Panasonic FZ300 Ergonomic evaluation and score

FZ300  Cockatoo at full zoom. Easy when the bird is posing.

There is a clear family resemblance between the FZ300 and the slightly larger FZ1000.  Both cameras feature good ergonomics with the FZ1000 scoring higher for operation.

This evaluation and score follows my usual schedule.

Setup    The FZ300 has Panasonic’s standard enthusiast model menu system. It is comprehensive with a nice clear graphical user interface. Panasonic novices may be daunted by the sheer number of options but careful reading of the Owners Manual will usually sort out any problems.

Setup score 10/15

Prepare   There is a Mode Dial with multiple options including Custom Modes, sweep panorama and video.  Any of the Fn buttons can be tasked with Q Menu functions. There are four hard (physical) Fn buttons.

These options allow Prepare Phase tasks to be carried out with efficiency.

There is space enough to the left of the hump for a Drive Mode dial but none is to be found.

Prepare score   12/15

Holding  The FZ300 handle is very similar to that of the FZ1000. It is substantial with a reasonably anatomical shape and a deep indent for the right middle finger. The thumb support is substantial.

The rear dial can be operated when the camera is brought up to the eye without having to shift grip with the right hand.

The only negative is that the right thumb rests on the Focus Mode lever.

Holding score 18/20

Viewing  The EVF provides a clear, sharp, natural looking view of the subject. The eyepiece is decently large and the rubber eyecup is large. The fully articulated monitor is sharp and clear.

EVF and monitor can be set to ‘viewfinder’ or ‘monitor’ mode. Both are adjustable for individual preference.

Many displays and overlays can be enabled or not as the user wishes.

Viewing score 18/20

FZ300 on the left, FZ1000 on the right. This photo shows some of the UIMs referred to in the text.

Operating  In general the FZ300 can be operated smoothly and efficiently by a practiced user. 

However it is a step down from the FZ1000 in several ways.

There are fewer buttons on the control panel and each is smaller (6mm vs 7mm) than those on the FZ1000 and each is more recessed. They are usable but there is plenty of space for larger/more prominent buttons on the FZ300.

There is no Drive Mode Dial.

The rear dial is not quite as easy to access and turn as that on the FZ1000 with the camera at eye level. It’s OK, but the FZ1000 is better.

The FZ300 has a very different and less ergonomically effective arrangement of UIMs (user interface modules) on the left side of the lens housing (as viewed by the user).

The FZ1000 has a circumferential ring for zoom which is optimal for a Capture Phase operation. The two levers, Zoom/focus and OIS On/Off are Set-and-see modules for Prepare Phase adjustments. This is the optimal allocation of module types to usage phases.

The FZ300 lacks a zoom ring although there appears to be room for one. Instead the zoom lever around the shutter button is duplicated by a push-up-push-down slider on the lens housing.

The AF/focus button toggles between functions of the roller type dial above it. This dial which has no click stops works either manual focus or exposure compensation (EC).

It is not optimal for EC as there are no click stops.

Zoom, EC and manual focus are Capture Phase operations.

It is not optimal for any Capture Phase operation to be mediated by UIMs with fixed position on the side of a lens housing. They are not all that easily located and operated with the left thumb or other finger with the left hand in ‘hand over’ or hand under’ position in landscape orientation and are almost impossible to use in portrait orientation.

All Panasonic needed to do was to duplicate the control  module layout of the FZ1000.  There is plenty of space there.

Operating score 16/25

Review  The FZ300 does all the things expected by the review protocol. No problems there.

Review score 5/5

Total score 79/100

Comment   Panasonic almost got this one right. The frustrating thing for me as a camera user is that they did get it almost entirely right with the FZ1000 then on the FZ300 changed some UIMs back to a less user friendly, less efficient configuration.