I Bought a New Panasonic LUMIX DMC-ZS50 Camera. Comparing ZS50 to ZS25.

November 3, 2019

#339

Gentle reader,

I have been buying and using  Panasonic LUMIX cameras for a few years now and recently saw a NEW DMC-ZS50 for sale and jumped on it for one reason:

It has a built-in live eye-level viewfinder. 

The camera is known as TZ70 in other markets than North America.

This is my trio of LUMIX cameras, all of which feature the ability to focus and compose the traditional film way, with your eye peeping into a small viewfinder.

FZ200 on the left, new ZS50 in the center and LX5 with optional Live Viewfinder on the right.

While a vast majority of people in the world have "smart" phones and have used them ad nauseum to create countless billions of images and videos to upload, I chose to not own one.

These same people and buyers of digital cameras such as myself, have put up with composing and focusing via a 3 inch screen for many years now. 

That has now ended for me. The ZS25 is now on eBay if you are interested: rfcollectin on eBay

As you can see above, the ZS50 like it's GX big brothers sports a built-in live viewfinder.

This ZS50 is my 15th LUMIX camera, of which two were M4/3 models, which I have bought and the first that was NEW. 

So, mimicking the YouTube channels that feature folks "unboxing" things they bought, here is the unveiling: 

Has anyone else had your PC or laptop display the "Blue Screen of Death" after putting a disc in the CD/DVD-Rom drive? Mine does sometimes and did when this disc was inserted.

Full manual along with Panasonic's proprietary image and video software are on the disc.

I find it odd that electronics makers would create ports that could accept a plug not meant for them. But it seems they did.

I was a little skeptical that this was in fact new, but everything was factory sealed. 

Not a mark on the camera and test shot was labeled: 100001.
The Leica lens features 30X optical zoom. It is somewhat slow at maximum aperture at the 25mm end at f3.3.
The five axis Optical Image Stabilization built-in to the camera allows for sharp images even at the 600mm end.

The ZS50's live viewfinder shows 100% of the image and has an adjustable diopter which is great for those of us with less than perfect eyesight.
"Fn" buttons are a first for any of the lower numbered ZS models I have owned.
A nice thumb grip also makes for a secure grip. WiFi is useless to me.
 

The ZS25 came out in 2013 and has a 16 megapixel sensor with 20X optical zoom. It like most of the earlier ZS line is small and easily pocketable, the main reason I bought them.
The  two-year newer ZS50 is larger in all dimensions and just has a quality appearance to it. And it feels like quality as well.
While it "only" has a 12 megapixel sensor, it is more than I need for any potential printing needs.  

Unlike any of the pocketable cameras I have had, the Zs50 can accept a camera shoulder/neck strap.

The pattern of nine raised dots are all the thumb can grip to on the older camera.

The large knurled ring around the lens doubles as either a zoom ring or for going through menu items or changing aperture or shutter speeds.

This is also the first LUMIX camera that charges the battery inside the camera instead of removing it.

I left the battery/memory door open just in case to release any heat.

The information the screens show is more on the ZS50, including focus area info.

Believe it or not, both cameras are fully zoomed out. The left to 480mm the right to 600mm. All lens length numbers are in 35mm (or full-frame) measurements.

I have yet to begin to get to know the camera. I have made three test shots so far. So there is much to learn. 

I registered it online and was told I qualify for a three-year warranty. 

I believe, my wife would say, "Yeah, right!", that I am done buying digital cameras.

This trio and my Nikon D200, with it's plethora or lenses,  from 18 to 400mm should meet all of my needs.

The FZ200 has a Leica lens that is constant f2.8 aperture from 25 to 600mm. I have LUMIX auxiliary lenses which widen it to 18mm and one meter!

The LX5 has a fine Leica Vario-Summicron lens which is incredibly sharp.

I gave up on M4/3rds cameras since I cannot afford any Leica lenses for them. 

I had adapters for them for a number of film camera lenses and was rarely happy with the results.

So, the ZS50 is my new always-with-me camera. The other two with their better lenses will cover other needs and uses.

Thank you SO much for taking the time to read my humble blog!
Your kind comments, below, or via Facebook are greatly appreciated.

Scott
November 3, 2019
#339