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| The TZ110 makes a good street camera with compact dimensions and fast operation. |
This follows my usual schedule for scoring camera ergonomics which you can read about here.
The TZ110 (TZ100, ZS100) breaks new ground in camera design by squeezing a 10x zoom and ‘one inch’ (actual dimensions 13.2 x 8.8 mm) sensor into a sleek, stylish, compact body. Unfortunately as is so often the case with modern cameras that stylish appearance has a somewhat negative impact on handling and the user experience.
Setup Phase of use
The TZ110 has a very comprehensive, menu system which is more like that of a recent Panasonic prosumer ILC than a compact.
The graphical use interface is very nice, easy to navigate and easy to read.
The extent to which the user can configure the camera to personal requirements is very high.
I do however think that Panasonic’s menu system is due for an upgrade to improve clarity and better group like items together.
Setup score 12/20
Prepare Phase
There is a Q Menu with Custom Q Menu able to be set by the user, with up to 15 items from a very long list of options. I find the Fn button on the Sony RX100(4) (which occupies the same place in the capture workflow as a Panasonic Q Menu) to be easier to set up and use. I would like to see Panasonic adopt the Sony system for this particular aspect of the user interface.
There are three hard Fn buttons in addition to the one which must be allocated to the Q Menu. The function of each can be selected from a long list of options.
If the touch screen is used all four Cursor Buttons can remain active.
Overall a decent Prepare Phase capability for such a small camera with limited real estate for hard controls.
Prepare Phase score 13/20
Capture Phase, Holding
The bad news is that holding the TZ110 is not very secure.
For reasons quite unknown to me but perhaps related to styling, the TZ110 lacks a salient handle. The front of the body is quite smooth with a soft vertical ridge which does not provide adequate purchase for the fingers of the right hand.
The good news is that the problem is easy enough to fix either by applying some stick-on grippy material to the front of the camera or by adding a handle of some kind. Some users have reported that an upside down Flipbac does the job. Richard Franiec makes a metal stick-on handle. I made a wooden handle and stuck it on with epoxy resin.
Any of these approaches makes the camera much easier and more secure to hold.
At the rear there is no thumb support. This is a bit more difficult to fix as there is insufficient space back there for a proper thumb support like the one on the TZ80.
Some users stick on a patch of grippy stuff. I made and stuck on with epoxy an aluminium thumb bar. This is not as secure as a full thumb support but is better than the original which has nothing to support the thumb.
Holding score standard camera (as supplied, without any accessory handle or grip) 4/20
Capture Phase, Viewing
The TZ110 has comprehensive viewing arrangements with a monitor and built in EVF both of which provide a sharp, clear view of the subject. In addition both can be configured by the user with many options for the appearance and amount of information which can be displayed.
The only downsides are that the EVF is quite small and the monitor is fixed.
Viewing score 10/20
Capture Phase Operating
In many respects the TZ110 works like a prosumer DSLR or advanced MILC with many hard controls and the option of touch screen capability. There are twin dials plus the Cursor buttons, four Fn buttons and several other hard controls.
There are a few minor deficiencies which Panasonic could fix easily enough I imagine.
The auto ISO algorithms need to be re written to respond to the lens focal length in use, Sony style.
The lens ring turns the ‘wrong’ way for value up. An option to reverse this could be provided as on some other cameras from Panasonic and others.
There are some other issues with dial function which I have described in previous posts.
Operating score 15/25
Review
The camera enables scrolling from one review image to the next or previous at the same level of magnification and the same location on the frame.
Review score 5/5
Total score 59/100
Comment
The TZ110 breaks new ground in the ongoing adventure of camera evolution with a specification not yet seen in any other make or model.
However in their quest for a smooth, stylish external appearance the designers have given up some ergonomic capability.
The total score of 59/100 is not bad for a compact but the less expensive TZ80 scores better at 65/100 with a reasonably decent handle, a functional thumb support, a body which is more comfortable to hold, more space for buttons on the control panel and a slightly more workable rear dial arrangement.
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