Panasonic Lumix G100

The Panasonic Lumix G100 is a compact mirrorless camera from 2020 built around a 20 megapixel Micro Four Thirds sensor. At 352 g and measuring 116 x 83 x 54 mm, it is light enough to carry every day without thinking about it.

A flip-out touchscreen, 4K video and a sharp electronic viewfinder make it a natural fit for vloggers and travellers who frame themselves as often as their subjects.

Owning it means planning around a modest battery rating and a single SD card slot, so spares belong in the bag.

The Micro Four Thirds sensor and its matching mount keep the whole system in proportion to this small body, and the resolution on offer leaves room for prints and casual cropping.

Image stabilisation reduces camera shake, so handheld shooting at slower shutter speeds becomes practical. It does nothing for subject movement, so a runner or a pet still demands a quick shutter speed.

Burst shooting is rated at 10 fps, enough to catch a fleeting expression, though the rating describes the maximum rate rather than a promise for long runs. Autofocus is handled by a 49 point array.

Framing goes through a 3.68 million dot electronic viewfinder, which is sharp enough to judge focus and exposure before the shot. Sensitivity spans ISO 200 to 25600, covering bright outdoor light through to dim interiors, and the shutter tops out at 1/4000 second.

Video is where this camera earns its very good 91 score, placing it in the top 18% of cameras in our database for Video.

The G100 records up to 4K resolution. Frame-rate support includes 120fps, which can be useful for slow-motion work when the recording mode supports that rate.

A built-in timelapse mode gives you an in-camera option for interval projects such as sunsets or busy streets.

Clips are written as MPEG-4 or MOV files, giving a choice of two containers for finished footage. Resolution, frame rate and interval shooting are all covered by the built-in specification, which is what the video score reflects.

Handling features score a good 72, and the strong parts are easy to find. The 3 inch LCD resolves 1.84 million dots for a crisp view, and it both flips out and responds to touch.

That flip and touch combination matters most when you film yourself: you can check framing from in front of the camera and use direct on-screen control at awkward angles.

Lighting is covered on both fronts. A built-in flash handles quick fill light, and support for an external flash opens the door to stronger, more directional lighting.

The clearest specification gap is weather sealing, and its absence costs points here, so keep the camera sheltered in rain and dust. There is no built-in GPS for automatic location tagging either, though Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are on board for wireless connections.

Storage and battery score a limited 29, and the reasons sit close to the surface. There is one SD, SDHC or SDXC slot with UHS-I support, so carrying a spare card is sensible for longer shoots.

The BLG10 battery is rated at 270 shots. A day of enthusiastic shooting calls for at least one charged spare in your pocket.

USB charging softens the short rated runtime by letting you top up between shoots. A charged spare remains useful for longer sessions.