Review and comparison of Panasonic FZ1000 and Sony RX10. Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FZ300 digital camera review and testing channel XLR audio input connectors

The camera takes not only photos, but also Full HD videos with AVCHD compression.

In addition to automatic shooting modes, Creative Zone modes are available for both still photography and movie recording, as well as 3D shooting and POWER O.I.S. with a new, active stabilization mechanism.

Specifications:

1/2.33″ CCD sensor, 12 MP;
Venus Engine FHD processor;
24x Leica DC VARIO-ELMARIT 4.5-108mm zoom lens (25-600mm 35mm equivalent), f/2.8-5.2;
4x digital zoom;
optical stabilization POWER O.I.S.;
video with sound: 1920x1080 30i, 1280x720 30p;
23-Area Intelligent AF, 1-Area AF (Center Fixed);
3-inch rotatable TFT-LCD, 460,000 pixels;
focusing distance: 1 cm (macro mode) - infinity;
Exposure Compensation: -2 to +2 EV, 1/3 EV steps;
ISO sensitivity: 100-1600, AUTO, iISO (up to ISO 6400 at 3 MP);
electronic-mechanical shutter;
exposure range: from 1/2000 to 60 s;
0.2-inch digital viewfinder, 201,000 pixels;
built-in flash: auto, forced/flash off, red-eye reduction, slow sync;
flash range: 6 m;
shooting methods: single-frame, continuous, self-timer;
support for memory cards: SD, SDHC, SDXC;
file format: JPEG;
power supply: Li-ion-battery with a capacity of 895 mAh;
plastic case;
dimensions: 80x120x92 mm;
weight with battery and memory card: 498 g.

As you can see, the camera has a good 3-inch display, has an electronic viewfinder and a utilitarian zoom that covers a range of focal lengths from 25 to 600 mm. Not a record figure in the class, but there is no doubt that it will solve most shooting tasks. This is the main feature of the camera - a lot of possibilities in a relatively compact body.

Appearance

The assembly of the FZ48 does not cause any complaints, matte plastic is used, there is a hard rubber gasket on the handle. The camera does not have a swivel display, like the older model FZ150. The camera cannot be called small (you definitely won’t put one in your pocket), but it is one and a half times smaller than the smallest DSLRs.

The camera has the most successful handle, with a standard grip it is difficult to reach the shutter button. Also, comfortable work with the camera is complicated by heavy optics, which significantly outweighs. For comfortable shooting, the device must be held with two hands, holding it by the left side of the body or under the lens.

The front of the FZ48 is very simple: a metal-rimmed lens, an AF assist lamp, and a golden "L" badge. The package comes with a plastic cover and a rope for attaching it to the case.

By the way, Panasonic attached the cover not to the body, but to the fixed part of the camera, so that when turned on, the cover does not fly off, as on other cameras. It is very easy to forget or lose the cap if you do not return it to the lens in time, so it is better to hang it on the supplied string.

A very important innovation in optics is the nanocrystalline coating on the outer lens, which absorbs all mis-polarized light. Thanks to this, glare and bunnies are effectively cut off. The camera copes well with side and back lighting. But just in case, there is also a hood in the kit, which will save you from very hard side lighting.

In all other respects, the lens is identical to the FZ100, perhaps only it does not have an additional zoom lever on the side. There are no effective focal length marks on the lens barrel, as, for example, on the Canon SX30 IS Ultrazoom.

The loudspeaker is located on the top left of the camera body. Two high-quality stereo microphones are placed directly on the rising flash. There is no hot shoe in the chamber.

The drum of shooting modes is packed to capacity - only 14 positions. This includes iA full auto mode, PASM creative zone modes, film color simulation mode, sample scene programs. However, if this is not enough, there is the SCN mode, in which there are much more story programs. There is one fully customizable mode, as well as a video recording mode that offers manual exposure settings.

Like most Panasonic cameras, the camera is turned on by a mechanical lever on the handle. In addition to it, there is a Focus button, a quick video recording key and a shutter button with a zoom lever.

The Focus key changes the focus area and its position in automatic modes, switches between single-frame and tracking focus. A button that switches between auto, macro and manual focus is located on the back.

Manual focusing is controlled by a wheel on the handle: an enlarged area of ​​the frame is displayed on the screen, and the scale below shows the approximate depth of the field of focus when focusing at a given distance. The camera is able to remember the zoom and focus and return to its original position after being turned off.

The rest of the controls are located on the back of the camera.

The flash is raised only manually, with a special button to the left of the viewfinder. If the device's automation considers its use necessary, a warning will be displayed on the screen. The FZ48 features a 0.2″ electronic viewfinder with a resolution of 201,000 pixels. By the standards of modern viewfinders (for example, the Sony NEX-7 has 12 times more resolution, 2,400,000 pixels), the figure is very modest, but this is the standard for ultrasonics.

For a comfortable grip in the right corner of the case there is a plastic island for the thumb, it has a quick control wheel. The wheel makes it much easier to work with the camera in creative zone modes - you can quickly set the shutter speed and aperture.

As befits a serious ultrazoom, there are autofocus and autoexposure lock buttons, a shortcut key for the Q.MENU function menu. The joystick of the camera has settings for exposure, timer, ISO, one button is programmed by the user independently.

The keys (again in the Panasonic tradition) are small, but with a clear click and tight travel. The manufacturer uses exactly the same tactile controls in all of its mirrorless cameras. To avoid accidental clicks, the view mode button is slightly recessed into the case.

The joystick is located parallel to the plane of the body, while in the older model and mirrorless cameras it is at a slight angle to the body, for convenient one-handed control. Exposure can be easily adjusted by pressing and turning the quick scroll wheel - the same solution used in Lumix mirrorless cameras of the Micro Four Thirds system.

In general, the FZ48 will be easy to learn for novice photographers, while experienced photographers will enjoy a significant degree of freedom in settings and quick control of the device's functions.

A three-inch display with a resolution of 460,000 pixels is installed on all advanced Lumix models without exception. The screen has good viewing angles, fades slightly in bright light. Individual pixels can be easily distinguished.

On the left side there is a connector for an HDMI cable, there is also a connector for connecting a USB cable.

The memory card and battery are housed in a common compartment on the bottom of the camera. Due to the massive lens, the tripod mount is not in the center of the camera.

Unlike most analogues, the FZ48 model runs on a lithium-ion battery, and not on four AA batteries. If this can be considered a minus when traveling, then in everyday life this is an absolute plus - you don’t need to spend extra money on batteries, and the camera itself is lighter because of this.

Camera in action

The device turns on in 2-2.5 seconds. Zooming during photography is fast, during video recording it is slow.

Zooming is very fast, but if there is a sharp transition between the light and dark parts of the frame, the picture on the screen will start to slow down until the automation reorients itself to new conditions again.

You need to try to protect the camera lens from dust: at certain indicators, the device tries to focus on dust particles.

The camera is very responsive and fast in operation, the menu does not slow down at all. If it weren't for the slow focusing in low artificial light, the FZ48's performance would be closer to Lumix mirrorless cameras.

The camera menu is traditional for Panasonic: large fonts, many sub-items and various settings.

Creative Video Mode lets you set the shutter speed and aperture manually even while recording. Fast shutter speeds are useful when shooting dynamic scenes, while the effect of changing the aperture is especially noticeable at large zooms and with objects at different distances. The only drawback is the recording of sound from pressing buttons and rotating the disk, and there is no way to connect an external stereo microphone.

The intelligent auto mode works both when taking photos and when shooting movies. While recording videos, you can even take pictures in parallel, but in a reduced resolution of 3.5 megapixels. Video files can be trimmed and split without connecting to a computer.

3D shooting is common - the camera asks you to move it from left to right, simultaneously shooting bursts. Even and odd frames of the series are combined into separate pictures, which are then displayed as a stereo pair for the left and right eyes.

The plot programs are very well thought out, they are closely connected with the function of identifying faces. Multiple people's faces can be registered to the unit's memory, and if the registered face belongs to a child under 3 years old, the child mode is automatically activated.

It is impossible not to note the convenience of the quick menu Q.MENU. Thanks to him, all the key shooting settings are set in 10 seconds.

Test materials

As for test shots, if the 14-megapixel CMOS sensor in the FX100 is more focused on video recording, then the 12-megapixel CCD is more focused on photography. At the same time, photos from the camera are easy to recognize - watercolor streaks at 100% magnification, even at low ISOs, have become a hallmark of the Lumix noise reduction system.

Wide (25mm 35mm film equivalent)

Maximum zoom 24x (600mm 35mm film equivalent)
original photo size

Maximum zoom 24x (600mm 35mm film equivalent)
original photo size

Noise is clearly visible at ISO 400, increases at ISO 800, and shooting at ISO 1600 is no longer desirable. The camera does not carry anything new in terms of photo quality.

Two weeks ago, Panasonic introduced two of its new cameras to European journalists. The presentation took place in the capital of Sweden, Stockholm. All the test shots that you will find in articles about these cameras were taken there. I’ll make a reservation right away that a separate article is devoted to each camera, tied to the described camera in our database of photographic equipment - you can find the second article using the links in the text.

One of the cameras presented is the new superzoom Lumix FZ100. Let's start with a little historical digression. In the FZ line, two branches coexist in parallel: one is superzooms with indices FZ18, FZ28, etc. The second - with indexes divisible by 10. The line began with the Lumix FZ1 camera, released in 2002. The previous model in the line was released in 2009 - it was the Lumix FZ38.

Let's see what are the key features of the new FZ100:

• 24x zoom LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT 25-600mm;
• 14-megapixel sensor;
• shooting Full HD-video;
• super high-speed continuous shooting: 11 fps at full resolution (with mechanical shutter), 60 fps at 3.5 MP;
• new Venus Engine FHD processor;
• 3-inch swivel screen, 460,000 dots.

Structurally, the FZ100 is a classic pseudo-SLR (as it was customary to say a few years ago; now, with the advent of mirrorless cameras, another term should come in order to avoid confusion). Despite the fact that the camera is relatively large (compared to the same LX5, which can easily fit in a pocket), it is very light, maybe even too much.

At first, as I shoot with a DSLR most of the time, I wanted to control the zoom using the ring on the lens. True, there is no ring here, and these attempts were in vain. Everything is much simpler: the zoom position is regulated by a lever encircling the shutter button. It's very handy given all I've said about the weight and size of the camera, plus the zoom responds instantly to the lever movement and travels the full 24x distance in a matter of seconds. Compared to it, the LX5, presented right there, seemed very slow, although there is only a 3.8x zoom.

What else was a pleasant surprise: a screen that can work in any, the brightest light. So far, I've seen this effect only on laptops with a glossy matrix: when sunlight hits them, the right decision was not to increase the brightness, but, on the contrary, turn off the backlight: sunlight played its role. The same is true for the FZ100. Of course, there is no need to talk about control over colors and subtle differences in brightness in such conditions, but the picture as a whole is visible, and this is better than nothing.

The controls in the FZ100 are quite powerful, but due to time constraints, I shot in P mode all the time - the result was so good that I didn’t want to switch to any other mode.

The FZ100 is also capable of shooting full-fledged high-definition video, FullHD. You can view and download a few examples on the next page in the gallery. Let me just say that the video mode is very conveniently implemented here - like other Lumixes, you can start recording video by pressing one button (it is located not far from the shutter button). While shooting a movie, you can press the shutter button and take a photo without interrupting the movie.

One of the key features of the new camera is ultra-high-speed continuous shooting, made possible by the new sensor used in the FZ100. Burst speed can reach 60 frames / s (downgraded to 3.5 MP), while the series lasts just one second. After recording a series, the camera copies the contents of the buffer to the memory card for some time, so the use of high-speed cards is especially critical here. An example of using burst mode can be found in the gallery on the next page (all 60 frames can be downloaded in the archive).

Thanks to the use of small sensors, as in digital compacts (or "soap dishes"), it became possible to create lenses with an impressive focal range (in terms of a 35mm equivalent) while maintaining relatively modest dimensions. As a result, such a class of cameras as ultrazooms (or superzooms) appeared - universal solutions for performing a wide range of photo tasks: from macro to portrait and landscape shooting. But, as a rule, such cameras cannot boast of fast lenses, but are limited to f / 5.6-6.5 aperture at the long end. This was true until the introduction of the Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FZ200 in 2012, the first ultrazoom with a constant aperture of f/2.8 over the entire zoom range.

In this review, we will get acquainted with the update of the flagship superzoom - PanasonicLUMIXDMC- FZ300. Using his example, let's try to figure out what new the Japanese manufacturer can offer and how interesting its product is compared to competitors. To begin with, let's take a closer look at the technical characteristics of the novelty:

Manufacturer and model		PanasonicLUMIXDMC- FZ300
Type, class		Digital camera, super zoom
light receiving element		1/2.3" (6.16 x 4.62 mm) BSI CMOS sensor; 12.1 MP effective pixels
CPU
Lens		LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT, fixed, f = 4.5 - 108 mm, (35 mm film equivalent: 25 - 600 mm), 24x optical zoom, aperture f/2.8-8.0
Lens device		14 elements in 11 groups
Image stabilization		5-axis optical HYBRID O.I.S. +
		Face Detection / Eye Detection / Tracking / 49 Points / Multipoint Configurable / 1 Point / Pinpoint (full area coverage available)
Exposure metering mode		Intelligent multi-point, center-weighted, spot
Light sensitivity
		mechanical + electronic
Exposure range		1 / 4000 - 60 s (mechanical shutter) 1 / 16,000 - 1 s (electronic shutter)
		Integrated, coverage range 30 cm - 8.8 m
Continuous Shooting
Image save format		JPEG (DCF/Exif2.3) / RAW, DPOF
Permission		4000 x 3000 (12 M) (L) / 3264 x 2448 (8 M) (M) / 2048 x 1536 (3 M) (S) 4000 x 2672 (10.5 M) (L) / 3264 x 2176 (7 M) (M) / 2048 x 1360 (2.5 M) (S) 4000 x 2248 (9 M) (L) / 3840 x 2160 (8 M) (M) / 1920 x 1080 (2 M) (S) 2992 x 2992 (9 M) (L) / 2448 x 2448 (6 M) (M) / 1920 x 1920 (3.5 M) (S)
		3840x2160, 1920x1080, 1280x720, 640x480
		Swivel, LCD, 3", resolution 1040k dots, aspect ratio 3:2
Viewfinder		Electronic, color, OLED-matrix, 0.39", resolution 1440 thousand dots, 100% frame coverage (magnification 0.7x)
	Microphone	Built-in stereo microphone
		Built-in mono
Data carriers
Interfaces		micro-HDMI (Type D), micro-USB, mini-jack 3.5 mm, micro-jack 2.5 mm (for remote control)
Communication options		802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi (2.4GHz)
Battery		Lithium-ion, replaceable, Panasonic DMW-BLC12E (1200 mAh)
Charger		Input: 100 - 240 VAC e.g. at 50/60 Hz Output: 8.4V DC e.g. 0.65 A
		Protection against moisture and dust
		131.6 x 91.5 x 117.1mm
		691 g (with battery and data carrier)
Official guarantee		12 months
Products webpage

Delivery, equipment

The camera comes in a fairly large package, which has a nice dark design and fairly good information content. In addition to several images, on its faces you can find a list of the main characteristics and capabilities. A number of recommended accessories are also reported.

Inside, you can find a charger with a detachable power cable, a battery, documentation, a software CD, as well as a lens cap, a shoulder strap and a cable for connecting to a PC (the last three were absent in this trial copy).

Appearance, arrangement of elements

Like most superzooms, the Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FZ300 is made in a pseudo-SLR form factor and is very similar to the Panasonic LUMIX G series system cameras: a massive design, chopped edges, an abundance of controls, a protruding viewfinder and a large lens. The device looks solid and quite expensive, which emphasizes its semi-professional orientation. Unlike the Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FZ200, the design of the novelty has become more rigorous, and some elements have changed their location and purpose. So, the control dial has moved from the back wall to the top face. The focus mode switch ("AFS", "AFC" and "MF") was combined with the autofocus and autoexposure lock button, while the macro mode selection and manual focus control wheel are located on the left side of the lens. The key for switching between the screen and the viewfinder is located to the left of the viewfinder and any other function can be assigned to it (it is programmable). And the drive mode button has changed to another programmable one and swapped places with the video recording button.

The main part of the camera's design is made of high-quality plastic with a characteristic, slightly rough pattern. Only the fixed part of the lens is metal. The case has acquired dust and moisture protection, so you can safely shoot while traveling, caught in the rain or other bad weather, without the risk of damaging the camera.

The build quality is beyond praise: the parts fit perfectly and resemble a monolithic product, without any hint of play and third-party sounds during operation. The dimensions and weight (132 x 92 x 117 mm and 691 g) of the Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FZ300 have grown in comparison with its progenitor (125 x 87 x 110 mm and 537 g), but this does not prevent it from being quite comfortable to carry the camera on the shoulder or neck , and in a compact bag or backpack.

The ergonomics of the device should satisfy both novice photographers and the most demanding users. All the necessary analog controls are provided, which are complemented by a touch screen. All this allows you to quickly change key shooting parameters without resorting to searching through the system menu. In addition, the functionality of the levers on the lens and around the shutter button is duplicated and is responsible for zooming (zooming). In fact, the second hand is reserved only for switching auto focus modes, manual focus control, switching the Live View mode and working with the touch screen. The control dials (knurled, rotate 360˚) are characterized by moderately tight and smooth running. They are located in good places, which are easy to reach without fear of dropping the camera from your hands.

A pleasant impression is left by a large and rather comfortable handle with a recess for the middle finger, as well as a comfortable stop for the thumb. In addition, all this is covered with a large rubber pad with a leather-like texture. It is very convenient to operate the camera with one hand, although its weight begins to remind of itself rather quickly. By the way, the metal tripod socket is noticeably shifted away from the optical axis of the lens, so when the camera is mounted on a tripod, the compartment with the memory card and batteries is blocked.

Lens

The hallmark of the camera is a non-replaceable LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT lens with a focal range from 4.5 to 108 mm (35 mm film equivalent: 25 - 600 mm at a frame ratio of 4:3 or 30 - 720 mm at a ratio of 1:1) and constant aperture of f/2.8 over the entire range of focal lengths. As mentioned above, most competitors cannot boast of such a fast lens, but are limited to f / 5.6-6.5 aperture at the long end. This leads to the fact that even in cloudy weather on such cameras you have to overestimate the ISO value to get a normally exposed frame, which in turn is fraught with the appearance of unnecessary artifacts. So such a "light" and high-quality optics can be safely written down in the treasury of the Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FZ300 advantages.

The lens design consists of 14 elements in 11 groups (5 aspherical lenses / 9 aspherical surfaces / 3 extra-low dispersion lenses / 1 lens with Nano Surface coating). It also uses an iris diaphragm that can be covered down to f/8 for stills and up to f/11 for video. In addition to 24x optical zoom, there is a 4x digital zoom, supplemented by 2x intelligent iZoom (minimizes the appearance of artifacts when zooming). The total magnification is 48x, which in 35mm film equivalent reaches a focal length of 2400mm. These characteristics are more than enough for most everyday tasks. Separately, it is worth noting the very effective 5-axis optical image stabilization HYBRID O.I.S. +, designed to combat the effects of micro-shake hands and prevent smearing in low light.

If you do not take into account the metal casing of the lens, then its main part is made of smooth plastic, which, when the camera is off, protrudes by 4.5 mm and contains a thread for installing a complete lens hood. When the camera is turned on, it moves out by 16 mm, and in the extreme position - by 56 mm. For greater convenience, I would like to see the designations of focal lengths on the lens barrel, which would make it possible to more clearly control the shooting process.

There is no thread for the filter, but it is possible to use a teleconverter and macro lenses through a special adapter. Two speeds are available while zooming. In the first case, the zoom is very quiet and smooth, while in the second it is fast and noisier, although the overall noise level is within the normal range. The focusing process is absolutely silent.

Display, viewfinder

The Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FZ300 is equipped with a 3-inch (7.5 cm) LCD screen with a typical 3:2 aspect ratio. Its resolution is approximately 1,040,000 dots (i.e. 720 x 480 pixels). It is exactly the same as the popular Panasonic LUMIX G7 system camera and features high detail, natural colors and good viewing angles. The brightness level is sufficient for working on a sunny day (12 levels of adjustment are available in manual or automatic mode). There is a good anti-reflective filter. If necessary, you can adjust all the basic display parameters - contrast, saturation, tone of color channels (all in 12 adjustment points).

The display unit is equipped with a folding design in all axes (horizontally - 180°, and vertically - about 250°). This allows you to conveniently shoot from a variety of angles (top-bottom) and even take self-portraits. There is a touch substrate that allows you to quickly select the focus point, take pictures with one touch, call additional function buttons and perform a number of other familiar actions. Everything works properly.

The digital viewfinder (0.39 inches) with a magnification factor of 0.7x (the same is used in the Panasonic LUMIX G7) and 100% frame coverage is based on an OLED matrix with a resolution of 1,440 thousand dots. The aspect ratio is 4:3. It is quite convenient to sight: excellent color reproduction, comfortable viewing angles, high detail, no strobe and no delay visible to the eye. Switching from the display to the viewfinder and back - a little less than 0.5 s (occurs automatically thanks to the proximity sensor).

Interface, capabilitiessettings

Camera Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FZ300 received a fairly convenient and very functional interface. Despite the brief description of the available functions and settings, it takes a little time to get used to their location and to understand their purpose. The main settings menu is presented in the form of a vertical scrolling list (5 rows - photo, video, user settings, parameter settings and playback). The design is quite pleasant and, if desired, one of the color schemes can be configured.

There are a large number of controls on the body of the device, including on the lens, which should definitely appeal to experienced photographers. In addition, as many as nine keys can be reprogrammed (four physical ("Fn1" - "Fn4") and five touch ("Fn5" - "Fn9")) at your discretion - not every professional SLR can boast of such. For direct selection of the focus point, the left button on the round multi-function joystick or a simple touch on the touch screen is responsible. There is also a couple of quick settings menus: full-screen via the "DISP" button and quick ("Q.MENU") using the "Fn3" button.

In the "Live View" mode, the screen displays all the necessary information, including a number of auxiliary settings. For example, 2-axis electronic level, grid, touch control zoom and metering point selection.

It should be noted that the camera was tested with firmware version 2.0. But there is already firmware ver. 2.1 , which fixed the display of the focus area during continuous shooting in 4K Photo mode. We also offer a more visual video on camera control capabilities.

Hardware, functionality

The Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FZ300 is based on a 1/2.3" (6.16 x 4.62 mm) BSI CMOS sensor with an effective resolution of 12.1 MP. most compact cameras, as well as in some smartphones.The latest generation proprietary processor Venus Engine IX is responsible for processing the signal from the sensor and overall performance.

The process of switching on and taking the first shot takes less than a second (0.85 s on average), which is a very good result, considering that the camera still needs to prepare the zoom lens. The speed of command processing, as well as transitions between modes, is at a fairly high level. The camera is capable of shooting at sensitivity values ​​in the ISO 100 - 6400 range, which has grown slightly compared to the Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FZ200.

The burst rate of the Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FZ300 is very high - up to 60 fps. But it has its own nuances: 60 fps (“HS” mode) is shot only at a resolution of 3 megapixels, only in JPEG and only 60 frames at a time. Other modes: 12 fps ("H"), 6 fps ("M") and 2 fps ("L") - are removed before the buffer is full in full resolution for both JPEG and RAW. The data buffer paired with a memory card when shooting in the "H" mode is very good: JPEG - about 100 frames before the start of a gradual drop in speed, in RAW - exactly 25 frames; in RAW + JPEG - 21 frames.

The camera is equipped with two shutters: mechanical (with shutter speeds of 1/4000 - 60 s) and electronic (1/16 000 - 1 s), which allows you to shoot without problems in very bright weather with an open aperture. There is a mode of automatic switching between shutters.

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FZ300 is equipped with contrast autofocus: 49 points using proprietary technology DFD (Depth From Defocus), which involves measuring the depth of field obtained from the defocused area. Initially, DFD appeared in the Panasonic LUMIX DMC-GH4 video directional camera and proved to be very good, significantly outperforming conventional contrast focusing in terms of speed and accuracy. With manual focusing, it is possible to increase the aiming area and highlight the sharp edges of the object (focus peaking).

The built-in flash has a folding design, but without the possibility of directing the light flux (for example, to the ceiling). Its working range covers 30 cm - 8.8 m. There is also a central sync contact ("hot shoe") for connecting external accessories.

Among the communication interfaces, there is only a built-in 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi module. For mobile devices (Android or iOS), the Panasonic Image App must be installed. Without exaggeration, this is one of the best mobile camera apps we have ever worked with. The user has access to remote control of almost all shooting parameters, including all kinds of filters, effects, adding geolocations, creating collages, video surveillance and instant uploading to various services.

The Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FZ300 model implements both familiar modes (“P”, “A”, “S”, “M”, intelligent auto “iA” and its improved version “iA +”), as well as several additional ones: “C” (Custom), Panorama Mode, Scene Selection, and Creative Control.

QualityImages

Examples photography cameras

Camera photography examplesPanasonic LUMIX DMC- FZ300 at 25, 600, 1200 and 2400 mm

Panoramic camera examplePanasonic LUMIX DMC- FZ300

With its versatile zoom lens, the Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FZ300 is perfect for any scenario: macro, portrait, landscape, and distant subjects. Fast optics (f / 2.8 over the entire range of focal lengths) allows you not only to blur the background beautifully, but also to shoot in low light conditions without the need to overestimate the ISO, of course, given the very modest size of the sensor.

The resulting frames are characterized by pleasant color reproduction and good detail at close and medium distances. However, when the subject is taken away, the detailing drops a little, and both atmospheric conditions and some features of the image transmission through the lens block already affect here. In addition, the constantly active operation of the noise reduction system, the intensity of which is best kept at a minimum value, can noticeably spoil the quality of the material.

During shooting, the automation shows itself well, selecting adequate parameters for exposure and white balance, depending on the situation, including in relatively difficult lighting conditions. By the way, the autofocus system in sufficient light shows excellent performance, including tracking and face recognition by a smile. In more difficult conditions and without the use of a backlight, the camera may move a little and refuse to aim at the subject, displaying the “LOW” icon.

The 5-axis optical stabilization system deserves forest reviews, which provides sharp shots even at the maximum focal length or when handheld burst shooting at a shutter speed of 1/5 s, and sometimes at 1/2 s. As mentioned above, the camera has everything for complete control of shooting parameters, including all sorts of scene modes and effects that will help the photographer express himself.

Camera photography examplesPanasonic LUMIX DMC- FZ300 with ISO 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200 and 6400

Camera photography examplesPanasonic LUMIX DMC- FZ300 with noise reduction adjustment: -5 to +5.

Our traditional test results show that the Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FZ300 can shoot at ISO 800 (for JPEG). The resulting frames are quite suitable for home printing on small formats. You can shoot at ISO 1600 (for RAW), but with post-processing. In extreme cases, ISO 3200 can also be used, but ISO 6400 can no longer be recommended, since the image noticeably loses quality, especially when using noise reduction.

Panasonic LUMIX DMC- FZ300 at 1080p at 30 FPS and valuesISO from 100 to 6400

An example of a daytime video recording from a cameraPanasonic LUMIX DMC- FZ300 in 4K (3840 x 2160)at 25 FPS and valuesISO from 100 to 6400

An example of a daytime camera shotPanasonic LUMIX DMC- FZ300 at 4K resolution (3840 x 2160) at 25 FPS

Traditionally, Panasonic's strong point is video recording. The tested model was no exception, capable of shooting video with a maximum resolution of 3840 x 2160 (4K) in MP4 format and 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) in AVCHD / MP4 format, however, only at 25 fps and 50 fps, respectively. . In the first case, the total bitrate reaches 100 Mbps, and in the second - 25 Mbps. Sound is recorded in stereo. It's pretty good, but the mics can blow out even in light winds.

Video in 4K format pleases with high detail, tenacious autofocus and a fairly smooth picture. Thanks to less aggressive noise reduction algorithms (than in photo mode) and fast optics, you can get an acceptable picture even at relatively high ISO values. You can take 8MP photos while recording video. Despite the official information that the 5-axis stabilization system is not available in the "4K VIDEO" mode, our tests showed good stabilization of micro-shake during video shooting (electronic stabilization may be working). Video in 1080p is almost in no way inferior, except for the detail. For better sound quality, it is better to use an external microphone. The only thing missing from the camera is a headphone jack. By the way, when shooting video, semi-automatic “P/A/S” modes are available, as well as a fully manual “M” mode with the ability to change settings (focus, shutter speed, aperture, ISO, etc.) during shooting.

Offline work

The Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FZ300 is powered by a Panasonic DMW-BLC12E lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 1200 mAh (7.2 V; 8.7 Wh). According to official data, his resource should be enough for 360 frames. In real conditions, everything will depend on the intensity of work with the camera. For example, we managed to shoot about 380 frames and 5 minutes of 4K video - a very good result.

The package includes a compact charger Panasonic DE-A80, which restores the battery charge in approximately 1.5 hours. There is no USB charging option, which would be useful on the go.

Results

Without a twinge of conscience, we can safely say that the update of the ultrazoom line has received a worthy heir. Judge for yourself PanasonicLUMIXDMC- FZ300 - one of the most interesting representatives of this class of cameras, combining Japanese quality and excellent functionality. As before, we have a solid appearance, just great ergonomics with the ability to individually adjust almost every control, and now also protection from dust and moisture. The highlight of the camera is the unique high-aperture LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT zoom lens with a focal range of 4.5 to 108 mm (35 mm film equivalent: 25 - 600 mm) and a constant aperture of f/2.8 throughout the zoom range, which is excellent for for filming a variety of scenes. The arsenal of new items also includes a high-quality swivel screen with touch controls and an excellent OLED viewfinder. During testing, the 5-axis HYBRID O.I.S. + optical image stabilization proved to be excellent, which allows you to get sharp shots even at long focal lengths. The same can be said about the contrast autofocus - high accuracy and speed in most cases.

The quality of the image captured by the Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FZ300 is at the level of most modern compacts. You can easily shoot at ISO 800 (for JPEG) or at ISO 1600 (for RAW), but with post-processing. In fairness, we note that you expect higher quality and detail from a camera of this level. But this is a price to pay for versatility and relative compactness - to achieve such a wide range of focal lengths is possible only when using modest matrices (1 / 2.3 "size). On the other hand, in order to cover such a range of focal lengths, you will have to buy several lenses for a system camera, the price of which will definitely be higher than the tested camera.

The video capabilities of the camera are also commendable. With a combination of 24x zoom and the ability to record 4K video at 25 fps or 1080p at 50 fps, you can easily replace an inexpensive camcorder. The overall picture pleases with high detail, tenacious autofocus, sufficient smoothness and good stereo sound (in calm weather). If necessary, you can connect an external microphone. In general, there is everything that a novice videographer needs.

Bottom line, if you're looking for an all-in-one photo and video solution that allows you to capture anything and everything in the path of your lens, the Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FZ300 is a good choice.

Advantages:

• solid appearance;
• convenient and ergonomic case with an abundance of controls and flexible options for their settings;
• protection against dust and moisture;
• high quality performance;
• high-quality swivel display and excellent OLED viewfinder;
• universal lens LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT with a focal range of 4.5 to 108 mm (35 mm film equivalent: 25 - 600 mm) and a constant aperture of f/2.8;
• good implementation of the contrast autofocus system;
• effective 5-axis optical image stabilization system HYBRID O.I.S. +;
• implementation of a large number of software functions and modes;
• good quality video content, including 4K at 25 fps and 1080p at 50 fps;

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Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ2000: with 330 photos and 138 minutes of UHD video, battery life is only average.

Test results

Advantages

Fast lens with 20x zoom
Lots of handy control buttons
Integrated ND filter
Fast burst shooting
Fast and accurate autofocus
Support for UHD video and 4K Photo mode
Swivel touch screen

Flaws

Loss of sharpness at edges and at long focal lengths
Average battery life

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ2000 test results

• Price-quality ratio
  Good
• Place in the overall ranking
  8 out of 58

• Value for money: 66
• Image quality (50%): 92
• Equipment and management (40%): 94
• Speed ​​(10%): 93

Editorial rating

User rating

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Designation Panasonic Lumix FZ2000 as a "compact camera" is a bit misleading. With a weight of about a kilogram and the size of a system camera with a lens, it looks like anything but a compact camera. Therefore, we decided to classify it as a bridge camera because Panasonic Lumix FZ2000 really builds a "bridge" - from all the best that is on the market.

Panasonic Lumix FZ2000: glass flaws

With f/2.8-4.5 aperture and 24-480mm focal length, zoom-friendly optics Panasonic Lumix FZ2000 demonstrates its shortcomings, manifested primarily at the edges of the image. There, the level of sharpness is instantly reduced by almost a third.

While in the center of the image we can count 1640 line pairs per frame height, the edges with 1192 line pairs are more blurry. At hard contrasts, a pink border appears up to three pixels wide, and at a wide angle, slight vignetting appears. In addition, sharpness is reduced by 25 percent at long focal lengths.

Despite all this, we found the good image quality in sufficiently detailed and noise-free shots up to ISO 1600 to be very convincing.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ2000: Frequently used options can also be changed using the touch display.

Panasonic Lumix FZ2000: fast, faster FZ2000

Also Panasonic Lumix FZ2000 stands out for its speed. With over 11 frames per second and 100 JPEGs per burst, burst shooting is perfect for unsupervised sports photography. This highlights the blazing-fast autofocus, which, even at a maximum focal length of less than 0.2 seconds, is faster than some competitors in the "wide" state.

If someone needs even faster continuous shooting, then you can switch to 4K Photo mode and continue to take pictures at 30 frames per second. True, the resolution in this case will be only 8 megapixels. But, on the one hand, this resolution will be quite enough to print photos of at least DIN A4 size. Additional features such as post-focus sharpness correction in Post-Focus mode or the prudent Pre-Burst mode can also lead to delight.

The regular video mode is also convincing: Ultra-HD at 30 fps, 4:2:2/10-bit color depth, and the absence of a 30-minute limit on video duration - all this is at the level of the special model of the GH4 line under called GH4R. Panasonic Lumix FZ2000 has only minimal rolling shutter effect when panning quickly during panoramic shooting.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ2000: next to the hot shoe, a folding flash was lurking, hitting about 13 meters.

Panasonic Lumix FZ2000: Integrated ND filter

The camera is especially useful when shooting moving subjects: focus points can be easily set with the touch of a finger on the clear, swivel 3-inch display. An alternative is the OLED electronic viewfinder, which has a high resolution and pleasantly fast operation.

In general, the comfortable plastic case and excellent equipment seem to us excellent: even specialists in the field of photography can be pleased with the wide control options - there are eight hardware buttons and six programmable function keys.

The highlight is the three-stage ND filter, which allows you to increase the exposure time up to six times. An optical 5-axis Image Stabilizer will allow you to increase the exposure time when shooting handheld by at least three times.

So, to summarize all of the above: Panasonic Lumix FZ2000 combines high image quality with long focal lengths, professional video modes and a wide range of equipment. Is he worth his money? Undoubtedly!

Panasonic Lumix FZ2000: alternative

Although Panasonic Lumix FZ2000 and offers excellent facilities, the value for money is not the best. There are devices that are cheaper, but not worse: below you will find the name of the bridge camera with the best value for money.

1.

Overall score: 88.5

Value for money: 100

TEST RESULTS
Image quality (50%)
Equipment and management (40%)
Performance (10%)
CONCLUSION Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ2000 achieved very good results during the tests. We were particularly impressed by the excellent image quality combined with the fast 20x zoom lens, as well as numerous additional features such as the high-resolution electronic viewfinder, UHD movie recording and fast autofocus. We can only find fault with the decrease in image sharpness at the edges of the frame, especially at long focal lengths, as well as the rather short battery life.	92.9% OVERALL RESULT

Specifications and test results Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ2000

Price-quality ratio	66
Camera type	bridge camera
Maximum Resolution	20.0 MP
Max. photo resolution	5.472 x 3.648 pixels
Max. video resolution	3.840 x 2.160 pixels
Display: diagonal	3.0 inch touch screen
Display: resolution	1.040.000 subpixels
Display: rotary	biaxial
Display: brightness adjustment	Yes
Matrix: type	MOS
Matrix: size	1 inch
optical zoom	20.0x
Minimum focal length	8.8mm;
Maximum focal length	176.0 mm;
Optical Image Stabilizer	with movable die
Lens Aperture (Wide - Tele)	1:2.8 — 1:4.5
Shooting modes	auto, program, aperture priority, shutter speed, manual
Panorama shooting mode	panoramic shooting with Auto-Stitching
Minimum shutter speed (auto)	1/16.000 c
Maximum shutter speed (auto)	60.00 s
Minimum light sensitivity (ISO min)	ISO 80
Maximum light sensitivity (ISO max)	ISO 25.600
white balance	preset, manual setting
Center resolution at ISO min	1,640 line pairs
Edge resolution at ISO min	1.192 line pairs
Center resolution at ISO 400	1.698 line pairs
Edge resolution at ISO 400	1.268 line pairs
Center resolution at ISO 800	1.615 line pairs
Edge resolution at ISO 800	1.227 line pairs
Center resolution at ISO 1600	1,560 line pairs
Edge resolution at ISO 1600	1.181 line pairs
Texture Accuracy (Kurtosis) / Details (Dead Leaves) @ ISO Min	70 %
Texture (Kurtosis) / Detail (Dead Leaves) accuracy at ISO 400	78 %
Texture (Kurtosis) / Detail (Dead Leaves) accuracy at ISO 800	81 %
Texture (Kurtosis) / Detail (Dead Leaves) accuracy at ISO 1600	77 %
Expert Judgment: Detail at ISO Min	good (2,3)
Expert Judgment: Detail at ISO 400	good (1.5)
Expert Judgment: Detail at ISO 800	good (2,3)
Expert judgement: ISO 1600 detail	good (3.0)
Noise at ISO min	1.07 VN (1.1 VN1, 0.8 VN3)
Noise at ISO 400	1.46 VN (1.50 VN1, 1.10 VN3)
Noise at ISO 800	1.84 VN (1.90 VN1, 1.30 VN3)
Noise at ISO 1600	2.22 VN (2.30 VN1, 1.50 VN3)
Max. Chromatic Aberration (Wide/Tele)	3.10 / 2.68 pixels
Vignetting (Wide/Tele)	0.6 / 0.4 steps
Distortion (Wide/Tele)	-0,3 / -0,1 %
Image formats	JPEG, RAW+JPEG
Turn-on time (before taking the first photo)	1.3 s
Shutter-release delay at wide angle (with autofocus)	0.14 s
Shutter delay at telephoto (with autofocus)	0.19 s
Pause between two consecutive frames	0.4 s
JPEG Burst Speed	11.4 fps
Maximum burst length in JPEG	100 frames
Battery name	DMW-BLC12E
Battery cost	50 euro
Photos on a single battery charge	330 photos
Video: max. recording time per battery charge	138 min
Video: container	MP4
Video: codecs	H.264
Video: maximum video length	138 min
Supported memory cards	SDXC
Built-in storage	-
hot shoe	Yes
GPS receiver	-
Orientation sensor	biaxial
Waterproof housing	-
Dimensions	138 x 102 x 135 mm;
The weight	966 g

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10.12.2014

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FZ1000 review – superzoom class digital camera test, specifications, functions and modes, design and controls, reviews and impressions, test shots with Panasonic FZ1000 compact ultrazoom camera.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1000 is a super zoom camera with a bridge or "pseudo-mirror" design. While reviewing superzooms, we have repeatedly noted the obvious strengths of cameras in this class - a wide zoom range, which gives great freedom, and rich, rich functionality. In the recent past, I had to add a passage that these pluses, they say, have to pay for the relatively low quality of images, because in order to achieve a high zoom ratio, developers have to use a tiny matrix.

BRIEF FEATURES

However, progress has been made, first models with a 2/3" format matrix began to appear, and recently superzoom cameras with a 1" format matrix have been released. So far, there are very few of them, but the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1000 is just one of them.

In passing, we note (we have done this more than once, but errors on this topic continue to occur on the network) that the matrix format, denoted as 1 ", does not mean that the matrix has a diagonal of one inch. Historically accepted format designations do not directly correspond to the geometric dimensions of the matrix . In fact, a 1 "format matrix has sides of approximately 13.2x8.8 mm. At the same time, the diagonal is about 15.9 mm, which is significantly less than one inch (1 "= 25.4 mm), although this is still a very decent size - for example, Nikon built a line of its mirrorless cameras on 1" format matrices. So with regard to the FZ1000, there is no need to talk about any “inevitable compromise” in terms of image quality.

The Panasonic FZ1000 uses a fast readout sensor and a powerful quad-core processor to capture high resolution and bit rate movies. The Panasonic FZ1000 was one of the first consumer devices capable of shooting 4K video at an impressive 100 Mbps.

Note that high resolution and bitrate are not the only features of the FZ1000 that testify to the advancement of this camera in the field of video shooting. This also includes focus picking (the function of highlighting the contours of objects that are in focus) and “zebra” (a tool for controlling exposure, highlighting bright areas on the screen with thin animated stripes), the presence of two “cinematic” presets among the color schemes, as well as some other functions and features.

The Panasonic FZ1000 borrows quite a few of its signature features from the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4 mirrorless model. These are the already mentioned serious video capabilities, and the location of the controls, and the construction of the interface (both in a graphical sense and in a functional one). You can rightfully consider the FZ1000 the "little brother" of the GH4. Of course, the FZ1000 is simpler in some ways, for example, its screen is not touch-sensitive, but that’s why it is a “younger” brother.

The Panasonic FZ1000 also uses DFD (Depth From Defocus) autofocus technology, which we talked about in detail in the Panasonic GH4 review. Its essence is that the camera can instantly make a rough estimate of which direction and how much to refocus, based on the previously known features of the lens and the picture in the "out of focus" areas. A fast and strong movement is made, after which fine adjustment is performed using contrast detection methods. In this way, the overall AF time can be reduced.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1000 Key Specifications:

• Matrix 20 MP CMOS format 1 "(13.2x8.8 mm).
• Non-replaceable Leica lens with 16x zoom ratio (focal length range 25-400 eq.mm).
• Five-axis optical image stabilization.
• Rotatable in two planes 3-inch monitor with a resolution of 921,000 dots.
• Built-in electronic viewfinder XGA OLED resolution 2.36 MP.
• Built-in flash.
• ISO range 125-12800 (expandable to 80-25600).
• In-camera RAW to JPEG conversion.
• A large number of scene programs and digital filters (processing effects).
• Video shooting in resolution up to 4K at 30/25/24 fps (100 Mb/s stream), as well as Full HD up to 60/50p fps with up to 28 Mb/s (IPB).
• 120 fps slow motion video (at 1080p).
• Focus peaking and (outline enhancement function to facilitate manual focusing).
• "Zebra" (selection of bright areas on the screen, two adjustable presets).
• Built-in Wi-Fi with NFC support.
• Micro HDMI connector.
• 3.5 mm jack for external microphone.
• Up to 360 shots per battery charge (CIPA measurement).

Perhaps the only direct competitor of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1000 on the market today is the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10. For comparison, we have put the brief characteristics of these two models in a comparison table.

	Panasonic FZ1000	Sony RX10
Matrix	20MP CMOS	20 MP BSI-CMOS
Matrix Format	1" (13.2x8.8 mm)	1" (13.2x8.8 mm)
Zoom ratio	16x	8x
Zoom range	25-400 eq.mm	25-200 eq.mm
Diaphragm	f/2.8-4.0	F/2.8
Video formats	AVCHD,MP4	AVCHD,MP4
Max. video resolution	4K (3840x2160) Stream 100 Mbps	Full HD (1920x1080) Stream 28 Mbps
Max. stream for Full HD	28 Mbps	28 Mbps
Number of shots (CIPA)	360	420
Built-in ND filter	Not	There is
Dimensions	137 x 99 x 131 mm	129 x 89 x 120 mm
The weight	831	813

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