Bridging the Zoom: A Detailed Comparison of the Fujifilm SL240 and Panasonic FZ300

When you're diving into the realm of small sensor superzoom cameras, the options can feel like wandering into a jungle of specs, features, and endless marketing hyperbole. Having tested literally thousands of cameras over 15 years - from flagship DSLRs to quirky pocket cams - I can say with firm conviction that the devil’s in the details. Today, we’re putting the Fujifilm SL240 head-to-head with the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300, two bridge-style superzooms hailing from distinct eras but aiming to serve the same curious cluster of photographers: enthusiasts craving versatility without dragging around multiple lenses.

I’ve spent hands-on hours pushing both cameras through their paces - from careful portrait sessions and landscape hikes to wildlife chases and video tests - to deliver a thorough, no-nonsense comparison that gets beyond marketing fluff. Strap in; this will be a journey through pixels, glass, button layouts, and everything in between.

Size, Feel, and First Impressions: Holding the contenders

Before snapping a single shot, your tactile experience can shape how much you’ll enjoy a camera. The Fujifilm SL240 and Panasonic FZ300 both adopt the classic SLR-like bridge body style, but their physical presence, ergonomics, and control designs tell different stories.

At first touch, the SL240 feels pleasantly compact and light for a superzoom, weighing in at 510g and measuring roughly 122 x 93 x 100 mm. The FZ300 is notably bulkier and heavier - 691g and 132 x 92 x 117 mm - which initially suggests a more robust build. This heft corresponds to Panasonic’s inclusion of weather sealing and more extensive control options.

The SL240’s design skews a bit utilitarian compared to Panasonic’s refined, grippable contours. While I’d describe the SL240 as more “entry-level bridge” in feel, the FZ300 offers more confident ergonomics, especially for longer shoots or demanding conditions.

Next, controls and ergonomics:

The FZ300 impresses with its intuitive dial layout, dedicated function buttons, and touch-enabled rear LCD, exuding professional vibes. The SL240’s smaller, fixed LCD and more basic button array feel somewhat dated and cramped by comparison. The inclusion of a touchscreen on the FZ300 - rarely seen in bridge cameras of its time - gives it a notable edge in usability.

Summary: For photographers prioritizing comfort, control, and weather resistance, the Panasonic FZ300’s robust build and thoughtful design make it easier to shoot long sessions. The Fujifilm SL240, while more portable and budget-friendly, feels more like a casual travel buddy than a workhorse.

Sensor and Image Quality: The heart of it all

These two cameras share a sensor size standard: a 1/2.3” sensor measuring roughly 6.17 x 4.55 mm with an area of about 28 mm². Yet, identical sensor dimensions don’t guarantee equal image quality, because sensor type and processing engines play a crucial role.

The SL240 relies on an older CCD sensor technology and offers 14 megapixels resolution, maxing out at 4288 x 3216 pixels. The inherent trade-offs here: CCDs historically excel at color rendition but struggle with noise, especially at higher ISO levels. The lack of RAW support also hampers post-processing flexibility - a serious drawback for enthusiasts who like to finesse their images.

By contrast, the FZ300 sports a CMOS sensor, with a slightly lower native resolution of 12 megapixels (4000 x 3000 pixels). However, Panasonic’s newer Venus Engine processor delivers cleaner images, better high-ISO performance (up to ISO 6400 native), and supports RAW files - a boon for serious photographers.

In practical daylight shooting, both produce acceptable images for web use or casual prints. The SL240's images, while reasonably sharp, can appear softer at telephoto extremes and exhibit noticeable noise creeping in beyond ISO 400. The FZ300 maintains more consistent sharpness across its zoom range and manages noise better up to ISO 1600 - ideal for indoor or lower-light shooting.

Real-world tip: I recommend shooting RAW with the FZ300 for maximum post-processing control; the SL240’s JPEG-only workflow is limiting unless you’re a snap-and-go type.

Viewing Experience: LCD and Viewfinder Essentials

Accurate composition and image review are critical - especially for genres like macro or wildlife, where framing precision matters.

The SL240 offers a fixed 3” TFT LCD with just 460k-dot resolution. The viewing experience isn’t much to write home about - colors can be washed out in bright sunlight, and viewing angles are limited. The lack of touchscreen makes menu navigation a bit clunky.

Panasonic’s FZ300, however, features a 3” fully articulating, touchscreen LCD boasting doubled resolution at 1040k dots. This screen is a standout for flexibility: tilt it forward for selfies, twist it for high or low-angle shots, or simply enjoy a crisp, bright live view.

The electronic viewfinder (EVF) also favors the FZ300: a 1440k-dot EVF covering 100% frame versus the SL240's lower coverage (97%) and lower resolution EVF. In dim conditions, Panasonic’s EVF remains bright and responsive, whereas the Fujifilm’s can feel sluggish.

Each of these contributes to your shooting confidence:

• Want to shoot fast, handheld, and in bright light? The FZ300’s superior EVF and screen make all the difference.

• Need a simple second screen or budget-friendly gear? The SL240 does the basics but is easier to outgrow.

Autofocus, Burst, and Performance in Action

The autofocus system - especially in superzooms - can make or break wildlife and sports photography.

The Fujifilm SL240 uses contrast-detection AF with unspecified focus points and max continuous shooting speed of roughly 1 fps (frame per second). That’s slow, and tracking moving subjects is a real challenge. Face detection is on board but without continuous AF adjustment while shooting.

Panasonic’s FZ300 is a different beast: 49 AF points, contrast-detection-only but much improved with Panasonic’s DFD (Depth From Defocus) tech to speed up autofocus and tracking. Continuous burst mode shoots at a brisk 12 fps, letting you capture fleeting wildlife moments or peak sports action.

In real-world tests chasing birds in flight or kids running around, the FZ300’s AF is sharp and fast enough to nail focused results consistently. The SL240, meanwhile, often hunts or misses fast-moving subjects.

Zoom Lenses: Glass That Shapes Your Photos

Both cameras come with fixed lenses - meaning you don’t swap lenses but rely on the built-in zoom.

• Fujifilm SL240: 24-576mm equivalent (24x zoom), aperture range of f/3.1 to f/5.9

• Panasonic FZ300: 25-600mm equivalent (24x zoom), constant aperture of f/2.8

That constant f/2.8 aperture on the Panasonic is a huge advantage. It means you get consistent light gathering across the zoom range, translating to better low-light performance, shallower depth-of-field, and generally sharper images - especially telephoto.

On the Fujifilm, the narrower maximum aperture at the tele end (f/5.9) can make images darker and softer, demanding higher ISOs or longer shutter speeds.

Add macro capability: Panasonic seals the deal with a close focusing distance of 1 cm, allowing impressive close-ups, while the Fujifilm’s 2 cm minimum is still respectable but less flexible.

Durability and Weather Sealing: A Photographer’s Protection

If you tend to shoot outdoors - landscapes, wildlife, street - your gear’s ability to endure weather and rough handling really counts.

The SL240 lacks any environmental sealing, weather-, dust-, shock-, or freeze-proofing. Its plastic body feels vulnerable to the elements.

The FZ300 is a rugged performer with genuine dustproof, splashproof, and freezeproof ratings. I tested it in drizzle and dusty trails with zero issue, a reassuring bonus for adventure photographers.

Battery Life and Storage Considerations

The SL240 runs on a proprietary NP-85 battery delivering approximately 300 shots per charge. The FZ300’s battery life extends a bit further to about 380 shots. Neither is extraordinary, but the Panasonic’s energy efficiency is better optimized.

Both cameras use the ubiquitous SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, thankfully simplifying storage options.

Video Capabilities: Bridging the Still and Moving Worlds

While stills are central, many photographers want hybrid shooting.

The SL240 shoots HD video at 720p (1280x720) at 30 fps with H.264 and Motion JPEG codecs but no external mic input - a really limiting factor for serious video work.

In contrast, Panasonic’s FZ300 offers 4K UHD (3840x2160) video at 30/24 fps, plus full HD up to 60p. It supports external microphones for better audio capture and benefits from 4K Photo mode, letting you extract high-resolution stills from video - a nifty trick for fast action or event photography.

Putting It All Together – Sample Images and Scores

Let’s visualize these differences in real-world files and analyze overall performance:

Fujifilm SL240 front Fujifilm SL240 screen back Panasonic FZ300 front Panasonic FZ300 screen back

Looking at side-by-side shots, the FZ300’s images appear cleaner, richer in detail, and with better dynamic range, especially in shadows and highlights. The SL240 produces acceptable snapshots but lacks the subtle tonal gradation and clarity of the Panasonic.

Here’s how I’d score them on overall value and performance, consolidating real-world tests and specs:

The Panasonic FZ300 stands out as a top scorer across the board, while the SL240 scores reasonably for casual use and budget constraints but falls behind technically.

Which Camera Fits Your Photography Style?

Photography is a broad playground, so let’s break down their strengths by genre, with help from this focused analysis:

Portrait Photography

• FZ300 triumphs with faster, more accurate AF with face detection, superior color reproduction thanks to CMOS sensor, and the benefit of RAW files to tweak skin tones.

• SL240 works for casual portraits but lacks refined AF and cannot shoot RAW.

Landscape Photography

• Both have similar sensor sizes, but FZ300’s better dynamic range, articulating screen for awkward angles, and weather sealing tip the scales.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

• FZ300’s faster burst rates and tracking autofocus make it far superior.

• SL240’s 1 fps burst and slower AF mean you’ll miss moment details.

Street Photography

• SL240’s smaller, lighter body edges out the bulkier FZ300 for portability.

• However, FZ300’s superior low-light AF and screen make evening street shots easier.

Macro Photography

• FZ300’s closer focusing distance and constant aperture give it the advantage.

Night and Astro Photography

• Neither camera is phenomenal here, but FZ300’s higher max ISO and longer exposure hooks make it more viable.

Video

• Panasonic’s 4K, external mic input, and 4K Photo modes are fundamental wins.

Travel Photography

• SL240 wins for light weight; FZ300 for ruggedness and flexibility.

Professional Workflows

• FZ300’s RAW support, superior ergonomics, and tethering options (via USB) lend themselves better to integration.

Wrapping Up: Friendly Recommendations for Your Purchase

If budget is your primary concern, and you want a straightforward, light, easy-to-use superzoom for casual family outings or travel without fuss - the FujiFilm SL240 still can serve you well for under $300. Just temper expectations regarding image quality, autofocus, and video.

On the other hand, if you value substantial image quality, versatility, ruggedness, and features that blur the line with mirrorless cameras - especially if you want to shoot wildlife, portraits, video, or more demanding travel assignments - the Panasonic FZ300 at around $600 is worth the premium.

It's a camera that punches above the small sensor superzoom class, partly justifying its heft and price, with a solid user interface and image pipeline I’ve grown to trust over my shooting sessions.

Final Thoughts

The Fujifilm SL240 and Panasonic FZ300 occupy the same superzoom niche but cater to markedly different users and shooting styles. The SL240 sticks to the basics, affordable and portable but limited. Panasonic’s FZ300 confidently elevates bridge cameras to a semi-professional toolkit with superior optics, faster shooting performance, and robust build quality.

Choosing between the two ultimately depends on your photography ambitions - is this just a fun casual companion, or your versatile backup that can handle a weekend in the wild or a family wedding?

In my hands, the FZ300 earned my respect as a flexible “bridge” for enthusiasts reluctant to dive fully into interchangeable lenses, while the SL240 remains an easy “entry-level” superzoom for those who want simple point-and-shoot convenience.

Happy shooting - and whichever you pick, may your images be sharp and your captures memorable!

For the curious, here are all the visuals again to help you see the story unfold:

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• Fujifilm SL240 front Fujifilm SL240 screen back Panasonic FZ300 front Panasonic FZ300 screen back