Olympus PEN-F vs Panasonic FZ300
84 Imaging
59 Features
79 Overall
67


59 Imaging
37 Features
73 Overall
51
Olympus PEN-F vs Panasonic FZ300 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fully Articulated Display
- ISO 200 - 25600
- Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 427g - 125 x 72 x 37mm
- Announced January 2016
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fully Articulated Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1/16000s Maximum Shutter
- 3840 x 2160 video
- 25-600mm (F2.8) lens
- 691g - 132 x 92 x 117mm
- Released July 2015
- Old Model is Panasonic FZ200

Olympus PEN-F vs Panasonic FZ300 Overview
Here, we will be looking at the Olympus PEN-F and Panasonic FZ300, former is a Advanced Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by rivals Olympus and Panasonic. There exists a substantial gap among the sensor resolutions of the PEN-F (20MP) and FZ300 (12MP) and the PEN-F (Four Thirds) and FZ300 (1/2.3") posses totally different sensor sizing.

The PEN-F was announced 7 months after the FZ300 and they are of a similar age. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Olympus PEN-F being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic FZ300 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.
Before we go straight to a full comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the PEN-F grades against the FZ300 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Olympus PEN-F vs Panasonic FZ300 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus PEN-F & Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300. The whole galleries are provided at Olympus PEN-F Gallery & Panasonic FZ300 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus PEN-F over the Panasonic FZ300
PEN-F | FZ300 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | January 2016 | ![]() | July 2015 | More modern by 7 months |
Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ300 over the Olympus PEN-F
FZ300 | PEN-F | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen resolution | 1040k | ![]() | 1037k | Clearer screen (+3k dot) |
Common features in the Olympus PEN-F and Panasonic FZ300
PEN-F | FZ300 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | More precise focus | ||
Screen type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fully Articulated | Fully Articulated screen |
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same screen measurement |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Both are selfie friendly | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Olympus PEN-F vs Panasonic FZ300 Physical Comparison
In case you're planning to carry around your camera, you will need to factor its weight and proportions. The Olympus PEN-F has external dimensions of 125mm x 72mm x 37mm (4.9" x 2.8" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 427 grams (0.94 lbs) and the Panasonic FZ300 has measurements of 132mm x 92mm x 117mm (5.2" x 3.6" x 4.6") having a weight of 691 grams (1.52 lbs).
See the Olympus PEN-F and Panasonic FZ300 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you select at that moment. Below is a front view overall size comparison of the PEN-F versus the FZ300.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the PEN-F and FZ300 is 84 and 59 respectively.

Olympus PEN-F vs Panasonic FZ300 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it can be tough to see the contrast in sensor sizes only by checking out technical specs. The image here might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the PEN-F and FZ300.
As you can tell, each of these cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The PEN-F having a bigger sensor will make getting shallow DOF less difficult and the Olympus PEN-F will provide greater detail with its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop photographs way more aggressively. The more recent PEN-F is going to have a benefit in sensor tech.

Olympus PEN-F vs Panasonic FZ300 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus PEN-F vs Panasonic FZ300 Specifications
Olympus PEN-F | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Olympus | Panasonic |
Model type | Olympus PEN-F | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300 |
Category | Advanced Mirrorless | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Announced | 2016-01-27 | 2015-07-16 |
Body design | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | SLR-like (bridge) |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | TruePic VII | Venus Engine |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 17.3 x 13mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor area | 224.9mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 20 megapixel | 12 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Maximum resolution | 5184 x 3888 | 4000 x 3000 |
Maximum native ISO | 25600 | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 200 | 100 |
RAW files | ||
Min boosted ISO | 80 | - |
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Total focus points | 81 | 49 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Micro Four Thirds | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | - | 25-600mm (24.0x) |
Maximum aperture | - | f/2.8 |
Macro focusing distance | - | 1cm |
Available lenses | 107 | - |
Crop factor | 2.1 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fully Articulated | Fully Articulated |
Display diagonal | 3" | 3" |
Resolution of display | 1,037k dot | 1,040k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Electronic | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | 2,360k dot | 1,440k dot |
Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | 100 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.62x | - |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 60 seconds | 60 seconds |
Highest shutter speed | 1/8000 seconds | 1/16000 seconds |
Highest quiet shutter speed | 1/16000 seconds | - |
Continuous shooting speed | 10.0fps | 12.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | no built-in flash | 8.80 m (at Auto ISO) |
Flash modes | Flash Auto, Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (2nd curtain) | Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, forced on, forced on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync w/redeye reduction, forced off |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p) | 3840 x 2160 (30p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 3840x2160 |
Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
Mic jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | Built-In |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 427 grams (0.94 pounds) | 691 grams (1.52 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 125 x 72 x 37mm (4.9" x 2.8" x 1.5") | 132 x 92 x 117mm (5.2" x 3.6" x 4.6") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | 74 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | 23.1 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 12.4 | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | 894 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 330 images | 380 images |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | BLN-1 | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 seconds, custom) | Yes |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC card |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Retail price | $1,000 | $598 |