 |
| All photos Lumix FZ300 |
As I write this in early August 2024 the Panasonic Lumix FZ300 is
listed on B&H Photo in New York as “discontinued” and is either not listed
or selling at run-out prices elsewhere.
The type of camera which most appeals to me for its
all-round versatility and do-most-things-in-one-package capability is the
bridge camera.
And my all time favourite bridge camera is the Panasonic
Lumix FZ300.
Panasonic’s first offering in the FZxxx series of bridge
cameras was the FZ100 of 2010. This set the general concept and design which
has continued through the line. The FZ100 had most of the ingredients of
subsequent models, including a DSLR style shape with full handle, EVF in a hump
over the lens axis, a fully articulated monitor screen, small 7.7mm diagonal
sensor with a moderate (12-14 Mpx) pixel count, 4:3 aspect ratio and a 25-600mm
(full frame equivalent) f2.8-5.2 power zoom lens of good quality.
The FZ150 of 2011 was an improved version of the FZ100 with
a better sensor and performance.
The FZ200 of 2012 introduced an improved body design and
controls, a new 12Mpx sensor and a new Leica designed 4.5-108mm constant f2.8
lens (full frame equivalent 25-600mm). The FZ200 gained a near-cult following
among bridge camera users who understand the benefits of this remarkable lens.
I can find no listing of any other camera with such a lens,
making the FZ200 and FZ300 the only cameras ever offered with a 25-600mm
(equivalent) constant f2.8 lens.
The FZ300, introduced in 2015, uses the same sensor and lens
as the FZ200 in an upgraded body with weather sealing and improved handling and
controls.
I believe the nine year production run of the FZ300 may be
the longest in digital camera history. I have trawled through camera listings on the Digital Photography
Review website but am unable to locate any model from any maker with a longer
production run.
A long production run means buyers continued to put up their
cash to purchase the product which means that the product itself continued to
offer something worth buying for a long period of time.
So, what does the FZ300 get right ?
The answer to that is: just about everything it could get
right, given the sensor size and basic concept.
The only issue about which I would complain is inconsistent quality
control of the lens with a disappointingly high level of sample variation. The best
ones are really very good at all focal lengths across the frame at f2.8. The
worst samples are not good and some are unacceptable.
Imagine a small camera with width and height barely greater
then some compacts, but with a 25-600mm (equivalent) constant f2.8 lens, good
image quality, good ergonomics and good performance at a budget price. That
describes the FZ300 which also has robust construction, very good image
stabiliser, good EVF and good fully articulated touchscreen.
I have been making photos for 70 years. For most of that
time I used 35mm film cameras. I rate the FZ300 as having a level of image
quality about the same as that of 35mm film with a good prime lens. Some may
doubt this but I have many 35mm negatives and transparencies in my personal
photo library for direct comparison with recent photos made with various
digital cameras.
So if the FZ300 is so good, why has it been discontinued ?
As usual the manufacturer has nothing to say about this so
we are left to speculate. Maybe the sensor is no longer available, maybe sales
have declined to an uneconomic level,
Maybe budget conscious consumers are more attracted to the superzoom lens
numbers of the Lumix FZ80/80D and Canon SX70.
Maybe, maybe.
Is the not-very-new FZ80D intended as a replacement for both
the much unloved FZ80 and the FZ300. Who knows ?
Us mere consumers might imagine that it would be good
marketing practice for Panasonic to communicate their product development
intentions to us, but no such luck unfortunately. I have never understood why
camera makers (it’s not just Panasonic) maintain this frustrating code of
silence about their plans.
Here are some pictures taken with the FZ300 to celebrate the
end of this model which actually is unique as no other camera model has the
same or even similar feature set.
I purchased an FZ300 in November 2023. Since I am primarily a photographer I haven't done much video. I am also weak on transferring images from.the camera.
ReplyDeleteBut I am focusing on the FZ300. I have 2 Canon digital cameras and a pretty old Olympus DSLR plus my own batch of SLR and other 35mm Film cameras
I've owned an FZ300 (and 2 FZ200s) since introduction, and except for a glitch screen connector, it has been a great camera. The asterisk is, or course, the small sensor. Low light photos are mostly unusable. The lens though? Fabulous! I recently moved on to a GH6 (and G100) and, though they far exceed the FZ300 in low light; I am constantly disappointed outdoors, when I don't have the reach, and simplicity of that fantastic fixed lens.
ReplyDeleteThanks for writing this. A Panasonic employee said Panasonic felt they were losing the point and shoot battle to cell phone cameras, and were going to focus for the most part on higher end cameras.. I have been using the FZ300 for years and am disappointed that it will no longer be made. I hate the manual focus, but everything else is amazing for the price and size.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love my FZ300. Is there anything comparable to replace it? Mine has a glitch, but I will send it for repair if there is nothing to replace it. What an amazing camera it has been. At ten years old, has been hauled around with us everywhere…so many terrific photos. A guy at B&H gave me the steer. He said this is the camera that photographers take when they want to travel light. Great fun with this little jewel! Thank you for the article to help us try to make it make sense why they would canned such a huge asset to the camera world. I wish the word had gotten out how awesome it was before it was too late.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn’t be without my fz300. Work within its limits and it will pay you back with interest. Panasonic has the odd habit of making really good things, not improving them, and then discontinuing them.
ReplyDeleteHad my fz330 for nine years, since selling my Nikon DSLR and never regretted the decision.
ReplyDeleteIf Panasonic were going to retain one bridge camera in production it should have been this one, the one that was made for the photographer rather than to try and compete with other manufacturers.
My biggest regret about buying this camera was not buying two.
No matter what I have used this camera for (wildlife, sport, street, travel etc), it has always delivered.
One of the very few examples that can be referred to as 'the first and last camera you ever buy'.
May be this was the reason for it's discontinuation, too much of a rival to ongoing sales.