Panasonic LUMIX ZS100 4K Digital Camera, 20.1 Megapixel 1-Inch Sensor 30p Video Camera, 10X LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT Lens, F2.8-5.9 Aperture, HYBRID O.I.S. Stabilization, 3-Inch LCD, DMC-ZS100K (Black)

I'm an experienced "enthusiast" amateur who has owned 10+ DSLRs and advanced "point and shoots". The Lumix ZS100, on balance, is the most advanced and most competent high quality camera I have ever held in my hand. It packs all of the capabilities of most mid-priced DSLRs and has a 250mm Leica optical lens (that zooms further up to 1000mm equivalent with its seamlessly integrated digital zoom). The ZS100 also includes a phenomenal 4K photo burst video/photo option and also has post shot focus (by allowing you to shoot simultaneously along multiple focal points). In short it includes an unbelievable amount of technology in a very small package.Also I believe it is the only compact "point and shoot" camera on the market with both a large 1 inch sensor (approaching DSLR size) and a 10x optical zoom.And, with almost all of the capabilities of a DSLR it is about 1/4 the size and weight. I expect to leave my DSLR at home from now on.The fully interactive touch screen and separate digital view finder (useful on sunny days) are both quite decent and somewhat unusual in this price range. And not sure why some are complaining on this site, the picture quality is top notch, comparable to the best of them at this sensor level and below. And I think the picture equals or beats many DSLRs with larger sensors.And its a pretty good bargain, especially with the $100 price drop that happened at the end of August (I suspect a new model is around the corner, but so what). And if you are looking for a bargain, what clinched it for me is that Panasonic is running a free three year warranty extension through March of 2018. So be sure NOT TO PAY FOR AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON YOUR OWN. Just search on "Lumix camera extended 3 year warranty" and you should find the registration forms (you need to buy it new from Amazon directly or one of Panasonic's other authorized USA dealers to get this deal.)You can set the camera to "auto" mode and forget about all the settings, but I would not recommend this camera if that's what you are going to do. Yes, as other reviews have said, to take advantage of all of the features (even for an experienced hobbyist) will take a bit of homework as using all these options can be (if you choose) a complicated. The mini-manual in the box is not very good, so be sure to download the full 400 page instruction book from the Panasonic support site. It is a bit dense but quite comprehensive.Also I would recommend the third-party guide book written by Alexander White available on Amazon. It is great book (hard copy or Kindle).So if you are pretty experienced and looking for a very advanced, high quality, easy to travel with camera this is the right one for you! And the free extra 2 years on your warranty (3 years total), will give you peace of mind if you are worried about all the technology that Panasonic has squeezed into the ZS100.

I've had my ZS-100 for about a month now and have had the opportunity to use it in a bunch of different circumstances. It is an AMAZING camera - fast, sharp, versatile. I love its 4K photo burst capability, which makes it possible to grab perfect action photos (in my case, portraits of squirmy babies whose expressions can change in a nanosecond). And I was frankly stunned by how quickly the pop-up flash recycles. The camera feels nice and solid in my hand, the controls are easy to access, and I appreciate the ability to switch from LED to electronic viewfinder (although some reviewers complain about the quality of the EVF, I have no complaints about it). The only thing I wish it had is built-in GPS ... I know GPS is a battery-drainer, but I travel a lot and appreciate having built-in geotagging. I'll adapt. I've probably owned a couple dozen cameras before, from film SLRs to DSLRs and mid- and high-end point-and-shoots, and I think this one might be my favorite.It took me a few weeks to find a case that fits the ZS-100 well. I ultimately bought TWO cases. The Case Logic QPB-202 molded case fits the ZS-100 perfectly, but the ZS-100's lens thickness doesn't leave room in the case's inside pocket for a spare battery or SD card unless you're careful to insert the camera with the lens towards the top, not the bottom, of the case. Its snug fit and hard-shell cover make it a good case for tossing the camera in a backpack or larger camera bag. I also bought an Ape Case small digital bag (#AC165), which offers a slightly roomier fit for the camera itself, plus a small exterior zippered pocket that's large enough for a couple of spare batteries and SD cards. It also has two exterior mesh pockets (can't think of a use for them, unless I decide to make a custom-fit rain cover for the case) and two interior mesh pockets that could, I suppose, hold batteries or SD cards - but I'd rather be able to get the camera in and out without snagging on anything. I use the Ape Case to carry the ZS-100 when I want quick access to it and am not carrying it in a backpack.AN ADDENDA FROM 2019: Several months ago the zoom ring (under the shutter button) began to freeze. I looked around online for solutions, and it looked dire - e.g., shipping the camera to a Panasonic repair facility in Texas and spending more for the repair than a new camera costs now. I also found that lots of other people have run into this problem, with a variety of Panasonic LUMIX cameras. I was really bummed because I LOVE this camera. But then I saw a suggestion from someone somewhere online about putting some PTFE-based lubricant on a cotton thread and running it under the frozen ring. I got a bottle of 3-In-One multi-purpose PTFE lubricant and gave it a try, using just a tiny, tiny amount. It worked! The ring moves smoothly again. Whew.