Panasonic: New DMC-FZ300 24x Super Zoom Camera: Constant F2.8 Aperture, 4K Photo and Video Recording, Rugged Splash/Dust-Proof Design

The following video presents [NEW] Introducing Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FZ300 – A New Hybrid Camera with Full-range F2.8 Aperture:

Panasonic is proud to introduce a new powerful zoom camera DMC-FZ300 with full range F2.8 aperture complying with 4K ultra high definition video recording and 4K Photo function in a splash/dust-proof rugged design. The 12.1-megapixel High Sensitivity MOS sensor and the new image processor Venus Engine in DMC-FZ300 feature enables shooting high quality image even in higher sensitivity recording up to ISO 6400, higher resolution and superior color reproduction. The LUMIX’s popular FZ series pack a powerful optical zoom and superior controllability including manual operation over photo and video recording. The DMC-FZ300 newly integrates a large, bright 1,440K-dot OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) LVF (Live View Finder) with approx.100% field of view. For even faster response and higher mobility, the DMC-FZ300 newly integrates the DFD (Depth From Defocus) technology to achieve ultra high-speed AF of approx. 0.09 sec. It contributes to the high speed burst shooting at 12 fps. With the Wi-Fi® connectivity, users can connect the camera to their smartphone / tablet to expand the flexibility in shooting/storing/sharing images.

The Panasonic FZ300 improves on the FZ200 with the addition of 4K Photo/Video capability in a splash/dust-proof rugged body. 4K Burst, 4K Burst (Start/Stop) and 4K Pre-burst are available just like on the G7. Also new is the DFD (Depth from Defocus) technology. The FZ300 retains the amazing 24x 25-600mm equivalent optical zoom lens with a constant F2.8 across the entire zoom range. Available mid-September with an MSP of CAD $799.99.

PRESS RELEASE

PANASONIC CANADA INTRODUCES SPLASH/DUST-PROOF RUGGED DESIGN LUMIX DMC-FZ300

Featuring 4K Photo and Video, 24x Optical Zoom and Full Range F2.8 Aperture¹

MISSISSAUGA, ON (July 16, 2015) – Panasonic Canada is proud to introduce the DMC-FZ300, a powerful new zoom camera and successor to the DMC-FZ200. Building on the FZ200’s outstanding lens performance of full range F2.8 aperture (35mm camera equivalent: 25-600mm), the DMC-FZ300 also features 4K ultra high definition photo and video recording.

The DMC-FZ300’s stunningly fast F2.8 aperture in 600mm, which has never before been achieved by any digital compact camera, makes it possible to capture moving subjects clearly with a fast shutter speed even at a distance. In addition, the cameras 12.1-megapixel High Sensitivity MOS sensor and the new Venus Engine allows for shooting high quality images up to ISO 6400, with a higher resolution and superior colour reproduction.

The DMC-FZ300 is capable of recording smooth, high-resolution QFHD 4K video in 3840×2160 at 30p (60Hz) / or 24p in MP4, which allows users to capture footage in truly stunning detail. Taking advantage of 4K Photo, users can capture that perfect moment at 30 fps in 8-megapixel resolution. Three new exclusive functions will help capture the perfect moment: 4K Burst Shooting, 4K Burst S/S (Start/Stop) and 4K Pre-burst. These functions help capture unique moments by cropping the frame you want out of the 4K burst file.

The LUMIX’s popular FZ series packs a powerful optical zoom and superior controllability, including manual operation of both photo and video recording. The DMC-FZ300 features a large, bright 1,440K-dot OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) LVF (Live View Finder) with approx.100 per cent field of view in 4:3 aspect.

It boasts 0.7x magnification and astonishingly high contrast at 10,000:1 together with excellent colour reproduction.

For even faster response and higher mobility, the DMC-FZ300 also features the DFD (Depth From Defocus) technology to achieve ultra high-speed AF of approx. 0.09 sec, and contributes to the high speed burst shooting at 12 fps.

With the Wi-Fi® connectivity, users can connect the camera to their smartphone / tablet to expand the flexibility in shooting, storing, and sharing images.

The DMC-FZ300 is developed to be the ultimate hybrid compact camera integrating the outstanding optical performance of a 25-600mm F2.8 high speed lens in a splash/dust-proof rugged design. Take it out for your outdoor field photography and you will never miss those fleeting photo opportunities again.

1. Stunning Image Quality from 25mm Ultra Wide Angle to 600mm Tele End
As a successor to the powerful and much loved DMC-FZ200 zoom camera, the DMC-FZ300 inherits a high-quality LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT 25mm ultra wide-angle lens with a 24x optical zoom (35mm camera equivalent: 25-600mm) that achieves full range F2.8. It enables the user to capture moving subjects in the distance clearly with a fast shutter speed.

Comprising 14 elements in 11 groups, including three ED lenses and five aspherical lenses with nine aspherical surfaces, this advanced lens unit realizes a compact body while still delivering exceptional optical performance and suppressing distortion at the wide end and colour bleeding at the tele end. To achieve full range F2.8 with shallow depth of field, high precision correction performance against distortion is indispensable. Panasonic integrates five aspherical lenses and three ED lenses into the DMC-FZ300 to meet LEICA’s stringent standards.

Plus, with the Nano Surface Coating technology, light reflection is dramatically minimized at the entire visual light range (380nm-780nm) by applying the extra-low refractive index coating with nano-sized structure on the surface of the lens. The result is a clear picture with a dramatic reduction of ghosting and flare.

The O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) effectively suppresses hand-shake vibration enabling the user to capture clear, sharp images from wide to tele.

The combination of the FZ300’s 12.1-megapixel High Sensitivity MOS sensor and new Venus Engine achieves even higher picture quality. The advanced Multi-process NR (Noise Reduction) applies effective noise reduction and detail processing according to each component frequency. Plus, newly added Random Filter granulates chromatic noise to be blended into the image even more naturally. As a result, the max. ISO 6400 is achieved. The aperture filter is capable of controlling a wider frequency range by adjusting the amount of sharpness according to the frequency level, resulting in faithful stereoscopic effect. The Venus Engine in DMC-FZ300 excels in diffraction compensation to make the resulting image crisp and clear when shooting with a small aperture. In addition, the Venus Engine also improves colour reproduction with accurate evaluation of each colour. It is superior not only in colour phase but also in saturation and luminosity.

2. Continuing the Evolution in Videography and Photography – 4K
The DMC-FZ300 records stunningly smooth, high-resolution QFHD 4K video in 3840×2160 at 30p (60Hz) or 24p in MP4, in addition to the full-HD 1,920 x 1,080 60p (60 Hz) videos in AVCHD Progressive or MP4 (MPEG-4 / H.264) format with practical full-time AF.

The 4K Photo feature lets users take advantage of the DMC-FZ300’s 4K video recording capabilities to capture images at 30 fps in 8-megapixel resolution by cutting a frame out of the 4K burst file to save as a JPEG photo. Three exclusive functions are integrated to make 4K photography even easier: 4K Burst Shooting, 4K Burst (Start/Stop) and 4K Pre-burst. The 4K Burst Shooting² allows consecutive shooting at 30 fps, which can be used just like photo burst shooting.

The 4K Burst (Start/Stop) mode starts consecutive shooting with a single press of a shutter button and stops it when pressed again, which is more suitable for shooting opportunities requiring longer waiting times. The 4K Pre-burst automatically records a total of 60 images right before/after the shutter release. All these functions in 4K Photo mode allows the user to save pictures in 8-megapixel resolution; 3584×2684 (4:3), 3800×2534 (3:2), 4000×2248(16:9), 2928×2928 (1:1) without missing a moment.

The powerful 24x optical zoom with smooth 2-step zoom and 5-Axis HYBRID O.I.S.+ (Optical Image Stabilizer Plus) are available in video recording, too. The 5-Axis correction compensates for the handshake occurring in virtually any direction.³

High Speed Video enables recording subjects moving quickly at 120 fps (NTSC / HD) / 100 fps (PAL / HD) or 240 fps (VGA), while Time Lapse /Stop Motion Animation are also available.

FOR NORTH AMERICA

• Motion pictures with their file size set to [FHD],[HD]or[VGA]in[MP4]:
  • Recording stops when the continuous recording time exceeds 29 minutes and 59 seconds or the file size exceeds 4GB.
  • Since the file size becomes larger with [FHD], recording with [FHD] will stop before 29 minutes 59 seconds.
• Motion pictures with their file size set to [4K] in [MP4]:
  • Recording stops when the continuous recording time exceeds 29 minutes and 59 seconds.

  (You can continue recording without interruption even if the file exceeds 4GB, but the motion picture will be recorded and played back in separate files.)

3. Rugged Design and Better Control
To be tough enough to withstand heavy field use, the DMC-FZ300 adopts splash / dustproof rugged design passing the stringent test quality standard of DSLM (Digital Single Lens Mirrorless) flagship cameras.

The DMC-FZ300 integrates a large, bright 1,440K-dot OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) LVF (Live View Finder) with approx. 100 per cent field of view in 4:3 aspect. It boasts 0.7x magnification and astonishingly high contrast at 10,000:1. Suppressing both blown highlights and blocked shadows, the LVF in the DMC-FZ300 ensures outstanding viewability under any circumstances.

The display time lag has also been significantly improved. The image output between the LVF and the rear monitor is switched automatically with the eye sensor on the LVF.

Adopting a static-type touch control system, the 3-inch free-angle rear monitor features approx. 100 per cent field of view. The touch-control system immediately lets users set the focus on the subject by touching it on the screen. You can even release the shutter. It is easy to enlarge the target point with your fingertips to set a precise focus. Thanks to the increased resolution up to approx. 1040K-dot and improved colour reproduction, the DMC-FZ300 secures higher visibility even in sunny conditions.

To further enhance the controllability, the DMC-FZ300 comes with a side dial in addition to the rear dial. Users can change settings such as aperture and shutter speed with the side / rear dials and can also customize the assignment of functions as well as on the Fn buttons. Furthermore, it is also possible to make a temporary shift of dial functions with the Dial Operation Switch. For example, users can adjust white balance with a front dial and set ISO with a rear dial while choosing the shutter speed or seeing the noise effect, which is helpful in the complex lighting situations. Either AFS/AFC/MF can be switched with the dedicated focus lever.

4. High Speed Response and Stunning AF Performance
For even faster response and higher mobility, the DMC-FZ300 features a dedicated linear motor into the focus system to achieve ultra-high-speed AF. In addition, the Light Speed AF is further enhanced with an adoption of DFD (Depth From Defocus) technology⁴, which shortens the time to set focus. It calculates the distance to the subject by evaluating two images with different sharpness level at 240 fps high signal exchange speed. As a result, the DMC-FZ300 achieves ultra-high speed AF of approx. 0.09 sec⁵, which is approx. 350 per cent faster than its predecessor. This improvement becomes more substantial as focal length increases. The DMC-FZ300 boasts high speed burst shooting at 12 fps (AFS) / 6 fps (AFC) to capture fast moving subjects just in-focus. DMC-FZ300 is capable of releasing its mechanical shutter at max.1/4000 sec (at 25mm wide end) and 1/3200 sec (at 600mm tele end) and with its electronic shutter at 1/16000, which reduces washouts even under strong sunlight.

Together with its quick start-up of approx. 0.88 sec and short release time lag, the DMC-FZ300 ensures photographers do not miss fleeting opportunities.

The DMC-FZ300 comes with new focusing options including Full Area AF, which allows users to set focus on any part of the approx. 100 per cent field of view. Focus detect area is increased to 49 points for more flexible composition together with Custom Multi AF mode in which users can freely select the blocks on which to focus in the 49 point focusing area. Now the 1-area AF area can be seamlessly magnified not only in manual but also in auto focus mode. The Pinpoint AF helps to focus on a tiny area by magnifying the focusing spot with a frame-in-frame window. With the Low Light AF, AF works in -3EV lower-lit situations, which is comparable to a moonlit sky with no other light source.

For more practical focusing control, the DMC-FZ300 incorporates a Focus Peaking function that shows the focus position in MF and AF+MF mode. Users can clearly see the optimal focus while monitoring the subject in live view. In addition to the conventional Face Recognition AF, the DMC-FZ300 also incorporates Eye Detection AF which automatically sets focus right on the eye of the human face. The Eye Sensor AF starts focusing by just looking into the LVF. Tracking AF is also offers advanced tracking accuracy, which it achieves by estimating the subject’s movement.

5. Other Features

Easy Wireless Connectivity via Wi-Fi® with Smartphones [ADVANCED]
The DMC-FZ300 integrates Wi-Fi® connectivity (IEEE 802.11 b/g/n) to offer a flexible shooting experience and instant image sharing. Pairing with a smartphone / tablet is quick and easy with no passwords required. After installing Panasonic’s dedicated application software, Panasonic Image App for iOS / Android, users can shoot, browse, and share images remotely.

RAW data development in Camera
The DMC-FZ300 is capable of shooting images in RAW and developing them in camera.

Highlight/Shadow Control
The Live View function makes it possible to adjust highlight / shadow separately with the rear dial. Three patterns of settings can be customized in addition to three patterns of preset.

Creative Panorama
The Panorama Shot function allows capturing of horizontal / vertical wide panoramic images by shooting sequential pictures. Either “Standard (minimum distortion)” or “Wide (maximum angle of view)” can be selected. Combined with the Creative Control function, users can create original, dynamic, and artistic images.

Expandability with Optional Accessories
The DMC-FZ300 is compatible with a variety of accessories, each of which is sold separately. Connecting with the 3.5mm microphone socket, the Stereo / Shotgun Microphone DMW-MS2 enables higher quality sound recording. Users can attach the Close-up Lens DMW-LC55 or the Tele Conversion Lens DMW-LT55, which extends the zoom ratio by 1.7x or 1020mm (equivalent to 35mm camera). The External Flash DMW-FL580L (GN58) can be mounted, which also works as a LED light for video recording.

• 1cm Macro
• Silent Mode
• Level Gauge
• WB (White Balance) Bracket
• Creative Control with 22 Filters
• iA+ (Intelligent Auto) Mode for Photo and Video
• Multiple Exposure

¹ 35mm camera equivalent: 25-600mm
² Max. 29 min 59 sec.
³ 5-Axixs compensation does not work in 4K video recording.
⁴ Works for photo shooting only.
⁵ Based on the CIPA standard, when using Live View Finder.
– The “AVCHD” is a high definition (HD) digital video recording / playback format jointly established by Panasonic Corporation and Sony Corporation.
– “AVCHD Progressive”, “AVCHD”, the “AVCHD Progressive” Logo and the “AVCHD” Logo are trademarks of Panasonic Corporation and Sony Corporation.
– Android and Google Play are trademarks or registered trademarks of Google Inc.
– IOS is a trademark or registered trademark of Cisco in the U.S. and other countries and is used under license.
– All other company and product names are trademarks of their respective corporations.
– Some accessories are not available in some countries.
– The use of recorded or printed materials that are protected by copyright for any purpose other than personal enjoyment is prohibited, as it would infringe upon the rights of the copyright holder.
– Design and specifications are subject to change without notice.
– Service specifications are subject to change without notice.

A subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation of North America, Panasonic Canada Inc. provides a broad line of digital and other electronics products and solutions to meet consumer, business and industrial needs. Consumers seeking more information on the company’s products can visit Panasonic’s home page at www.panasonic.com.

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You can pre-order/buy the Panasonic FZ300 at B&H:

• Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300 Digital Camera – US $597.99