Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100
Super zoom Super zoom
July, 2010

Summary Panasonic DMC-FZ100

Prices Price
Camera only $811
all DMC-FZ100 prices
Score Snapsort rank
Within its price range #n/a of 42 Among similar cameras #n/a of 48
details details
Specifications Key specs
Zoom Help 24x Screen size Help 3.0"
Aperture Help f/2.8 Screen resolution Help 460k dots
Wide angle Help 25 mm Movie format Help 1080p @ 30fps
see all specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100

Replacement

Panasonic has replaced the Lumix DMC-FZ100 with the DMC-FZ150.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ150
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ150 announced August, 2011
External mic jack Has an external mic jack
Panorama Can create panoramas in-camera
3D Takes 3D photos

Compare the new Panasonic DMC-FZ150 vs the DMC-FZ100

reviewsWhat are people saying about the DMC-FZ100

"Panasonic's build quality is second to none, and the camera handles extremely well."
trustedreviews.com | talking about the camera's build-quality
"Other aspects of image quality are more encouraging, Colour rendition is excellent, and dynamic range is also better than expected from a small 14MP 1/2.3-inch sensor."
trustedreviews.com | talking about the camera's image-quality
"Like the FZ45 it has a control interface that is mid-way between that of an SLR and a compact camera."
trustedreviews.com | talking about the camera's button-layout

Videos

Panasonic Lumic DMC FZ100 Comp...

Panasonic FZ100 Still Photo Sa...

Panasonic FZ100 Zoom Sample
Panasonic Lumic DMC FZ100 Comprehensive test video and stills
Panasonic FZ100 Still Photo Sample
  • Sample video
  • Zoom
  • Autofocus
  • Manual focus
 Panasonic FZ100 Zoom Sample
  • Sample video
  • Zoom
  • Manual focus
  • 1080p Full HD

Browse all Panasonic DMC-FZ100 videos

Pros

The Panasonic DMC-FZ100 vs other recent digicams

Zoom Above average zoom Help
24x
Sensor type CMOS Sensor Help
Better in low light
Macro focus Good macro Help
1 cm
Supports RAW Shoots RAW Help
Better editing
Viewfinder Doesn't use battery, see more detail Help
Digital
External flash External flash Help
Better lighting
Aperture Wide aperture Help
f/2.8
High-speed framerate High speed movies Help
220 fps
Image stabilization Image stabilization Help
Lens
Continuous shooting Rapid fire Help
11 fps
Screen flips out Flip-out screen Help
Great for movies
Longest exposure Very long exposures Help
60 seconds

Cons

The Panasonic DMC-FZ100 vs other recent digicams

Thickness Thick Help
3.7"
Announced Old Help
July, 2010
Lowest price Very expensive Help
$811.45
Size Quite large Help
Prosumer size 124x81x95 mm
Panorama Lacks in-camera panoramas Help
You could stitch photos in post
Weight Very heavy Help
539 g

The Panasonic DMC-FZ100 vs other recent super zooms

Light sensitivity Poor maximum light sensitivity Help
1,600 ISO
HDR Lacks in-camera HDR Help
You could do HDR manually
Popularity Not so popular Help
Among snapsort users
Zoom Poor zoom Help
24x
External mic jack Lacks an external mic jack Help
Limited to the in-camera mic
3D Doesn't take 3D photos Help
No 3d support

Appearance

front photo of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100back photo of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100angle photo of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100

Discussion What do you think about the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100?

Speech is free, but discussion at Snapsort is moderated! Please discuss your opinion of this camera here, and discuss feedback for Snapsort at our support community.

Showing 18 comments

Venur (6:29 PM, June 04, 2012)
Compact and handy for all sorts of photography - ameture and professional.  I own this for last 2 years and I happy with it.  Better than Canaon equivalents.
 
Sagar (7:27 PM, August 16, 2011)
I got one for myself and one for my cousin last year. We love this camera. Best for amateur photographers who are still learning stuff about photography. DSLR would be very expensive with additional investment in lenses. If you buy this you dont have to worry about additional lenses as it has 18mm - 600mm lens and hence a very good zoom too!
 
KK (4:41 PM, July 15, 2011)
Can the FZ100 owner confirm the sharpness of images ? From this site, there were quite some different compare to SX30is

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1010&message=36504127&q=fz100+vs+sx30is&qf=m
 
KK (6:25 AM, July 15, 2011)
Interesting to know how the Fuji HS22 EXR compare with FZ100 in terms of battery life, video and photo quality, etc.
 
Havok (0:22 AM, July 09, 2011)
What should i choose between FZ100 and Fuji HS10 ? Which is better, and closer as performance, to a DSLR ?
 
Henriette (4:49 PM, June 24, 2011)
In 2004 I won a FZ10, then I bought the FZ50 (a lovely camera) but earlier in this year I bought the FZ100. What can I say: SUPER SUPER SUPER and more. 
 
Alison (11:23 PM, June 21, 2011)
Hi, I'm thinking of buying this camera as I do not want the expense or learning curve or bulk of an SLR, but I want to take better photos than possible with my 5 year old Lumix compact point and shoot (3.5x zoom... my phone does better these days!)  I'm hoping to see the Northern Lights this year and would like to take some decent pictures. I've read the reviews that mention the FZ100 is not great in low light. Do you think this camera would be ok for Northern Lights? It ticks all the boxes in other areas, and am very keen on the flip out screen and video mode. 

Thanks for your help
Alison
 
Xianne (4:14 PM, May 13, 2011)
thank you for your help! =)
 
Avatar for Snapsort Snapsort (2:09 AM, May 07, 2011)
Hi Xianne,

The trouble with cameras is there is no one camera that does everything you want :) Go for the LX5 if you're technical, and want the best image quality you can get in a small camera, and don't mind not having much zoom. The ZS10 is more of an all-around camera, decent image quality, less advanced features, more zoom (perfect for travel). The FZ100 has a huge amount of zoom, and advanced features. From what you've told me I'd suggest going with the ZS10.
 
Xianne (5:30 PM, May 06, 2011)
Hi... I'm torn between Fz100 vs Lx5 vs zs10... Im a beginner and loves to travel. I find getting a DSLR is a bit overkill for me. These are the points why I wanted the 3 cameras based on what I understood from the specs and the comments of different websites: Lx5 gives a better image quality; fz100 better on sports and distant objects; zs10 is touchscreen. I wanted a camera for travelling, which takes good photo and video quality, good quality in distance and night scenes, user friendly... I really don't understand the apperture, shutter, lens, etc... They're too technical for me. Can you help me decide on which camera to buy? thanx a lot!!!
 
Avatar for Brent McKendrick Brent McKendrick (3:45 AM, April 07, 2011)
wow, very nice photos.. Looks like the Z100 is exactly what I am after. Thanks Alex.
 
Avatar for Brent McKendrick Brent McKendrick (4:09 AM, April 06, 2011)
thanks for the reply!,

I was also looking at the FujiFilm Finepix HS20. Seems like its similar to the fz100 but uses alkaline batteries (good for safari, since I'm camping and don't know how often we will have power available) and seems to me that it has better specs... however there isn't much hands-on information on the net about it yet.

Sorry for another question but have you had a chance to try the HS20?
 
Avatar for Snapsort Snapsort (3:31 PM, April 05, 2011)
Hi Brent, definitely a super zoom like the FZ100 would make a great compact camera for Safaris.

I took my Nikon D70 and a few lenses on safari a few years ago, and it was definitely a bit of a pain lugging lenses around, but the camera worked great. My batteries tended to last longer than the others on the trip, so I could shoot tons of photos all day, and I could bump up the ISO higher than others to make sure in low light or at long focal length I was always getting a high enough shutter speed to avoid blur.

Which lenses would you be taking with you? I think I took a 70-300mm and a 18-70mm. I found 300mm generally to be enough, though you always want more :)

The image quality on any super zoom won't match the 350D, probably battery life is worse too, and advanced features are less usable (e.g. manual controls, ISO, etc).
 
Alex (1:30 PM, April 05, 2011)
Hi. You will not be dissapointed with FZ100. Think that in a safari is very important long distance photo's capabilities. In terms of image quality problems only manifest themselves in extreme lighting conditions. FZ100 is light and versatil camera that allows take photos from very close to very long range. To avoid noise, I use only 10 mpx and "f" at the most luminous value as it possible. I invite you to visit my humble photostream: http://www.flickr.com/photos/alexcortz/
I hope my opinion will be useful. Excuse my english
 
Avatar for Brent McKendrick Brent McKendrick (0:05 PM, April 05, 2011)
Hey was thinking of selling my Canon EOS 350D and lenses as I'm going travelling (Safari) and need a more compact camera so I don't have to lug around different lenses and that.

Would you recommend this camera? or will I be dissapointed selling my EOS for the Lumix?
 
Alex (1:52 PM, February 23, 2011)
The coninous shooting capabilities are wonderful and allows to make very creative photos!!!(11fps at 14 mgpx, 40 fps at 5 mpx, 60 fps at 2,5 mpx). In good light conditions has excellent quality images, but when the light is poor the images are quite noisy. The superzoom with stabilization system works really superb. I find very important that has flash shoe.
 
wayne Armstromg (1:26 AM, February 23, 2011)
Yes the camera is awkward but you have to get to know this camera I am taking wonderful snaps and great video's
 
Boniface Louijame (9:29 PM, February 20, 2011)
I like the 3" screen, but the camera is a little too big. I prefer the FZ35 size. Widely more expensive than the Lumix FZ35. About photos quality? I don't know anything! So ...