We’re back in the camera series. After reviewing Panasonic Lumix FZ80 and Canon PowerShot SX70 the other day, we’re going to review two Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by Panasonic, which are the Lumix FZ80 and Lumix FZ300. Panasonic FZ80 was released back in January 2017 and Panasonic FZ300 was much earlier in July 2015.
Even with 18 months difference between the two products, we don’t really expect to spot a big technological difference between these two products. But, the newer FZ80 would still gain an advantage in the sensor tech department. Let’s get on the with the full review below.
Panasonic Lumix FZ80 Review
Panasonic Lumix FZ80 is usually sold at $399.00 on Amazon, but it’s currently on a discounted price of $297.99. It holds a rating of 4.3 stars out of 5 from 1,518 customer reviews. This camera weighs 1.36 pounds and has a dimension of 4.69 x 5.13 x 3.71 inches.
Panasonic Lumix FZ80 was launched back in January 2017. This model remains a pretty popular camera, currently ranked number 3 on Amazon as Best Selling DSLR Camera and Best Selling Digital Point and Shoot Camera.
Now, let’s talk about features. Panasonic Lumix offers full range 60x long zoom that captures images far and wide. This feature is perfect for travelers and professional photographers who like to capture the beauty of natural landscapes.
It also has a 4K video technology that enables Ultra HD photography with the innovative 4K Photo feature. You can just capture video at 4k resolution with super-fast 30 FPS, and press Play, Pause, or Save to extract the footage you want from the individual 3K video frames and create the best 4K still images.
Other features include impressive low-light performance, Post Focus feature that allows you to set your desired focus points after the photo has been taken, as well as high resolution 1,170K-dot viewfinder and rear touch-enabled 3-inch LCD display.
In terms of battery life, the Panasonic FZ80 can take up to 330 images on a single charge of its DMW-BMB9 power pack. The power pack in the Panasonic FZ80 can be charged via the USB port, which can be very convenient when travelling.
Panasonic FZ80 also features a 1/2.3-inch sensor and has a format factor (sometimes also referred to as “crop factor”) of 5.6. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places Panasonic FZ80 among the smaller-sensor digicams that favor affordability and compact design. It also features a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 4:3.
Overall, Panasonic Lumix FZ80 is an affordable camera that offers great features like long zoom, touchscreen, slow-motion, large lens aperture, as well as 4K technology.
Panasonic Lumix FZ300 Review
Panasonic Lumix FZ300 is usually sold at $597.99, but it’s currently on a discounted price of $397.99 on Amazon. This camera model holds a high rating of 4.6 stars out of 5 from 503 customer reviews. This item weighs 1.52 pounds and has a dimension of 4.61 x 5.18 x 3.6 inches.
In terms of features, Panasonic Lumix FZ300 comes with 4K PHOTO technology that lets you shoot 30 frames per second in crystal-clear 4K Ultra HD Video and extract them as individual photos, so you’ll never again miss that once-in-a-lifetime photo opportunity. Read also: Sony DSC W800 vs Sony DSC W830.
It also comes with a powerful 24x zoom with a constant f2.8 aperture that lets you shoot with confidence in low light conditions and without the risk of blurred results due to slower shutter speeds.
Panasonic’s renowned high speed focusing technology ensures your subject is sharp, whether shooting photos or video, while smart, 5-axis correction technology reduces blur by compensating for five different types of movement.
Other features include close-up macro shooting with a minimum distance of 1 cm, high speed burst shooting of 12 frames per seconds at full resolution, 12.1-megapixel High Sensitivity MOS Sensor, Venus Engine, high-resolution (1,440k-dot) OLED Live View Finder, 1040k-dot rear monitor, as well as the Panasonic Image App that allows you to control the camera remotely using Wi-Fi.
Additional features of this camera include a Creative Panorama function that allows you to create dynamic panoramic photos by simply panning the camera and the ability to record high-speed videos* at 120 fps in HD quality or 240 fps in VGA quality and play them back in dramatic slow motion.
In terms of design, the Panasonic Lumix FZ300 features a splash proof / dustproof rugged design with tight seals on every joint, dial and button, so it stands up to harsh weather conditions and challenging environments — from a marshy jungle to a windy desert.
It also features a snug, hand-fitting grip and an intuitive level of operation. The rear/side dials control the main aperture and shutter speed settings. Settings can also be assigned to four function buttons. In addition, a side lever on the left side of the lens barrel improves lens control.
Overall, although Panasonic Lumix FZ300 is older than the Lumix FZ80 model, it’s still a great camera that’s good for street, sports, and daily photography.
Panasonic Lumix FZ80 vs Panasonic Lumix FZ300
Verdict
Now is the time to compare two of these camera models. Overall, although the Panasonic Lumix FZ300 is older, it also comes with much more features than the Panasonic Lumix FZ80 model. Considering that both of these cameras are priced similarly, we’ve to go with Panasonic Lumix FZ300 for its features and values.
However, it all comes down to your personal photography style. In terms of portrait photography, both of these cameras produce very similar results. In street, sports, and daily photography, Panasonic Lumix FZ300 produces better images and videos, so we recommend you to buy that model if you’re into street, sports, or daily photography and get the best quality that will satisfy even the pickiest users.
But no product is perfect obviously, and unfortunately, Panasonic FZ300 has one weakness, which is landscape photography. For that specific matter, the Panasonic Lumix FZ80 model produces a slightly better result than the Panasonic Lumix FZ300 model, so take that into consideration.
