Great review Richard - really thorough and seeing the camera for what it is. Looks like an interesting addition to the Panasonic line-up. I'm still in love with my GF5 for some reason though
Thanks for this After ra couple of accidents I am not wanting to be lugging lenses and the like around at the moment but love photography so have bought one of these .Not used yet and not a vlogger + 4k is not vital .My main themes are wildlife etc so the zoom is handy .Panasonic has never let me down .Hope I'm lucky with this .Super review..By the way .I have read so many comments and critics .We are talking here a point and shoot compact cam cheap as can be ...The effect with a zoom is on most all hand held cams .As for bland sky it is a pain .Enjoyed the shots .Yet to try
I've noticed the dynamic range issues on the TZ90 in this and other reviews. It's about the only thing I don't like about it as a vlogging camera. If I could find a Panasonic point and shoot with a larger sensor that dealt with that, I think I'd be sold because I love everything else about it. That 8-18mm, though...wow. Worth every penny. That thing looks GORGEOUS and I love that wide focal length, plus how it tops up around 35mm equivalent.
I bought a TZ 90 and im disappointed with the video performance. Zooming in from wide angle( or out from telephoto) causes the frame to shake - its not smooth zooming -It lets the footage down in 4K mode. I thought the camera was faulty, and when brought back to shop and crossed checked with another - it was the same. Drop a lot of the useless extras on this cam, and give it better smooth unshakey zooming!
what settings did you have on the TZ90 video ? Auto focus on ? Footage looks like pretty bad... :( overly soft images with some strange foggy atmo on most of the clips- or just dirty lens ?
Maby change your focusing to single autofocus (AF-S) than Full-time autofocus (AF-F) if you haven't already that will focus it on your face and not everything else in the background :)
Stupid question, how do you record sound externally with the mic at the end without a socket? Or are you simply recording sound separately and syncing in production?
I just bought this camera this morning. Haven't really had a chance to look at it properly. I notice in the specifications that it mentioned that it was Wi-Fi enabled. Does this simply mean that you can transfer photos over the Wi-Fi, or can you also obtain an app for a smartphone which operates the camera like you can with a go pro?
I can see that the dynamic range isn't really that great, which is a bit of an issue for me. I really love that camera it's compact, small and great for the price yet something has to be done to that dynamic range.
Just re-read my comment back, brain was somewhere else obviously! I will be interested to see future videos on the TZ90, always a bit of a balance between in camera and post sharpening. Looks pretty capable for a compact sensor, not sure if it beats the Sony RX100 range or Canon gx7x ii but looks like it will be cheaper
Why is the sound so BAD in this video??? I have the TZ80 and it records fantastic sound. This is so 'hissy'. Does it have different preamps or microphones? This is a serious question. I was considering upgrading to get the flip screen... but that sound quality puts me off.
Thanks for the fast reply! I'm hoping thats also the case with the Seven5 filters, as I've already bought into that size, hopefully someone will post a review/test with it soon. Really looking forward to this lens.
Hi. I am very confused! Which one chose Panasonic Lumix DC-ZS70, Sony HX90 or Canon SX730 HS? I like taking pictures and not interested in video and do not know which camera I chose? Please help.
Moooo! :-) I got myself a TZ100 for travel photography. I love it, and the image quality is really, really good. The only issue I have with it is that the screen doesn't flip up so it isn't that useful to vlog with. Do you know if they have an update for that model in the works as well? I decided against the older TZ80 although I like a loooong zoom, because it didn't have the 1" sensor.
+Benny Löfgren TZ100 is still a current model. The 1" sensor gives it better image quality in low light and a better dynamic range... but obviously the zoom range isn't as large.
Photogearnews Thank you for responding! On the one hand I'm glad I bought a current product... on the other hand I could really have used that flip-up screen. Oh well, I can guesstimate where my face is gonna be in the picture, no biggie. :-) You're right about the smaller zoom range, but I still think 10x (25-250) is pretty darn good for a camera that size! And the image quality is actually surprisingly good (but maybe I just had too low expectations from a compact, since apart from this one I've only used Canon EOS gear the last 15 years or so). My only other grip(e) with it is that it's just a tad small for my big, clumsy hands to maneuver comfortably, and a bit too slippery. Apart from that, I can wholeheartedly recommend it!
I have a bit of a problem that I hope you can help me with. As far as I can tell I have all the settings in the correct position on the camera. However, when I put the SDR card the my computer and download the files, instead of being JPEG, they are video files. If I click on view files after putting the card into the computer I can see the photos that I have taken, I just can't seem to download them as a JPEG. I wonder if you have any ideas what is going on?
+Penn Wooding sounds like you may be in the 4K photo mode. This take a video clip at 4K resolution then allows you to extract a JPEG image from it. When you transfer the images to a computer you will see the video footage of you haven't extracted a JPEG image from it in-camera. That's what it sounds like you're experiencing anyway. Hope that helps!
+veganbodybuilding not that I really noticed. I recorded the last second in the Photo Gear News Shed late one night and it was quite chilly, but I shot for around 20mims before the camera stopped recording. No problems for any of the vlogging content. It's worth further investigation and a comparison once the final version is released.
+rythie Great point! I think it is only a matter of time. From a cyclical point of view there is always the danger that people would buy a cheaper camera than the more expensive ones in the range that do have a mic input
Though at this point, Sony's RX100 mark 5 is about twice the price of the a6000. Yet the RX100 doesn't have a microphone input and the a6000 does. Then add to that, that the RX100 has the flip up screen and the a6000 series does not. If it were an argument about size, phones are way thinner or cameras could use the USB port for a mic in (like the GoPro) or bluetooth even. Vlogging is essentially an ignored segment of the market.
+rythie Good test of the TZ90 continuous AF in low-light in face detection mode. Using single AF without face detection would have sorted that. All about knowing how to get the best from it. In that regard the vlog was a useful test of how to get the best in the real world. In fact we should do a specific How to video on vlogging with smaller compact cameras in different situations
Neither are going to be ideal in low light due to the smaller compact camera size sensor. Of the two the TZ90 is the newer so should, in theory, perform slightly better in low light. Another option would be the TZ200 with its larger 1in size sensor which will definitely perform better in low kight
Panasonic practically invented this market of travel zoom cameras, having high zoom in a compact body since 2006. Plus they were the first to introduce 4K to the average consumer (Like actually affordable) with the GH4, and the previous version of this camera, the TZ80, also has 4K video. You're right, they do share many similarities.
If I should start at 4K video at all! I would start at the G7 and buy all the speedboster, video monitors and external hhd to go! G5 doesnt have the 2.5 x but at 2x!
+ZX Tech. I was pleasantly surprised by it when using it in Iceland. In terms of build and handling I would say it is up there with the best of them - both CSC and DSLR. And the image quality is pretty good if you aren't interested in super high ISO settings. But I take your point... video is clearly the main market for it
Its definitely an amazing stills camera. The main reason people buy it, however, is still probably the high bitrate 4k video which is amazing for a consumer/prosumer grade device.
Are your lenses all dirty or did you pick the wrong bitrate settings when exporting this video? All of your shots look like 720p and the footage from the GH5 looks like you have Vaseline on the lens. And your music is obnoxiously loud compared to your voice.
Great review Richard - really thorough and seeing the camera for what it is. Looks like an interesting addition to the Panasonic line-up. I'm still in love with my GF5 for some reason though
Thanks for this After ra couple of accidents I am not wanting to be lugging lenses and the like around at the moment but love photography so have bought one of these .Not used yet and not a vlogger + 4k is not vital .My main themes are wildlife etc so the zoom is handy .Panasonic has never let me down .Hope I'm lucky with this .Super review..By the way .I have read so many comments and critics .We are talking here a point and shoot compact cam cheap as can be ...The effect with a zoom is on most all hand held cams .As for bland sky it is a pain .Enjoyed the shots .Yet to try
Man, you need to bring the music volume down, but thanks for the video it was interesting.
I've noticed the dynamic range issues on the TZ90 in this and other reviews. It's about the only thing I don't like about it as a vlogging camera. If I could find a Panasonic point and shoot with a larger sensor that dealt with that, I think I'd be sold because I love everything else about it.
That 8-18mm, though...wow. Worth every penny. That thing looks GORGEOUS and I love that wide focal length, plus how it tops up around 35mm equivalent.
Interesting video blog. I've always enjoyed the TZ series (from 3 upwards). I'm looking forward to seeing the still quality. Nice work on this one.
I bought a TZ 90 and im disappointed with the video performance. Zooming in from wide angle( or out from telephoto) causes the frame to shake - its not smooth zooming
-It lets the footage down in 4K mode. I thought the camera was faulty, and when brought back to shop and crossed checked with another - it was the same. Drop a lot of
the useless extras on this cam, and give it better smooth unshakey zooming!
very interesting. I have that camera and still learning...thanks
Nice place indeed!
what settings did you have on the TZ90 video ? Auto focus on ? Footage looks like pretty bad... :( overly soft images with some strange foggy atmo on most of the clips- or just dirty lens ?
Yeh I know i'm so confused.
Yeh my vlogs always go out of focus. I’m so confused with the settings! Any help I would really appreciate it x
Maby change your focusing to single autofocus (AF-S) than Full-time autofocus (AF-F) if you haven't already that will focus it on your face and not everything else in the background :)
I agree. Specially the foggy atmosphere is really weird and not how it looks on every other video I've seen made with this camera.
Foggy effect from internal condensation?
Really helpful video, thanks.
Stupid question, how do you record sound externally with the mic at the end without a socket? Or are you simply recording sound separately and syncing in production?
Nice review. Are there better Cameras of this style with microphone input and similar price??
What about USb inputs??
I really wish you would have used the Leica 8-18 for video to see what that looked like. The stills of the GH5 and 8-18mm were really nice though.
Hello, does it have duration limit in video recording of MP4 mode? Thanks
To echo the other comments, a first - really good vid, thanks a mil - keep up the sterling work.
Wait so is the tz90 the international , and Zs70 is the us version
I just bought this camera this morning. Haven't really had a chance to look at it properly. I notice in the specifications that it mentioned that it was Wi-Fi enabled. Does this simply mean that you can transfer photos over the Wi-Fi, or can you also obtain an app for a smartphone which operates the camera like you can with a go pro?
I can see that the dynamic range isn't really that great, which is a bit of an issue for me. I really love that camera it's compact, small and great for the price yet something has to be done to that dynamic range.
+Ted Guy Again, pre-production, so they may be able tweak a bit more. My exposure could have been a bit darker which would have helped
Have these camera but I can’t get to look no where near as good as your do could u tell me what your settings are looking like ? Please
Looks a little soft in places, particularly the walk and talk pieces to camera. maybe could be rescued with a little better with a sharpening in post?
+kingoginge agreed. As I said at the start I turned down the sharpening in-camera, but looking back it's prob a shade too much.
Just re-read my comment back, brain was somewhere else obviously! I will be interested to see future videos on the TZ90, always a bit of a balance between in camera and post sharpening. Looks pretty capable for a compact sensor, not sure if it beats the Sony RX100 range or Canon gx7x ii but looks like it will be cheaper
was just wondering did you use any external microphone while vlogging using tz90?
Hi is the audio recorded through the camera? Can't get mine to work, I'm a newbie! Any tips appreciated thanks!
Good Morning, great video, could you please let me know the name of the external mic used?
Why is the sound so BAD in this video??? I have the TZ80 and it records fantastic sound. This is so 'hissy'. Does it have different preamps or microphones? This is a serious question. I was considering upgrading to get the flip screen... but that sound quality puts me off.
Was that the Lee Seven5 filters you were using with the 8-18? How did it workout? How was the vignetting with it?
+Fielding Smith nope, full size Lee filters. No vignetting.
Thanks for the fast reply! I'm hoping thats also the case with the Seven5 filters, as I've already bought into that size, hopefully someone will post a review/test with it soon. Really looking forward to this lens.
Hi. I am very confused! Which one chose Panasonic Lumix DC-ZS70, Sony HX90 or Canon SX730 HS? I like taking pictures and not interested in video and do not know which camera I chose? Please help.
Moooo! :-)
I got myself a TZ100 for travel photography. I love it, and the image quality is really, really good. The only issue I have with it is that the screen doesn't flip up so it isn't that useful to vlog with. Do you know if they have an update for that model in the works as well? I decided against the older TZ80 although I like a loooong zoom, because it didn't have the 1" sensor.
+Benny Löfgren TZ100 is still a current model. The 1" sensor gives it better image quality in low light and a better dynamic range... but obviously the zoom range isn't as large.
Photogearnews Thank you for responding!
On the one hand I'm glad I bought a current product... on the other hand I could really have used that flip-up screen. Oh well, I can guesstimate where my face is gonna be in the picture, no biggie. :-)
You're right about the smaller zoom range, but I still think 10x (25-250) is pretty darn good for a camera that size! And the image quality is actually surprisingly good (but maybe I just had too low expectations from a compact, since apart from this one I've only used Canon EOS gear the last 15 years or so).
My only other grip(e) with it is that it's just a tad small for my big, clumsy hands to maneuver comfortably, and a bit too slippery. Apart from that, I can wholeheartedly recommend it!
was there an external mix used to record this video, or is it all with the onboard mic?
All built in mic... except the voiceover
I have a bit of a problem that I hope you can help me with. As far as I can tell I have all the settings in the correct position on the camera. However, when I put the SDR card the my computer and download the files, instead of being JPEG, they are video files. If I click on view files after putting the card into the computer I can see the photos that I have taken, I just can't seem to download them as a JPEG. I wonder if you have any ideas what is going on?
+Penn Wooding sounds like you may be in the 4K photo mode. This take a video clip at 4K resolution then allows you to extract a JPEG image from it.
When you transfer the images to a computer you will see the video footage of you haven't extracted a JPEG image from it in-camera.
That's what it sounds like you're experiencing anyway. Hope that helps!
I can see that they are video clips when I download the files. However, when I double-click Windows media player tries to open them but can't.
Any overheating with 4K? I know Sony has had issues with their smaller cameras?
+veganbodybuilding not that I really noticed. I recorded the last second in the Photo Gear News Shed late one night and it was quite chilly, but I shot for around 20mims before the camera stopped recording. No problems for any of the vlogging content. It's worth further investigation and a comparison once the final version is released.
is the auto focus any good?
Can you confirm if this camera has any slow motion capabilities? I have seen it mentioned in a couple of places that it has a 120fps mode... Thanks
Heyy!! How does it compare to a canon 7x. And is the auto focus any good?
Clearly the autofocus is terrible. He isn't in focus ever in this video.
On the 2nd day, It looks like the same location as Kai tested out the 50k camera
Is this camera good for filming concerts?
panasonic tz90 or sony hx zoom ????
Does this camera have a mic output? Thanks
BeastProductionz no
Every smartphone has a way to connect external mic, not sure why we shouldn't expect a compact to have one.
+rythie Great point! I think it is only a matter of time. From a cyclical point of view there is always the danger that people would buy a cheaper camera than the more expensive ones in the range that do have a mic input
Though at this point, Sony's RX100 mark 5 is about twice the price of the a6000. Yet the RX100 doesn't have a microphone input and the a6000 does. Then add to that, that the RX100 has the flip up screen and the a6000 series does not.
If it were an argument about size, phones are way thinner or cameras could use the USB port for a mic in (like the GoPro) or bluetooth even.
Vlogging is essentially an ignored segment of the market.
have the tz90 f 2.8?
Some bad autofocus on that GH5 at 9:25
+rythie none of this video was shot with the GH5... it was all with the TZ90
+rythie Good test of the TZ90 continuous AF in low-light in face detection mode. Using single AF without face detection would have sorted that. All about knowing how to get the best from it.
In that regard the vlog was a useful test of how to get the best in the real world.
In fact we should do a specific How to video on vlogging with smaller compact cameras in different situations
Oh, ok wasn't that clear because you said the GH5 battery was dying.
+rythie it was, but I wasn't shooting with it. Apologies, should have somehow made that clearer!
TZ90 or HX90v?? which one should i buy?. i need low light but tz90 has 4k
Neither are going to be ideal in low light due to the smaller compact camera size sensor. Of the two the TZ90 is the newer so should, in theory, perform slightly better in low light. Another option would be the TZ200 with its larger 1in size sensor which will definitely perform better in low kight
What’s the name of the song
The photos look amazing, but yeah the video quality on it still leaves a lot to be desired...
+Decaffeinated Photography the stills are a mixture of 8-18mm lens with the GH5 and the TZ90
+Decaffeinated Photography just a note that it was a pre-production sample so it may get tweaked.
ohhhh sorry, must have missed that haha, will have to take a look a little bit later!
how close to the Nikon Coolpix A900 is this?
A900 has 35x zoom and 4K video too!
Panasonic practically invented this market of travel zoom cameras, having high zoom in a compact body since 2006. Plus they were the first to introduce 4K to the average consumer (Like actually affordable) with the GH4, and the previous version of this camera, the TZ80, also has 4K video. You're right, they do share many similarities.
If I should start at 4K video at all!
I would start at the G7 and buy all the speedboster, video monitors and external hhd to go!
G5 doesnt have the 2.5 x but at 2x!
True that. In fact I have the G7 because of the 4K. Lovely camera.
Can you focus using the ring while recording video?
voice too low, music too loud
Музыка ОРЁТ!...!
video of selfie mode wasn't good quality, i could see the auto focus readjusting
That’s why we do these videos 😉
Cute guy ♡♡
FIRTSTTTT！@！！！111!
+Lok Cheung 😂👍🏅🏅
one of the first vloggers I followed on yt!
DigitralRev was fun back when Alamby was in it!
who uses the GH5 for stills anyway? XD
+ZX Tech. I was pleasantly surprised by it when using it in Iceland. In terms of build and handling I would say it is up there with the best of them - both CSC and DSLR. And the image quality is pretty good if you aren't interested in super high ISO settings.
But I take your point... video is clearly the main market for it
Its definitely an amazing stills camera. The main reason people buy it, however, is still probably the high bitrate 4k video which is amazing for a consumer/prosumer grade device.
+ZX Tech. Of course! It's incredible what they've packed in!
Great video by the way!
Are your lenses all dirty or did you pick the wrong bitrate settings when exporting this video? All of your shots look like 720p and the footage from the GH5 looks like you have Vaseline on the lens. And your music is obnoxiously loud compared to your voice.
That flip up screen is floppy when you flip it up to see yourself when vlogging.
It also feels very plastic.. it does not feel solid like a Canon.
yeah its floppy.... a bit disappointed . i thought it clicks when reach 180 degrees, but it does not..
THIRRRDDDDD!....
You reALLY EXPlore thE DYNAMic raNGe of LOUd and QUieT IN this VidEO. in tHE ENd i juST STOpped waTCHING it.
subbed :)
no...
autofocus is terrible
35mm is not good for vlogging
Shit video quality from this TZ90. 10 times worse than my 8 year old Canon S110 !
Second..:p