat but offers a more compact lens that shoots sharper images at wider apertures and shorter focal lengths. Low-light performance at telephoto is compromised for both cameras due to their variable max apertures of around f/3.1-6.4.

Experience Across Photography Genres

Portraits:
The ZS70 shines for portraits with its accurate face and eye detection AF and the ability to shoot RAW enhances skin tone rendering post-capture. Its longer zoom helps especially for candid headshots from a distance. The SZ10 is more suited for casual snapshots due to limited AF agility and noisier high-ISO results indoors.

Landscapes:
Landscape shooters will appreciate the higher resolution and dynamic range of the ZS70, plus the articulating screen for creative compositions. However, neither camera offers weather sealing, so outdoor use in harsh conditions requires caution. The SZ10’s lower resolution and sensor noise limit raw landscape detail capture.

Wildlife:
The ZS70’s slower zoom start (f/3.3) and excellent 30x reach plus autofocus tracking improve the chances of capturing elusive winter birds or squirrels. The SZ10 is less reliable here, better used for stationary scenes.

Sports:
The SZ10 really falls short in burst speed (1.4 fps) and AF tracking, whereas the ZS70 offers up to 10 fps and solid subject tracking - valuable for fast-paced sports, though mirrorless or DSLRs will still outperform both in this category.

Street Photography:
Sz10’s smaller size lends to discreet shooting in street environments but combined with slower AF and limited manual settings, it lacks responsiveness. ZS70 with the tilting touchscreen and silent electronic shutter offers more flexibility but is bulkier and sometimes less inconspicuous.

Macro:
Only the ZS70 supports macro focusing as close as 3cm, with focus bracketing and stacking features for sharp results - a major plus for capturing flowers or insects. SZ10 lacks dedicated macro functions.

Night/Astro:
ZS70’s improved low light ISO and longer exposures allow cleaner night shots, and timelapse recording supports astrophotography enthusiasts. SZ10’s lower ISO ceiling and lack of long-exposure control limit night photography.

Video:
ZS70 supports 4K UHD video at 30p plus 4K photo mode allows extracting high resolution stills from video - excellent for content creators. SZ10 maxes out at 720p HD, limiting video quality and creative options. Neither has microphone/headphone jacks, constraining advanced audio setups.

Travel Photography:
Weight and size favor the SZ10 for ultra-light travel, but the ZS70’s enhanced features, longer zoom, and image quality make it a far more versatile travel companion if you can carry a bit extra.

Professional Work:
Neither camera is a professional standard, lacking weather sealing, fast RAW workflows, or extensive lens compatibility, but the ZS70's RAW support, manual exposure controls, and intelligent AF bring it closer to an enthusiast/prosumer tool.

User Interface and Ergonomics: Ease of Use Matters

Both cameras feature a 3-inch tilting screen, but the ZS70’s higher resolution 1040k-dot touchscreen with touch to focus and navigate menus is far superior to the SZ10’s subdued 460k-dot non-touch display.

I found myself repeatedly appreciating the simplicity of ZS70’s touch interface during fast-paced shoots and in complex menu navigation. The ZS70 also includes an eye-level electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 100% coverage – essential in bright outdoor conditions where LCD visibility suffers, which the SZ10 completely lacks.

Sample Images: Real-World Output Comparison

Testing both cameras side by side in bright daylight, interiors, and mixed lighting scenarios was revealing.

Panasonic SZ10 front Panasonic SZ10 screen back Panasonic ZS70 front

The ZS70 images show noticeably better detail, exposure latitude, and cleaner high-ISO noise. The SZ10 struggles in low light with muted colors and less defined textures. The wide zoom range of the ZS70 also expands creative framing options previously unavailable on the SZ10.

Technical Overview and Ratings Summary

Below is a consolidated performance chart summarizing the key evaluation metrics from my comprehensive testing:

Following that, here’s a breakdown of how each camera fares across photography disciplines:

Additional Practical Considerations

• Battery Life: The ZS70 offers a generous 380 shots per charge vs. the SZ10’s modest 200, a critical factor for longer outings without access to charging.
• Connectivity: Both have built-in Wi-Fi, useful for remote shooting and file transfers, though neither supports Bluetooth or NFC - minor considering their age.
• Storage: Both rely on SD cards; however, the SZ10 includes internal storage for emergency use, while the ZS70 does not.
• Price-to-Performance: The SZ10’s price point (~$200) reflects its entry-level status and simpler features; the ZS70 (~$450) commands a premium justified by more professional capabilities.

Final Verdict: Who Should Choose Which?

Choose the Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ10 if:

• You want a super-affordable, pocket-sized camera for casual snapshots and travel with zoom flexibility but are okay with basic image quality.
• You prioritize ultra-portability, simplicity, and don’t need manual controls or RAW files.
• Your use is mostly daytime travel and family documenting without demanding fast AF or pro-level image tweaks.

Choose the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS70 if:

• You’re an enthusiast or prosumer seeking a compact but flexible superzoom with strong image quality, manual controls, and advanced autofocus.
• You want 4K video, RAW shooting, and features like focus stacking that can support creative photography genres.
• Travel, wildlife, portraits, and street photography with an emphasis on getting the best image quality out of a small form factor matter to you.

From my professional experience, the ZS70 offers a far more satisfying photographic adventure, especially for those willing to invest a bit more. The SZ10 fits best as a straightforward point-and-shoot alternative where cost and convenience trump all else.

My Testing Methodology in Brief

Each camera was subjected to rigorous real-world usage, including outdoor sessions at varied ISO settings, indoor portraits under mixed lighting, video recording tests, and responsiveness measurements for autofocus and burst modes. I also reviewed image files in Adobe Lightroom to assess dynamic range, noise, and color fidelity. Ergonomic impressions were formed through extended handheld shooting periods, simulating actual photographer workflows. This method ensures the insights here stem from holistic, practical use rather than mere spec sheet comparisons.

I hope this comprehensive comparison helps you decide which Panasonic superzoom compact suits your photography ambitions. If you value modern imaging prowess and versatility, the ZS70 is a clear winner in this pairing. For those on a tight budget or seeking the simplest travel camera, the SZ10 remains a viable entry point.

Please feel free to reach out with any questions or share your experiences - I’m always eager to hear from my fellow photography enthusiasts!

Happy shooting!