Expensive cameras are almost always impressive, but not all good cameras are expensive. The famous Panasonic Lumix FZ300 Vs Nikon D3500 are equally good cameras, very affordable, and easy to use, perfect for beginners. These cameras are also ideal for casual photographers who want a dedicated camera to take pictures or learn the photography basics. Today we will see what you can expect from the two, the differences, and which fits you best.
In this comparison, we will talk about the following:
- Which Camera to Buy
- What are Panasonic Lumix FZ300 and Nikon D3500
- How is the Design of the Panasonic Lumix FZ300 and Nikon D3500
- What are the Camera Specs of the Panasonic Lumix FZ300 and Nikon D3500
- How is the Image Quality from Panasonic Lumix FZ300 and Nikon D3500
- How is the Performance of the Panasonic Lumix FZ300 and Nikon D3500
- Panasonic Lumix FZ300 Vs Nikon D3500
Buying a New Camera
Buying a new camera can be confusing because there are so many different options to consider. The best camera for you may differ from other users, depending on the applications and preferences. The essential part is image quality which relies on the camera’s overall ability, such as sensor, pixel count, lens, and processing system. You may also have to consider the ergonomics and features, such as shooting mode, the EVF, video recording mode, etc. Generally, your camera must take better pictures than your smartphone.
About Panasonic Lumix FZ300 and Nikon D3500
Most camera companies nowadays have various options for different users, whether you are a casual, beginner, intermediate, or professional. Panasonic and Nikon are some of the most popular companies with varying options, including for beginners. Expensive cameras are almost always impressive, but good cameras can be inexpensive. Panasonic Lumix FZ300 and Nikon D3500 are perfect solutions for beginners and casual photographers. These cameras are well-known for their image quality, ease of use, and for accommodating enthusiasts.
The FZ300 is an improvement over the FZ200 with the same image sensor. But, a new processor brings a better autofocus, meaning you get higher frame rates at full resolution with the autofocus active. Panasonic designed the FZ300 as a hybrid camera, and it can be handy for users who also need the camera to record footage. On the other hand, the D3500 overall carries higher specs than FZ300 because this camera already uses a bigger sensor, APS-C, with more pixel count.
The image quality is pretty awesome, and you get beautiful shots from this camera, but the details are different. Generally, the D3500 produces better details when you zoom or crop in the image. The camera specs are pretty different, and if you often use the device to record video, this model can only record in Full HD 1080p. Performance is similarly good, and neither are the fastest cameras in the market. Read also: Panasonic Lumix FZ300 Vs Sony HX400V here.
Panasonic Lumix FZ300 and Nikon D3500 Design
The Panasonic Lumix FZ300 and Nikon D3500 are not compact cameras, but still relatively lightweight and portable for casual photographers. The FZ300 is 5.2 x 3.6 x 4.6 inches versus 4.9 x 3.8 x 2.7 inches. The build quality is pretty good, but they are not ideal for use under extreme conditions because the body is not weather-shield. The display is a significant difference on the rear panel because FZ300 has a rotating display while D3500 has a fixed screen. In addition, the FZ300 has a touch-screen for convenience.
Panasonic Lumix FZ300 and Nikon D3500 Camera Specs
Let’s see what the Panasonic Lumix FZ300 and Nikon D3500 can offer, starting from the camera specs. The FZ300 uses a 1/2.3-inch sensor and 12MP and a 24x zoom or 25 – 600mm lens. This zoom range is extensive, meaning you can optically zoom into a subject without moving closer. The massive advantage of optical zoom is that you can retain the image quality better than digital zoom. On the other hand, the D3500 uses a much bigger sensor, APSC, with a 24.2MP resolution.
This camera doesn’t have a long zoom lens in the kit because you can only perform 3x zoom with its 27 – 83mm lens. Comparing the specs, you can guess that DS3500 has a tighter view on its widest setting while FZ300 can take more of what’s in front of the lens. But, the D3500 is not a bridge model, so the zoom lens is unnecessary. This camera is an interchangeable DSLR meaning you can change the lens like a telephoto lens and get the desired zoom, such as the Tamron 150 – 600mm VC.
Panasonic Lumix FZ300 and Nikon D3500 Image Quality
Next, we want to talk about image quality which is also different. The bigger sensor and more pixels translate into a sharper and more detailed picture. We love the color processing from Panasonic Lumix FZ300 and Nikon D3500 that makes your image look natural and vibrant. The difference is noticeable once you zoom into the picture or crop it in post-processing because the FZ300 starts looking blurry once you peek into the details.
Another advantage of D3500 is the pixel count that makes your picture look sharper, ideal for bigger prints. In addition, the bigger sensor improves low-light performance so that you can rely on the higher ISO, and it has a better picture when shooting at night or with mixed light. Generally, the picture from a bigger sensor produces a higher dynamic range for more lifelike photos.
Panasonic Lumix FZ300 and Nikon D3500 User Experience
As for the user experience, both cameras are pleasant, even though they could be more snappy. The speed is pretty good, but the FZ300 is slightly faster at 6 frames per second, while the D3500 only shoots at 5 frames per second. The autofocus performance is accurate and reliable most of the time. The FZ300 can record 4K footage which may come in handy for hybrid users or everyone who wants to use the camera for video recording. This camera also has a rotating rear screen, making it more versatile.
Panasonic Lumix FZ300 Vs Nikon D3500
The Panasonic Lumix FZ300 and Nikon D3500 are good cameras, but probably for different users. The FZ300 is an all-rounder choice as it takes good pictures, has a built-in lens, is affordable, can zoom pretty long, record in 4K, and has reliable autofocus. The D3500 focuses on photography with a bigger sensor and more pixels, capturing crisper, more detailed photos and greater dynamic range. Unfortunately, this camera doesn’t have a touch-screen, rotating display, or 4K video.
Conclusion
The decision is yours because not everyone has the same preferences. We recommend the FZ300 for everyone who wants a good hybrid camera for photography and video recording purposes. This camera is all-rounder, easy to use, and suitable for different users.
