panasonic dmc-zs35w digital camera with 3.0-inch tft lcd review supplier

I purchased this camera in the hopes of using it as a decent travel camera on a recent trip to the Philippines. Based on it"s specs and mostly the ability to wireless transfer photos to my mobile devices, I took a chance on it. I was fully aware of the limitations of point and shoot cameras, having owned several in comparison to the DSLR"s I also owned, but I wasn"t looking to get really amazing shots on this trip, but certainly really good ones weren"t out of the question. However, in using the camera in a variety of situations (indoor, outdoor, low light, bright day), I would say that the results fell incredibly flat. Beyond the Programmed Auto mode (which was average at best), all of the other modes were consistently poor and inconsistent. In the lead for this poor performance was the HDR mode, which rendered somewhat average to poor landscape pictures, and absolutely terrible portrait pictures (all portrait pictures would have this "fake" skin tone). But by far the biggest issue I had with this camera was the incredibly slow performance of all menu and shooting functions. From start-up to first shot, it was always a minimum of 5 seconds. This is an infinite amount of time when your perfect moment could be gone that quickly. The same lag extended to switching camera modes as well. This became maddeningly frustrating many times during my trip, as I would have to wait for the camera to play catch-up, and often would miss the shot I had intended. I hope they can fix this with a firmware update in the future, but considering many of the "reviews" I"ve read on this, it"s not looking like there is enough negative feedback to make this happen any time soon.

After years of using Canon products, my first foray into another manufacturer"s camera was sorely disappointing, and probably one mistake I will be careful to avoid in the future.

The Lumix DMC-ZS35 (TZ55 outside of North America) is a compact travel zoom camera with a 20X, 24-480mm equiv. lens and 16 megapixel "high sensitivity" MOS sensor. Its 3-inch (460k dot) LCD can flip upward by 180 degrees for self-portraits. The camera can shoot continuously at 10 fps, and can also record Full HD video at 1080/30p. Built-in Wi-Fi allows for remote control of the camera, as well as photo sharing.

Panasonic - the company that is more than any other responsible for the renaissance and continuing success of the "big zoom" bridge camera - launched the original "Travel Zoom" TZ1 back in February 2006. The formula - a big zoom on a small camera - isn"t exactly new, but the combination of Leica"s lens design expertise and Panasonic"s technology (image stabilization, fast performance) made the TZ1 the first serious alternative to bigger "SLR-style" super zooms. And now the TZ1 has been superceded by two models with a new 28-280mm equiv. lens, the TZ2 (6MP, slightly lower spec) and the camera on test here, the TZ3. As well as the new wide lens the TZ3 also ups the sensor resolution to 7 megapixels, increases the screen size and throws in a few new features. The big question is, has Panasonic managed to improve some of the image quality issues that dogged the otherwise superbly capable TZ1? Let"s find out, starting as usual with the headline specification:

As is the case with most of Panasonic"s Lumix models the TZ1 is available in either silver or black (though this may not be the case for every country and / or every retailer).

No Deductibles: You can own your product with confidence, knowing that if the unexpected were to happen and you need service, there will be no deductibles or hidden fees to get you back up and running.

Mechanical and Electrical Failure: Unexpected failures are a reality of modern technology. With a Safeware Protection Plan, you�re protected even after the manufacturer�s warranty has expired.

Optional Accidental Damage from Handling on Portable Devices: Dropped your tablet? Spilled coffee on your laptop? No worries, we have you covered! With Accidental Damage from Handling coverage, your covered device will be repaired or replaced in the event of a covered accident.

The Panasonic Lumix TZ95 (also know as the ZS80) is a new travel-zoom camera. The TZ95/ ZS80 features a 30x optical zoom Leica lens, 20.3 megapixels, 4K video recording, a 3.0-inch tiltable rear monitor, new high-resolution Live viewfinder, RAW format support, manual exposure control, and Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity.

Panasonic’s perennial travel zoom – or ‘TZ’ – series of compact cameras has received an upgrade in the shape of the Lumix TZ95, which comes with a Leica branded 30x optical zoom lens, 20.3 MP resolution sensor and 4K video shooting capability. Of interest to long time followers of this range is the addition of a tilt-able 3-inch, 1040K-dot rear monitor, as well as brand new high resolution LVF (Live View Finder), that here is a teeny 0.21-inches in size, meaning you have to squint to view it.

With connectivity options including the expected Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, the TZ95 is at the time of writing available in the UK at a manufacturer’s suggested £399.99, in either black or black and silver body options; we had the former smart looking option sent to us for review.

While all the above spec is pretty much a must-have for a compact digital camera released in 2019 – whereby said camera needs to sufficiently differentiate itself from smartphones and tablets to be worth buying, while simultaneously staying familiarly close to them in terms of operation to stay approachable and ‘current’ – it’ll come as no surprise that this is pretty much a pimped up point-and-shooter, ‘thanks’ to a small, standard-issue 1/2.3-inch sensor at its core.

That said, when you want something light, portable, easy to use and reliable when sightseeing travelling, there’s no disgrace in simply pointing and shooting. First impressions are then that the Panasonic Lumix TZ95 ploughs a familiar (perhaps over-familiar) furrow, but nevertheless fits a long-standing brief: namely offering quality pictures from the convenience of a pocket-sized, all-in-one package.

With a core lens reach starting out at a wide-angle 24mm equivalent (stretching up to 720mm at the telephoto end), the Lumix TZ95 is certainly suitable for capturing a broad range of photogenic subjects, and in particular proves a decent option for landscapes and cityscapes, as well as street photography and group portraits. We were able to shoehorn the vast majority of subjects into frame without having to step back and bump into a fellow sightseer, or into the road and the path of passing vehicles.

The camera itself looks relatively boxy and chunky when ranged against the average mobile phone it will inevitably be competing with in today’s market – in no small part due to that generous 30x optical zoom, which retracts within the body when not in use; said lens encircled by a lens control ring, to which certain key settings can be pre-assigned (or said lens ring simply provides another means of adjusting the zoom/your focal range when in intelligent iAuto setting).

Handily, to enable steadier shooting and the avoidance of blurred images, a decent sized (for a camera of this ilk) leather-effect rubberized handgrip is provided at the front, alongside an indented thumb rest at the back. This enabled us to hold the camera pretty rock steady with just the one hand (if not always steady enough to avoid image blur in lower light, as we’ll read later). Also compensating for camera shake is Panasonic’s on-board Power OIS optical image stabilizer.

The other features to be found on the Panasonic Lumix TZ95’s faceplate are a narrow window housing the flash that sits just below the Lumix logo. Unfortunately the flash is in a position where your forefinger can very easily obscure it when gripping the camera with the right hand – so that’s something you need to be aware of, especially when handing the camera to someone else to take your picture, as well one might when travelling. Nestled next to the lens meanwhile, where it is out of the way of stray fingertips, is a familiar AF assist /self timer lamp.

From the front of this Lumix then, with a size broadly similar to a jumbo box of matches, the aforementioned zoom lens dominates proceedings, offering up to that generous 720mm equivalent reach at the telephoto end. In operation it takes around 3-4 seconds for the lens to glide from maximum wideangle to extreme telephoto, accompanied by an unobtrusively low mechanical buzz. Although picture detail inevitably softens at maximum zoom, the results are still plenty sharp enough for it to prove a useful asset. It goes without saying that the camera is responsive enough to avoid your attention ever needing to wander from the subject itself, with an AF speed given of 0.1 seconds, allied to a maximum burst capture rate of 10fps in AF-S mode or 5fps in AF-C mode.

The top plate of the Panasonic TZ95 is likewise familiar and straightforward in terms of layout and operation. The shutter release button is raised and encircled by a lever for operating the zoom, so you can’t mistake what it is, next to which are two smaller nail-head sized buttons, flush to the bodywork. These are for turning the camera on or off, or commencing video recording – said function denoted by the familiar red dot.

However, if you’re operating the camera in a darkened environment, like a concert hall or theatre, the proximity of the main power and video buttons means that it is easy to mistake one for the other and turn the camera off when you actually meant to start recording. Again, familiarity with the camera over time helps such mistakes to be avoided. Commendably this Panasonic is swift to power up in any event, being ready for action in around two seconds, its lens extending from its position flush to the body to arrive at its extreme wide-angle 24mm equivalent setting.

The other prominent ‘button’ atop the Panasonic Lumix TZ95 is a shooting mode wheel, which offers just the right amount of resistance and ‘give’ to avoid nudging it accidentally, yet making it easy to turn to a wanted setting in an instant. Here we find the familiar likes of program, auto, shutter priority and aperture priority modes, along with a very easy to use (and get pleasing results from) panoramic setting. There’s also a custom mode, a dedicated manual video mode, intelligent auto mode (iA mode) for pure point-and-shoot operation, the usual digital effects mode (with here eight options selectable) plus scene / subject mode, the latter providing the usual pre-optimised settings to again enable decent results from just pointing the camera and clicking. This mode wheel nestles next to a slightly raised section that houses twin microphones for recording sound.

Moving around to the Panasonic TZ95’s backplate, in terms of composing and reviewing shots there’s the standard 3-inch LCD on the back plate and the teeny electronic viewfinder above, which has its own dioptric adjustment wheel adjacent to aid us occasional spectacle wearers. Although an EVF is a cool feature on a camera you can comfortably drop into a jacket pocket, it’s so small on the TZ95 that subject detail is difficult to ascertain – meaning that we found ourselves not really bothering with it, unless particularly bright sunlight made viewing subjects via the larger screen otherwise tricky.

The stated resolution of the eye-level finder is a whopping 2.33 million dots, though you wouldn’t recognise it as such. The fact that the alternative of the 1,040K-dot resolution 3-inch LCD is of the flip up through 180° variety – so that it can be used for selfies, or when you too want to slide yourself into a group portrait – does however make itself occasionally useful. This is a travel camera after all, and you’ll undoubtedly want to record the fact that you were there too.

The screen is touch sensitive, to a degree, though as there are also plentiful physical controls ranged alongside it that provide much the same functions, we didn’t find ourselves utilising its touch sensitivity that much. We did however enjoy the fact that the EVF (or, as Panasonic prefers, LVF) has an eye sensor alongside it, which deactivates the larger LCD and switches on the EVF as you bring an eye up to it. There is also a dedicated ‘LVF’ (live view finder) button that lets you disable this feature if required, or switch between screens manually.

Photo enthusiasts will also love the fact that – of course - Raw files can be captured on the TZ95 alongside, or in tandem with, JPEGs, and without any noticeable slow down too in terms of operational speed in regular single shot mode. This being a Panasonic camera, we get the inevitable 4K photo mode to further ease the possibility of capturing the exact shot we want by being able to grab an 8 megapixel still from a 30fps sequence. Otherwise the 20 megapixel maximum resolution is probably as high as you want from a bog standard 1/2.3-inch chip – and for the most part, in available light, the images largely shine.

The other buttons on the Panasonic Lumix TZ95"s back plate form the usual mix of function specific controls, plus a central pad with a scroll wheel encircling it provided to provide speedier operation. We liked the fact that the display button to its lower right calls up the compositional aid of a spirit level – ideal for helping to get horizons straight when shooting landscapes, even if bright sunshine sometimes makes it tricky to see with certainty when the thin horizontal provided positively illuminates in green.

Another very useful button is provided bottom left of the four-way control pad; this provides the superb shortcut of a quick menu when we’re in shooting mode (otherwise it doubles as the equally useful delete button when in playback). Here we can quickly scroll through the various essential shooting options and select the particular one required with a finger tap onscreen.

Choices here include picture styles – switch from standard or natural to vivid or monochrome, for example – as well as being able to select the flash mode in use (with red eye reducing options provided alongside forced flash and slow shutter sync), select video quality, or choose image aspect ratio (from the standard 4:3 to medium format apeing 1:1).

Naturally, image quality can also be selected via this quick menu rather than having to scroll through the TZ95’s main menu screens, with the ability to capture Fine (maximum) quality JPEGS alongside uncompressed Raw files, as we did for the duration of our two-week camera evaluation period. Auto Focus can also be swapped from single shot to continuous shooting, and the camera biased towards either an impressive 49-area AF, subject tracking or face and eye detection.

Ranged around the backplate’s four way control pad itself are, from 12 o’clock on the dial and moving clockwise, various settings for adjusting exposure compensation (a generous +/- 5EV), flash settings, self timer or drive mode, plus focus settings, including auto focus, auto focus macro and manual focus, with focus peaking provided so you can check the intended sharp portion of your image is indeed sharp.

While at either side of the TZ95 are located lugs for attaching the provided wrist strap, we also get a built-in speaker on one flank for playing back audio, while the opposite side provides mini HDMI and USB ports, protected by a plastic flap raised via fingernail. There is no dedicated battery charger provided in the box with the camera – rather a USB lead and mains plug – which means that the battery is charged in-camera rather than outside it, as tends to be more and more the convention these days.

Battery life is a claimed 380 images per charge, which is fair and allows you to easily fill up the SD media card in use, which also slots into the base of the TZ95, particularly if shooting Raw and JPEGs in tandem. The camera, like many of its ilk, can be charged via its USB port.

So, while operationally the Panasonic Lumix TZ95 is pretty up to scratch and fulfills most of our expectations, what is the case when it comes to image quality? Is a big zoom on a small camera over-egging the pudding or capably fulfilling demand? Read on to find out...

You can squeeze a lot of subjects into the core 24-20mm equivalent lens reach provided by Panasonic’s TZ95 travel zoom, which, given that the camera otherwise delivers a relatively modest (read ‘small’) sized sensor, remains its biggest boon/draw. The quality of images is however pretty good in most common lighting scenarios and certainly a cut above your compact digital cameras of old.

As expected we get the warm, well-saturated colours Panasonic is known for, as well as plenty of detail captured right into the corners of the frame – at least when there’s plenty of light around. If detail softens at maximum zoom that is only to be expected, especially when shooting handheld, but again results are better than we’ve seen elsewhere from similar products and will certainly satisfy those wanting a record of sunny summer holidays.

If we’ve a grumble, however, it’s that this isn’t perhaps a camera for shooting in very low light, especially if handheld, as we discovered on our travels, whereby the effects of camera shake are obvious. The fact that the ISO range tops out at a modest selectable ISO3200 at least means that the worst effects of image noise are avoided – we’d advise shooting up to ISO1600, however and leaving it at that, if you want to avoid a noticeable softening and degradation of the image entirely. Twenty megapixels is quite a lot to cram onto a 1/2.3-inch sensor – it’s probably the most you’d want to – so inevitably something has to give.

Overall though, we were pretty happy with the shots we got from the Panasonic Lumix TZ95, particularly given the limitations outlined above. But then we were unusually blessed with plenty of spring sunshine...

This is a selection of sample images from the Panasonic Lumix TZ95 camera, which were all taken using the 20 megapixel Fine JPEG setting. The thumbnails below link to the full-sized versions, which have not been altered in any way.

The Panasonic Lumix TZ95 enables users to capture RAW and JPEG format files. We"ve provided some Panasonic RAW (RW2) samples for you to download (thumbnail images shown below are not 100% representative).

Just under £400 / $450 is still a fair amount to spend on a travel compact camera, even if it does offer a broad zoom range, 4K photo and video functionality, and a rock solid build quality like this one from Panasonic. Yes, we may have liked a larger one-inch sensor rather than the modest, small 1/2.3-inch chip supplied here, but that would have inevitably meant a hike in price, alongside other technical considerations.

While we’d conclude that the Panasonic Lumix TZ95 / ZS80 is in many respects an impressive little travel photography option for when you want something with a larger lens and broader focal range than your typical smartphone can manage – along with supplying plentiful creative options – if you do want to dig a little deeper however, there are, inevitably, little operational niggles here.

One that continually frustrated us was how easy it is to accidentally obscure the built-in flash’s window with the finger of your right hand when gripping the camera. Perhaps a small pop up flash would have been the answer? If you disable or avoid the flash, especially in low light, the result will typically be blurred images, especially if shooting handheld. That said, we found propping up the camera and utilising the self-timer to avoid jogging it when firing the shutter can sometimes return perfectly usable results as our sample night time images show if you don’t want to lug around a tripod.

However, in most other respects the Panasonic Lumix TZ95 / ZS80 remains a competent and reliable all-in-one pocket zoom option for when you want something unobtrusive yet with a bit more ‘poke’ than your mobile phone. A solid four out of five across the board in each rating category means that this one is well worth further consideration and closer investigation if you’re about to embark on that romantic weekend break – or want a relationship with a camera that is even longer term.

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Looking for a family-friendly pocket camera with a long zoom lens? Then the new Leica C-Lux could be right up your street with it"s 15x, 24-360mm lens, 20 megapixel sensor and 4K video recording. Find out what we thought of Leica"s latest camera in our in-depth Leica C-Lux review...

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If you’re after a well-rounded compact camera that offers plenty in a small package, the TZ95 is a good option. Zooming capability and 4K Photo are the standout features, but low-light shooting leaves a lot to be desired.

AF / AF Macro / Macro Zoom * Each available with AFS (Single) / AFF (Flexible) / AFC (Continuous)/Quick AF, Continuous AF (during motion picture recording), Touch AF/AE Function, Touch Shutter, Eye Sensor AF, Touch Pad AF, MF Assist, Touch MF Assist, AF+MF, Focus Peaking, One Shot AF (Set the Fn button in custom menu to AF-ON), Low Light AF

[AFS] H: 10 frames/sec, M: 5 frames/sec (with Live View), L: 2 frames/sec (with Live View)/[AFC] H: 5 frames/sec (with Live View), M: 5 frames/sec (with Live View), L: 2 frames/sec (with Live View)

4K Burst: 30 frames/sec, max. 15 min/4K Burst (S/S): 30 frames/sec, max. 15 min/4K Pre-Burst: 30 frames/sec, approx. 2 sec/Exif Information: Yes (Each JPEG image cropped out of the 4K burst file complies with EXIF.)/Auto Marking Function: Auto / Face Priority / Motion Priority (in 4K Burst mode and 4K Burst (S/S) mode)

・ The software to edit and playback images on computer is not bundled with this camera. To do this, PHOTOfunSTUDIO is available for download at Panasonic website using computer connected to the Internet./http://panasonic.jp/support/global/cs/soft/download/d_pfs10ae.html (For Windows)/・ The software to process RAW file on computer is not bundled with this camera. To do this, SILKYPIX Developer Studio is available for download at Ichikawa Soft Laboratory"s website using computer connected to the Internet./http://www.isl.co.jp/SILKYPIX/english/p/ (For Windows / Mac)

Battery Pack, AC Adaptor, USB Cable, Hand Strap/・ Operating Instructions for advanced features is available for downloaded at Panasonic LUMIX Customer Support Site using PC, smartphone or tablet connected to the Internet.

- When using an SDHC memory card: You can continue recording without interruption even if the file size exceeds 4 GB, but the motion picture file will be divided and recorded/played back separately.

You can continue recording without interruption even if the file size exceeds 4 GB, but the motion picture file will be divided and recorded/played back separately.

The Panasonic LUMIX TZ95 (also know as the ZS80) is a new travel-zoom compact camera with a 30x optical zoom, 20.3 megapixel resolution, 3.0-inch tiltable rear monitor, new high-resolution viewfinder, RAW format shooting and manual controls, and built-in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity.

The Panasonic LUMIX TZ95 / ZS80 will be available from the end of April 2019 in two colour versions (black and black & silver). The recommended retail price is £399.99 (UK) / €449.99 (Ireland) / $449.99 (US).

Frankfurt, Germany – 18 February 2019 – Capture subjects near, far and in between with the latest addition to Panasonic’s popular TZ - Travel Zoom - series. Boasting a LEICA DC VARIO-ELMAR 30x optical zoom lens, this versatile pocket-friendly camera is the ideal travel companion. With its 20.3-megapixel high-resolution sensor, 4K Photo & Video, high-speed burst shooting and a range of other fantastic features, the TZ95 helps you to remember all of life’s incredible moments. A tiltable rear monitor, and a brand new high-resolution LVF (Live View Finder) also make it easier than ever to get the shot you want, every time.

* The LEICA DC VARIO-ELMAR lenses are manufactured using measurement instruments and quality assurance systems that have been certified by Leica Camera AG based on the company"s quality standards.

A 24mm (equivalent) ultra wide-angle LEICA lens is ideal for landscape photography, but with the 30x optical zoom you’ll be able to reach as far as 720mm (equivalent). Power O.I.S (Optical Image Stabilizer) keeps your shots sharp by compensating for handshake even when shooting at long focal lengths. The Zoom Compose Assist function helps keep track of your subjects by quickly zooming out – handy when they move out of frame.

Utilizing the 0.21-inch 2,330k-dot equivalent Live View Finder (LVF) or the big 3.0-inch 1040k-dot static touch type control monitor, it is easy to frame every shot, even in bright, sunny conditions. The monitor tilts up to 180 degrees – perfect for selfies. Use the 22 digital filter options, which can also be applied to panoramic images, to complete your creativity.

With 4K Photo, it’s never been easier to capture the moment. Utilising this exciting technology, you can record fleeting moments at 30 frames per second, extracting the best shot later as an 8 megapixel JPEG.

Built-in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity mean sharing your experiences with family and friends is simple. With BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy), your images can be automatically transferred to your smartphone or tablet ready to upload to social networking sites. GPS tagging also ensures you never forget those special travel locations. What’s more, once the TZ95 is connected to your smartphone or tablet, you can shoot remotely – ideal for group selfies and holiday shots.

The Panasonic LUMIX TZ95 will be available from the end of April 2019 in two colour versions (black and black & silver). The recommended retail price is £399.99 (UK) / €449.99 (Ireland).

The Panasonic Lumix TZ95 enables users to capture RAW and JPEG format files. We"ve provided some Panasonic RAW (RW2) samples for you to download (thumbnail images shown below are not 100% representative).