Topic: Panasonic Lumix DC-ZS200 (edit: mostly about ZS100 though)

[breakonthru]

Given that the cost has risen on these, are their better options in 2024? Perhaps something from the 2020-2022 era? Seems that every major manufacturer makes this form factor, and some of the newer Sonys have better specs for example.

Look at how far the processing algos have come for video in just the last few years in the phone realm, I’m sure a lot of this technology carries over to the larger cameras

Is there something peculiar about this model that makes it so popular (price point, ability to shoot long form video, etc)?

[guitard]

Question for the Masses. What adjustments would you make so the video's on the screen would display better, while also keeping the band members intact.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hodw1yNLsK8&t

I've followed most of the settings discussed within this thread, just looking to tighten up the video display a little bit.

thanks

You will need to do that in post production.

Since your camera is not moving and on a stand it is possible.


Using bezier masking.


Make 2 tracks of the same video, the one on the top track you can make a mask that cuts out the video screen above the musicians.

Basically cutting a hole in the top video now on the track below it will still look the same until you lower the brightness on the 2nd track below where you will now have the top track at normal brightness with the screen cut out showing through to the bottom track with the new brightness adjustment for the screen.

Render it out.

Good luck

I forgot about this.  But definitely, if you do the bezier masking right, it can make a huge difference.

[ol' dirty taper]

Given that the cost has risen on these, are their better options in 2024? Perhaps something from the 2020-2022 era? Seems that every major manufacturer makes this form factor, and some of the newer Sonys have better specs for example.

Look at how far the processing algos have come for video in just the last few years in the phone realm, I’m sure a lot of this technology carries over to the larger cameras

Is there something peculiar about this model that makes it so popular (price point, ability to shoot long form video, etc)?

I've been wondering the same thing, looks like Sony might be my next move, but I'm unsure on recording time lengths.

[RyanJ]

Given that the cost has risen on these, are their better options in 2024? Perhaps something from the 2020-2022 era? Seems that every major manufacturer makes this form factor, and some of the newer Sonys have better specs for example.

Look at how far the processing algos have come for video in just the last few years in the phone realm, I’m sure a lot of this technology carries over to the larger cameras

Is there something peculiar about this model that makes it so popular (price point, ability to shoot long form video, etc)?

After using the ZS100 for the last few years I think that you've nailed all of the positives about the camera. The quality you get at that price point is comparable to the low end canon camcorders. It shoots 4K with a decent zoom. The hack to film continuous is a huge plus (on one battery I usually get about 90 minutes which is a downside for longer sets). Also, it's a "point and shoot" and I have not had any issues with it at the doors bringing it in because it looks like a small point and shoot digital camera at arenas that are concerned with detachable lenses.

One other downside is that blues really tend to bleed with this camera. But other than that, I have been really happy with how most of my footage has turned out with it.

Here is something I shot for the band HEALTH the other week with two panasonic ZS100 and an Canon G70. Probably harder to tell which shots are the panasonic and which is the canon. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjIuR02dxPE

[tjj5036]

Given that the cost has risen on these, are their better options in 2024? Perhaps something from the 2020-2022 era? Seems that every major manufacturer makes this form factor, and some of the newer Sonys have better specs for example.

Look at how far the processing algos have come for video in just the last few years in the phone realm, I’m sure a lot of this technology carries over to the larger cameras

Is there something peculiar about this model that makes it so popular (price point, ability to shoot long form video, etc)?

To piggyback on what's been said here the reason why its so popular is

1. It's a point and shoot and 99.9% of venues will let you in with it. Out of the hundreds of shows I've filmed only two or three events have shut me down (Tool, etc) 
2. It's on the low end of the cost spectrum ($500-600)
3. Can be modded to shoot more than 15 minutes of 4K which seems to be some EU tariff imposed workaround.
4. Decent picture that will blow a phone away especially further back.
5. Gravity effect of other tapers using them

If you're looking at other options Sony makes a series of excellent point and shoot cameras (Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100, etc) that can do 4K but they're 2-3x the price point. However, I have heard that the Sony cameras apparently do better under low light situations which the ZS100 can struggle with. If I had to pick either the ZS100 and the Sony ones ignoring cost I would probably go with a Sony at this point. However, I'm still happy with the ZS100 and will continue to use it for the forseeable future.

[robeti]

Given that the cost has risen on these, are their better options in 2024? Perhaps something from the 2020-2022 era? Seems that every major manufacturer makes this form factor, and some of the newer Sonys have better specs for example.

Look at how far the processing algos have come for video in just the last few years in the phone realm, I’m sure a lot of this technology carries over to the larger cameras

Is there something peculiar about this model that makes it so popular (price point, ability to shoot long form video, etc)?

To piggyback on what's been said here the reason why its so popular is

1. It's a point and shoot and 99.9% of venues will let you in with it. Out of the hundreds of shows I've filmed only two or three events have shut me down (Tool, etc) 
2. It's on the low end of the cost spectrum ($500-600)
3. Can be modded to shoot more than 15 minutes of 4K which seems to be some EU tariff imposed workaround.
4. Decent picture that will blow a phone away especially further back.
5. Gravity effect of other tapers using them

If you're looking at other options Sony makes a series of excellent point and shoot cameras (Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100, etc) that can do 4K but they're 2-3x the price point. However, I have heard that the Sony cameras apparently do better under low light situations which the ZS100 can struggle with. If I had to pick either the ZS100 and the Sony ones ignoring cost I would probably go with a Sony at this point. However, I'm still happy with the ZS100 and will continue to use it for the forseeable future.

spot on.

Been doing video since 2005. This is by far the best video gear i've ever had all point above considered.

[breakonthru]

The only thing I don’t like is sometimes the autofocus goes way out of focus and back in when shooting concerts. Perhaps there’s a setting to help with this

[beatkilla]

The only thing I don’t like is sometimes the autofocus goes way out of focus and back in when shooting concerts. Perhaps there’s a setting to help with this

Yep

Manual Focus

[breakonthru]

Please remind me of the key code to get past the 20 min limit

[guitard]

Please remind me of the key code to get past the 20 min limit

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1JDEBby1zOT1FIkVMN321RLPNlICRcZJ2zXaMVaJqGNw/edit#slide=id.g55f4d0cc81_0_44

[sparko]

Have been using TZ91 (ZS90) and TZ101 (ZS100) for several years and was about to add the TZ202 (ZS200) but instead swtiched to Sony HX99 and RX100MK7 (got a steal at a used one for about 700€). WAY better in lowlight esp still photography and the stabilizers are a lot better than the Panasonics. I had Sony before which were the HX10  HX20 and HX50 but wasnt happy about the photography with them. Also the sound wasnt as good on video, the Panasonics were the go to cams then. Started with TZ71 first.

These last Sony models are really great, also have a good sound on video now. I do not regret missing the 15x zoom for the "almost 10x" zoom of the RX, it has lots of reserves for both photo and video to crop to your needs.

Also, I always ran into trouble focussing esp on the TZ91 (ZS90) on the long end, Sony is way better here.

The latest TZ96 (ZS95) from Panasonic still has 99% the same technology as the TZ91, for those who were wondering.

[robeti]

Have been using TZ91 (ZS90) and TZ101 (ZS100) for several years and was about to add the TZ202 (ZS200) but instead swtiched to Sony HX99 and RX100MK7 (got a steal at a used one for about 700€). WAY better in lowlight esp still photography and the stabilizers are a lot better than the Panasonics. I had Sony before which were the HX10  HX20 and HX50 but wasnt happy about the photography with them. Also the sound wasnt as good on video, the Panasonics were the go to cams then. Started with TZ71 first.

These last Sony models are really great, also have a good sound on video now. I do not regret missing the 15x zoom for the "almost 10x" zoom of the RX, it has lots of reserves for both photo and video to crop to your needs.

Also, I always ran into trouble focussing esp on the TZ91 (ZS90) on the long end, Sony is way better here.

The latest TZ96 (ZS95) from Panasonic still has 99% the same technology as the TZ91, for those who were wondering.

This is not a sony topic.
Glad you like your camera. Make a topic about it.

[ol' dirty taper]

Have been using TZ91 (ZS90) and TZ101 (ZS100) for several years and was about to add the TZ202 (ZS200) but instead swtiched to Sony HX99 and RX100MK7 (got a steal at a used one for about 700€). WAY better in lowlight esp still photography and the stabilizers are a lot better than the Panasonics. I had Sony before which were the HX10  HX20 and HX50 but wasnt happy about the photography with them. Also the sound wasnt as good on video, the Panasonics were the go to cams then. Started with TZ71 first.

These last Sony models are really great, also have a good sound on video now. I do not regret missing the 15x zoom for the "almost 10x" zoom of the RX, it has lots of reserves for both photo and video to crop to your needs.

Also, I always ran into trouble focussing esp on the TZ91 (ZS90) on the long end, Sony is way better here.

The latest TZ96 (ZS95) from Panasonic still has 99% the same technology as the TZ91, for those who were wondering.

Was wondering about the Sony's myself when I was looking for a second ZS100. Thanks for the input.

[sparko]

Have been using TZ91 (ZS90) and TZ101 (ZS100) for several years and was about to add the TZ202 (ZS200) but instead swtiched to Sony HX99 and RX100MK7 (got a steal at a used one for about 700€). WAY better in lowlight esp still photography and the stabilizers are a lot better than the Panasonics. I had Sony before which were the HX10  HX20 and HX50 but wasnt happy about the photography with them. Also the sound wasnt as good on video, the Panasonics were the go to cams then. Started with TZ71 first.

These last Sony models are really great, also have a good sound on video now. I do not regret missing the 15x zoom for the "almost 10x" zoom of the RX, it has lots of reserves for both photo and video to crop to your needs.

Also, I always ran into trouble focussing esp on the TZ91 (ZS90) on the long end, Sony is way better here.

The latest TZ96 (ZS95) from Panasonic still has 99% the same technology as the TZ91, for those who were wondering.

This is not a sony topic.
Glad you like your camera. Make a topic about it.

The Sonys have been mentioned before. And what the heck is wrong about comparing cameras of the same class with each other? When people IN THIS TOPIC were already talking about them AND RECOMMENDED THEM AS BEING BETTER? I just added my thoughts on that - with actual experience from using both of them. Just LOOK AT 10-12 POSTS BEFORE MINE. But hey, I do not have 398045798347569834 posts on my count here so what the heck to I dare to post anything at all, right? What do I dare to contribute anything at all to AN ALREADY EXISTING part of the discussion.

Sorry for  sharing my experiences. The ZS100/200 are slightly outdated meanwhile compared to the latest Sony models. And both makers are pretty much the only ones still producing (but not really developing) P&S superzooms. I had/used both extensiveley.
But who cares, nobody wants to know.

Same people pi**ing about DIME or SETLISTFM mods being pedantic.