Lens Logic Verdict
The Panasonic Lumix G100 is a solid camera for vloggers and content creators who want something small but powerful. It shoots 4K video and has great audio, which is key for making videos on the go. The flip-out screen is perfect for framing yourself while recording. It’s easy to carry and use, even for beginners. However, the small sensor makes it struggle a bit in low-light situations. And while the autofocus is good, it’s not as fast as some other models. If you’re looking for a simple, portable camera for vlogging, the G100 does the job well.
Pros
- Shoots 4K video with no time limit
- Built-in microphone is great for sound
- Flip-out screen for easy selfies and vlogs
- Lightweight and portable
- Good image stabilization
Cons
- Low-light performance isn’t the best
- Autofocus can be slow during fast action
- Lacks advanced video options like 10-bit color
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Mason knows photography inside and out. With 15 years of hands-on experience, he’s written about cameras, lenses, and gear of all kinds. He even spent five years as a journalist, diving deep into music and writing sharp, engaging stories. Now, Mason shares his photography knowledge, helping readers find the right gear and perfect their skills. He’s also proud of his unbeatable Wordle streak!
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Vlogging has quickly become one of the most popular ways to share stories, experiences, and personal moments with the world. Compact, powerful, and loaded with features, the G100 is engineered to meet the needs of today’s digital creators. In this review, we’ll dive deep into what makes this camera stand out and how it compares to some of its fiercest competitors in the market.
Panasonic Lumix G100 specifications
- Sensor: 20.3 MP Micro Four Thirds (Live MOS)
- Image Processor: Venus Engine
- Lens Mount: Micro Four Thirds
- Autofocus: Contrast Detection with DFD (Depth From Defocus)
- ISO Range: 200–25,600 (Expandable to 100–25,600)
- Video: 4K at 30p, 1080p at 60p
- Viewfinder: None (uses LCD only)
- Memory Card: Dual SD card slots (UHS-I, UHS-II compatible)
- LCD: 3-inch, 1.84M-dot fully articulating touchscreen
- Max Burst: 10 fps (Continuous AF), 40 fps (AF-S)
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
- Size: 4.4 x 2.6 x 2.8 inches (113.7 x 65.4 x 70.5 mm)
- Weight: 12.6 oz (358 g)
Panasonic Lumix G100 Overview: A Compact Powerhouse for Vloggers
The Panasonic Lumix G100 combines powerful technology with a compact, user-friendly design, making it an excellent choice for vloggers who want to elevate their content. The camera is equipped with a 20.3MP Micro Four Thirds sensor and a 12-32mm lens, which work together to deliver high-quality stills and video. In addition, its 4K video recording capability ensures that you can capture every detail in ultra-high-definition. If you’re coming from using a smartphone for your content, the G100 will be a significant upgrade, delivering much sharper images and smoother video footage.
One of the standout features of the G100 is its OZO Audio, developed by Nokia. This spatial audio technology uses three built-in microphones to automatically adjust the sound pickup depending on where your subject is located, ensuring clear and immersive audio for your videos. The camera also boasts 5-axis Hybrid Image Stabilization, which helps reduce shake, making it an ideal choice for shooting on the move.
Vlogging Features: The G100’s Specialty
If you’re a vlogger, the Panasonic G100 offers several features that make capturing great content easy, even in challenging situations. 5-axis Hybrid I.S. minimizes the effects of camera shake, which is especially useful when recording while walking or moving. This stabilization, paired with lens-based OIS, ensures that your footage remains smooth, even during dynamic shots.
The camera’s 3.0-inch vari-angle LCD touchscreen is perfect for shooting at different angles, whether you’re filming from above, below, or directly in front of the camera. The screen flips out for easy selfies and has a touch interface that makes navigating the camera’s settings a breeze. The REC Frame Indicator is another useful addition for vloggers, offering a visual cue—a red border around the screen—that confirms the camera is recording.
Another useful vlogging-specific feature is the Dedicated Video Selfie Mode. When you rotate the screen forward, the G100 automatically adjusts to optimize focus on your face, adjusts the depth of field for a more flattering effect, and fine-tunes the audio pickup to match the new angle. This makes it perfect for one-person shoots, allowing you to focus more on your content rather than fiddling with the camera’s settings.
OZO Audio: Clear Sound for Your Videos
Good audio is just as important as good video when it comes to vlogging, and the G100 excels in this area. Thanks to OZO Audio technology, this camera uses its three internal microphones to provide spatial audio, meaning it can adapt the sound capture to your surroundings. Whether you’re facing the camera, shooting an interview, or recording yourself, the microphone will automatically adjust to pick up sound from the right direction.
The microphone also has several manual settings. You can choose from Surround, for capturing sound from all directions, Front, for picking up audio from subjects in front of you, and Back, for capturing your own voice when facing the camera. This adaptability is incredibly helpful for vloggers who want control over the audio without needing an external mic.
20.3MP Micro Four Thirds Sensor and 4K Video
At the heart of the G100 is a 20.3MP Digital Live MOS Sensor, paired with the Venus Engine Processor. This combination allows the camera to deliver high-resolution stills and UHD 4K video recording. The G100 can record 4K footage at up to 30p, capturing stunningly detailed visuals, while minimizing noise at higher ISOs. This is an important consideration for content creators, especially when filming in low-light environments or with high-speed motion.
The G100 supports Full HD video recording at up to 60p, making it versatile for various filming needs. It also offers V-Log L, a flat gamma curve that is perfect for color grading, giving you greater control over your footage during post-production. Whether you’re creating cinematic videos or just capturing daily vlogs, the G100’s 4K video capabilities ensure that you’ll be able to create high-quality content that stands out.
Design and User Experience
One of the G100’s most appealing features is its compact and lightweight design. At just 302g, it’s easy to carry around for long filming sessions, and its small size makes it a great option for vloggers who are always on the go. Despite its small frame, the camera is well-built, featuring an OLED Live View Finder with a 3.68M-dot resolution and a 0.73x magnification, allowing for sharp and clear composition when shooting at eye-level.
The camera’s 3.0-inch, 1.84M-dot vari-angle touchscreen is also worth mentioning. It’s responsive, intuitive, and provides flexibility when composing shots from various angles. Whether you’re vlogging at a café or on an outdoor adventure, the G100’s screen makes it easy to frame your shots and keep track of your content.
In addition to the physical features, the camera comes with built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.2 connectivity, which allows for seamless image sharing and remote camera control through a mobile device. This makes it easier to transfer your content to your phone for quick editing or uploading to social media.
Battery Life and Charging
Battery life is always a concern for long shoots. The G100’s DMW-BLG10PP lithium-ion battery offers decent battery life, providing about 270 shots per charge with the LCD or up to 900 shots when in Power Save LVF mode. It’s worth noting that the battery can be charged via USB or AC power, offering flexibility depending on your shooting setup. If you’re planning long recording sessions, it’s a good idea to carry an extra battery for peace of mind.
4K PHOTO Modes: Capturing the Perfect Moment
The Panasonic G100 takes advantage of its 4K video recording capabilities to offer several innovative shooting modes. For instance, the Burst Mode allows you to continuously capture 8MP stills at 30fps, ensuring that you don’t miss the perfect moment. The Pre-Burst Mode records one second before and after you press the shutter, capturing 60 frames to choose from. This is particularly useful for fast-paced activities, like action vlogging or sports.
Additionally, the Post Focus and Focus Stacking functions let you adjust focus points after capturing the image, providing more creative flexibility. This is ideal for close-up shots or any situation where you want to have complete control over your image’s depth of field.
Panasonic Lumix G100 vs Competitors
Here’s the comparison data table for the Panasonic Lumix G100, Sony ZV-1, Canon EOS M50 Mark II, and DJI Pocket 2:
| Feature | Panasonic Lumix G100 | Sony ZV-1 | Canon EOS M50 Mark II | DJI Pocket 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sensor | 20.3 MP Micro Four Thirds (Live MOS) | 20.1 MP 1-inch Exmor RS CMOS | 24.1 MP APS-C CMOS | 64 MP 1/1.7-inch CMOS |
| AF Points | Contrast Detection with DFD (Depth From Defocus) | 315 Phase Detection, 25 Contrast | 143 AF points (Hybrid AF) | 2-axis autofocus, no phase detection |
| Video | 4K at 30p, 1080p at 60p | 4K at 30p, 1080p at 120p | 4K at 24p, 1080p at 60p | 4K at 60p, 1080p at 240p |
| Viewfinder | None (uses LCD only) | None (uses LCD only) | EVF optional (via accessory) | None (uses LCD only) |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD card slots (UHS-I, UHS-II compatible) | Single SD card (UHS-I) | Single SD card (UHS-I) | 32 GB internal storage (no card slot) |
| LCD | 3-inch, 1.84M-dot fully articulating touchscreen | 3-inch, 921k-dot fully articulating touchscreen | 3-inch, 1.04M-dot vari-angle touchscreen | 1.8-inch, 320×240 touch display |
| Max Burst | 10 fps (Continuous AF), 40 fps (AF-S) | 24 fps (with Continuous AF) | 10 fps (Continuous AF) | 60 fps (single shot) |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB |
| Size | 4.4 x 2.6 x 2.8 inches (113.7 x 65.4 x 70.5 mm) | 4.2 x 2.4 x 1.7 inches (105.5 x 60 x 43.5 mm) | 4.6 x 3.4 x 2.5 inches (116.3 x 88.1 x 58.7 mm) | 2.4 x 1.6 x 1.0 inches (105 x 59 x 30 mm) |
| Weight | 12.6 oz (358 g) | 8.0 oz (242 g) | 13.1 oz (375 g) | 4.0 oz (117 g) |
When it comes to vlogging cameras, there are a few notable competitors to the G100, including the Sony ZV-1 and the Canon EOS M50 Mark II. Let’s take a look at how the G100 compares.
Sony ZV-1
The ZV-1 has a 20.1MP 1″ Exmor RS CMOS sensor and a ZEISS 24-70mm f/1.8-2.8 lens, offering superior low-light performance and a wider zoom range. It also has a side-flip-out touchscreen for better framing during vlogging and Real-Time Eye AF for quick focusing on faces. However, it doesn’t offer the same level of audio customization as the G100, and its 4K recording is capped at 30p, which might be limiting for some creators. The ZV-1 is also more expensive than the G100.
Canon EOS M50 Mark II
The M50 Mark II comes with a 24.1MP APS-C sensor and offers 4K video recording, but it does have a crop factor that reduces the field of view in 4K mode, which could be a disadvantage for vloggers who need wide-angle shots. However, it has excellent Dual Pixel AF for fast and accurate focusing and boasts great video features like Webcam Capability. It’s a solid choice for vloggers, but the G100’s OZO Audio and 4K modes offer a more specialized solution for audio and video quality.
Is the Panasonic Lumix G100 the Ultimate Vlogging Camera for 2025?
The Panasonic Lumix G100 is a standout choice for vloggers who want excellent video quality, top-notch audio, and a compact, user-friendly design. Its 4K video recording, OZO Audio, and 5-axis hybrid image stabilization are ideal for creating smooth, professional-looking content. The added features like Dedicated Video Selfie Mode and flexible LCD screen make it easy to get creative with your shots. While it faces stiff competition from the Sony ZV-1 and Canon EOS M50 Mark II, the G100’s unique combination of video and audio features, as well as its affordable price point, make it a compelling choice for any vlogger.
If you’re looking for a camera that combines portability, performance, and specialized vlogging features, the Panasonic Lumix G100 is definitely worth considering in 2025.