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| TZ110 hand held shopping center interior at the wide end of the zoom. You can see the camera does a good job here. The subject is reasonably difficult to photograph with high subject brightness range, abundant detail and mixed light sources. |
Significance, specifications and features
Four years ago Sony redefined what is possible in a compact camera with the original RX100. The key new ingredient of this camera in 2012 was its ‘one inch’ sensor (actual dimensions 13.2x8.8mm).
Since then Sony, Canon, Nikon and Panasonic have used the same sized sensor in an increasingly sophisticated range of fixed zoom lens cameras (FZLC).
Some of these are now so capable they challenge the relevance of any interchangeable lens camera (ILC) be it DSLR or MILC with the ubiquitous ‘convenience’ or ‘travel’ zoom lens.
Some of them are also quite large, not things I imagine many people might describe as ‘compact’.
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| Photo courtesy of camerasize.com This is reasonably self explanatory. Each camera is fitted with an approximately comparable 10x zoom with an aperture range of f3.5-5.6 or close to that. The dramatic reduction in size enabled by the 'one inch' sensor and collapsing built in zoom is readily apparent. |
The dream
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if somebody could produce a camera which:
* Is small and light enough to carry all day in a jacket pocket or belt pouch and hardly be noticed.
* Has a 10x zoom for versatility.
* Has a built in, fixed, always ready EVF to ensure a good viewing experience in any conditions.
* Is able to deliver very good picture quality outdoors or indoors.
* Has fast responsive performance in all circumstances with JPG or RAW output.
* Has very good ergonomics.
* Is pitched at a moderate price point.
Does this sound impossible ?
Until very recently it was.
But with the TZ110 (a.k.a. TZ101, TZ100, ZS100, TX1) Panasonic is trying to achieve the previously impossible.
Have they succeeded ?
I have been working quite intensively with my TZ110 over the last few weeks, making many thousands of exposures in a variety of conditions.
My conclusion is that with some reservations, yes, Panasonic has been able to create the previously impossible and in the process significantly advance the evolution of fixed lens cameras.
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| Photo courtesy of camerasize.com On the left is the TZ110. On the right is a Nikon 1 V3. This is an ILC which uses the same sized sensor as the TZ110. It has been fitted with a 10x zoom with similar focal length and aperture range to the TZ110. Actually the TZ110 has a wider aperture. (Camera size did not have the 10-100mm lens in it's files so I mocked up the correct size for this photo). The V3 lacks a built in EVF. So even when the sensor size is the same the built in collapsing design of the TZ110 lens allows a dramatic reduction in size with no loss of function. |
TZ 110 Specifications and Features
The TZ110 specifications and features list reads like that of an enthusiast DSLR or MILC.
Basically you get just about everything a modern, semi pro enthusiast camera has to offer.
You can read all the details elsewhere but some notable items include:
* Very fast, capable autofocus with decent follow focus capability on moving subjects even with RAW capture.
* Manual focus and AF + MF with focus assist and peaking.
* AF area can be quickly moved anywhere in the frame.
* Fast responsive overall performance. The buffer holds 16 RAW files.
* Configurable control layout which can be tailored to individual requirements.
* Suitable for snapshooters in [iA] Mode or expert/enthusiasts in one of the P,A,S,M Modes.
* It has all the headline features like touch screen, Wi-Fi, 4K video and 4K photo. However I have to confess that I switch off touch screen capability (I will explain why in a subsequent post) and don’t use the other features.
The point is that those features are there for users who want them.
The TZ110 also has a long list of useful photography features which do not attract headlines.
* The EVF is fixed, built in and always ready for use. You don’t need to pop it up.
* Both the EVF and monitor can be configured in ‘viewfinder’ or ‘monitor’ style and both can be adjusted for brightness, contrast, saturation and color balance.
* You get zebras which for those who do not yet know it are very useful for getting correct highlight exposure.
* You get twin dial operation which is not often seen on a compact.
* There is a very useful and configurable built in flash.
* You can have M-Shutter or silent E-Shutter…… The list goes on and on……….
So the TZ110 has many features and capabilities which have migrated down from larger, more expensive cameras.
But it also has features derived from traditional compacts such as auto panorama which works well in practice.
In addition there are many features designed to help JPG shooters make better pictures in an automatic or semi automatic fashion. There is a long list of these but I just mention iDynamic, iResolution HDR and iHDR. These are not just gimmicks, they really work.
All this fits in a Lowe Pro Portland 20 belt pouch with space for several memory cards and a spare battery. The TZ110 in the belt pouch can be carried all day and hardly be noticed.
The competition
As I write this in April 2016 the TZ110 has no direct competition. There are plenty of advanced compacts but none with the ‘One inch’ sensor, built in EVF and 10x zoom.
I guess if the TZ110 does well in the market place Panasonic’s competitors will respond in due course.
Next: Picture Quality
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