• 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 14.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 600.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 112.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Panasonic DMC-FZ100 advantages over Olympus XZ-2

  • Less expensive
    $500 vs $600 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • More telephoto lens reach
    600 mm vs 112 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 410 vs 310 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More pixels
    14.1 vs 12.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Wider angle lens
    25 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    11.2 fps vs 5.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    15 vs 4 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Olympus XZ-2 advantages over Panasonic DMC-FZ100

  • Larger sensor
    1/1.7 inch vs 1/2.33 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.92 vs 1.42 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/1.8 vs f/2.8
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Thinner
    48 mm vs 95 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    357g vs 563g
    Lighter weight
  • More dots on screen
    920k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.12 vs 0.34 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Review Excerpt

  • Good image quality for its class; Fast, bright f/1.8-2.5 i.ZUIKO 4x zoom lens; Dual-purpose front Control Ring lets you select aperture or focus manually; three-inch articulating LCD touch-screen monitor.

  • Pricier than many enthusiast compacts; Image detail starts dropping off at ISO 800 and noise becomes problematic at ISO 3200; Lens cover pops off as zoom lens extends, when you turn the camera on.

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FZ40

Panasonic DMC-FZ100
Panasonic DMC-FZ40
  • $500
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Hot shoe
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life
Olympus XZ-2
Panasonic DMC-FZ40
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Sony HX100V

Panasonic DMC-FZ100
Sony HX100V
  • $500
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Hot shoe
  • $312
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Built-in GPS
Olympus XZ-2
Sony HX100V
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $312
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Panasonic FZ47

Panasonic DMC-FZ100
Panasonic FZ47
  • $500
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • RAW file ability
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Shoots 1080p video
Olympus XZ-2
Panasonic FZ47
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $400
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Pentax MX-1

Panasonic DMC-FZ100
Pentax MX-1
  • $500
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $400
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Olympus XZ-2
Pentax MX-1
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Hot shoe
  • $400
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Shoots 60p video

Compared to Canon G16

Panasonic DMC-FZ100
Canon G16
  • $500
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $499
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Olympus XZ-2
Canon G16
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $499
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
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