Panasonic Lumix FZ300 Review

The Panasonic Lumix FZ300 bridge camera is a direct evolution of the company’s ground-breaking FZ200 model, which was introduced in 2012. The FZ200 established a new standard for excellence with its ability to capture raw data in addition to JPEGs, its constant aperture of f/2.8, and its 24x optical zoom lens.

See: Best Memory Cards for Panasonic Lumix FZ300

The FZ330 is meant to appeal to enthusiasts and users of compacts and novice bridge cameras eager to step up a level. Even though its relatively tiny sensor size may be considered a disadvantage, the FZ330 features capability that rivals that of SLR cameras.

The Leica 25-600mm lens (a lens cover is included) and the 1/2.3-inch high-sensitivity MOS sensor with 12.2 million effective pixels are both shared by the Panasonic Lumix FZ330. The FZ330 also shares the outstanding constant aperture of f/2.8 on the Leica lens.

The 4K video and photo modes, a new processing engine with a higher native sensitivity of ISO 100-6400, a high-resolution touchscreen, and a more extensive and better viewfinder with an eye sensor are some excellent new features.

Panasonic Lumix FZ300 Build Quality

The Panasonic FZ330 has 131.6 x 91.5 x 117.1 mm dimensions, making it much bigger than the Panasonic FZ200 (5.2 x 3.6 x 4.6 inches). Additionally, it is close to 20% heavier, coming in at a little over 690 grams or 1.5 pounds when you include the battery and SD card.

It is not something you could put in your coat pocket, but when you consider all of the features and functions crammed inside, its size and weight are not ridiculous. Additionally, it is impervious to dust and liquid splashes.

The camera seems well constructed overall, despite the evident use of plastic in its construction. The coating has a textured pattern that is somewhat rubberized, making it pleasant to handle, and the deep front grip is well-sculpted. My index finger could easily access all of the buttons on the top plate, including the shutter button, zoom lever, and numerous other controls. I thought the ergonomics to be extremely lovely.

The top mode dial has a textured surface, making it simple to operate, and it is relatively rigid while it is being used, so there is little risk of accidentally switching modes. However, the dial does not feel particularly substantial. The on/off lever below this one may also be used with a comforting level of firmness. Quickly, the camera powers up, and as it does, the lens extends ever-so-slightly.

Panasonic Lumix FZ300 Performance

The Leica f/2.8 25-600mm lens works quite well across its whole focus range, which is particularly impressive when considering the camera’s tiny 1/2.3-inch sensor, as I had anticipated based on my previous experience with the FZ200. It is not surprising that the lens’s quality decreases slightly when extended to its maximum length; nonetheless, the degradation is slight. I was pleasantly pleased by just how well it functioned at 600 millimeters, even when stopped down to f/2.8.

The lens is susceptible to flare, which means that care must be given while shooting into the sun, and the lens helmet that comes with the lens is very helpful. This was the only significant flaw I could detect with the lens.

However, the sharpness in the center of the frame is relatively high even when the aperture is wide open. This is true for all focal lengths. The sweet spot seems to be between f/3 and f/5. Even if diffraction starts to occur as you approach the maximum limit of f/8, it is still an aperture, especially at the long end of the lens, where you might occasionally need it to acquire enough depth of field.

Panasonic Lumix FZ300 Image Quality

During this examination, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ330 generated photographs of exceptionally high quality. Up to ISO 1600, noise is well-controlled; nevertheless, beginning at that setting, artifacts, blurring of detail, and a minor loss of color saturation become visible. From an ISO level of 1600 to the fastest set of 6400, which isn’t useable, the amount of noise and the loss of information steadily worsen.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ330 handled chromatic aberrations quite effectively, with only minor purple fringing effects emerging in high-contrast conditions. This was a testament to the camera’s excellent performance. In addition, the pop-up flash performed admirably indoors, avoiding red-eye and achieving the correct exposure.

Your nighttime shot turned out wonderfully, and the fact that you could use the maximum shutter speed of 60 seconds allowed you to capture a lot of light. In addition, while hand-holding the camera in low-light circumstances or utilizing the telephoto end of the zoom range, the anti-shake feature performs exceptionally well.

Panasonic Lumix FZ300 Specs

Body type	SLR-like (bridge)
Max resolution	4000 x 3000
Other resolutions	4:3 (3264 x 2448, 2048 x 1536), 3:2 (4000 x 2672, 3264 x 2176, 2048 x 1360), 16:9 (4000 x 2248, 3840 x 2160, 1920 x 1080), 1:1 (2992 x 2992, 2448 x 2448, 1920 x 1920)
Image ratio w h	1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9
Effective pixels	12 megapixels
Sensor photo detectors	13 megapixels
Sensor size	1/2.3″ (6.17 x 4.55 mm)
Sensor type	BSI-CMOS
Processor	Venus Engine
ISO	Auto, 100-6400
White balance presets	5
Custom white balance	Yes
Image stabilization	Optical
Image stabilization notes	5-axis hybrid IS in movie mode
Uncompressed format	RAW
JPEG quality levels	Fine, standard
Focal length (Equiv.)	25–600 mm
Optical zoom	24×
Maximum aperture	F2.8
Autofocus	Contrast Detect (sensor)Multi-areaCenterSelective single-pointTrackingSingleContinuousTouchFace DetectionLive View.
Digital zoom	Yes (4X)
Manual focus	Yes
Normal focus range	30 cm (11.81″)
Macro focus range	1 cm (0.39″)
Articulated LCD	Fully articulated
Screen size	3″
Screen dots	1,040,000
Touch screen	Yes
Screen type	TFT LCD
Live view	Yes
Viewfinder type	Electronic
Viewfinder coverage	100%
Viewfinder magnification	0.7×
Viewfinder resolution	1,440,000
Minimum shutter speed	60 sec
Maximum shutter speed	1/16000 sec
Aperture priority	Yes
Shutter priority	Yes
Manual exposure mode	Yes
Subject/scene modes	Yes
Built-in flash	Yes
Flash Range	8.80 m (at Auto ISO)
External flash	Yes (via hot shoe)
Flash modes	Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, forced on, forced on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync w/redeye reduction, forced off
Continuous drive	12.0 fps
Self-timer	Yes
Metering modes	MultiCenter-weighted spot
Exposure compensation	±3 (at 1/3 EV steps)
AE Bracketing	±3 (3, 5, 7 frames at 1/3 EV, 2/3 EV, 1 EV steps)
WB Bracketing	No
Resolutions	3840 x 2160 (30p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Format	MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone	Stereo
Speaker	Mono
Storage types	SD/SDHC/SDXC card
USB	USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
HDMI	Yes (mini-HDMI)
Microphone port	Yes
Headphone port	No
Wireless	Built-In
Wireless notes	802.11b/g/n
Remote control	Yes (wired or smartphone)
Environmentally sealed	Yes (Water and dust resistant)
Battery	Battery Pack
Battery description	Lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA)	380
Weight (inc. batteries)	691 g (1.52 lb / 24.37 oz)
Dimensions	132 x 92 x 117 mm (5.2 x 3.62 x 4.61″)
Orientation sensor	Yes
Timelapse recording	No
GPS	None

Panasonic Lumix FZ300 Verdict

The Panasonic FZ330 was a camera that I found to be pleasurable to use overall. The camera is easy to hold and use, has an excellent viewfinder, and has a touchscreen that can be tilted to various angles, allowing you to work with the device comfortably in different lighting conditions.

The autofocus is quick and sensitive in practically every setting. The results that can be achieved with the 25-600mm f/2.8 zoom lens are remarkable over its focal length range.

Because the camera contains such a large number of functions and so many various modes of operation, mainly novice users may experience some level of confusion. However, the intelligent auto mode does quite well, providing an excellent backup choice for users who prefer to exercise greater caution.

The image quality is remarkably excellent, considering that this type of bridge camera typically has a sensor that is just 1/2.3 inches in size. A significant portion of this credit must go to the exceptional Leica lens. On the other hand, I couldn’t help but wish that the sensor was a little bit bigger, mainly when working with greater sensitivities.

Panasonic Lumix FZ300 Pros & Cons