Panasonic Lumix FZ300 Short Review

FZ300 Front

The product development people at Panasonic have been very busy this year, rolling out several interesting cameras across the range of types from a high spec cam/phone, through micro four thirds, superzooms and compacts. It is even rumoured that Panasonic may be making a full frame ILC for Leica.

Panasonic has a substantial history of making fixed zoom lens cameras in the superzoom/bridge/travel zoom category. 

The previous top of the range in this category was the FZ200 which was announced in July 2012.

Target user group   There are still people in a smartphone world who want a proper camera, preferably with a big zoom range,  good handling, good picture quality, good performance and good ergonomics.

A camera for holidays, trips away, family events, sporting events and pretty much anything else.

These people want more versatility in a ‘one box’ package than can be had from any smart phone or compact camera or indeed any interchangeable lens camera.

FZ300  Decent highlight and shadow detail even with high subject brightness range as here.

Specifications and features

On the spec sheet the FZ300 looks to be a mild refresh of the FZ200 given that it uses the same E25-600mm constant f2.8 lens and the same or very similar 12Mpx 4.5x6.2mm sensor.

But there are plenty of upgrades worth noting. These include a new image processor, better EVF and monitor, faster AF, much better continuous AF, better all round performance, weather sealing and (mostly) improved ergonomics.

But there appear to be improvements not apparent from the spec sheet. Our family had a FZ200 last year. We were not impressed with the picture quality or the lens. Although the sensor and lens of the FZ300 are stated to be the same, our copy of the FZ300 has a much sharper lens then the FZ200 and substantially better picture quality.

It is possible that lens assembly quality control has improved and it would appear that the new processor is delivering benefits to picture quality.

The FZ300 is fully loaded with all Panasonic’s latest goodies including Wi-Fi, touch screen, 4K video, zebras, full display options, multiple drive and focus mode option and much more. It has all the features of the latest micro four thirds cameras and it makes the competition from other makers look distinctly under specified.

The unique selling point of the FZ300 is the 24x zoom with constant f2.8 aperture. The FZ200 and 300 are the only cameras on the market with this feature.  There are plenty of superzoom and ultrazoom cameras with a longer reach but these have an aperture of f5.6 or 6.3 at the long end requiring a higher ISO setting or slower shutter speed or both to the detriment of picture quality.

My experience of ultrazoom cameras with focal lengths in the 1200-2000mm range is that they are quite difficult to use effectively at the long end of the zoom and good results are hard to achieve.

By comparison the FZ300 is much easier to use at 600mm and good results can be more consistently achieved.

The FZ300 can easily hold focus on a slow moving subject like the hang glider but it can also hold focus on  cars driving towards or away from the camera at 6 FPS, with 80%  of frames sharp.

Image Quality

I have this year tested the Nikon P900 and Canon SX60 both using the same very small sensor size as the FZ300. I rate the FZ300 as having better picture quality than those two cameras right across the FZ300’s focal length range.

The FZ300 enables RAW capture, has effective OIS and fast accurate AF for consistently good results.

During my tests I did notice that the FZ300 has good highlight and shadow detail, even when subject brightness range is high.  Pictures are also substantially free from color fringing, blown out highlights or sharpening artefacts.

However to put this into perspective the FZ1000 can produce better picture quality in all circumstances at all equivalent focal lengths of which the FZ300 is capable.

Performance

The FZ300 operates much faster than the FZ200 and much faster than other small sensor superzooms and ultrazooms.  Single shot AF is fast and accurate. AF Continuous with burst mode can hold focus on a moving subject at 6 frames per second with live view in the EVF on every frame. The camera responds quickly all user inputs.

The FZ300 is suitable for sport/action work which I could not say for the other small sensor ultrazooms which I have tested.

FZ300

Ergonomics

Setup involves the standard  Panasonic enthusiast level menu system which is very comprehensive albeit a bit challenging for a Panasonic novice.

Prepare Phase of use is well catered for with a well positioned Focus Mode lever, Shooting Mode Dial and multiple Fn buttons with user assignable function.

The FZ300 has a substantial, well shaped handle and thumb rest making it comfortable and secure to hold.

The EVF is excellent. It is the only EVF I have ever encountered which required no adjustment (other than the dioptre) to provide a clear subject view with substantially accurate colors and moderate contrast. Other EVFs may have more resolution but can be more difficult to adjust to a natural looking appearance.

The monitor is of the desirable fully articulated type and is excellent.

Operating the camera is straightforward. The novice can set the Mode Dial to [iA] then just point and shoot for consistently good results.

The enthusiast/expert can take full control of the camera for a more engaging experience which is also smooth and efficient. 

The rear dial is easy to operate without having to shift grip.

The 4 Way controller (Cursor Buttons) are easy to locate by feel and operate. 

The only negative for ergonomics is the cluster of three controls on the left side of the lens barrel.

These are used for zoom, manual focus, exposure compensation and side dial function switch all of which are Capture Phase tasks.

Using these modules with the left hand is a bit awkward in landscape orientation using ‘left hand under’ or ‘left hand over’ position but nigh on impossible in portrait orientation.

Fortunately the zoom lever around the shutter button also controls zoom and is easier to use than the lens lever.

Also fortunately exposure compensation is not often required due to the good highlight/shadow detail characteristics of the sensor. But it’s there if you need it.

Summary

The FZ300 is a more comprehensive update of the FZ200 than a first look at the specification sheet might suggest.

It is a very good camera with good specification, abundant  high level features, good picture quality, very good performance and mostly very good ergonomics. There are hardly any faults or failings.

So, it is an easy camera to recommend.

However  Consider the FZ1000. This camera is well into its product cycle so the price has come down to a level just 23% greater than the FZ300 (at Sydney retail prices) which is still at release level prices.

The FZ1000 is 23% heavier and 22% larger by box volume (L x W x H).

The FZ1000 sensor has 1.6 times as many pixels, twice the linear dimensions and four times the area of the sensor in the FZ300.

The FZ1000 lens can resolve more detail than that in the FZ300.

This means the FZ1000 can deliver consistently better picture quality in every circumstance which I have encountered in testing.

It also offers the enthusiast/expert photographer a more engaging user interface with better ergonomics.

Before buying the FZ300, I suggest careful consideration of the FZ1000.