What do photographers do #athome?

Reading Time: 4 minutes - March 25, 2020 - by Melissa Stemmer

From the first glance at the two cameras, it's obvious: The Lumix TZ 202 and Lumix FZ 300 models are completely different on the outside. In this blog post, we'll introduce you to the external as well as internal differences of the two Lumix Superzoom cameras and find out if bigger is really better. We look forward to your feedback! Just send us an email to content@fotokoch.de

Two superzoom cameras in comparison

For many photographers, the question arises as to which camera is best suited to their own field of use. Which camera takes better photos? Is the surcharge for the Lumix TZ 202 worth it? What can I expect from the zoom? These and more questions are asked by many of our customers before buying a camera, which is why we would like to introduce and compare the two Panasonic cameras Lumix TZ 202 and Lumix FZ 300 in this blog post.

Similarities of the TZ 202 +& FZ 300

Both cameras from Panasonic can be categorized as superzoom cameras. Both the TZ 202 and the FZ 300 have a built-in flash and an image stabilizer. The touch display and WiFi function also make the use easier. The photos are stored on an SD card in both camera models.

1. Size and handling

Let's start with an obvious difference between the two Lumix cameras. Officially, Panasonic calls the Lumix TZ 202 a travel zoom camera. The Lumix FZ 300 has been given the designation premium bridge camera. We will find out where the certain "premium" aspect is to be found on the FZ 300 in the course of the article! Both cameras fall into the superzoom category.

What actually is a compact camera?

A compact camera is a small and relatively lightweight camera for its body. Compact cameras are usually cameras with a viewfinder for the 35mm, APS or miniature format. If we look at the sales statistics of digital cameras, they take first place.

The Panasonic Lumix TZ 202 fits perfectly into the compact camera category! The body is extremely slim, a compact viewfinder is built in and the lens retracts into the camera as far as possible, so that it fits into any jacket pocket when switched off. A major criticism of small cameras is often their handling. Thanks to the improved body design, the TZ 202 now lays noticeably better in the hand than its predecessor, the Lumix TZ 101. Nevertheless, the small body size is associated with a greater effort of use in many places. For example, the dials and buttons are much smaller and there are fewer ports due to the compact casing.

What actually is a bridge camera?

A bridge camera is a camera that combines the features of SLR cameras and compact cameras, a bridge between the two design principles in terms of features, quality and functional characteristics. Thus, striking features of DSLR cameras can be found in bridge cameras. A distinctive handgrip, the centrally placed viewfinder, as well as a larger and massive body, which offers more ports (e.g. microphone input 3.5mm).

The size of the two cameras is also noticeable in the weight. While the Panasonic Lumix TZ 202 only weighs 340 grams, the Panasonic Lumix FZ 300 weighs in at 691 grams. Both Panasonic Lumix Superzoom cameras in the mid-range price segment have a fixed lens, which we will look at in one of the following sections. Are you looking for a camera with an interchangeable lens?

Here you will find DSLR and system cameras that have an interchangeable lens.

Is a large camera better than a small camera?

To answer this question, the field of use and personal preferences must be taken into account. A large camera has the advantage that it often fits better in the hand than a small camera. The effort to take a small camera with you is often less, because it fits into your jacket pocket for transport. Ask yourself how much space you are willing to allow for a camera and what weight you carry when taking pictures. Many of our customers prefer a slightly larger and heavier camera because it fits their workflow better. There are user cases for which a large camera is unsuitable and yet the trade-off in handling makes the photographer's workflow easier. There are also technical differences, which we will discuss in more detail below.

2. Sensor of the two superzoom cameras

As the saying goes: It's what's on the inside that counts! There is certainly some truth to this saying, and so we will look at the sensors of the two Lumix cameras in this section. Contrary to expectations, the sensor of the Lumix TZ 202 compact camera is much larger than the sensor of the FZ 300 bridge camera. A 1-inch sensor with a resolution of 20.1 megapixels was installed in the Panasonic Lumix TZ 202. The sensor of the Lumix FZ 300 only has a 1/2.3 inch sensor installed and resolves with only 12 megapixels.

As a result of the fundamentally different sensors, we can expect visibly higher image quality from TZ 202. Many photos are shared in social media today and so fewer megapixels are sufficient in many cases. If the photos are to be printed and a high-quality image is expected, we advise higher-resolution sensors, like those of the Lumix TZ 202.

Furthermore, the image results of the TZ 202 compact camera will be much better in low-light conditions and in the dark. While the ISO sensitivity of the FZ 300 bridge camera ranges up to ISO 6400, the TZ model has up to ISO 25,600. The maximum ISO indicates how well the camera performs in low-light conditions. You can read more about ISO here: ISO

3. Viewfinder and monitor

Both superzoom cameras in the test have a digital viewfinder, which is used to evaluate the image. Many photography enthusiasts initially use the camera's display to assess the image detail and adjust the camera. Especially on sunny days, you quickly reach your limits. If you use the camera's viewfinder, on the other hand, you can see the image more clearly and the image detail and camera settings can be made more precisely.

The viewfinder of the Lumix TZ 202 has a size of 0.21 inches and a resolution of 2.33 MP. The 3.0-inch display of the Panasonic compact camera is firmly built into the camera body and has 1.2 million pixels.

The 3.0-inch display of the larger Lumix FZ 300 bridge camera can be folded out to the side and moved freely. With a resolution of 1.04 MP, it comes close to the comparison model and we could hardly determine a difference in the practical test. The viewfinder of the Lumix FZ 300 with a resolution of 1.44 MP has a lower resolution than the viewfinder of the TZ 202, but with a size of 0.39 inches it is considerably larger.

We were also able to determine this difference in size of the two viewfinders in practice during our camera test, so the image can be judged much better through the viewfinder of the Panasonic FZ 300. The biggest drawback of the viewfinder of the Lumix TZ 202, besides its small size, is that relatively much light enters from the side. This is especially a disadvantage for people who wear glasses, but thanks to the diopter compensation, the eyeglasses can be removed for taking pictures and the image is still displayed sharply in the viewfinder.

4. Lens and zoom

Let's get to the real reason for the existence of Panasonic's two Lumix cameras, the zoom! The superzoom function distinguishes the two cameras from conventional digital cameras and modern smartphones, which often have a similarly good image quality. With the superzoom, it is possible to bring distant objects close and reproduce them. When comparing the two superzoom cameras, it becomes apparent that the Lumix FZ 300 is ahead in this category. With an optical zoom range of 25-600mm, it can enlarge the image up to 24x, and that largely without quality loss (as with the digital zoom, for example). Due to the large size, the maximum open aperture of the Lumix FZ 300 is consistently f2.8. We would not have thought that!

The zoom range of the Lumix TZ 202 extends from 24-360mm, which corresponds to a 15x magnification. Due to the extremely compact design of the travel zoom camera, the maximum open aperture is f3.3. If you zoom in, the aperture also decreases up to f6.4. In practice, this means that the image quality deteriorates especially in dark light situations. The larger 1-inch sensor of the TZ 202 compensates for this to a large extent. The Lumix TZ 202 definitely delivers a better image quality than the Lumix FZ 300 in wide-angle. The sample pictures from our practical test show how far the super-zoom camera can really zoom.

5. Video function

The topic of video is also becoming more and more exciting, especially when it comes to media in the social networks. Both cameras have a video function with up to 4K video and Panasonic's famous 4K photo function. When comparing the two camera models Lumix TZ 202 and Lumix FZ 300, the slow motion function is particularly worth mentioning. While the Panasonic Lumix TZ 202 can shoot 100 frames per second in Full HD, the Panasonic FZ 300 can only shoot 100 fps at an HD resolution.

Conclusion about the comparison of the Lumix TZ 202 & FZ 300

Both cameras surprised us a few times during the test. That the image quality of the Lumix TZ 202 with its 20 megapixels and larger sensor is higher was foreseeable, but the viewfinder of the FZ 300 convinced us more than the viewfinder of the compact camera.

The Lumix TZ 202 offers the photographer a solid image quality, a large zoom, and a compact design. The Lumix FZ 300 is aimed at photographers who want to zoom in extremely close and who mainly shoot in good light conditions. They are rewarded for the compromise in image quality with a pleasant viewfinder, the swiveling display, and ergonomic handling.

Both cameras in the online store:

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