Panasonic Lumix TZ300 offers a 15x optical zoom

Summary

The Panasonic Lumix TZ300 enters a market with few new competitors, offering a 15x optical zoom range from 24mm to 360mm, exceeding rivals like the Sony RX100 VII and Canon G5X Mark II. While its stabilization is impressive and a zoom-assist feature is useful, the camera has drawbacks. Its f/3.3-f/6.4 aperture is dimmer than competitors, and its contrast-detect autofocus struggles with fast subjects. The video mode is limited by a 15-minute clip cap and a significant crop. Notably, the fixed rear screen and the removal of the electronic viewfinder from its predecessor, the TZ200, are criticized.

Key points

• Features a 15x optical zoom (24-360mm), longer than most competitors.
• Has a dimmer aperture (f/3.3-f/6.4) and contrast-detect AF that struggles with fast subjects.
• Lacks an electronic viewfinder and has a fixed rear screen, a point of criticism.
• Its primary advantage is availability, as many rivals are old or scarce.