Blending an all-in-one zoom, 4K video recording, and versatile still shooting capabilities, the Lumix DMC-FZ300 from Panasonic is a multi-faceted point-and-shoot optimized for the multimedia image maker. Featuring a 12.1MP High-Sensitivity MOS sensor and Venus Engine image processor, the FZ300 is capable of recording up to 60 fps with an electronic shutter, 12 fps with a mechanical shutter, or 30 fps using the unique 4K Photo Modes. Working in low-light is benefitted by a top sensitivity of ISO 6400 along with 5-axis HYBRID O.I.S.+ image stabilization to minimize camera shake during HD video recording. The 24x Leica DC Vario-Elmarit lens covers a 25-600mm equivalent focal length range and has a constant f/2.8 maximum aperture for consistent performance from wide-angle to super telephoto. For composing imagery, configuring shooting settings, and reviewing your photos and movies, a large 3.0" 1.04m-dot free-angle touchscreen LCD is available, as well as a 1.44m-dot OLED Live View Finder for eye-level monitoring. Able to handle nearly any image-related task, the FZ300 is a versatile camera well-suited to advanced photo and movie recording applications.
The body design features an ergonomic right-hand grip for added support when working with longer focal lengths, as well as dust and splashproof construction to suit working in inclement conditions. Benefitting both stills and movies, Panasonic's DFD (Depth-From-Defocus) AF system helps to quicken focusing speeds while a Starlight AF feature maintains focusing accuracy in low-light conditions. And benefitting both sharing and shooting control, Wi-Fi connectivity allows for wireless image sharing and remote camera control from smartphones and tablets.
A 12.1MP 1/2.3" High-Sensitivity MOS sensor pairs with the Venus Engine image processor to deliver fast overall performance and notable image quality to suit working in a wide variety of conditions. The sensor and processor combination help to compensate for diffraction to realize sharper, clearer imagery at smaller apertures as well as a top sensitivity of ISO 6400 to suit working in difficult lighting conditions. This processing engine also contributes to a fast 12-fps shooting rate at full-resolution with the mechanical shutter, 60 fps shooting with an electronic shutter, and 30-fps shooting at 8MP using the 4K Photo modes.
In addition to the versatile still shooting modes, the FZ300 also supports recording 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) video with either 30p or 24p frames rates at 100 Mbps in the MP4 format. Full HD 1080p/60 is also supported, as well as slow-motion 720p/120 and 480p/240 recording settings.
A built-in stereo microphone can be used during recordings or an optional external microphone can be utilized via the 3.5mm jack for even clearer sound.
Utilizing the 4K video recording capabilities, a trio of still shooting modes are available for recording continuous 8MP stills at a 30-fps shooting rate:
The built-in Leica DC Vario-Elmarit lens offers a truly expansive 24x, wide-angle to super telephoto range of perspectives with a 25-600mm equivalent focal length. A constant f/2.8 maximum aperture offers consistent performance throughout the zoom range to benefit working in difficult lighting conditions, especially at the longer focal lengths. Five aspherical elements, with a total of nine aspherical surfaces, as well as three extra-low dispersion elements help to control chromatic aberrations and produce sharp, clear imagery while a Nano Surface Coating helps to reduce lens flare and ghosting for increased contrast.
The lens' already impressive optical zoom range can be effectively doubled through the use of Intelligent Zoom, to achieve a total magnification of 48x. Extra Optical Zoom (EZ) settings are also available, which crop into the image to generate a narrower field of view, in order to produce 29.4x and 46.9x zoom magnifications at 8MP and 3MP resolutions, respectively. Standard digital zoom can be applied as well to, again, increase the effective zoom range by 4x.
Helping to compensate for camera shake when recording HD movies, 5-axis HYBRID O.I.S.+ is an advanced image stabilization system that minimizes the appearance of blur when shooting one-handed video. It corrects for five types of camera shake that commonly affect more dynamic movement types that occur while moving when recording.
Also benefitting from the image stabilization system, a Level Shot Function detects the horizon line within scenes and helps to keep it level even if the camera is tilted.
For accelerated autofocus performance, DFD (Depth-From-Defocus) technology is employed to quickly calculate the distance to subjects and adjust the focusing position to benefit continuous shooting and movie recording modes. This contrast-detection type focus method also benefits subject tracking performance for maintaining sharp focus on moving subjects. Additionally, supporting working in low-light conditions, a Starlight AF feature enables accurate AF performance in dim environments.
Benefitting manual focus operation, focus peaking is available that highlights bright edges of contrast with a colored outline for quickly recognizing your focus point, as well as Touch MF Assist for touch-to-focus operation.
| Imaging | |
|---|---|
| Sensor Resolution | Actual: 12.8 Megapixel Effective: 12.1 Megapixel (4000 x 3000) |
| Aspect Ratio | 1:1, 3:2, 4:3, 16:9 |
| Sensor Type | MOS |
| Sensor Size | 1/2.3" |
| Image File Format | JPEG, Raw |
| Image Stabilization | Optical (5-Axis) |
| Lens | |
| Focal Length | 4.5 to 108mm (35mm Equivalent Focal Length: 25 to 600mm) |
| Optical Zoom | 24x |
| Digital Zoom | 4x Maximum (96x Combined Zoom) 2x Optimized (48x Combined Zoom) |
| Maximum Aperture | f/2.8 |
| Minimum Aperture | f/8 |
| Focus Range | 11.81" to Infinity / 30 cm to Infinity (Wide) 6.56' to Infinity / 2 m to Infinity (Telephoto) Macro 0.39" to Infinity / 1 cm to Infinity (Wide) 3.28' to Infinity / 1 m to Infinity (Telephoto) |
| Optical Design | 14 Elements in 11 Groups |
| Filter Size | 52 mm |
| Exposure Control | |
| ISO Sensitivity | Auto, 100 to 6400 |
| Shutter Speed | Mechanical Shutter 1/4000 to 60 Seconds Electronic Shutter 1/16000 to 1 Second 0 to 60 Seconds in Bulb Mode |
| Metering Method | Center-Weighted Average, Multi, Spot |
| Exposure Modes | Aperture Priority, Auto, Manual, Shutter Priority |
| Exposure Compensation | -3 to +3 EV (1/3 EV Steps) |
| White Balance | Auto, Cloudy, Color Temperature, Daylight, Flash, Incandescent, Shade, White Set 1, White Set 2, White Set 3, White Set 4 |
| Continuous Shooting | Up to 60 fps at 12.1 MP Up to 30 fps at 8 MP for up to 53 Frames |
| Self-Timer | 2/10-Second Delay |
| Video | |
| Recording Modes | AVCHD/MP4 UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) at 24.00p/29.97p Full HD (1920 x 1080) at 29.97p/59.94p HD (1280 x 720) at 29.97p/119.88p SD (640 x 480) at 29.97p/240p |
| Recording Limit | Up to 29 Minutes, 59 Seconds |
| Video Encoding | NTSC |
| Audio Recording | Built-In Microphone (Stereo) External Microphone Input |
| Audio File Format | AAC |
| Viewfinder | |
| Viewfinder Type | Electronic |
| Viewfinder Coverage | 100% |
| Diopter Adjustment | Yes |
| Monitor | |
| Size | 3.0" |
| Resolution | 1,040,000 Dot |
| Display Type | Articulating Touchscreen LCD |
| Flash | |
| Built-In Flash | Yes |
| Flash Modes | Auto, Auto/Red-Eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-Eye Reduction, Off, Slow Sync, Slow Sync/Red-Eye Reduction |
| Effective Flash Range | ISO Auto 1.0 to 28.9' / 0.3 to 8.8 m (Wide) 3.3 to 28.9' / 1.0 to 8.8 m (Telephoto) |
| External Flash Connection | Hot Shoe |
| Interface | |
| Media/Memory Card Slot | Single Slot: SD/SDHC/SDXC |
| Connectivity | AV Output, HDMI D (Micro), USB Micro-B (USB 2.0) |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi |
| GPS | No |
| Physical | |
| Battery | 1 x Rechargeable Lithium-Ion, 7.2 VDC, 1200 mAh (Approx. 300 Shots) |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | 5.2 x 3.6 x 4.6" / 131.6 x 91.5 x 117.1 mm |
| Weight | 1.52 lb / 691 g (Body with Battery and Memory) |
