Panasonic Lumix TZ300 (ZS300): 1-Inch Sensor Superzoom Camera Announced

Panasonic Revives Travel Zoom with TZ300, Drops Viewfinder

Panasonic has announced the LUMIX TZ300 (branded as ZS300 in the US), a compact camera featuring a 20.1-megapixel 1-inch sensor and a 15x Leica zoom lens. The camera, available for preorder at $897.99, aims to recapture the market for high-zoom, pocketable cameras, but notably omits the electronic viewfinder (EVF) found in its predecessor, the 2018 TZ200.

The TZ300’s 1-inch sensor is the same specification as the TZ200, and Panasonic has incorporated 5-axis Hybrid Optical Image Stabilization to mitigate camera shake, particularly at longer zoom ranges. The camera supports both RAW and JPEG image capture, offering flexibility for post-processing, and boasts an ISO range of 80-6400.

Central to the TZ300’s appeal is its Leica DC Vario-Elmar lens, providing a 15x optical zoom equivalent to 24-360mm in full-frame terms. This substantial zoom range is contained within a compact body, designed for portability. The lens comprises 13 elements in 11 groups, a configuration typical for cameras balancing zoom reach, and size.

The camera records UHD 4K video at up to 30 frames per second, and Full HD video at up to 60fps, though 4K recording is limited to 15 minutes per clip and outputs in MP4 8-bit format. Panasonic’s 4K Photo mode, allowing users to extract still images from video footage at up to 30fps, is likewise included. The TZ300 offers both mechanical and electronic shutter options, with mechanical shutter speeds ranging from 1/2000 to 60 seconds and electronic shutter speeds up to 1/16000 of a second.

The TZ300 features a 1.84-million-dot touchscreen for image review and control. It utilizes a single SD card slot compatible with UHS-I cards for storage and offers Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity for wireless image transfer and remote control via a mobile app. Charging and data transfer are handled via USB-C.

Battery life is rated at approximately 360 shots per charge. The camera measures 111 x 66 x 45mm and weighs approximately 295g with battery and memory card. Notably, Panasonic has not included a tilting screen with this model.

The TZ300 is available for preorder in black and silver finishes.