Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FZ300 / SHOOTING REPORT

The FZ300 is a successor of the FZ200, which was still popular even after it disappeared from the market because of the excellent usability and image quality realized by the lens optimized for the sensor. This new model keeps the same lens, the DC VARIO-ELMARIT zoom lens with the constant F2.8 speed and the wide coverage between 25mm and 600mm equivalent. In addition, the visibility of EVF and the rear monitor (now supports the long-awaited touch-panel operation) have improved dramatically from the predecessor. Now, what about its image quality?

( Photography : Z II / Text : 4beats )

Finding a man checking his smartphone at the hot spot, I took several shots including wider ones. But, I chose this shot with a short-telephoto range because of the good balance with his surroundings. Zooming is very smooth thanks to the responsive power zoom.

I zoomed in to 200mm equivalent, which is still supported by most SLR cameras. It wonderfully and faithfully reproduced the wrinkles of the clothes, texture of escalator and glass, and the rounded pole in low light. And, this image was shot with a 1/2.3-inch sensor. Is it an excellent job or what?

At 400mm equivalent. Who doesn't want the freedom of zooming? The compression effect becomes obvious at this long focal length. The touch-panel rear LCD monitor lets you move the focus area with the tip of a finger. This means you can focus on the person even if s/he wasn't standing in the center of the frame. In addition, you can freely control the size of the focus area by pinching in and out, according to the subject.

Shooting under the heavy sky. The monorail and the bus have a great 3D separation. The horizontal line gets blurred to the faraway Tokyo Bay so smoothly. This realistic rendition makes me remember the heavy wet air and the noises at the location. Let me add that I could read the letters of the road sign at the original size.

The line is pleasantly straight. The tonal gradation is rich enough to capture the reflected sky on the windows. Together, they compose this refreshing image.

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Sorry to interrupt you! It nicely reproduced the texture of the craggy feet and the carapace like annual rings.

The subject is sharp, while the bokeh is big and smooth. Of course, they are not as sharp and smooth like SLR cameras. But, I'm convinced of the high performance of this camera after seeing these sample images. I wonder if they applied the manufacturing technology for aspherical lenses for the advanced model FZ1000 for this camera. Anyway, the bokeh is so beautiful.

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High expressive power and mobility compressed in a compact package

Because of the high image quality unlike conventional high-zoom lens, I ended up taking too many shots at the tele-end. The FZ series belongs to a category called "bridge cameras" featuring a comparatively large high-performance zoom lens with a wide zoom range and the SLR-like shooting style with an EVF and a reassuring holding. Because the FZ300 has another dial on the lens barrel in addition to the ones on the top cover, operation has become easier than ever. Delicate manual focusing is easy with just a left thumb and it will make a difference in your output. Of course, you can also auto-focus enjoying the benefits of the DFD (Depth of Defocus) technology and the touch-panel, too. In any case, you can always fully utilize the potential of the DC VARIO-ELMARIT.

And, thanks to the 4K PHOTO and the dust/drop-proof construction, I cannot think of a single subject that this camera cannot shoot. The FZ300 is a great all-in-one compact package of the 1/2.3-inch high sensitivity sensor, the VENUS engine, and the LEICA lens. The FZ300 shoots just about everything and this is a kind of camera you need.

( 10.07.2015 )