Panasonic ZS200 Specification is powerful compared to the previous Panasonic ZS100. In fact, the ZS100 is already powerful enough in the business. Even after 2 years of its release, there’s still no other camera can compete with this camera, especially for the matter of lens range. Indeed, some other premium compact cameras have larger 1 inch sensor than the ZS100. But, their zoom range is much shorter than this Panasonic travel friendly camera. That’s why ZS100 is still considered as winner in its class. Then, how about ZS200?
Continuing this superiority, Panasonic thinks that 2 years is already enough for ZS100 to sit on the throne. So, it’s definitely the time for this Panasonic to redefine what it’s called “premium compact camera” by announcing the upcoming Panasonic ZS200. Is this camera really worth it than the previous ZS100? Let’s check Panasonic ZS200 specification below.
Panasonic ZS200 Specification; Larger Zoom Slower Speed
In the middle of massive mirrorless hype, the company tries to get a room in the premium compact camera market. Yes, this is quite strategic time to release ZS100 successor, especially when the camera has been 2 years old. And the result is amazing.
Panasonic ZS100 Specification brings some refreshments to the predecessor. Just take a look at its ability to reach 15x optical zoom, which is why this camera is titled as the first compact camera to reach 360mm equivalent focal length with 1 inch type sensor and built in lens.
Panasonic ZS200 Design
There is nothing much changing on Panasonic ZS200. Basic shape of the body is still the same with the previous ZS100. However, Panasonic has applied several upgrades on the body to make the camera more ergonomic and easy to handle.
For example, one issue on ZS100 where the camera is difficult and slippery to hold due to the lack of hand grip is fixed well in this new camera edition. Now, Panasonic ZS200 comes with vertical rubbery handgrip and thumb grip on the back, makes it’s easy to hold.
Talking more about the general shape, this new Panasonic camera seems to be a bit taller, and the grip is also deeper compared to the predecessor. As stated in Panasonic ZS200 specification list, the camera dimension is 111.2 x 66.4 x 45.2 mm (4.38 x 2.61 x 1.78 inch), which is a very compact dimension for a travel friendly camera.
While for the weight, it’s measured by 340 g with Battery and SD Memory Card inside, and 298 g when there is no Battery and SD Memory Card. This weight is possible with metal construction of the body. However, the body itself is still not weather-sealed. So, if you plan to take this camera to extreme photography, you better think it twice.
Moreover, dials arrangement on the top side is pretty similar to that’s on ZS100. There, we can find little pop-up flash and 4 cuztomizeable buttons. While the camera rear side layout, it’s all similar to SZ100. The LCD touchscreen is still using the same screen as well.
It is 3 inch fixed LCD screen with 1040k dot that’s already support 4K shooting mode. You can use this screen to make focus selection. However, the menu layout has been refreshed. It’s now complied with latest Panasonic standard which is eye-pleasing and easy to navigate.
Moving to the viewfinder, the camera is now getting larger and having higher viewfinder screen resolution. Panasonic ZS200 specification sheet informs that the EVF is now 0.21-inch and comes from Panasonic’s Live View Finder (LVF), which has 2,330K dot (equivalent).
The magnification has been improved too. Now it’s 35mm-equivalent magnification of 0.46x with 100% field of view. There’s still no further information about refresh rate. But, with newer technology that this camera has, we bet that refresh rate is not something to worry on this camera.
Panasonic ZS200 Lens and Zooming Capability
Under the hood, Panasonic ZS200 specification is equipped with 20.1-megapixel 1-inch MOS sensor to deliver high quality of images. This sensor is coupled with Leica-branded zoom lens that has 13 elements in 11 groups, which totally are 11 aspherical surfaces. These are divided to 5 aspherical lenses, 1 aspherical ED lens, and 3 ED lenses. With all these lenses, ZS200 could reach larger zoom than any other compact camera in the market. However, there is a price that needs to be paid with this zooming capability which will be explained below.
Due to this big zooming system, the camera felt a little bit slower, especially when compared to predecessor. As we know, ZS100 could reach f/2.8 speed and managed to get f/5.9 at telephoto end. But, in Panasonic ZS100 specification, the speed drops to be f/3.3-6.4 of maximum aperture. Moreover, it’s also disappointing to find out SZ200 lens can close focus as close as 3 cm in macro mode. This is just three-quarters inch closer compared to the previous ZS100.
Panasonic ZS200 Features
ISO sensitivity ranges from 125 all the way up to 12,800. But, it can be extended lower to 80, and higher to 25.600. While in the focusing system, Panasonic ZS200 autofocus is based on the contrast detection AF System with 49 autofocus points.
Paired with Depth from Defocus (DFD) technology from Panasonic, this camera is able to create nicely done background blur photo. And for your information, moving between focus points can be done simply through the touchscreen. Plus, you can change the focus point through the screen after the image is taken, which could be so beneficial for some new photographers.
Talking about frame rate, it’s been stated in Panasonic ZS200 specification that the camera could reach 10 frames per second when using AF-S. When shooting in live view, the frame rate will drop down a little bit to 7 fps.
Then, 6 fps of maximum speed will be reached when shooting with AF-F or AF-C. While for the shooting speed, it is 1/2,000s in mechanical shutter and 1/16,000s in electronic shutter.
Moreover, to get steady image without blur, the camera has been completed with 5-axis Hybrid Optical Image Stabilizer Plus, which performs very impressive even in 15 x zoom lens.
Panasonic ZS200 Video Capability
On paper, Panasonic ZS200 says that 3840 x 2160 resolution video can be recorder by the camera. Yes, this is 4K UHD video format in 30 fps with maximum duration 45 minutes.
So, for you who want to shoot high quality movie with bright color and incredible detail image, the 4K video in this camera should be something valuable.
But, if you don’t want to shoot in 4K, you can lower the resolution to be Full HD in 60 fps with 50 minutes maximum duration. Or, you can use the normal video mode to result 120 fps video in specifically high speed recording.
As for the format, Panasonic ZS200 records in MP4 and AVCHD file formats. But, one disappointing thing in the video is that we can’t use the 5-axis Hybrid Optical Image Stabilizer Plus as this feature doesn’t work in 4K recording.
Panasonic ZS200 Connectivity and Power
Connectivity is an essential part of Panasonic ZS200, especially to support its modern day photography. The more advance the connectivity is, the more ease the user will get. Plus, by providing advance connectivity option, moving or sharing the photos from the camera will be easy to do.
And fortunately, Panasonic ZS200 has it all. This camera has advance wireless connectivity which are Bluetooth and WiFi. These will keep the camera connected to your personal device such as smartphone and tablet via Lumix Image App.
With this application, you can also remotely control the camera via personal device, or simply doing file transfer from the camera to your smartphone asn tablet. More interestingly, via this connection, the camera can access the current location from phone’s GPS, then add it on the photos as watermark. So, user will always remember where the photo was taken.
To strengthen Panasonic ZS200 specification, the camera creates higher battery capacity compared to the previous ZS100. In one single charge, ZS100 can take 300 shots in rear display or 260 shoots in EVF. While in the new ZS200, the camera adds approximately 70 shots when user shooting with rear display.
Moreover, it’s now also has new Eco Mode for shooting with viewfinder. By using this mode, the camera will reduce the frame rate to be 30 frames per second, but it will last for 350 shoots. Charging can be done internally by using USB charging.
Panasonic ZS200 Price and Release Date
Announced in February 2018, the new Panasonic ZS200 hasn’t been provided in the store yet. So, for you who like to get this camera on hand, you need to wait until it’s officially launched, which is expectedly by the end of March 2018. And also, Panasonic again, applies its old branding technique, which is honestly, a bit confusing.
In the UK, this camera will be branded as Panasonic TZ200, in the Australia, it would be Panasonic TZ220, while Panasonic ZS200 is used for more general branding. But for all those names, the Panasonic ZS200 will still be the same. So, don’t get confused with it. As for the price, Panasonic ZS200 is expected to be sold in about $800 in the US, £580 in UK, and AU$1,020 in Australia.
Prasetyo.E
Have big interest in art, writing, history, movie, and literature. Spend most of the time in reading, watching movie, and writing. In here! Writing about manuals from some well known electronic products. Some kinds of manual such as user manual, owner manual.
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