Panasonic has some of the best long-zoom cameras, like Panasonic Lumix DC-FZ80 Vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300. These cameras are perfect for travelers and casual photographers who need to get close to their subject through the lens. Both cameras share similarities and differences, which may affect your decision. Today we will see what to expect from the two, the differences, and which fits you best.
In this comparison, we will talk about the following:
- Do You Need a Long-Zoom Camera
- What are Panasonic Lumix DC-FZ80 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300
- How is the Design of Panasonic Lumix DC-FZ80 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300
- How are the Specs of the Panasonic Lumix DC-FZ80 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300
- How is the Image Quality of Panasonic Lumix DC-FZ80 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300
- How is the Performance of Panasonic Lumix DC-FZ80 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300
- Panasonic Lumix DC-FZ80 Vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300
Long-Zoom Cameras
Smartphone cameras are improving, but the best technologies are on the flagships. Features like ultra-zoom are an exciting ability many people want in their camera, whether on a smartphone or a dedicated camera. A camera with a super zoom ability is perfect for users who must take photos from far away, such as in a concert or when capturing wild animals. The long zoom range also helps you get more details from a further object, yet the camera is still versatile for other typical uses.
About Panasonic Lumix DC-FZ80 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300
You can find many cameras with a built-in zoom lens at a relatively affordable price compared to the professional or interchangeable lens that requires you to invest in the lens kit. Panasonic is one of the most popular options for the super zoom camera or rangefinder, with an impressive performance in a competitive price range. Panasonic Lumix DC-FZ80 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300 are perfect options for everyone who wants a reliable camera with a zoom lens that performs well in different conditions. We also love the ease of use, making them ideal for most people.
Many wonder which camera they should get because these two are quite different in price point. Price is crucial when buying a camera, especially if you are not professional, since we have to manage the budget and expectations. The Panasonic Lumix DC-FZ80 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300 share the long zoom, but the DC-FZ300 is a higher model and a unique case with a fixed aperture. On the other hand, FZ80 offers a longer zoom, so choosing one can be a bit more challenging.
If you don’t need anything above 600mm and prefer a fast camera, the DMC-FZ300 can be an exciting choice, but if you focus on the zooming ability, the DC-FZ80 has a 20 – 12,000mm lens that gives you a very long zoom is an excellent choice. The two have pros and cons, which should lead you to prefer one better, depending on the application and preference.
Panasonic Lumix DC-FZ80 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300 Design
The Panasonic Lumix DC-FZ80 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300 share a similar body, almost like any point-and-shoot camera with a long zoom. The main drawback of zoom lenses is the size because they won’t fit as easily as typical compact cameras like Canon Powershot G7 X Mark II Vs Canon EOS M6. These cameras have a prominent grip, but the DC-FZ80 has a wider space between the grip and lens. The two have a viewfinder, but only DMC-FZ300 has a rotating rear display; this camera is heavier and has a weather shield body.
Panasonic Lumix DC-FZ80 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300 Camera Specs
Let’s see what the Panasonic Lumix DC-FZ80 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300 can offer, starting from the camera specs. The DMC-FZ300 uses the 1/2.3-inch 12MP sensor with a 24x zoom lens or 25 – 600mm equal, while the DC-FZ80 uses the same sensor size with a higher pixel count at 18MP, and it packs a long zoom range of 60x with 20 – 12,000mm lens. You can bump the ISO level to 6400 on the FZ300 or 3200 on the FZ80. As for the video recording, both cameras record up to 4K 30p.
Panasonic Lumix DC-FZ80 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300 Image Quality
What makes the DMC-FZ300 special is the fixed aperture at f/2.8, which covers the 25 – 600mm range without sacrificing the light-gathering capabilities as you push the zoom. Other cameras with the same sensor, including DC-FZ80, lose light when zooming to achieve the long zoom ratios. However, the FX80 has a wide angle of 20mm, while most cameras start from 24 – 25mm, giving you an advantage on different applications. The 12,000mm zoom range is powerful and gives you decent image quality.
Since Panasonic Lumix DC-FZ80 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300 use the same sensor, the overall image quality is not far different with the same setting. Still, the viewing angle is different due to the lens. Both cameras produce good colors and details and are still decent for low-light applications. But, the newer cameras with bigger sensors and more pixels will perform better. The notable difference in the photos is sharpness because the FZ80 wins with a higher pixel count, which is impressively stable across the aperture range.
Panasonic Lumix DC-FZ80 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300 Performance
The shooting experience with these cameras also differs, and we like the DMC-FZ300 for a few reasons. First, this camera has a rotating touch-screen which aids challenging angles and lets you see the screen from the front for self-monitoring. This feature is handy for a videographer who wants to let the subject see how they look on the camera. Second, this camera is faster, especially from OFF to the first photo, and focuses slightly faster than DC-FZ80 at approximately 0.02 seconds versus 0.05 seconds.
The low light conditions slow these cameras, but it is normal, and the DMC-FZ300 is still faster. This camera also takes 12.4 frames per second. In the burst mode, the FZ300 can take 20 RAW and JPG, 23 RAW, or 96 JPG versus 13 RAW and JPG, 15 RAW, or 52 JPG in FZ80.
Panasonic Lumix DC-FZ80 Vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300
The Panasonic Lumix DC-FZ80 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300 are similar yet different cameras. The image quality, like details and sharpness, are similar and most likely unnoticeable for most people. But, the DC-FZ80 wins a lot by providing an ultra-long zoom and wide-angle, making the camera versatile for different applications. The image quality and sharpness are also impressive for the price point. In contrast, the DMC-FZ300 wins on the user experience and performance as it is the faster camera with a rotating screen.
Conclusion
The decision is yours because not everyone has the same preferences. Panasonic Lumix DC-FZ80 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300 have different strengths and drawbacks that can help you choose the ideal camera. We suggest the DMC-FZ300 if your primary concern is shooting experience because it performs better. But we recommend the DC-FZ80 for the extra-long zoom lens and lower price. Both cameras have impressive image quality, and you can choose either option.
