Review: Panasonic TZ70/ZS50

3:00 am | January 30, 2015

Author: admin | Category: Cameras | Comments: None

Introduction and features

It was Panasonic which began the trend for making compact cameras that are specifically designed for travellers and those heading out on holiday, and the TZ series, called the ZS series in the US, is still one of the most highly regarded of the genre. The news Panasonic TZ70/ZS50, then, should prove highly popular.

Affording manual control, along with the ability to shoot in raw format, the intention is that enthusiast photographers who otherwise would use a DSLR or CSC but don’t want to carry it around with them will appreciate such a camera.

Of course there is also full automatic mode, along with scene and creative options, to appeal to those who want to concentrate on the act of taking the photo itself.

Fewer pixels, better quality

In a change from the norm of ever increasing pixel counts, Panasonic has opted to give the TZ70 a 12 million pixel sensor instead of the 18Mp device in its predecessor, the TZ60. The sensor’s physical size, however, remains the same at 1/2.3 inch which means that the photo receptors (pixels) are larger. This should enable the new camera to produce better image quality because noise levels should be reduced, low light capability improved and dynamic range extended.

30x zoom range

Another key selling point of this camera, and others like it, is its very extensive zoom range. Panasonic has stuck with the TZ60’s Leica DC VARIO ELMAR 30x zoom lens with a focal length range of 4.3-129mm, which gives a 35mm equivalent range of 24-720mm and an aperture range of f/3.3-6.4 (wide-tele). There’s also an additional digital zoom, which doubles the 30x range, which Panasonic dubs “Intelligent Zoom”.

Panasonic TZ70/ZS50

With these kinds of focal lengths, image blur caused by even the slightest movement of the camera is a very real risk. To that end, Panasonic has once again included the advanced Hybrid OIS+ (Optical Image Stabilizer Plus) five-axis system, which promises to keep this kind of blur to a minimum and is available for both stills and video.

Panasonic boasts “Light Speed AF” for the TZ70, which comes as a result of the incorporation of a 240fps (frames per second) Auto Focus sensor drive. You can also focus manually if you want to, and this has been made easier with focus peaking, which highlights in-focus edges.

Viewfinder and screen

The addition of a 0.2 inch, 200,000-dot electronic viewfinder (EVF) was widely appreciated for the TZ60 because it makes life much easier when trying to compose images in bright, sunny conditions. It perhaps comes as no surprise therefore that Panasonic has kept this feature for the TZ70 – but it is now a much higher resolution 1,160,000-dot device.

There’s also a 3-inch 920,000-dot screen, and just like on the TZ60, this is fixed rather than tilting (the cheaper TZ57 sister model announced at the same time as the TZ70, however, does have a tilting screen). Panasonic has also decided not to return to using the touch-sensitive screens of earlier incarnations of the TZ series, which is a shame. This could perhaps be a bid to keep the cost down, or perhaps they are not perceived to be popular among enthusiast photographers.

Panasonic TZ70/ZS50

It is, however, possible to compose images on a smartphone screen and control the TZ70 remotely via a Wi-Fi connection when using Panasonic’s free app. So, you sort of have a touchscreen by-proxy, if you like. The camera also features an NFC chip for a quicker connection if you have a compatible device.

Panasonic TZ70/ZS50

As with the newly announced GF7, the TZ70 has a Jump Shot mode. This fun feature allows you to trigger the shutter release on the camera by jumping with your connected phone in your pocket.

Other specification highlights include a top sensitivity setting of ISO 6400. As is pretty much the norm now, full 1080p video recording is available, while the ability to create time lapse movies has also been included.

Since Panasonic started the trend for travel cameras, plenty of other manufacturers have produced their own versions and there are now quite a few cameras which compete with the TZ70 – a 30x optical zoom is not the rarity it once was. The Nikon S9700, Sony HX60 and Canon SX700 each have similar specifications to the TZ70.

Build Quality and Handling

You’ll need a reasonably large, or loose, jeans pocket to fit the TZ70, but it remains fairly remarkable how manufacturers are able to squeeze a lens capable of such large zoom range in a relatively small body.

Little has changed design-wise when comparing the TZ70 with its predecessor, the TZ60. One of the things that has changed is the grip on the front of the camera, which is now larger. It helps your forefingers to sit snugly, working in conjunction with the raised thumbrest on the back of the camera. It’s worth noting that the camera’s small inbuilt flash is found just above the front grip, so it can be relatively easy to obscure, especially if you have fairly large fingers.

The back of the camera is almost identical to the TZ60, with the only noticeable difference being that the button used to switch between the viewfinder and the main screen when the automatic sensor isn’t in use has moved to a more central position, making it easier to reach with the right thumb.

Panasonic TZ70/ZS50

In fact, Panasonic has designed the TZ70 with the aim of using it with one hand in mind, with all of the buttons on the back within easy reach of the thumb, and those on the top plate within easy reach of your forefinger.

From the top

On the top of the camera, you’ll find a mode dial which contains all of the usual settings that you’d find on one of Panasonic’s compact system cameras, including aperture priority, fully automatic and digital filters mode. This makes it very quick and easy to change between the different exposure modes on offer. There’s also a couple of slots on the mode dial for a group of custom settings, which is useful if you’re often shooting one particular type of scene, such as high sensitivity (low light) or black and white.

Panasonic TZ70/ZS50

Also on top of the camera is the shutter release button, which is surrounded by the zoom switch. There’s a nice fluid motion to the zooming, and if you have digital or intelligent zoom activated, it will pause briefly before leaving the optical portion of the zoom – useful if you prefer to use optical zoom only.

Panasonic TZ70/ZS50

The control ring around the lens, which was introduced with the TZ60, allows quick adjustments to a variety of settings, depending on the mode you’re in. For instance, while in aperture priority mode, its default setting is to control the lens aperture. If you prefer, though, you can set it to control other settings, including Zoom, Exposure Compensation, White Balance and others.

If you do change that setting, or you just prefer to use the scrolling dial on the back of the camera, this can be used to control aperture or shutter speed. When in manual mode, you’ll need to tap the exposure compensation button to switch between the two.

Round the back

Moving to the back of the camera, there is a traditional four way navigational pad, with each of the directional keys controlling a certain setting. For instance, you can switch to macro focusing mode by pressing the left key. There are two customisable function buttons, which, like the control ring, can be set to a number of different functions including Metering Mode and Composition Guide. I found it useful to set the Fn1 button, next to the navigational pad, to Focus Area Set, to quickly allow the autofocus point to be moved – particularly handy for a camera such as this which doesn’t have a touch sensitive screen.

Panasonic TZ70/ZS50

A quick menu can be accessed via a dedicated button in the bottom right hand corner of the camera. Here you’ll find handy access to some of the most commonly used functions you’ll probably want to change frequently, such as aspect ratio, white balance and so on. It would have been nice if you could customise this menu.

The screen doesn’t suffer too badly from reflections, except in very bright conditions – in which case, you can switch to the viewfinder. The increase in resolution from the TZ60’s viewfinder makes it a more enjoyable device to use, and while I wouldn’t want to use it for every shot, it’s certainly handy to have for certain situations.

Panasonic TZ70/ZS50

As the camera is a relatively new introduction, the required smart device app has not yet been updated so I wasn’t able to test the Wi-Fi functionality at the time of writing. I have used Panasonic’s Wi-Fi function and the free app before and it’s usually pretty good, allowing you to control a range of functions and connect quickly – so I have faith that the same will be true of the TZ70.

Performance

One of the problems we found with the TZ60 was its slight tendency to oversaturate colours. Here on the TZ70, Panasonic seems to have kept that a little more under control as images appear more natural, although still bright and vibrant. That’s especially lucky when you consider that, unlike Panasonic Lumix G series compact system cameras, The TZ70 has no Picture Styles to choose from.

Smoothing effects

The overall impression of detail from images shot on the TZ70 is great, certainly at normal printing sizes such as A4 or below. However, if you zoom in at 100% and examine closely you begin to see some examples of image smoothing and loss of detail even at sensitivity values as low as ISO 160.

Panasonic TZ70/ZS50

Click here for full resolution version.

Meanwhile, images shot at higher ISOs, such as ISO 3200, demonstrate a fair amount of image smoothing even when viewing at relatively small sizes. Of course, it’s better to get the shot than not at all, but I would advise keeping ISO speeds to below 1600 if at all possible.

Panasonic TZ70/ZS50

Click here for full resolution version.

While there is a degree of image smoothing throughout the sensitivity range, this does mean that image noise is usually kept to a minimum. I would advise keeping the camera on an Auto ISO setting, with a maximum value of ISO 800 or ISO 1600 (depending on light levels) for the majority of your shots, and only switch to the higher settings when it gets really dark.

Exposure accuracy

Generally, I have been very pleased with the capability of the camera’s all-purpose metering system. It produces images which are generally accurate on most occasions, only requiring a little exposure compensation in very high contrast situations.

Panasonic TZ70/ZS50 sample image

Click here for full resolution version.

The automatic white balance setting does a decent job, but it errs towards yellowish tones under artificial light. It might be worth using the Incandescent white balance setting if you’re finding this to be a problem.

Panasonic TZ70/ZS50 sample image

Click here for full resolution version.

Autofocus performance

One of the hopes we had for the TZ70 was that focusing speeds would be an improvement on the already good speeds of the TZ60. I’m not sure I would say I notice a huge jump in speeds, but the TZ70 is generally very quick to lock onto the subject, even when shooting at the far reach of its extensive telephoto lens. In lower light, the AF system will search a little longer for the target, but it’s fairly rare for a false confirmation of focus to be displayed.

You can activate macro focusing to get very close to a subject. With this you might find you need to half press the shutter to refocus a couple of times before you’re completely happy, especially if you’re photographing a small detail of some kind.

Zoom range

The biggest selling point of the TZ70 is its huge zoom range, and so it’s natural to apply particularly close scrutiny to this.

Probably the biggest fear when using very long lenses is that it will be hard to hold the camera steady enough to produce a blur free image. Happily, you don’t generally need to worry about that when using the TZ70 since Panasonic’s fantastic image stabilisation system does a great job at keeping things steady – so much so that it’s possible to get handheld shots even at the full reach of the lens.

Even better news is that at these reaches, the picture, while not quite as good as at the wide end of the lens, still has good resolution with plenty of detail, certainly at normal printing or viewing sizes.

Panasonic TZ70/ZS50 sample image

Click here for full resolution version.

Panasonic TZ70/ZS50

Click here for full resolution version.

If you need it, you can even use the Intelligent zoom to get even closer. While it’s not something I’d recommend for every shot, it’s usable at smaller viewing and printing sizes. A digital zoom takes that even further, but I wouldn’t recommend using that unless you are particularly desperate. It’s also worth noting that you’ll need to switch off raw format shooting before you can use either of the digital zooms.

Image quality and resolution

We use an industry-standard resolution test chart as part of our image quality testing. Click here to see a full explanation of what our resolution charts mean. Below are the results for the Panasonic TZ70.