Panasonic TZ90 Comparison Review
The Panasonic Lumix DC-TZ90 (called Panasonic ZS70 in some regions) is a fixed lens compact camera that was announced in April 2017 and is equipped with a 1/2.3-inch sensor. It offers a resolution of 20.2 megapixel.
Is the Panasonic TZ90 a good camera? The TZ90 has a Camera Elo of 2183. This rating puts the TZ90 among the top 30 percent of all superzoom compact cameras. In terms of its sensor size category (small sensor cameras), the TZ90 ranks among the top 10 percent. Based on its within category standings, the camera earns a 4.5-star performance rating.
Panasonic TZ90 |
---|
Fixed lens compact camera |
24-720mm f/3.3-6.4 |
20.2 MP, 1/2.3" Sensor |
4K/30p Video |
ISO 80 - 3 200 (80 - 6 400) |
Electronic viewfinder (1166k dots) |
3.0 LCD, 1040k dots |
Tilting touchscreen |
10 shutter flaps per second |
380 shots per battery charge |
112 x 67 x 41 mm, 322 g |
Read on to find out more about the camera's size, sensor, features, reception by expert reviewers, and how it compares to other digital cameras.
Body comparison with a credit card
The physical dimensions of the Panasonic TZ90 relative to a credit card are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.
The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the Panasonic TZ90 alongside a set of similar cameras. If you want to review a particular camera pair side-by-side, just move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible comparisons there.
Camera Model |
Camera Width |
Camera Height |
Camera Depth |
Camera Weight |
Battery Life |
Weather Sealing |
Camera Launch |
Launch Price |
Street Price |
||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Panasonic TZ90 | 112 mm | 67 mm | 41 mm | 322 g | 380 | n | Apr 2017 | US$ 449 | ebay.com | |
2. | Canon M100 | 108 mm | 67 mm | 35 mm | 302 g | 295 | n | Aug 2017 | US$ 499 | ebay.com | |
3. | Canon SX720 | 110 mm | 64 mm | 36 mm | 270 g | 250 | n | Feb 2016 | US$ 379 | ebay.com | |
4. | Canon SX730 | 110 mm | 64 mm | 40 mm | 300 g | 250 | n | Apr 2017 | US$ 399 | ebay.com | |
5. | Canon SX740 | 110 mm | 64 mm | 40 mm | 299 g | 265 | n | Jul 2018 | US$ 399 | amazon.com | |
6. | Fujifilm XF10 | 113 mm | 64 mm | 41 mm | 279 g | 330 | n | Jul 2018 | US$ 499 | ebay.com | |
7. | Panasonic FT7 | 117 mm | 76 mm | 37 mm | 319 g | 300 | Y | May 2018 | US$ 449 | ebay.com | |
8. | Panasonic FZ82 | 130 mm | 94 mm | 119 mm | 616 g | 330 | n | Jan 2017 | US$ 399 | amazon.com | |
9. | Panasonic LX5 | 110 mm | 65 mm | 43 mm | 271 g | 400 | n | Jul 2010 | US$ 499 | ebay.com | |
10. | Panasonic LX100 II | 115 mm | 66 mm | 65 mm | 392 g | 300 | n | Aug 2018 | US$ 999 | ebay.com | |
11. | Panasonic TZ95 | 112 mm | 69 mm | 42 mm | 327 g | 380 | n | Feb 2019 | US$ 449 | ebay.com | |
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders. | |||||||||||
The listed prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The Panasonic TZ90 was launched in the US market at a price of $449. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.
Sensor comparison with a 35mm slide
The imaging sensor is at the core of digital cameras and its size is one of the main determining factors of image quality. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.
The Panasonic TZ90 features a 1/2.3-inch sensor and has a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 5.6. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the Panasonic TZ90 among the smaller-sensor digicams that favor affordability and compact design.
Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for most cameras. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.
Camera Model |
Sensor Class |
Resolution (MP) |
Horiz. Pixels |
Vert. Pixels |
Video Format |
DXO Portrait |
DXO Landscape |
DXO Sports |
DXO Overall |
||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Panasonic TZ90 | 1/2.3 | 20.2 | 5184 | 3888 | 4K/30p | 19.1 | 10.6 | 106 | 36 | |
2. | Canon M100 | APS-C | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 1080/60p | 23.5 | 12.9 | 1272 | 78 | |
3. | Canon SX720 | 1/2.3 | 20.2 | 5184 | 3888 | 1080/60p | 20.3 | 11.8 | 817 | 48 | |
4. | Canon SX730 | 1/2.3 | 20.2 | 5184 | 3888 | 1080/60p | 20.5 | 11.9 | 924 | 50 | |
5. | Canon SX740 | 1/2.3 | 20.2 | 5184 | 3888 | 4K/30p | 20.6 | 12.1 | 1050 | 51 | |
6. | Fujifilm XF10 | APS-C | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 4K/15p | 24.0 | 13.4 | 1844 | 83 | |
7. | Panasonic FT7 | 1/2.3 | 20.2 | 5184 | 3888 | 4K/30p | 20.6 | 12.1 | 1028 | 51 | |
8. | Panasonic FZ82 | 1/2.3 | 18.0 | 4896 | 3672 | 4K/30p | 20.5 | 11.9 | 900 | 49 | |
9. | Panasonic LX5 | 1/1.7 | 10.0 | 3648 | 2736 | 720/60p | 19.6 | 10.8 | 132 | 41 | |
10. | Panasonic LX100 II | Four Thirds | 16.8 | 4736 | 3552 | 4K/30p | 22.8 | 12.7 | 979 | 72 | |
11. | Panasonic TZ95 | 1/2.3 | 20.2 | 5184 | 3888 | 4K/30p | 20.7 | 12.2 | 1103 | 52 | |
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age. |
Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. The TZ90 indeed provides movie recording capabilities. The highest resolution format that the TZ90 can use is 4K/30p.
Feature comparison
Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. For example, the TZ90 has an electronic viewfinder with a resolution of 1166k dots. The viewfinder offers a field of view of 100% and a magnification of 0.46x. The adjacent tables list some of the other core features of the Panasonic TZ90 along with similar information for a selection of comparators.
Camera Model |
Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots) |
Control Panel (yes/no) |
LCD Specifications (inch/000 dots) |
LCD Attach- ment |
Touch Screen (yes/no) |
Max Shutter Speed * |
Max Shutter Flaps * |
Built-in Flash (yes/no) |
Built-in Image Stab |
||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Panasonic TZ90 | 1166 | n | 3.0 / 1040 | tilting | Y | 1/2000s | 10.0/s | Y | Y | |
2. | Canon M100 | none | n | 3.0 / 1040 | tilting | Y | 1/4000s | 6.1/s | Y | n | |
3. | Canon SX720 | none | n | 3.0 / 922 | fixed | n | 1/3200s | 5.9/s | Y | Y | |
4. | Canon SX730 | none | n | 3.0 / 922 | tilting | n | 1/3200s | 5.9/s | Y | Y | |
5. | Canon SX740 | none | n | 3.0 / 922 | tilting | n | 1/3200s | 10.0/s | Y | Y | |
6. | Fujifilm XF10 | none | n | 3.0 / 1040 | fixed | Y | 1/4000s | 6.0/s | Y | n | |
7. | Panasonic FT7 | 1170 | n | 3.0 / 1040 | fixed | n | 1/1300s | 10.0/s | Y | Y | |
8. | Panasonic FZ82 | 1166 | n | 3.0 / 1040 | fixed | Y | 1/2000s | 10.0/s | Y | Y | |
9. | Panasonic LX5 | optional | n | 3.0 / 460 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 2.5/s | Y | Y | |
10. | Panasonic LX100 II | 2764 | n | 3.0 / 1240 | fixed | Y | 1/4000s | 11.0/s | n | Y | |
11. | Panasonic TZ95 | 2330 | n | 3.0 / 1040 | tilting | Y | 1/2000s | 10.0/s | Y | Y | |
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one. |
The LCD screen on the Panasonic Lumix DC-TZ90 is flexibly attached to the body. In particular, the LCD can be tilted vertically to facilitate odd-angle shots in landscape orientation. This tilting design is often preferred, for example, by street photographers to a fully articulated, swivel type of LCD attachment, as it is more unobtrusive during shooting than a screen that flips out to the side.
One convenient feature of the TZ90 is the presence of an on-board flash. While this built-in flash is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light to brighten deep shadow areas.
Connection comparison
For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Panasonic Lumix DC-TZ90 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.
Camera Model |
Hotshoe Port |
Internal Mic / Speaker |
Microphone Port |
Headphone Port |
HDMI Port |
USB Port |
WiFi Support |
NFC Support |
Bluetooth Support |
||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Panasonic TZ90 | - | stereo / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | - | - | |
2. | Canon M100 | - | stereo / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | Y | Y | |
3. | Canon SX720 | - | stereo / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | Y | - | |
4. | Canon SX730 | - | stereo / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | Y | Y | |
5. | Canon SX740 | - | stereo / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | - | Y | |
6. | Fujifilm XF10 | - | stereo / mono | Y | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | - | Y | |
7. | Panasonic FT7 | - | stereo / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | - | - | |
8. | Panasonic FZ82 | Y | stereo / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | - | - | |
9. | Panasonic LX5 | Y | mono / mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
10. | Panasonic LX100 II | Y | stereo / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | - | Y | |
11. | Panasonic TZ95 | - | stereo / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | - | Y |
It is notable that the TZ90 offers wifi support. Wifi can be a very convenient means to transfer image data to an off-camera location.
The TZ90 has a zoom lens built in (4.3-129mm f/3.3-6.4), which, in full frame equivalent terms, provides a focal length range from 24 to 720mm. The camera is, hence, ready to shoot, while remaining more compact in size than an interchangeable lens camera with an optic that offers similar focal length and aperture specifications.
Further information on the features and operation of the TZ90 can be found in the free online Panasonic TZ90 Manual or on the Panasonic support site.
Expert reviews
While the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the TZ90 handle or perform in practice. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate. This is where reviews by experts come in. The table below summarizes the assessments of some of the best known camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]).
Camera Model |
AP score |
CL score |
DCW score |
DPR score |
EPZ score |
PB score |
Camera Launch |
Launch Price |
Street Price |
||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Panasonic TZ90 | .. | + + | 4/5 | .. | 4/5 | 4/5 | Apr 2017 | US$ 449 | ebay.com | |
2. | Canon M100 | 3/5 | + | .. | .. | 4/5 | 3.5/5 | Aug 2017 | US$ 499 | ebay.com | |
3. | Canon SX720 | .. | + | .. | .. | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | Feb 2016 | US$ 379 | ebay.com | |
4. | Canon SX730 | .. | + | .. | .. | 4/5 | 4/5 | Apr 2017 | US$ 399 | ebay.com | |
5. | Canon SX740 | .. | + | 3.5/5 | .. | 4/5 | 4/5 | Jul 2018 | US$ 399 | amazon.com | |
6. | Fujifilm XF10 | .. | .. | 4/5 | 75/100 | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | Jul 2018 | US$ 499 | ebay.com | |
7. | Panasonic FT7 | .. | + | .. | .. | 3.5/5 | 3.5/5 | May 2018 | US$ 449 | ebay.com | |
8. | Panasonic FZ82 | .. | + + | .. | .. | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Jan 2017 | US$ 399 | amazon.com | |
9. | Panasonic LX5 | 4/5 | + | .. | 73/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Jul 2010 | US$ 499 | ebay.com | |
10. | Panasonic LX100 II | 4.5/5 | + | 4.2/5 | 82/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Aug 2018 | US$ 999 | ebay.com | |
11. | Panasonic TZ95 | .. | + + | .. | .. | 4.5/5 | .. | Feb 2019 | US$ 449 | ebay.com | |
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available. |
The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The ratings are only valid when referring to cameras in the same category and of the same age. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and comparing ratings of very distinct cameras or ones that are far apart in terms of their release date have little meaning. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.
Panasonic TZ90 FAQ
Below are some additional questions and answers concerning some particular features of the TZ90.
What type of imaging sensor is used in the Panasonic TZ90?
The camera is build around a BSI-CMOS (Backside Illuminated Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensor.
Which image processing chip is used in the Panasonic TZ90 to convert the raw signal into an image file and perform noise reduction and image sharpening?
Panasonic equipped the TZ90 with the Venus image processor.
What is the ISO sensitivity range of the Panasonic TZ90?
The camera has a native sensitivity range from ISO 80 to ISO 3200.
Does the Panasonic TZ90 have a selfie-friendly screen?
Yes, the LCD-screen of the TZ90 is flexible and can be turned to be front-facing for capturing selfies.
Is completely silent shooting possible with the Panasonic TZ90?
The camera has an electronic shutter option, so that it is indeed feasible to capture images without any shutter noise.
Is it difficult to use manual focus lenses with the Panasonic TZ90?
The TZ90 offers focus peaking as a manual focus aid. This feature works by placing a colored highlight on in-focus zones within the image.
Does the Panasonic TZ90 feature an autofocus assist light?
Yes, the camera has a lamp built-in that can illuminate the subject and improve autofocus in low-light settings.
Does the Panasonic TZ90 support the Ultra High Speed (UHS) bus interface for SD cards?
Yes, the camera can indeed use UHS-I cards (data transfer speed of up to 104 MB/s).
Which battery does the Panasonic TZ90 use?
The camera gets its power from the Panasonic DMW-BLG10 (here at amazon), which is a rechargeable Lithium-Ion power pack.
Camera to camera comparisons
In case you are interested in seeing how this camera compares to another one, just use the search menu below. An an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.
- Canon 1D C vs Panasonic TZ90
- Canon 5D Mark IV vs Panasonic TZ90
- Canon R7 vs Panasonic TZ90
- Canon SX700 vs Panasonic TZ90
- Nikon D50 vs Panasonic TZ90
- Nikon D5500 vs Panasonic TZ90
- Nikon P7800 vs Panasonic TZ90
- Olympus E-M10 vs Panasonic TZ90
- Panasonic S1R vs Panasonic TZ90
- Panasonic TZ90 vs Pentax K-5
- Panasonic TZ90 vs Sony A7C
- Panasonic TZ90 vs Sony NEX-6
Camera Model | Panasonic TZ90 | |
---|---|---|
Camera Type | Fixed lens compact camera | |
Camera Lens | 24-720mm f/3.3-6.4 | |
Launch Date | April 2017 | |
Launch Price | USD 449 | |
Sensor Specs | ||
Sensor Technology | BSI-CMOS | |
Sensor Format | 1/2.3" Sensor | |
Sensor Size | 6.17 x 4.55 mm | |
Sensor Area | 28 mm2 | |
Sensor Diagonal | 7.7 mm | |
Crop Factor | 5.6x | |
Sensor Resolution | 20.2 Megapixels | |
Image Resolution | 5 184 x 3 888 pixels | |
Pixel Pitch | 1.18 μm | |
Pixel Density | 71.80 MP/cm2 | |
Moiré control | no AA filter | |
Movie Capability | 4K/30p Video | |
ISO Setting | 80 - 3 200 ISO | |
ISO Boost | 80 - 6 400 ISO | |
Image Processor | Venus | |
DXO Sensor Quality (score) | 36 | |
DXO Color Depth (bits) | 19.1 | |
DXO Dynamic Range (EV) | 10.6 | |
DXO Low Light (ISO) | 106 | |
Screen Specs | ||
Viewfinder Type | Electronic viewfinder | |
Viewfinder Field of View | 100% | |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.46x | |
Viewfinder Resolution | 1166k dots | |
Top-Level Screen | no Top Display | |
LCD Framing | Live View | |
LCD Size | 3.0 inch | |
LCD Resolution | 1040k dots | |
LCD Attachment | Tilting screen | |
V-logging Friendliness | Front-flip possible | |
Touch Input | Touchscreen | |
Shooting Specs | ||
Focus System | Contrast-detect AF | |
Manual Focusing Aid | Focus Peaking | |
Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/2000s | |
Continuous Shooting | 10 shutter flaps/s | |
Silent Shooting | Electronic Shutter | |
Time Lapse Photography | no Intervalometer | |
Fill Flash | Built-in Flash | |
Storage Medium | SDXC cards | |
Single or Dual Card Slots | Single card slot | |
UHS card support | UHS-I | |
Connectivity Specs | ||
External Flash | no Hotshoe | |
USB Connector | USB 2.0 | |
HDMI Port | micro HDMI | |
Wifi Support | Wifi built-in | |
Body Specs | ||
Battery Type | Panasonic DMW-BLG10 power pack | |
Battery Life (CIPA) | 380 shots per charge | |
In-Camera Charging | USB charging | |
Body Dimensions |
112 x 67 x 41 mm (4.4 x 2.6 x 1.6 in) |
|
Camera Weight | 322 g (11.4 oz) |
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