Panasonic Lumix TZ99

For travel and everyday shots, this 'travel zoom' compact is a good, dependable option - but there are some drawbacks, says Amy Davies

- Amy Davies

In recent months, a few new bridge and compact cameras have been announced, including the Panasonic Lumix TZ99. This new model follows on from the 2019 TZ95 and the 2022 TZ95D. But it uses the exact same sensor and lens combination, and a very similar body design as the TZ95D. Only now it has added USB-C charging, and removed the electronic viewfinder.

TZ95 vs TZ99: what's new?

It would be reasonable to ask what the difference between the TZ95D and the TZ99 is - especially if you were thinking about upgrading.

Well, in a nutshell, the differences are on the whole minimal - and not necessarily good. There's now USB-C charging, which is great for using the same charger as your phone, laptop etc.

However, Panasonic has also taken the decision to remove the small electronic viewfinder that was found in the TZ95. This might not be something you'd use for every shot, but sometimes — for example in bright and sunny conditions — it was really useful.

Other than that, the sensor and lens combination is exactly the same, so image-quality-wise, there should be no improvement.

Features

The TZ99 has a 20MP 1/2.3in sensor. These days, even several smartphones have bigger sensors. It might be easy to be disappointed by that, but it's this small size that enables the big zoom in something which can still fit in your pocket. Still, it’s something to consider if you're someone who might shoot in low light very regularly.