Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10 Pro Reviews

The TZ20 is certainly packed out with features. Whether a point-and-shoot user looking for the potential for more control, or just someone who wants a decent zoom range in a relatively small package, the TZ20 has plenty of ground covered. intelligent Auto (iA), full manual controls and the 16x zoom certainly see to that. Image quality is good, if not fairly standard for a compact camera, and high ISO settings aren't the camera's forte. However, results are impressively sharp and well exposed and once experimenting with exposure you'll certainly pull some quality results out of the bag. It's a bit of a shame there's no Raw capture option though. It's with the updated movie mode that we're really impressed. The Full HD 1080i capture is noticably improved over its TZ10 predecessor and, despite still not being fully progressive capture, is a big step forward that adds big ticks in the features and performance boxes. Trying to ignore the rather tall asking price for one moment and it's clear to see that the TZ20 rolls together plenty of desireable features. This latest release is certainly better than its TZ10 predecessor across the board - and based on how good that model already was, the TZ20 is certainly a winner in our books. Recommended.

Because of its extensive feature-set and great performance, the Panasonic Lumix ZS10 makes a great travel, outdoor and family pocket camera. That’s why it was the number three camera in our Pocket Superzoom Camera Guide. For people who want one compact camera to do it all, the ZS10 is a great choice. The only caveat is that the image quality could be better. It’s not terrible but I was a little disappointed. However, if you look at the pros and cons at the beginning of the review, there are a lot more pros than cons. Overall, I think the Panasonic ZS10 is a great camera and I expect most people will be very happy with it.

When I first started reviewing the Panasonic Lumix TZ20, I was expecting the camera to be almost identical to the TZ18, apart from the addition of GPS. However, when I actually came to use it and see the results from the camera, I was impressed. The high speed shooting, improved screen, and Full HD video modes are great additions, and the use of a MOS sensor means that noise is much less obvious when compared to the CCD sensor in the TZ18 (although this could be due to stronger noise reduction). The 16x optical zoom lens with optical image stabilisation is very useful, with a wide angle view, and detail is good at both ends of the lens, producing very good images and videos. The camera is very easy to use and feels good with a solid design.

A fantastic collection of features, but it's spoiled by serious noise problems from the excessively high-resolution sensor.

The Panasonic TZ20 fills every need for a compact camera to take on your travels. Its versatility, however, makes it a great all-rounder for everyday use, as well. Small, subtle and capable of producing sharp, punchy pictures, it's ideal for street photography or days out. But with the Panasonic TZ20 price at around £300, you could probably wait for other manufacturers to catch up with its feature set and grab it (or an equivalent) for a little bit less.

There's no doubt the Lumix ZS10 represents several important technological advances over last year's ZS7. GPS hasn't changed, but the 14-Mp MOS sensor and Venus FHD image processor do bring new capabilities to the small travel camera, most notably Full HD video capability and high-speed continuous modes. But my experience with the Lumix ZS10 wasn't a happy one. Most of my images were flat and fuzzy. And I quickly grew annoyed with it. The touchscreen interface seems emblematic of the Panasonic ZS10. I wouldn't have suspected it had one if I hadn't seen the stylus in the box. And I wouldn't have given it another thought it if I didn't accidentally fire the shutter. But when I used it to set focus, snap the shutter or zoom, I couldn't convince myself anyone would actually use these functions where they had an equivalent button.

Ultimately the Lumix TZ20 / ZS10 misses out on our highest rating due to disappointing image quality, but still earns our Recommended award because first, most of its target audience will be satisfied by its output, and second, there's simply so much else to like about the camera that the good outweighs the bad.

If you're familiar with Panasonic's Lumix ZS line, you'll find that the DMC-ZS10 falls in line with what you'd expect: a solid build, good manual options and scene modes, and a few unique features such as 3D shooting and GPS. At $400, we'd have liked to see a Raw mode, longer battery life, in-camera maps, and better overall image and video quality in Intelligent Auto mode, but the ZS10's broad range of features compensate to some extent for its tendency to underexpose images in anything other than broad daylight.

A huge number of features but a high price too

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ20 is jam-packed with features, many of which are useful. Most importantly, it takes clear and vibrant images and its video mode is very good. We recommend it to anyone who wants a highly versatile compact camera that can be used in just about any photographic situation, be it shooting macros or landscapes, portraits or close-ups of distant details.

In offering up another dual operation Lumix - touch screen and/or physical controls - Panasonic is providing a 'best of both worlds' option that is actually simpler to use than you might imagine after an initial play. Not all of us might need the full extent of the zoom being offered here, but after you've used a broader than average focal range, going back to a compact with a 3x, 4x or even 7x zoom option feels a bit like trying to take pictures with one hand tied behind your back. Coming across as slightly more gimmicky are the functions that at first appear to be bulking up the specification list but you may well not be using everyday, such as the built-in GPS and 3D modes. But then again with both increasingly becoming must-haves on manufacturers' spec lists, they help make the camera as 'future proof' as possible.

Despite this and the £349 / £399 price, the DMC-TZ20 offers an even more compelling combination of size, features, image quality and handling than the TZ10. The ability to shoot good quality still images at up to 10fps and full HD video with the use of an ultra-wide and long telephoto zoom lens, all from a camera that you can easily fit in a pocket, goes a long way to justifying its cost. For a lot of people, the new Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ20 could be the only camera that you ever need.

The Panasonic Lumix TZ20 has plenty of offer. It’s a big improvement over the TZ10 before it and we’re particularly fond of the newfound 16x optical zoom (24-384mm) lens. This provides a broad range to shoot with although, it has to be said, the overall final image quality at 100% isn’t the best out there - yet it’s ideal for day-to-day snaps.