Review: Is the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300 Worth for Vlogging?

The first thing you will notice about this Panasonic P&S is its 4k max recording quality. This is great for a camera under $500. Nevertheless, there are also more reasons that make the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300 good for vlogging.

If you look closely, you’ll see that this camera has all the features that make vlogging easier. However, you might want to ask yourself:

Do I really need 4k video recording?

A lot of people use small monitors and won’t be able to appreciate your 4k videos. Even though you will get all you need with the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300, you could also get another camara with good vlogging features for a cheaper price –and without the 4k recording.

Now, let’s see exactly why this camera has good vlogging features.

Why is the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300 Worth for Vlogging?

You can record at the maximum quality – 4k recording at 30/24 fps is an amazing feature to have. You will also be able to switch to 1080p at 60/30 fps. However, bear in mind that you might not need to record at such high quality. This is only good to have if your vlogging relies a lot on visual experience.

Its articulating screen is great for vlogging – A really useful feature to have if you’re a vlogger is to be able to check your recording in real time. This is possible with a flip screen. You will be able to check that everything is okay while you do your thing.

Built-in wireless will save you time– Being able to upload your videos instantly is one of the main features I look for in a vlogging camera. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300 allows you to do just that, and it also lets you use a smartphone as a remote control for the camera.

MP4 video means less editing and uploading time – Other file formats (like AVCHD) are hard to edit because they require a powerful computer. However, MP4 files aren’t, and they’re supported by YouTube and almost every video sharing platform. It is also a good wrapper that makes files faster to edit.

Fast, silent autofocus – This is great to have for vlogging. You don’t want to have the autofocus system to be heard in your videos. Its fast focusing will also help you if you want to record some action vlogging, although the camera is a little heavy for that.

Full manual focus and exposure to get the result you want – Even though the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300 has good autofocus, manual mode can always come in handy. If you’re not going to move around a lot, you can set the focus to a fixed point and stop worrying about being focused.

It also has a full manual mode that you can use to get the best possible result. This way you can prevent unnecessary noise in your videos.

Decent battery life for longer sessions– 380 shots is around the average battery life for DSLRs. Even though this one is a point & shoot, its battery life is a good deal. If you really need more, you can get a spare battery and you will be able to forget about running out of recording fuel in the middle of a video.

External microphone port to save you money – You can get a lavalier microphone to use with this camera. You won’t need to buy a USB or portable recorder to get good audio for your vlogs.

Remember that audio is even more important than video when it comes to vlogging.

You can worry less when recording in low light – This camera’s new BSI-CMOS sensor is really decent in low light. This means that you won’t need to think about investing in a good lighting set, even though you should always consider it if you want to provide the best visual experience.

As long as you record during the day and with the usual lighting coming in from the windows, you won’t have to worry about getting a noisy image -even indoors.

What Are the Downsides to Getting the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300?

The main downside is that you will be able to get most useful vlogging features this one has from a cheaper camera, if you want to sacrifice 4k quality. This maximum recording quality might be unnecessary for vlogging.

Nevertheless, there are vloggers that like to use 4k. It can make your video blogs standout from the rest, but it might be too much for most channels.

It is also heavier than average. It weights 691g –the average DSLR is 560g-, so consider this if you plan to do some handheld recording.

One last thing to say is that it gets close to being a DSLR, but it still isn’t. If you are going to spend this money on a P&S camera, you could instead consider getting a DSLR. They’re better in low light and can give your vlogs a look any compact camera under $800 can’t, like the blurred background effect from a f1.4 – f1.8 aperture lens.

You will get better quality, more versatility—thanks to being able to change lenses—, and even more battery life with a DSLR around the same price. You can find good DSLRs that gives you all this for around the same price—like the Canon EOS T6I, which is popular for YouTube.

You might want to invest in a good DSLR lens (around $125 extra cost) in short time, but it’s worth the money. Bear in mind that you will lose 4k recording if you get a DSLR at this price range.

In the end, it all comes down to what you want. Here are your options, and you should go for the most appealing.

If you have any question, leave a comment below. See you in the next post!