Weather-sealed Panasonic FZ300 boasts constant-aperture megazoom, better autofocus and 4K

by Mike Tomkins

posted Thursday, July 16, 2015 at 12:30 AM EDT

Back in 2012, Panasonic set sports and wildlife photographers' pulses racing with the Lumix FZ200, a camera that paired a powerful 24x optical zoom range with a spectacularly bright f/2.8 constant aperture. Now, it returns with the Panasonic FZ300, a camera which takes the best of its Dave's Pick-winning predecessor, and adds some must-have features like faster autofocus, weather-sealing, Wi-Fi, 4K video and stills, and a whole lot more. In the process, the company resolves the majority of our criticisms of its predecessor.

As well as the lens, the 12-megapixel Panasonic FZ300 looks to sport the same image sensor as its predecessor, but it's now paired to a current-generation Venus Engine image processor for greater performance -- six frames per second with autofocus, or 12 fps with focus locked -- and a wider base sensitivity range. Its body is just a little larger and heavier, but there's a very good reason -- even more external controls than before, along with comprehensive splash and dust-proofing. There's also a brighter, higher-res LCD monitor complete with touch-screen and a new Organic LED electronic viewfinder that yields a much larger, sharper image than before.

And that's far from all. We've already mentioned that autofocus has been improved, both in terms of performance and low-light sensitivity. There's also a new hybrid five-axis image stabilization system, and the fastest 1/4,000-second shutter speed is available at much wider apertures. And as we've said, there's now 4K video and 4K Photo capture functionality. This latter is also set to get a very unusual ability to let you choose the point of focus post-capture by rattling off a fast burst of images while adjusting focus across the burst.

Available from mid-October 2015, the Panasonic FZ300 is priced at around US$600, and available only in a traditional black color scheme. You'll find much more info on all of the above and other new features of the new model in our just-published, hands-on Panasonic FZ300 preview. Hop on over now, and find out if it's time you added a new megazoom to your camera bag!

Want to get the Panasonic FZ300 in your hands as soon as possible? You'll want to reserve your place in queue ASAP! Shopping with one of our affiliates will give you peace of mind and help support our site. You'll find the Panasonic FZ300 available to pre-order now at the following retailers: