Intro by Skip Cohen

Luminary Corner is all about creativity, great images and the buzz around the leaders in mirrorless technology, Panasonic's LUMIX cameras. Most of the posts and images are all thanks to the Luminary team and today's post is from the LumixLounge archives by good buddy, Giulio Scorio.

While Giulio and I share a whole lot of mutual friends, we first met officially at a Luminary meeting just three years ago. Besides his passion for imaging and his pure love for pushing the edge of the creative envelope, he's a non-stop enthusiast for traveling light. His business and success as an artist has solid roots in taking full advantage of technology and recognizing you don't have to have big heavy gear to capture outstanding images.

This post was shared last Spring, and I love a number of points Giulio makes as he takes what some of you would call a "point and shoot" out for a test drive. Yeah, it's a product review, but nobody does it like Giulio. Even more fun, he's wearing one of his favorite hats, being a street photographer as he talks about the camera. The DMC-ZS100 is small, compact, but a giant when it comes to capabilities and results! 

This is an amazing camera with no shortage of features and opportunities to utilize the best of technology.  The ZS100 is a 4K digital camera with a 20 megapixel sensor, 25-250mm F/2.8 - 5.9 Leica DC zoom lens and tops off with WiFi and an electronic viewfinder! 

Check out more of Giulio's work with a trip to his website. Then, wander over to the LumixLounge and meet some of the most creative artists in imaging today. They're diverse, creative and dedicated to sharing great images and information to help you raise the bar on the quality of your work.

by Giulio Scorio
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The Panasonic LUMIX ZS100 is a camera I did not expect to like as much as I did, but it's different camera full of welcome surprises. Rather than go over specs, I thought I'd do something hands on, taking the camera to NYC and doing what I do naturally - create work I'm proud to show.
Note: all images in this review were captured RAW+JPEG then processed from RAW in camera or are SOOC.

The first thing I noticed was the unique retroish quad-toned camera. It's a little like something from the early 90's, but I found that it really worked. It works like this: the ZS100 in the version I have looks so non-threatening that no one is paying attention to you on the streets. That's such a huge advantage to be able to blend in on the streets! After putting the camera in people's faces, no one said anything. I added a little personalization with a Lance Camera Strap and a Manfrotto Pocket Tripod.

​The utility of stealth in plane view is enhanced with AF that's insanely fast. The autofocus on the LUMIX ZS100 is so fast I stopped thinking about it. That's one less thing I have to consider while capturing what I see on the streets. I can't recall the AF failing me to the point of losing a shot much. Then again, I was not using the EVF or the LCD most of the time. Capturing on the streets of Chinatown with my thumb on shutter release, I trusted the camera to do it's job and it did pretty much every time.

Hope you're not surprised to learn that the video (read photo at 30fps) features of the ZS100 are baller. The future of capturing decisive moments is video and with the ZS100, Panasonic brings us closer to the holy grail of capture which is 8K at 120FPS. With the ZS100 you can use a variety of 1080 video, but it's the 4K that rocks.

​Features like 4K Photo and post focus in addition to the normal (for LUMIX) awesome 4K video completes the capture capabilities of this baby beast of a camera. When combined with the stellar image stabilization and massive reach of the zoom, you can really get some cool effects like compressing perspective as seen below. What's more amazing is being able to pull a 8 megapixel still from video at any time, wifi that to your mobile device, edit and share.

Speaking of in camera wifi, the ZS100 is full featured. You can use the Panasonic Image App to fully control the camera including zoom, syncing time, GPS and using your smart phone or table as an external monitor. Also worth a mention: no password is required by default so you can easily connect and get to work. One workflow that I enjoy is connecting with a person on the street, making their portrait and sharing my image with them on the spot via wifi. If you're rocking a mobile printer like the Polaroid Zip Mobile or Fuji Instax, wifi the shot to your device and give prints to those you photograph on the go. Now that's how you connect in the social network called real life.

If you're shooting smart, it's RAW+JPEG with every shot. Even an iOS workflow like what I do can benefit from RAW+JPEG: if the shot is not to my taste I can quickly reprocess the RAW in camera then send a JPEG to my phone. Also, if you really want to get to know how your camera works best, use in camera RAW processing to understand how the ZS100 works with color and contrast then save your settings in camera so all your JPEGs have your custom look...awesome.

If you're utilizing in camera RAW processing, I highly suggest this camera. Small cameras are wonderful because you can take them with you. Using the built in wifi, you're able to capture and share on the go, fully utilizing a mobile workflow is key to enjoying small cameras in my opinion.

Of all of the happy surprises in the Panasonic LUMIX ZS100, the in-camera charging is top of my list. That's right, just plug a USB cord into your ZS and you're charging. What's more, you can opt to use the included USB charger, an iPhone (or Android) charger or a mobile battery pack. Love it!

Overall, the ZS100 is a camera that is fully featured so a pro can appreciate it, but it's simple enough for the more casual shooter too. The LUMIX ZS100 is packed full of features found in cameras like the LUMIX GX8 while the addition of features like in-camera charging add to the overall positive experience. Furthermore, I gotta mention again that this little camera inspired me to create a series of photos which to me is priceless.

If you already have a ILC kit and are looking for something small and full featured or looking for a dedicated camera with more reach than a smart phone you're gonna love the ZS100.

Recommended LUMIX ZS100 KitHere's a basic kit with affiliate links to Amazon:
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LUMIX ZS100
32GB U3 SD Card *Note U3 cards are required for 4K video
Lance Camer Strap - Red Wrist Strap
Manfrotto Pocket Tripod
Polaroid Zip Mobile or Fuji Instax
Panasonic Hybrid Charger

 by Skip Cohen

Each week for over close to three years I've shared a post or a video from a member of Panasonic's Luminary Team along with a few of my own experiences. There are over 160 posts staring LUMIX cameras, and each one has introduced you to another way Panasonic is living up to its tagline, CHANGING PHOTOGRAPHY!

This morning as I sat down and was trying to think about what to share, it occurred to me that while I always link you to the LumixLounge, I've never shared two of my favorite "rooms." Just click on the banner below to get introduced to the Luminary team. They represent some incredibly talented artists, and while they all have slightly different specialties, the common denominator is their love for the craft and education.

Each member of the Luminary team needs to be in your network. They're speaking and teaching throughout the year and coming up in 2017 you'll have a chance to meet many of them directly in the Panasonic booth at WPPI and ShutterFest - all in the first four months of the new year. Just click on the banner to meet the team!

My other favorite stopping point is the Lumix Lounge Gallery, which is loaded with outstanding images from members of the Luminary team along with other Lumix artists. Here's your chance to see what other photographers are doing with different Lumix cameras and often link to their social media pages.

I chose the image above to share of Suzette Allen's. Besides Suzette and her husband Jon being great friends of both me and Sheila's, the image is at Mono Lake. I wanted to share the image, because Mono Lake needs to be on your bucket list! That's photo educator and founder of the Creative Photo Academy, Mark Comon. Mark and I also go back a whole lot of years, and he's always been focused on education and helping artists raise the bar on their skill set. 

Clicking on the Lumix Lounge Gallery and you're immediately introduced to a sea of thumbnail images all linked to the various artists and often more of their work. Just keep clicking on "load more" and you'll find yourself in the company of photographers with an incredible passion for the craft, together with LUMIX technology.

I've written a lot over the years about the importance of feeding your creative genes every day. For me, that's one of the biggest benefits of the Internet. Often, especially on a Monday morning, just a short scroll through Cyberspace energizes me from so many different perspectives and it's fun to start in the Lumix Lounge.

Check out the Lumix Lounge and stay on top of new technology, creativity, special events and techniques you need in your bag of tricks to help you become an even better artist!

We just got back from a week in Northeast Ohio with friends and the FZ300 has become my travel camera of choice. While it's got a smaller sensor, it's my favorite camera to take with me for just about any trip. Weighing in at 1.5 lbs and with a 25-600 mm Leica DC Vario-Elmarit lens, if I miss a shot, it's sure not going to be the camera's fault.

Right now Panasonic's got a special program to extend the warranty from 1 - 3 years at no charge. There's also a special discount on Adobe Cloud with your purchase. Just click on the camera to the left to find out more. Put those two bonuses together with a camera in the under $500 price point and you've maximum bang for your buck!

As you look at the images I wanted to share from the trip, remember, my focus is on the marketing and business side of photography. I rarely photograph anything except for the fun of it, but I'll match my passion for clicking the shutter with anybody! 

The image above was sunset on Lake Erie, near Perry, Ohio from the new observation tower below. I tend to shoot a lot in IA mode - "Intelligent Auto" and "Aperture Priority".

I also love shooting close-up and a trip to Szalay's Farm stand in Akron gave me more opportunity to play with this little gem of a camera. The fall corn is blown up 50% and cropped. This camera captures outstanding color and detail.

On the backroads in Ohio, there's no telling what you might see. The pheasant was a grab shot out the window of the car. I'm not sure which was more fun to see - the bird or the signs across the street! After watching last night's debate I know I'm not the only one wishing to go back in time. (I know political statements don't belong in a blog post, but think about the chuckles the homeowner who saved these old signs is having!)

The FZ300 is a lot of camera and includes most of the features creating all the buzz about Panasonic's LUMIX line, including 4K video. I also have a lot of fun playing with some of the camera's creative presets, which are all about personal taste. The images below are from a winery on the Lake and shot in standard mode, "Expressive", "Silky Monochrome" and  "Impressive Art".

Mirrorless technology is a kick to explore, especially since you're working with smaller lighter hardware. Panasonic's tagline for the LUMIX line is "Changing Photography," but don't take my word for it, visit the Lumix Lounge and check out images from the Luminary team, one of the most creative and diverse groups of artists in photography!