Is the Compact Camera Back?!

[@RichardFraser-y9t]

Dear camera manufacturers, I don't want 700mm, I want 20-85 with a big sensor and a large aperture.

[@MaddyIndia]

Yes, bigger sensor. I don't mind the zoom.

[@branimirteodorovic2297]

1 inch type sensor with f/1.4-f/2 aperture and 28-60mm full frame equivalent filed of view would be much more useful

[@GUANTA23K]

The larger the sensor, the larger the lens has to be

[@1armbiker]

Personally I agree, but the problem is the market actually buying these are kids who are coming from phones, and the most obvious weak point of the phones is getting anything reasonable past 50mm, so I think going to at least 150 is kinda required.

[@aconacon1735]

canon g5x m2 🤝

[@Sabundy]

The camera brands need to get their act together and give us some modern small point and shoot cameras.

[@Kuzumby]

Manufacturers are prob waiting to see if this is just a temporary fad or a sustainable trend they can actually invest in.

[@radu8572]

Feeding us 2017 technology with a new makeup.

[@bl4ck1911]

imagine they put the same computational power inside these cameras to be able to shoot videos with an enhanced dynamic range just like iphones do in real time! instead of 30x optical zoom with a 1/2.3 sensor i think a 10x optical and 1 inch sensor would be really nice!

[@Sabundy]

@bl4ck1911 umm.....yeah I will pass on Apple'a over saturated fake look thanks. Apple's colour science sucks.

[@bl4ck1911]

@@Sabundy for sure, even in the example pic they somehow made the snow so blue 🤦‍♂ but the tech they use to squeeze more dynamic range while recording (i think it takes 2 frames for every frame and makes it look really nice during sunsets or concerts or any place with extreme light contrast)

[@loganoleary9183]

So they heard that people are buying a lot of old point and shoots, so to capitalize on that market they...released an old point and shoot?

[@alexlindstrom9971]

Yup! Crazy frustrating. All those bodies were in bad need of substantial updates.

[@falxonPSN]

Yeah it's pretty ridiculous that they couldn't even be bothered to update the processing or the sensor.

[@cristibaluta]

Yes, in the meantime they make MFT larger than FF cameras

[@jgaffney567]

They feel that is all the market will bear ..it makes no sense to invest your way to their bean counters

[@WineLad]

I'd say the big reason lumix stopped (albeit briefly) making the previous version, was the eu making usb c compulsory and hey since they have to redesign it a little they might as well make it cheaper by removing the evf. Tada! Instant entry level middle of the road compact camera.

[@27hdyx6b3ym3w]

I hope the 1-inch (or even APSC) sensor point and shoots get their way back to the market. Brighter aperture would be a nice addition.

[@ej_tech]

In my opinion 1-inch (maximum size) is the way to go. It's still a bigger sensor than a flagship smartphone but not too big where you're limited to a prime lens like the Ricoh GR or Fuji X100.

[@isthsm]

I’d like anywhere from 2/3” (RIP to my MIA fuji X70) to m4/3rds. 20-70, 24 or 28-105, maybe 28-200 and sacrifice a little portability. Really I just wish I’d had an airtag on my fuji though :’(

[@samohara5187]

Lumix make a 4/3 compact (LX100) with a zoom. I feel that would have been a much better option than this ZS99.

[@hellsq]

1-inch sensors is the thing we already got in phones already. SONY IMX989 and LYT-900 are incredible.

[@burnedmozzarella]

​@@samohara5187and Lumix also has LX10. it has 1.4-2.8 aperture on top of 20mp 1 inch type sensor

[@coreoffour]

Give us handling... give us user experience, give us a sense of “using a camera” instead of competing with the utility of the smartphone. Clicky shutter, tactile aperture ring, popup flash, buttons, dials, the whole shebang. It’s super clear now that there are various generations, young and old, that want to detach from the phone and “feel” like you're a part of the picture making process. New compact cameras should do exactly that.

[@simonrockstream]

It's so simple. They have the recipe for success just begging in front of them. Pathetic companys truly -_-

[@horsingwithhugo]

I agree! That’s why I haven’t upgraded my 2011 fujifilm x10. It’s small, lovely to hold, to take every where, dials on top to change. I don’t need the screen - just the EVF and I’m good to go. Tbh I just point and shoot and see what happens!

[@darkangel9685]

Fujifilm says hi

[@hedydd2]

What are Panasonic thinking? Are they mad? Deleting the EVF, which is a major advantage over the smartphones must hobble their potential customer base greatly.

[@TheLeiPol]

No EVF = No deal

[@twit_t9668]

Hate to break it to you but the customer base at this price point never actually cared about an evf, they cared about getting good pictures to share straight away

[@Paul_Rohde]

​@@twit_t9668 ha? Then those ones will be just using their phones.

[@trekkeruss]

The target market is smartphones users who want a "real" camera. Those customers are accustomed to taking photos using a screen; that's why you see people with DSLR's and mirrorless cameras shooting with their camera held away from their face. If we were taking about an ILC, I would say the lack of a viewfinder is bad, but for a pocket camera, not so much.

[@stevencrabtree1409]

Firstly the EVF was next to useless it was so small. There is a massive backlog of orders for the Canon SX740, a compact camera with no EVF and a 40x zoom. We've got about 16 customers who have paid deposits going as far back as August waiting for these. They are pricing these at $100 over the Canon, but they have this killer feature that Canon don't, you can get one of these.

[@jackplissken5328]

Even Chris’s voice cracks when announcing the size of this sensor 1:09

[@MinoltaCamera]

Maybe it's time for a new Pentax MX-1, remember that compact camera with brass body? Pentax did a great job and they don't have mirrorless cameras so they are not afraid to canibalize sales with a pro compact camera, like other brands are.

[@shmvon]

Ricoh owns Pentax. Yet you’re right, MX-1 is nice.

[@FedorAntony]

It would cannibalise their Ricoh GR sales though

[@meat_loves_wasabi]

A compact Sony RX1R3 with latest AF , IBIS & a new F1.7 lens will be sweet

[@rem792]

Not asking for much, are you? 😂 That would be amazing.

[@breadandcircuses5644]

Very sweet indeed! Let's also make it at least halfway affordable.

[@FilJR99]

That would be even more expensive than the older versions. Ouch!😵 I had the first version and loved it but the autofocus drove me crazy and I eventually sold it.

[@alen2937]

That is an FF camera in a really compact form factor, but at his point I would say an A7C with a nice compact zoom instead of the fixed prime.

[@ATKR45]

It they can make it with a 28mm lens, I would be game.

[@olivergoldvalente]

Slightly larger sensor and a viewfinder would make this incredible. I especially have zero interest without a viewfinder.

[@abhinaybuiss]

That's basically LX15, I hope they release a successor of that.

[@alangauld6079]

That would be its big brother, the TZ100/TZ200 with a 1 inch sensor and an EVF but only 25-250mm(FFE) zoom (but f2 at 25mm end). Its my backpacking camera of choice.

[@majky358]

yeah, but even electronic viewfinder has low resolution, I am not interested

[@rickkennerly2379]

I worship in the temple of the darkened viewfinder, so the FF X100 VI drew me in with great tactile dials & a viewfinder. No viewfinder, no sale. I already have an iPhone with sloppy-dippy screen controls.

[@waltertomashefsky2682]

Looks like a whole new camera category: pointless and shootless.

[@Sorennn94]

Golden comment 💛 ✨️

[@rjkral]

Haha don't quite agree but laughed out loud. Eh maybe you're right haha!! It's a step in an interesting direction though...(it doesn't quite do what it needs to do in my opinion for the price, but it's a start. Younger generation IS looking for point and shoots with zoom)

[@wilquorra]

As a camera salesman, the amount of returns we get on say the ZV lineup from Sony because they don't have a dedicated flash is INSANE. While it did seem like a trend for tiktok girlies to have the harsh flash, hence why the G7X MKII is SOOO popular and has been backordered for over a year, the trend seems to not be dying as well. These companies make killer cameras for working professionals, but a lot of them have completely glossed over mom and pop or people who don't need large sensors or insanely sharp glass - some people just want to take photos. I see this camera selling like hotcakes because of this.

[@Tugela60]

It has to be at least a decade since I have seen anyone use a flash, so I call BS.

[@Metro6am]

@@Tugela60gen z is all about the flash lol

[@Tugela60]

@@Metro6am Never the less, it has been a very long time since I have seen anyone use a flash.

[@christianthane1482]

@@Tugela60 nah, they’re right. Flash is important. My 19 year old sister is asking me for alternatives to the G7X (which brought me here); and the flash + warm photos out of camera are the 2 main things these kids care about. Trends gonna trend 🤷‍♂️

[@itsallminor6133]

​@@Tugela60umm. I use flash. Most people, that know anything about photography. Will use flash.

[@carmelobanados4339]

I sure am glad that I kept my Sony RX100M3. It has a pop up EVF and a sharp and fast 24-70mm equivalent focal range with a 1” sensor. I’ve taken it on so many treks in over 5 continents and has always taken very sharp photos in all my travels. I’ve dropped it multiple times, even had to replace the base plate, the plastic doors on the ports no longer closes properly but it still keeps on ticking and giving me sharp and vibrant images. Coincidentally, I also had a Sony HX80 with a similar zoom lens and image sensor to this Lumix ZX99 camera and even with image stabilization, it was hard to get a sharp photo at the long end of the zoom. I also still have my Lumix ZS100 thinking it would replace my RX100M3 with its similar 1” sensor and longer 25-200mm zoom lens giving me more range and while the extra range is fine especially when hiking where one cannot easily zoom with your feet, the image quality is just not the same as my venerable RX100M3. The latest RX100VII is nice, it is also too pricy for most people. At that price, it’s encroaching on the APSC mirrorless cameras. I have a Sony A6100, the cheapest Sony camera with Real Time Tracking AF paired with a compact yet versatile Sony 18-135mm imaged stabilized lens that is my defacto hiking camera as it actually handles better than the smaller RX100M3 and I can be ready to shoot instantly when hiking…no more waiting for the zoom lens to deploy and I don’t have to take the time to pop up the EVF and I can focus instantly with Real Time Tracking AF. In low light or night situations, I just pop in my Sony 28mm f2 which gives me a 42mm equivalent field of view and I’m good to go. I installed cage to protect it from knocks and bumps and I have a $2 plastic rain cover to protect it from the elements. This kit in excellent used condition cost me less than $700 so I don’t mind taking it out in the elements. It just doesn’t make economical sense for camera makers when cell phone cameras have gotten so much better. It makes more sense to step up to an APSC camera which while remaining compact is easier to use in manual mode, has better image quality, the advantage of interchangeable lenses and is instantly ready to shoot when called upon.

[@cmsmart13]

Yeah, I think at some point I’m going to look for an RX100 (either Mark III or V), they seem like such little powerhouses.

[@gundamaction1201]

Finally someone mention the sony rx100 series. I own the Rx100v5a and it is an amazing point and shoot. It has pop up evf and on camera flash. And an internal nd filter as well!

[@faraway5828]

Love my Rx100 M5. Camera of choice for daughters school events (discrete, reach), and also for motorbike trips - pocket sized

[@IvoTichelaar]

What many seem to miss about this camera series is that it is the only very compact camera that is selling, before and beyond the current fashion trend of retro point and shoots. It's not without reason that Panasonic calls it a travelzoom, it has the zoomrange for a safari and a macro shot of an exotic bug. As Chris shows with the Santa "motionless like a mannequin" compact vs iphone, there is still really no contest for that extreme range. If you don't want to lug around the big aluminum sewer pipes AKA wildlife telephoto lenses for full frame cameras, and also don't want to carry around the fixed lens equivalents (tint sensor bridge cameras), this camera is perfect. I still have my Lumix TZ7 travelzoom compact. That lens is a masterpiece. It's so sharp, so few artefacts. The tiny sensor has some real issues with noise and noise reduction eats a lot of the details, but in good light it produces beautiful photos. This camera has a relatively old sensor, but definitely more capable than my old TZ. Having RAW and being able to choose your own noise reduction gives lots of opportunities to make keepers in challenging conditions. The disappearance of the EVF is a bit sad. Although I don't think anyone really loved that EVF. But it had practical use, that's true. Anyone who's ever installed gcam on their non-Pixel phone will know how much improvement in noise and dynamic range the basic google Pixel computational photography algorithms bring to even the cheapest phones. It's basically clever HDR, done very efficiently. While I don't think that an android camera is the right way to go (a phone is basically obsolete in 9 months, no camera company can handle such a turnover of models), I bet the basic computational algorithms can be baked into a chip and integrated into cameras. Ever since I have had smartphones capable of good photographs, I have longed for the lens of my travelzoom on my phone. It's just sooooo much better.

[@joeaddison]

This is a camera that is purely fulfilling a need in the market. It's not new, it's not high end, but I think it is necessary. As a consumer right now (not a photographer specifically) you cannot walk into a camera retailer Best Buy, B&H, Adorama, Samy's, Glazer's, etc. and buy a brand new point and shoot camera at all. Sony is out of stock, Canon is out of stock, Nikon doesn't make anything anymore, Panasonic discontinued all of their compact cameras. Those Kodak cameras are out there but they are not good, the key phrase from those consumers who are looking to buy these cameras is "better than my phone". I don't want to defend this as a great camera, but I think a lot of people are underestimating how extreme the demand is for compact cameras right now. I'm happy this camera is here to fill that need. Obviously there are used cameras out there but prices are going crazy, and a lot of those aforementioned consumers are not familiar with how to buy a good used camera, so they won't do it.

[@BryceShamwow]

Agreed: this has no EVF but it's a lot cheaper brand new than a ZS80, for which the price is absolutely nonsensical right now.

[@MartinB0]

Hope Sony will bring something like RX 100 Va or RX 100 VII with some polishing back to the game. I really love my RX 100 Va :)

[@EdvardKALEN]

They have the ZV-1, why bring back the RX100?

[@MartinB0]

@@EdvardKALEN does Z-V1 have viewfinder?

[@EdvardKALEN]

@@MartinB0 Better. It has a hot shoe.

[@crosenvold1]

I have the Sony RX100-MKII with the external clip-on viewfinder that can also be tilted 90 deg. A fabulous little camera, that is still good today, and with the constant development of software that removes pixel noise, I am not worried about low light situations at all.

[@EdvardKALEN]

@@crosenvold1 FDA-EV1MK? This model?

[@MinoltaCamera]

The truth is that camera brands know that compact cameras can cannibalize the sales of their mirrorless cameras, and that's why they don't release new ones or improve their sensors. With an RX10 V or an RX100 VIII with a 2025 sensor, many people would realize that it's all they need to take non-professional photos. The same goes for Canon with the G1X line, which has a larger sensor than M4/3. Imagine what a 2025 sensor could do, it would have the quality of APS-C from a few years ago, which is more than enough for the vast majority of photographers.

[@reldies5364]

But is that true? Would people who are buying 500-1000 bucks compact cameras really be in business for an 2k+ mirrorless system? On the contrary, Leica uses their Q Line to get people a taste for their M cameras and Fuji is selling their X100 like hot cakes, even though it has the same hardware then their mirrorless cameras.

[@funnybeingme]

Actually, people love the convenience and the simplicity of taking non-professional photos with their smartphones. There is no learning curve, just compose, maybe adjust brightness and take the photo, then maybe apply a filter and then post to social media. Most don't even take photos in RAW in their phones because they don't know what to do with it. I have plenty of non photographer friends who bought modern mirrorless APS-C cameras thinking they can get way better photos than their phone. While it certainly can, but most don't even use it because it's an extra thing they have to carry with them. And then without really understanding DOF, shutter speed, ISO; they don't get the consistent result they get with their iPhones. Therefore it doesn't get used as much as they were hoping to when they were excited to purchase it in the beginning. Let's not forget dealing with an SD card, transferring that to your phone/tablet/laptop and to an editing software, subscribing to Lightroom, learning Lightroom. It's a lot of process for most.

[@POVwithRC]

Yeah not so sure tbh fam. They have historically known that most people use smartphones at that level so there is no point in having new market entrants. That's changed as demand for used examples has gone up. So now they are making them new again. Literally the worst take anyone ever has is "it must be a conspiracy". If it were as you say it were, there would be no harm in selling lots of entry level PS cameras because the margins would be way better than large sensor devices.

[@miheerporadiya]

Exactly the reason we didn't see cameras like RX1R anymore

[@Bakapooru]

@@reldies5364the comparison is with the RX100-vii. $1300 p&s.

[@TopiOtter]

As someone who will be going to an event in Boston in a few months, I’ve been looking at point-and-shoots because the venue does not allow cameras with detachable lenses. So while the review says it’s stripped down and missing features for the same cost, I see it as a camera that I can bring into concerts and sporting arenas without issue, something I’m sure younger generations appreciate.

[@marcusa3177]

Y'know what this will really excel in? Big concerts. Small enough that security won't look at it twice, but it can really reach out to get that nice band close-ups

[@bingbong4848]

I clicked so hard thinking it was a new LX 😂

[@Zack-Hates-Youtube]

Same

[@RichardoBrit]

It’s shocking what some of the older point and shoot cameras are selling for. I have quite a collection as it wasn’t worth selling them in the past, but now they are going for nearly as much as they were when new

[@creativeglowltd]

Meantime the S9 was released… there was a time when Panasonic released the GM1, GM5, GX7… I feel the same as with smartphones, camera companies have become unadventurous. I think there’s still demand for something small, powerful and fun

[@JoATTech]

OK, now I want GM-6 or whatever the name will be for GM5 successor.

[@stevencrabtree1409]

I think you have to stick with the G100 a while longer.

[@JoATTech]

@@stevencrabtree1409 I have OM-5 now, but I hope Panasonic will release GM6. It should sell like hot cakes, since I sold my GM5 for more than I bought it (same case for GM1). There is big demand on both GM1/5 models ...

[@luisinhocol]

Please Sony and Olympus, bring small bodies back. A update GM1/GM5 is the perfect for small light lenses that only M43 can produce. Fuji sold a lot X100VI, people want small bodies, thats why they are going to the used market to find pont and shoot and bodies like X-E4, GX85 and others small bodies.

[@luisinhocol]

Also, Canon made a mistake to give up the M Mount. Another system that could produce gems like the M200

[@krugerdave]

Couldn't agree more! I love my GM5, but it's got problems now that make it a pain to use. I'd love something like that, or even something just a little bigger (GX10?) with a better viewfinder and IBIS. I think that thing would sell like hotcakes and breathe some life back into the photo end of M43. Heck, a new Pen-F would probably be much better than any X100 and just as pretty!

[@muzlee7479]

Sony does have small bodies tho

[@krugerdave]

@@muzlee7479 True, small-ish anyway, but I've just never enjoyed using Sony cameras. And while some of their bodies are nice and small, their lenses are no competition for most M43 lenses in terms of price and size, as far as I've seen.

[@gordon3988]

One of my most used cameras is the Rx100vii, but at times I will carry instead the Sony hx99 which is similar to the zs99. It was almost impossible to get the Sony or the ZS99’s predecessor, so I can see why the new model. Chris described it well…smartphone quality but you can get some amazing range. You likely won’t win awards, but you can get photos you would likely never otherwise get from something in your pocket.

[@MaddyIndia]

If it's still Smart phone quality, it's a no go.

[@rektorpwr2006]

Few months ago I sold my Canon G9X II for $600 just because it recently got tiktok audience attention. Bought it used 2 years earlier for $190. I bought m4/3 Panasonic GX9 with few batteries and other stuff for the amount I received. Fantastic upgrade, with an enormous pic quality bump (also got 12-35 f2.8 lens for $330). People are weird. That's the today's market.

[@sergentcolon1]

I’m glad I got my TZ200 before they were discontinued, a better 1” sensor with the same zoom range if you use intelligent zoom, and better image quality in the 24-360 optical range and the viewfinder this camera is missing. It does make a a brilliant travel camera, compact and with acceptable image quality, it’s zoom range allowed me to get shots I could never have made with a smartphone.

[@sclogse1]

My best pics were taken with a Canon Elph 310, because it was with me. Great IBIS with that 8x optical zoom, 1080p video, 12 meg jpegs. Now I toss the ones with a lot of sky into my Topaz Photo AI demo, which never dies, then do a screen grab on my large Imac Retina 5 monitor, and wind up with no grainy skies and a 35 meg file. Of course you must keep dust and lint off the lens barrel, or it will wind up permanently on the sensor. I went through 4 of these cameras, and now have two mint copies. I also used the Elph for insert shots in my short film noir, now called Bum Rap Andre Hunt on Y.T., and no one has ever noticed the difference between those scenes and the Canon 5D Mark II footage.

[@andrewinaustintx]

Watching this makes me appreciate my Sony RX100 Va - even with its lesser zoom range.

[@alen2937]

I have the same camera, the zoom range is more than adecuate, super telephoto range is for wildlife mostly... or galaxies, but you aint getting that much light with these PS cameras.

[@ronaldlee3537]

I had a Panasonic Lumix ZS50 from 7 years ago, this new ZS99 have very similar capabilities, but I used my camera very hard(maybe 15,000 photos and hours of videos), and after awhile the lens would not extend or retract, and I still have 1 month left under Panasonics extended warranty(1 year normal and free 1 year extended). The problem is that Panasonic in the USA does not have a company-owned warranty station, and warranty work is done by a contract company, and they refused to repair it saying that I abused it. So now I have an expensive paper weight. My current camera is a Sony RX100-7 that functions flawlessly after 4 years of same treatment.

[@ShalphyLee]

Who still remember the Nikon DF series cameras... what a pity that they were not in production...

[@EdvardKALEN]

Nikon ZF? Much better

[@jaimesilva3934]

I've gifted myself a 12 years old Olympus XZ-2 compact camera. Now I have a capable camera that fits in the pocket and that I can have always with me. It have the same menu as my other Olympus cameras and the best thing is... I can attach and use my VF4 electronic viewfinder. If I'm in the mood to carry a bag, obviously I will carry my interchangable lens cameras and lenses, but it's nice to have the convenience of a small capable camera with all the options and manual settings.

[@cmsmart13]

I didn’t know the XZ-2 could use the viewfinder attachment, that’s cool! Was eying a Sony RX100iii, but since I have an Olympus M43 camera I took a look at the XZ-2. How do you like it?

[@GabrielGGabGattringer]

I´ve had my OLY XZ-2 since release 2012. I still use it these days.

[@GLu-qc6vn]

Good on you! Six months ago I bought a used XZ-1 for the same reasons you mention. Though the XZ-2 excels in some important ways and the two cameras' prices and output are similar, I was drawn to the XZ-1's CCD sensor, and slightly thinner size and lighter weight. I bought a VF3 viewfinder, which I use about 25% of the time. I too carry it almost everywhere I go, in my daypack or in a tiny waist bag. Besides taking snapshots, I sometimes take a 10-30 minute photography session during my normal routine. In forests, parks, sun-lit roadside bushes, street scenes, flowers, sunsets. Its quality and control features make it similar to shooting my M43 cameras. Helps me to learn and grow. Oh those XZ camera lenses are fantastic! And great for low-light shots, ultra macro, mid-range telephoto, fantastic colors, 3-D pop... It's so light that I often carry it alongside my M43 camera and lenses. I like taking the similar photos and comparing the outputs. Soon I'll apply DXO and Topaz's Gigapixel software to see how much I can reduce noise in high ISO shots -- a key weakness. I also bought a used Canon G9, for slightly less than a hundred dollars. I had one when it first came out. I prefer the XZ-1 but still enjoy shooting with the G9. Its colors are also great, and it has image stabilization but not as good as the XZ cameras.

[@daliamosesp]

The only reason these types of releases keep happening is because they need to be updated to USB-C to comply with EU legislation. Their goal isn't to update EVF, display, optics etc - it's literally just to get USB-C. This is why they all feel such a let-down as an "upgrade" on the older model.

[@isthsm]

Makes sense, here I was thinking a similar thing (having trouble sourcing the old hardware) before you reminded me of the EU universalizing type C.

[@warmoaran3]

phones do the same.. i mean, apple only updated the usb on one of their phones and thats about it

[@isthsm]

@warmoaran3 That’s a bit reductive and apples to oranges. Phones have iterative updates every year, if you get a new one every 3-5 years you’ll definitely notice some differences. Having a phone for every year helps them fill every spot in the market, whether someone’s upgrading or replacing a broken phone from 2018, 19, 20, 21 ‘22 etc. the company will have something available for them, bit of a different business model. Camera makers operate on a longer cycle, so we expect the upgrades to be more substantial because there’s more R&D time. Of course, that isn’t always the case. A previously abandoned market segment like this will be seen as risky (and take longer to get moving again). But hopefully we get at least like 3 proper good new P&S from different brands before the trend moves on

[@CaffeinatedSleep]

So I've owened the ZS70, the precursor to the ZS80 since 2019, and for travel it's been great, I've gotten plenty of quite good raws that I've subsequently edited. Regardless of my personal stance, there are a few comments I have: 1. Assuming this new camera has the exact same sensor (which was hinted at in the video), the maximum usable iso in raw is 400, any higher and the noise gets too brutal. 2. USB-C is good, however the old-style battery is prone to swelling and doesn't give the best battery life. 3. No EVF is a silly decision, the whole reason why I've kept using my ZS70 is because most compact superzooms have no EVF and it does. So getting rid of it is a deal-breaker, at least for me. 4. This camera will only appeal to people who already don't use their phone for every photo in their lives, and unfortunately that crowd consists mainly of those who already have proper ILC's. Overall, if one is fine with the limitations presented by the lack of EVF and the old sensor, it's not a bad buy, but if you already have a ZS80/ZS70, it makes no sense. Those are my two cents, feel free to correct any mistakes and whatnot.

[@SakaphotoGraphics]

I miss the 2/3' sensor bridge camera that came from Olympus' ZLR IS-series. Having a camera that is too compact to keep it (relatively) inexpensive could be too much to sell.

[@josesmith617]

All I really want is a sequel to the Fujifilm x70. Beautiful APSC x-Trans sensor, beautiful 18mm (27mm equivalent) lens with a bright aperature, excellent build quality with a photography focused flip out screen !

[@solsang]

I love my X70 and have hoped they would put the xf10 sensor inand call it X70s !! Would love a few firmware changes like crop zoom with the lens ring having a right and left limit, so i can zoom in and out as a normal camera, and with a new sensor it could have crop zoom to 85 for casual tourist shots and use it uncropped for highquality photos, best of both worlds :)

[@mattwigs9]

Bought an old point and shoot and it really got me into photography. Wasnt entirely happy with it though so recently picked up a used micro 4/3rds camera and its so much nicer for a little lote money

[@Indrakusuma_a]

So... basically a downgrade from the previous one, huh?

[@jgaffney567]

They upgraded to sell in markets that require USB c ..and still make it reasonably priced....they feel further investment is not worth it as the market will not support it

[@age-of-adventure]

the santa image comparison was very good

[@andrewsorrell2924]

the used prices on 5 year old compacts is crazy. hopefully we'll see a couple more compacts this year.

[@allenmovies]

All i want is a new RX100 that offers 4K 60P. If action cameras & cell phones can offer 4k with higher frame rates, i want a compact zoom camera with 4k 60p! Literally all of them are stuck with 30p.

[@d3xmeister]

Sign me up !

[@Tugela60]

We need a RX100 that has modern processors in it. The current models have older generation processors that have a lot of limitations.

[@allenmovies]

@Tugela60 i feel like at this point, DJI has the best opportunity to come in with a compact zoom camera. Like, give us a compact zoom camera version of the Pocket 3. That'd be PERFECT

[@EdvardKALEN]

What to do about overheating? You don’t just want 4k 60p, but you also want it to shoot for more than 5 minutes, right? This is difficult to do on a 1" sensor with the layout that the RX100 has.

[@allenmovies]

@EdvardKALEN Yeah, of course I don't want overheating. My RX100 VII definitely runs hot. I want an updated RX100 with the newest processors that can handle 4K 60p. Again, if a tiny action camera like the newest GoPros or the DJI Action 5 can do extended 4k 60p, a bigger camera like the RX100 would be able to. I honestly feel like Sony and other brands don't wanna release a camera like that to not cannibalize their larger DSLRs and mirrorless cams.

[@TristanColgate]

I always liked a super zoom point and shoot for travel/tourist stuff. Now, that's before I really got into photography, and got a bit more "arty", but honestly, if you just want to take pics of boats from miles away without spending huge money on massive kit, these kind of super zooms are great (and a lot of people used to want that).

[@DeputyNordburg]

No viewfinder kills it for me, but I'm glad to see some returning to the market.

[@henrikf.1247]

I sold my camera gear, and kept the "backup" Sony RX 100 M VII (that i got used for a very low price). I don't need more stuff any more (it can be easily taken with me on bike tours). And with the viewfinder it reminds me; I was an enthusiast photographer in the old days ... Would love to see an updgrade of the P&S cameras.

[@Poorgeniu5]

A new compact camera at this age. In this almost evaporated market. Focused entirely for the younger gen people?! Can we get one with a M43 or 1in sized sensor? 🥺

[@solsang]

I use the tz95 daily, it has an amazing macro zoom function, to take photos of insects without disturbing them, and truly i almost never use the viewfinder, it has such a small view so i see why they took it out, less to worry about and hear complaints about and less doubt about how to use the camera :)

[@classic.cameras]

Crecent Heights! Welcome to my neck of the woods in Calgary. Great review. Glad you found the truck. I test all my lenses on it.

[@guyonyoutube501]

Still love my little Sony RX100

[@TheBlackcaterpillar]

well, i still use my lumix lx7 for daily. i don’t want bring my mirrorless or dslr with big lens for daily. many my friend who’s professional photographer don’t know about it, and they really love it when I lend it to them.

[@dart9041]

Main point of P&S is price and portability. This camera is super zoom mainly. If price would be close to $300 even with much smaller zoom it would be more attractive.

[@BryceShamwow]

For you, perhaps, but for many, the point is point and shoot cameras is far better optics than smartphones. Look at what this can do at its extreme zoom range vs an iPhone. That's what this gives you that you can't get with anything but a point and shoot superzoom: long reach that fits in your pocket.

[@ytbone9430]

Does it have live HDMI output? So it can be used as a zoomable webcam? Will it restore zoom level after powering on as well? Or will it even work via USB as a webcam? Thanks for the video, always nice to see you guys! o)

[@PhotoBob]

I had 3 moms call me and ask me what P&S they should get for their daughters. I was shocked at 1 of them asking but 3 was crazy. Haven't had anyone ask me about them in a decade.

[@Biosynchro]

I have a similar model. The super telephoto zoom is a killer feature. I love it.

[@Jake12399]

I want an LX10 with phase auto focus.

[@markyteo]

Compact camera interest is real. Good time to lauch a couple of models.

[@giklab]

I think the USB-C complaints are a little misguided? It's not like the camera would've been released at this price with a viewfinder, had they kept the old micro port. USB-C doesn't cost that much more that they had to drop the EVF for it, no matter what Panasonic tried to imply in their press release. Plus, this kind of camera is overwhelmingly requested by families (old and young), and these people don't really care about a viewfinder in my experience. They either don't know such a thing exists, or they want one because of the dioptre adjustment, but don't like how tiny it is, and refuse to use it on that basis anyway. (source: camera shop)

[@TravelerNick]

USB C likely costs less. Everything today uses it. You've already got a cable for it so no need to include one.

[@VojoMojo]

Chris showed where this camera shines; simple snapshooting

[@itsallminor6133]

It's a phenomenal daily like all these types of cameras are.

[@lenneavy]

New sensor tech would be so cool to see in these cameras, it feels like milking the retro digital wave a little bit too hard. On the other hand, USB-C is great from consumer standpoint. I need 3x the same cable to charge 3 items I'm bringing with me on my trips. In case one will break, I still have 2 and can charge a camera, phone and powerbank untill I'll buy a new cable for few dollars in first electronic store I'll stumble uppon. Certainly not a reason to upgrade alone but overeal a good quality of life improvement.

[@martinhommel9967]

I prefer the experience of shooting with any compact camera to the smartphone experience. I am glad Panasonic are releasing new compacts and superzoom models even if they're recycling old tech.

[@TripleKOShorts]

What a lame attempt by Panasonic. This could have been so much more with the EVF. Why downgrade the camera?

[@mikeblack_pw]

Could be worse. Leica has the same thing for $1000 more.

[@DavidMBanes]

12:50 and coming from a smart phone camera you expect a decent screen (in lieu of an EVF), not the same 3" screen the camera industry has been pushing for the last 15 years.

[@alex-chicago-80]

That background texture treatment made me think my screen was dirty lol.

[@davesteen2622]

I have an even older ZS50 which I just took on a trip to Mexico. I wanted something small and light as it was mostly going to just be used for half of my trip in Mexico City. It performed fine for a 10 year old camera. It has its expected limitations for a small sensor and big zoom but worked for walking around the city with something that would fit in a small bag or pocket. I did fine myself on more than one occasion wishing I had my micro 4/3 with me instead. It misses the giant zoom, but has more features I wished the ZS50 had. I did reintroduce myself to the things that bothered me back when I got it, like the video button which seems to get pressed if your finger even breezes over top of it, or the lack of a hand grip, or the slow response time to shoot. I don’t see the 99 as something hugely better than my 50, and as you say in many ways it took the one good thing, the EVF, away. I really want manufacturers to come up with a good travel zoom cameras. Maybe step it back to half the zoom range and increase the sensor size. Perhaps what I’m really looking for is an affordable Sony RX100 but with an in camera EVF and a grip so I can hold the camera in one hand. I want something that I can carry in one hand and be instantly ready to take a street photo shot and also something that has some reach to zoom in on travel subjects. I basically want a unicorn.

[@fofopho]

I was going to get this for my 8YO daughter, but she would be pissed that there is no viewfinder. She loves photography, but a huge part of that experience for her is using the viewfinder.

[@Skux720]

Just get a used TZ80

[@oscararborist]

Thanks Chris and Jordan. Parts of that review were quite fun! Made me wanna dig out my old zs50 (with viewfinder!) Thanks for doing these kinds of reviews too. I could watch you review a toaster (if it had a good lens :)

[@mrbankole]

No EVF 😪

[@driverv86]

actually got some nice photos chris!

[@nicolaistagis8689]

Is USB-C only appreciated in the EU? 😅

[@poormansmichaelbay]

I would like to see an update to the LX10

[@abrahamweiss5827]

I bet the image is too sharp/not warm enough for the new trend😂

[@shmvon]

Old point and shoot camera’s are quite a bit of lo fi fun because of the fact you’re not overshooting and have to wait a bit before having the pictures on your computer.

[@dougmorato]

man, 1/2.3" sensor in 2025 is beyond ridiculous!!!

[@warmoaran3]

i use a 1/2.5" sensor daily.. its not bad, especially because its only 8mp.

[@John_Caldwell]

Excellent review. Subscribed! I'm a fan of the LUMIX point-and-shoot series and I've owned a few of them over the years. That zoom makes it a great urban safari camera. The big challenge I've always had with them is dust getting on the sensor no matter how careful I am with keeping the barrel of the zoom lens as dust free as possible. Any suggestions for that? Is sensor dust a challenge for all zoom cameras of this type?

[@jadur]

Small sensor , very dark glass so what for?

[@hoatd1993]

Decorative purpose

[@jadur]

@ for that goal it’s too expensive

[@World_of_OSes]

Zoom

[@jadur]

@@World_of_OSes galaxy s22 ultra

[@Ezrabastian]

I just farted

[@MostBever]

You have full control of the aperture in manual mode. How did you not get it to work?

[@banana_necessary]

I work in tech, I grew up obsessed with tech in the 90's, even used to get email & go on IRC with a Sony CLIÉ PDA pre-smartphone, but smart phones and being in constant contact when out or traveling is a nuisance, phones are too distracting. These point and shoot cameras fit in a pocket, have dedicated controls and zero distractions. Is this the right camera for me probably not, but its getting there.

[@isthsm]

My fuji X30 was nearly perfect for my usecases, lightweight pocketable casual walkaround city and nature snapshots, ease of use but not at the expense of creative and technical control like most smartphones. Long exposures, dual ISO DR boost, sharp enough, great IBIS or OIS you could shoot at fractions of a second with, high burst rate, decent sunstars, EVF and tilting screen, leaf shutter meant built in flash can fight daylight, and even some bokeh on headshots wide open! Oh, and in camera charging and wifi in 2013! Came with every gadget that’s actually useful, plus looked great to boot. Ahead of it’s time compared to my canon T5i. Could the lens have focused closer at the tele end, gone to 200mm equiv or the sensor been larger? Sure, but it could always be better. My only realistic gripe was only being able to set ISO in 1/3 stops, I either wanted 100 200 or 400. Hell, the only thing a modern revision could improve on is USB-C PD, faster wifi transfer, faster AF, higher resolution sensor and EVF, and a stop or two more high ISO perf. That new version would be all the camera I ever needed outside of occasional niches like bokeh and low light, ultra wide or long tele stuff. As an aside… I want to make my smartphone dumb, or rather truly smart, into the digital multitools we were promised while minimizing the distracting, rewards-system hijacking, always-available entertainment side. The utility of having a phone, camera, music player, radio, email, text and other messaging available anytime is undeniable, but having the option of all at once exacerbates my preexisting scatterbrain. I’ve been trying to save videos for watching on my PC and TV, cut down on notifications and apps, other bits of digital hygiene. But it’s a continual struggle and not sure that any of these habits have truly been retrained yet. It makes me sad to think I’m part of one of the the last to generations to avoid the complete ubiquity of digital life, for younger zoomers, gen alpha and betas this will be the leaded gasoline of their time. I was on the cusp of it and still not unscathed. The information age is well into diminishing returns, is rotting and needs a transformation/reset. Sorry for the melodramatic tangent.

[@giovannigio6217]

I struggle understanding the purpose of reviewing certain cameras on petapixel since most viewers won't buy them. I may understand the interest in seeing a new trend rising among newer generations, but yet I believe most viewers will joke on these cameras for teenagers.

[@liamburke1436]

Who needs 700mm zoom range Panasonic?!

[@trym2121]

Either wildlife wannabe or pervert

[@quarka]

When watching birds it come handy. But most people would benefit from shorter range but better quality.

[@Ezrabastian]

Phone shooters

[@isthsm]

200-400mm optical equivalent and crop if it’s at least 12mp

[@MelonEusk]

people who don’t want to spend 7k on a lens?

[@fredscallietsoundman9701]

Thanks for the video. How instant is the release? Quasi instant, or truly instant? This was the main issue for me with point-and-shoots back in their days.

[@SoapyWetDish]

All these photography nerds commenting how this camera should have a bigger sensor, shorter range blah blah blah. You are missing the point, yes this has been reviewed on a photonerd channel, no this is not aimed at photonerds, it’s aimed at your parents, your partner, your child, your friend, the sort of person who isn’t into photography and hasn’t a clue about sensor size or aperture, but instead wants something small and compact that they can easily carry with them and get a picture of a squirrel up in a tree instead of the picture of a tree that their phone would give them. Some of you need to realise it’s not all about you and what you want, try a little perspective/empathy once in a while.

[@rockmusicvideoreviewer896]

that's what cell phones r 4

[@mikeireland2428]

After 65 years of "shooting", I miss uncomplicated, capable, point and shoot cameras. The lack of them over the years of tech as king in photography has ushered in the cellphone era. The days of affordable cameras with a fixed lens of fine quality and an optical viewfinder are gone. Young people will never know or care about anything but the newest, most tech forward cellphones for imaging.

[@AnandaGarden]

Great Chris Niccolls video - thank heaven for Chris and Jordan. As an old hand (57 years in photography, age 83), I would get a Canon EOS R50 and start with great, inexpensive, used EF glass. For tele, maybe the original stabilized EF 70-300, and an all-rounder EF 10-18 or the RF 16. Later you can upgrade: the sensor in the R50 is stunning when I bang away at events with the EF 70-200 F/2.8 L IS II USM. You can get the 70-200/II used on Ebay for under $1000, and the IS I is even less. Those lenses have unexcelled image quality. Outdoors, people shots with the R50 and 70-200 can be amazing, just wonderful - and with the R50 you've got an EVF and decent video. At events I'm swapping back and forth a lot between the R6 and the R50, which gives excellent images at slow shutter speeds, and 300/2.8 equivalent. If you want to start out with gear that will give A+ image quality, avoid these compacts that you'll dump after a year or two.

[@rogermuggleton8127]

The point of the reviewed camera is that it small enough to carry in your pocket or in the small bag you normally have with you. It offers capabilities that your phone doesn't have. Your solution may produce better photos but is a huge amount of gear for anyone but an enthusiast to carry around. So they won't.

[@tomxaak]

I've never used point and shoot cameras after an incident with a Lomo camera at a trip in South Africa. All rolls of film coming from it were completely exposed thanks to a nasty light leak. And if I'd be considering a point and shoot camera Today it would be someting like the Ricoh GR. But still.. I'm so happy to see this trend. In the noisy world where everyone is constantly distracted by , going back to have purpose built tools aligns so much better with who we are as human beings. Sure, you can theoretically take a similar picture with an iPhone. If you make it through all the temptations from social media, to apps for , to browsing. It's all about the mindset and the experience. Personally I stick to quality mirrorless these days, and I'm coming from (D)SLRs and medium format film, but I wholeheartedly welcome these little point and shoot cameras. If it helps us to grow the community they are really great news. And much needed news. Photography as we knew it, at times I feel it's slowly dying away, and it's not like those of us who still want to practice it are allowed to do so regardless of what the rest of the world thinks. It's not just the availability of e.g. 35mm films, it's how society looks at photography. And for some gengres of photography (think street) it's then a question of the very existence of it as an art form. If nothing else simply because the legal frameworks evolve with the needs of the society.

[@Mithinco]

I mean it's a step in the right direction. It's good for new users but many of us have been wanting a compact large sensor camera. We want more M4/3 cameras, hello?

[@nelsonpun]

the colors are 100 percent better on the panasonic compared to smartphones

[@madfinntech]

Only if the sensor was actually bigger than in phone cameras. Zoom range and actually better image quality would be a compelling sales speech.

[@ChristopherBonis]

7:30 I’m 24, own the OM-1 and basically never use the EVF save for bird photography. I grew up shooting on iPod Touch/iPhone and didn’t even know there was another way to compose my images. As far as I was concerned, the display was how you used a camera. So it’s very natural to me now. I also find the EVF limiting, as it basically forces me to shoot at eye-level. Oh, and I have oily skin and hate to put my nose right up to the control panel. I only wish, then, that the screen were even larger as I know my eyesight won’t always be as sharp as it is now.

[@krugerdave]

I'm a die hard EVF user and lover, but I get what you mean about the nose prints! That's why I love rangefinder-style cameras; all the benefits of an EVF and your nose goes BESIDE the camera. Putting the viewfinder in the middle is a dumb holdover from the olden-days when SLRs had pentaprisms to guide the light from the mirror. Any camera with the EVF in the middle is just trying to ape that irrelevant design restriction in order to look more like an SLR.

[@josephcurry4891]

I bought a Lumix LF1 for a poketable cam, if I wanted a new compact camera I need a Ricoh GR/ Fujifilm X___ competitor. Something that looks good, gets the price right, gives me an EVF, maybe skips on a few luxuries but what I do want is sensor larger than a cell phone, programable dials for manual usage, a wide lens 24 or 28, don't need zoom. And fun to use. I've only had the LF1 for a few months. Jury is still out if I think it's fun to use. But It's taken some nice pictures. I'm just not sure how much time to give it before I give in to my wondering eye. It sucks to look at stuff that I think I know I want already, but can't afford.

[@user-hp6lg3tm7d]

I want Sony to release an RX100 mark 8 with their latest camera tech.

[@bentravis99]

Awesome review, thank you!

[@HwL01]

Will you guys be reviewing the new RF50 and 24 1.4? Seems like they are out for a long while but there is no full reviews

[@thissidetowardscreen4553]

It is not a generational thing! I am older but can not tell you how much easier it is to carry a small pocketable zoom camera. I own the Pentax MX-1, Ricoh GXR and several other camera. Whether it is digital the form factor of a traditional camera is great. Sounds like there might be a revival in bridge cameras if point and shoot zooms are now hot! Always fun to see these trends change. Price is what is driving people to look at these point and shoots.

[@MichaelGerrard]

It is nice to see a new compact camera. If it sells, maybe Lumix will give us a bit more next time.

[@Mamotreco]

I too would prefer they had kept the EVF but I do like the styling of this

[@stevenwilson7460]

Good eye spotting that pole that Chris is leaning on. It has PetaPixel all over it.👍

[@darkentity94]

Finally, the first reviewer ❤❤❤

[@Person2541]

I sell cameras. I've been getting people asking for the canon powershot g7xii 10 times a day, everyday, for the past year. Really cheap digital cameras have blown up because of the lack of any options despite being a step down in quality compared to most current phones.

[@christill]

Most of the nerds on here can’t grasp that simple fact.

[@liaminwales]

I loved my old Canon S90 & Fuji XF1, always had them on me when out and about. I hope there still is a big space for good point and shoots, small light and fun to use.

[@StrangelyIronic]

I'd like an actual successor to the small but nimble Canon powershot S cameras (I have an S95, a marginal upgrade but still with the CCD sensor, as my main one along with an S120, but I have most of the small S bodies that I got when you get like new ones for 60-80 bucks before they doubled, tripled, or even higher in price). The S200 was weird, it was back to the CCD sensor along with being kind of worse compared to the S120. Makes sense since it was a cheaper cost cut version of the S110... but why name it an S200 instead of an S105 or something?