Panasonic LUMIX DC-ZS70K Review: A Compact Camera with a Big Zoom
If you are looking for a compact camera that can do it all, you might want to check out the Panasonic LUMIX DC-ZS70K. This camera is a travel zoom that offers a 30x optical zoom, a 20.3 megapixel sensor, a tilting touchscreen, a built-in viewfinder, and 4K video recording. It is a versatile and portable camera that can handle various shooting scenarios, from landscapes to portraits, from selfies to wildlife.
In this article, we will review the features, benefits, and drawbacks of the Panasonic LUMIX DC-ZS70K, and compare it with some of its competitors. We will also provide some representative customer reviews and a purchase link for your convenience.
Features of the Panasonic LUMIX DC-ZS70K
The Panasonic LUMIX DC-ZS70K has many features that make it a great choice for travelers, hobbyists, and casual photographers. Here are some of the main features of this camera:
– 30x optical zoom: The camera has a Leica-branded lens that covers a 24-720mm equivalent focal range, which means you can capture wide-angle shots of landscapes and buildings, as well as telephoto shots of distant subjects. The lens also has an aperture range of f/3.3-6.4, which is decent for low-light situations and background blur effects.
– 20.3 megapixel sensor: The camera has a 1/2.3-inch BSI CMOS sensor that delivers high-resolution images with good color and detail. The sensor also supports 4K photo mode, which allows you to extract 8 megapixel stills from 4K video clips at 30 frames per second.
– Tilting touchscreen: The camera has a 3-inch LCD screen that can tilt up to 180 degrees, which is useful for taking selfies and vlogging. The screen is also touch-enabled, which means you can tap to focus, shoot, and adjust settings.
– Electronic viewfinder: The camera has a 0.2-inch electronic viewfinder that has 1.16 million dots of resolution and 100% coverage. The viewfinder is helpful for composing shots in bright sunlight or when using the zoom lens. The viewfinder also has an eye sensor that automatically switches between the screen and the viewfinder when you bring the camera to your eye.
– Wi-Fi connectivity: The camera has built-in Wi-Fi that lets you connect to your smartphone or tablet via the Panasonic Image App. You can use the app to transfer images and videos, control the camera remotely, or share your photos on social media.
Benefits of the Panasonic LUMIX DC-ZS70K
The Panasonic LUMIX DC-ZS70K has many benefits that make it a worthwhile investment for anyone who wants a compact and versatile camera. Here are some of the benefits of this camera:
– Portability: The camera is small and lightweight, measuring 112 x 67 x 41 mm and weighing 322 g with battery and SD card. You can easily slip it into your pocket or bag and take it anywhere you go.
– Versatility: The camera can handle a wide range of shooting situations, thanks to its powerful zoom lens, high-resolution sensor, tilting touchscreen, and electronic viewfinder. You can capture stunning landscapes, portraits, selfies, wildlife, sports, and more with this camera.
– Performance: The camera delivers fast and accurate autofocus, thanks to its Depth-from-Defocus technology that calculates the distance to the subject by evaluating two images with different sharpness levels. The camera also has an effective image stabilization system that reduces blur caused by camera shake or movement.
– Quality: The camera produces high-quality images and videos, thanks to its Venus Engine processor that enhances color, contrast, and sharpness. The camera also supports 4K video recording at 30p, which gives you four times the resolution of Full HD video.
Drawbacks of the Panasonic LUMIX DC-ZS70K
The Panasonic LUMIX DC-ZS70K is not a perfect camera, and it has some drawbacks that you should be aware of before buying it. Here are some of the drawbacks of this camera:
– Image quality: The camera’s image quality is good for its class, but it is not comparable to cameras with larger sensors or better lenses. The camera’s small sensor suffers from noise and loss of detail at high ISO settings or in low-light conditions. The camera’s lens also shows some softness and distortion at the wide-angle and telephoto ends of the zoom range.
– Viewfinder: The camera’s electronic viewfinder is small and low-resolution, which makes it hard to see clearly or comfortably. The viewfinder also has a narrow eye relief, which means you have to press your eye close to the viewfinder to see the whole image. The viewfinder is better than nothing, but it is not very enjoyable to use.
– Ergonomics: The camera’s ergonomics are not very impressive, as the camera has a small and slippery grip, a crowded and confusing button layout, and a flimsy battery door. The camera is not very comfortable or easy to hold or operate, especially for long periods of time or with one hand.
Comparison with Competitors
The Panasonic LUMIX DC-ZS70K is not the only travel zoom camera on the market, and it faces some tough competition from other brands and models. Here are some of the main competitors of this camera, and how they compare with it:
| Camera | Panasonic LUMIX DC-ZS70K | Canon PowerShot SX740 HS | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX99 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sensor | 20.3 MP 1/2.3-inch BSI CMOS | 20.3 MP 1/2.3-inch BSI CMOS | 18.2 MP 1/2.3-inch BSI CMOS |
| Lens | 30x optical, 24-720mm equivalent, f/3.3-6.4 | 40x optical, 24-960mm equivalent, f/3.3-6.9 | 28x optical, 24-720mm equivalent, f/3.5-6.4 |
| Screen | 3-inch tilting touchscreen, 1.04M dots | 3-inch tilting LCD, 922K dots | 3-inch tilting LCD, 921K dots |
| Viewfinder | 0.2-inch electronic, 1.16M dots | None | 0.2-inch electronic, 638K dots |
| Video | 4K at 30p | 4K at 30p | 4K at 30p |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Dimensions | 112 x 67 x 41 mm | 110 x 64 x 40 mm | 102 x 58 x 36 mm |
| Weight | 322 g | 299 g | 242 g |
| Price | $397.99 | $399.00 | $448.00 |
As you can see from the table above, the Panasonic LUMIX DC-ZS70K has some advantages and disadvantages over its competitors. The Canon PowerShot SX740 HS has a longer zoom range and a lighter weight, but it lacks a touchscreen and a viewfinder. The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX99 has a smaller size and weight, but it has a lower resolution sensor and viewfinder.
Customer Reviews
The Panasonic LUMIX DC-ZS70K has received mostly positive feedback from customers who have bought and used it. Here are some of the representative customer reviews from Amazon:
– “I love this camera! It is easy to use and takes great pictures. The zoom is amazing and the image stabilization works well. The touchscreen is responsive and the flip-up feature is great for selfies. The viewfinder is small but useful in bright sunlight. The battery life is decent and the Wi-Fi connection is fast and reliable.”
– “This camera is good for travel and everyday use, but it is not for serious photography. The image quality is good in daylight, but it suffers in low light or indoors. The lens is sharp in the center, but soft in the corners. The viewfinder is too small and low-res to be useful. The ergonomics are poor and the grip is slippery.”
– “This camera is a great compromise between size and performance. It has a lot of features that make it versatile and fun to use. The zoom range is impressive and the autofocus is fast and accurate. The 4K video quality is excellent and the 4K photo mode is useful for capturing action shots. The viewfinder is handy for framing shots in bright light.”
Conclusion
The Panasonic LUMIX DC-ZS70K is a compact camera that offers a lot of value for its price. It has a powerful zoom lens, a high-resolution sensor, a tilting touchscreen, a built-in viewfinder, and 4K video recording. It is a versatile and portable camera that can handle various shooting scenarios.
However, the Panasonic LUMIX DC-ZS70K also has some drawbacks that might limit its appeal for some users. It has mediocre image quality in low light or at the extremes of the zoom range, a small and low-resolution viewfinder, and poor ergonomics.
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