Right here, we concept that the smartphone would kill the point-and-shoot virtual digicam. There may be, as an alternative, a gradual resurgence with increasingly (most commonly younger) other folks buying used point-and-shoot cameras. The Panasonic ZS99 objectives to capitalize at the pattern, providing a modernized tackle an older P&S type. I believe there are most effective two causes to shop for a point-and-shoot virtual digicam and be expecting a unique outcome from a smartphone. Smartphones take stunningly excellent photographs so far as symbol high quality is going relative to their tiny sensor sizes, so that you both get a digicam with a considerably higher sensor than a telephone or get one with a far larger telephoto zoom vary. The Panasonic ZS99 is a brand-new design that seeks to do the latter. With the ZS99 to be had for $499, is its higher zoom vary value the cost of admission? 
The ZS99 seems precisely just like the older ZS80. That is excellent as a result of they had been all the time a elegant and classy-looking digicam collection. Panasonic DC-ZS99 Overview: The way it Feels The ZS99 is largely a rehash of the older ZS80. It borrows its look and plenty of elements, together with the lens and sensor meeting, from the ZS80. The sensor is a slightly small Kind 1/2.3 20-megapixel chip, almost certainly the similar sensor we now have noticed in more than one Panasonic point-and-shoots for years. We get the superb 30x zoom lens from the ZS80, which gives a full-frame similar vary of 24-720mm. In comparison to a smartphone, this offers a substantial achieve benefit over even a 10x telephoto digicam, and maximum telephones most effective characteristic a 3x or 5x telephoto. The grip is enough, and the digicam may be very pocketable, and not using a important adjustments in total glance from its predecessor. The digicam nonetheless has the similar 3-inch 1.84-million dot LCD panel, which flips up above the digicam into selfie mode. The battery continues to be a vintage Panasonic BLG-10PP kind, and the digicam has a unmarried UHS-I SD slot. Little or no has modified over time. 
The again panel flips up in a single route most effective. That is nice for selfies however no longer a lot else.
Unfortunately there’s no EVF positioned at the ZS99. It used to sit down within the top-left nook, and I’m unhappy to peer it move. No less than the USB connection is now a contemporary type-C, which complies with international rules, and the Bluetooth is now 5.0 compliant. Alternatively, this comes with a significant loss because the EVF that graced the ZS80 has been got rid of. I imagine this an enormous oversight because the again LCD panel isn’t very best in vivid prerequisites and we lose the power to convey the digicam up towards the face when capturing the utmost telephoto levels to stabilize the entire platform. I repeatedly listen that more youthful generations of photographers who’re used to capturing telephones at arm’s period don’t care about EVFs. However this doesn’t give new shooters sufficient credit score. Somebody who tries one will without a doubt come to make use of it extra ceaselessly and can omit it sorely if it ceases to exist on long run fashions. They would possibly not know what they’re lacking, however that doesn’t imply they’ll sooner or later fail to realize the omission. 
We have now a contemporary USB-C port at the digicam. The digicam too can attach wirelessly to a telephone by means of Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. 
I most commonly spent the day searching for great herbal gentle and the heat of wintry weather daylight. 
Colour is colourful and delightful total. I’ve all the time preferred the colour palette of Panasonic cameras. Panasonic DC-ZS99 Overview: The way it Shoots I all the time get a tinge of nostalgia once I assessment a compact digicam. I grew up promoting those merchandise, and I treasure the chance to check them once more most of these years later. Alternatively, a large a part of the nostalgic feeling is because of the cameras being necessarily the similar as the unique fashions, making the whole revel in a really antique one.
To its credit score, although, the ZS99 makes use of Panasonic’s DFD contrast-based autofocusing, which is snappy and actual. The digicam is swift, too, and the shutter liberate feels excellent. The zoom operates with a elementary rocker transfer across the shutter and zooms the lens with good enough haste. 
There’s a guide regulate command dial, and the ZS99 has each a entrance and rear dial to modify settings. 
I may just by no means get tight compositions like this at a distance with a smartphone. Cropping closely on a telephone will throw all semblance of element away. 
The ZS99 is a handy walk-around digicam with a huge zoom vary in a small bundle. The lens is sharp sufficient for the 20-megapixel sensor however has a tendency to flare somewhat from vivid gentle resources. I ceaselessly discovered myself shielding the entrance part with my left hand in an effort to save you heavy ghosting within the symbol. The sensor is inclined to a couple reflections as neatly when pointed on the Solar. The ZS99 gives a RAW document structure, however the small sensor on this digicam does no longer ship a lot dynamic vary. In a similar way, the ZS99 additionally has complete guide regulate, however the aperture vary is proscribed to f/8, and diffraction softens the picture considerably. The intensity of box doesn’t exchange that a lot both, and despite the fact that shutter speeds may also be set slower, there’s no choice for filters to lend a hand accommodate longer exposures. That is all to mention that despite the fact that the ZS99 does be offering some inventive regulate, there isn’t a lot incentive to make use of it, and it’s going to almost certainly be have shyed away from through maximum customers.
Video is unchanged from sooner than, which means that it’s information 4K video, however most effective at 30 frames consistent with 2nd. If you’re ok with lower-resolution gradual movement, you caokay 60fps at 1080p and 120fps at 720p. 
The ZS99 has an enormous zoom vary, nevertheless it’s no longer a vivid lens through any stretch. 
Should you attempt to fit on a smartphone what the ZS99 can do with its lens, you’ll be disillusioned. 
The lens will flare and ghosts will seem far and wide the body in vivid prerequisites. The sensor will even mirror a rainbow trend in opposition to the solar. Symbol high quality isn’t why other folks purchase those cameras, despite the fact that there’s a sure vintage allure to the antique glance of those older sensors. Colours are great total, however pores and skin tones have a tendency to tackle a waxy glance, and the photographs are over-sharpened around the board. A contemporary smartphone’s primary digicam will take a greater photograph in maximum scenarios, particularly in relation to dynamic vary. Even if a smartphone controls the glance of the intensity of box in a in large part synthetic method, particularly when capturing portraits, the effects are way more usable this present day, and the ZS99 can’t come shut. Alternatively, The ZS99 does a greater task when competing with the 5x lens on maximum telephones and simply dominates when the zoom is driven anyplace past that mark. The ZS99 is a superb image taker as a result of its telephoto achieve, and its primary power is the flexibility it gives whilst nonetheless becoming in a pocket. 
Don’t concern about seeking to get great sunstars or the rest. The ZS99 has some inventive regulate, however maximum will use it as an automated digicam. 
A variety of intensity of box whether or not you wish to have it or no longer. In contrast to a telephone, there’s no technique to digitally blur the background within the digicam.
Letting the shadows move darkish is ok. Boosting them could be a subject matter with a large number of virtual noise added. Panasonic DC-ZS99 Overview: A Lazy Enjoy Panasonic isn’t the one one who has been in charge of rereleasing an outdated product with a couple of adjustments and a brand new title. The call for for compact virtual cameras is emerging, and it is sensible to modernize the goods to satisfy the call for. Main enhancements require cash and intensive R&D, so it’s comprehensible that almost all producers are merely rehashing the again catalog. Nonetheless, I might be way more excited to peer new digicam designs that supply really extensive enhancements to symbol high quality and capability. Connectivity is extra vital than ever, however the ZS99 interfaces with a telephone in a lot the similar method the older cameras did sooner than, so no basic adjustments there. We’re left with a digicam that complies with the most recent USB requirements however loses an important piece of {hardware}, all at a $499 value, similar to what the older merchandise offered for. It might be that my standpoint is old-fashioned, although, and that new customers received’t care and even need the issues I want the ZS99 had. I might purchase the older ZS80 used and get the similar symbol high quality and flexibility with no need to surrender the EVF. 
The ZS99 does what it’s designed for neatly. I want it did just a little extra. 
The shutter may be very responsive at the ZS99, which makes the timing of photographs extra predictable and efficient. 
Natural world is undoubtedly inside of achieve of the ZS99 lens. The integrated IBIS does a excellent task of steadying the digicam.
Are There Possible choices? The one actual trail to get the similar more or less zoom vary in a small bundle is the used marketplace. The older Panasonic ZS80 and even ZS70 will give you the identical lens and sensor meeting plus the addition of an EVF to compose with. The Nikon Coolpix A1000 is much less detailed and somewhat bulkier, nevertheless it does give an extended 35x zoom lens. 
I simply preferred the straightforward composition and play of sunshine on this photograph. 
Pores and skin tones are ok, however any highlights can block up actual fast. Happily, I had comfortable, herbal gentle for this portrait. Must You Purchase It? No. I don’t suppose the ZS99 is fascinating, however I’m almost certainly out of contact. If you wish to have a brand new digicam that beats a smartphone’s zoom vary handily, the ZS99 is your highest wager.
