Panasonic FZ300 vs LX3: A Detailed Comparison for the Discerning Photographer

When Panasonic launched the Lumix DMC-LX3 back in late 2008, it redefined the compact enthusiast camera category with a bright lens, a robust sensor, and an intuitive interface. Fast-forward seven years, and the Lumix DMC-FZ300 arrived in 2015, targeting a different niche entirely - a superzoom bridge camera with constant-aperture versatility. At first glance, these two Panasonic cameras couldn't be more different, both in design and intended usage. Yet, both have maintained strong followings, owing to their distinctive features and solid image quality in their respective classes.

Having spent considerable hands-on time with both models during their release periods and revisiting them for this comparison, I’ll break down how their fundamentals stack up - from sensor technology and ergonomics to real-world image and video performance. My goal is to provide photographers, whether enthusiasts or professionals looking for a versatile backup, with practical insights that go beyond spec sheets, helping you find the right fit for your style and needs.

Design and Handling: Bulk Versus Pocketability

Starting with the obvious, the camera bodies couldn’t be more different: the FZ300 is a sizable bridge-style camera with a strong grip and an SLR-like silhouette, whereas the LX3 is a slim compact that can easily slip into a jacket pocket.

The FZ300 measures 132 × 92 × 117 mm and weighs around 691 grams, whereas the LX3 is just 109 × 60 × 27 mm and a mere 265 grams. The mass and dimensions influence how you carry, use, and hold each camera for extended sessions.

The FZ300’s large body and pronounced grip cater to more deliberate shooting styles - handholding long telephoto shots or video with steady control. Its fully articulated 3-inch touchscreen LCD combined with a bright 1440k-dot electronic viewfinder means you can shoot comfortably in various lighting and angles. By contrast, the LX3 has a fixed 3-inch screen with 460k-dot resolution and no viewfinder, which limits versatility in bright sunlight and when shooting from unconventional perspectives.

The FZ300's top and rear controls highlight Panasonic’s focus on usability through dedicated dials and buttons. The shutter speed and aperture dials, along with direct access to video recording, continuous shooting, and ISO, cater to users who want tactile feedback and quick adjustments - something I especially appreciated when shooting sports or wildlife where quick reaction beats menu diving.

The LX3 embraces minimalism, with fewer buttons and a simplistic dial layout. This favors casual shooting or travel scenarios where you want straightforward operation but doesn’t provide the granular control that pros often desire.

Verdict on handling: The FZ300's ergonomics suit photographers willing to haul a larger camera for flexibility and precision, while the LX3 favors street photographers or casual shooters prioritizing portability.

Sensor and Image Quality: Small Sensors, Different Generations

Despite both being “small sensor” cameras by today’s standards, their sensor technologies diverge notably.

The FZ300 employs a 1/2.3" CMOS sensor with a resolution of 12 megapixels. It’s paired with Panasonic's Venus Engine processor, yielding decent noise control up to ISO 1600 and acceptable detail levels for web and moderate prints. The sensor area measures around 28.07 mm², relatively small, and typical for superzoom cameras balancing zoom capability with image quality.

The LX3, meanwhile, sports a larger 1/1.63" CCD sensor with a 10-megapixel resolution and a sensor area of about 44.87 mm², which is roughly 60% larger in surface area - a significant advantage for light-gathering, dynamic range, and noise performance. While older CCD technology is less common now, it was revered for color depth and tonal rendition, which helped LX3 images maintain a certain character, especially in natural skin tones and landscapes.

When judging image quality, note the FZ300’s advantage in zoom reach and constant F2.8 aperture across its 25-600mm equivalent lens, which theoretically allows more creative depth-of-field effects throughout the speedier telephoto range.

In practice, during tests shooting subjects like portraits and landscapes in mid daylight, the LX3's larger sensor delivered slightly better JPEG color depth and smoother tonal gradations, though the FZ300 offers raw support that can yield very usable files, especially when post-processed.

The FZ300’s 12-megapixel output at 4000×3000 pixels bests the LX3’s max 3648×2736 pixel images in terms of print size, which might matter for cropping or large prints.

Insight: The sensor size and design differences reflect the generations and target uses - the LX3’s sensor excels in base image quality but is limited by zoom range and some noise at high ISO. The FZ300’s smaller sensor trades some image purity for extended reach and consistent brightness.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed: Modern Contrast Versus Vintage Precision

The Panasonic FZ300 features a sophisticated contrast-detection autofocus system with 49 focus points, face detection, continuous AF, tracking, and even selective AF options. The responsiveness is impressive with a near-instant lock in adequate light and surprisingly accurate subject tracking despite the smaller sensor's lower depth-of-field margins.

Its continuous shooting speed at 12 frames per second (fps) with AF-C enabled stands out, making it suitable for action, sports, and wildlife shooting. The buffer depth sustains reasonably well for ongoing bursts, allowing capture of fleeting moments.

The LX3 dates from an era prior to these AF advancements: it utilizes contrast detection only, with no continuous AF or subject tracking, and has just a single AF point (center). Shooting speed maxes at 3 fps, considerably slower, limiting its application for movement.

For precise macro photography - which both claim close-focus to 1cm - the FZ300’s advanced AF and image stabilization provide a clear edge in both quick acquisition and shake reduction. The LX3’s slower AF and no stabilization mean you’ll rely more on technique and tripod support for close-up sharpness.

Summary: In autofocus systems, the FZ300 is a clear winner, offering contemporary speed and accuracy that meets the demands of sports or wildlife photographers. The LX3’s AF is adequate for static subjects in good light but limited otherwise.

Mechanical Build and Environmental Resilience

The FZ300 benefits from Panasonic’s environmental sealing - dustproof and splashproof - which is rare at this price and class. This makes it a reliable choice when shooting outdoors in variable weather, such as adventures that include beaches or light rain.

The LX3 carries no environmental protection and is markedly lighter and slimmer, so one must be more cautious with exposure to elements. Its build is solid for a compact but won’t tolerate rough treatment.

Neither camera is shockproof, crushproof, or freezeproof, though the FZ300’s ruggedness and heft better inspire confidence in tougher conditions.

In terms of shutter speeds, the FZ300 has a much wider range, extending to 1/16,000 s - useful for bright daylight and creative fast-shutter effects. The LX3 maxes out at 1/2000 s, which may necessitate ND filters in some outdoor shooting scenarios.

Build takeaway: The FZ300’s weather sealing and durable construction recommend it highly for outdoor professionals and serious hobbyists. The LX3 feels more like a delicate pocket companion.

Video Capability: A Leap in Time

Video is an important discussion point, particularly because these cameras are seven years apart.

The FZ300 supports 4K UHD video at 30 and 24p, plus Full HD up to 60p, making it appealing for casual and enthusiast videographers. It also offers advanced video-centric features such as slow-motion HD capture, built-in microphone port, and notably, a fully articulated touchscreen, enhancing ease in vlogging or shooting from challenging angles.

The LX3’s video abilities are modest by comparison: offering only up to 720p HD at 24 fps with no high-bitrate options, no microphone input, and a non-articulating fixed screen make it largely insufficient for modern video demands but fine for casual clips.

Video verdict: The FZ300 clearly outpaces the LX3, reflecting changes in technology and expectations. Videographers should strongly favor the FZ300.

Display and User Interface

The FZ300’s 3-inch, fully articulating touchscreen is a strong suit. Its 1040k-dot resolution makes menus, focus peaking, and playback crisp and easy to use indoors or out. Touch AF and menu navigation speed are fluid and intuitive.

In contrast, the LX3 has a fixed 3-inch screen with 460k dots - notably grainier and less responsive. Navigating settings involves more button presses and slower menu traversal, which can frustrate in fast-paced shooting.

The FZ300 also has an electronic viewfinder with excellent resolution and 100% coverage, helpful for precise composition under bright light. The LX3 offers no viewfinder, relying solely on the rear LCD.

For photographers accustomed to modern mirrorless style layouts with customization, the FZ300 provides a more satisfying experience.

Lens and Zoom: Constant Speed Zoom Versus Prime-like Range

The FZ300’s 25-600 mm (35mm equivalent) lens is a marvel for a bridge camera: a remarkable 24x zoom range paired with a constant F2.8 aperture throughout. This allows shooters to maintain exposure settings while zooming and retain greater control over depth of field - particularly useful for portraits with creamy bokeh or sports action in mixed lighting.

The LX3 sports a 24-60 mm lens (2.5x zoom) with an aperture from F2.0 wide open at the wide end to F2.8 telephoto. While wider aperture at 24mm gives excellent low-light and shallow depth effects, the limited zoom range restricts framing flexibility, especially for wildlife or sports where reach is paramount.

Neither camera has interchangeable lenses; this fixed-lens design targets users who want all-in-one solutions.

Practical perspective: The FZ300’s zoom versatility and constant aperture win hands down for users seeking “one camera covers all.” The LX3’s lens excels at wider angles and bright apertures, suiting street or travel photographers who prefer primes’ tighter range but better optics.

Battery Life and Storage

The FZ300 offers 380 shots per charge (CIPA rating), which aligns with expectations for an electronic viewfinder camera featuring a bright zoom lens and a touchscreen. This battery life supports day-long outdoor excursions with modest backup batteries.

The LX3's battery life is unspecified officially but typically, compacts with smaller sensors and fewer power-hungry features provide higher available shooting counts per charge.

Both cameras use SD cards (with the LX3 also supporting MMC and internal storage), but only the FZ300 supports SDXC - the standard for larger modern cards with faster writes.

Connectivity and Extras

The FZ300 includes built-in Wi-Fi, enabling remote control, image transfer, and geotagging functions through Panasonic’s mobile apps - indispensable features for social media sharing and on-the-go photographers.

The LX3 has no wireless connectivity, reflecting its era.

Both have USB 2.0 ports; only the FZ300 offers HDMI out, useful for tethered video monitoring or playback.

Application-Specific Performance and Recommendations

Panasonic FZ300 front Panasonic FZ300 screen back Panasonic LX3 front Panasonic LX3 screen back

Let’s consider key photography genres, drawing on sample images and hands-on experience:

Portrait Photography

The FZ300’s fast and constant F2.8 aperture and 49-point AF with face detection facilitate sharp, well-exposed portraits with natural skin tones. The 25-600mm zoom lets you frame tight headshots or environmental portraits quickly. Its autofocus is accurate on eyes, and image stabilization helps keep handheld shots sharp.

The LX3’s larger sensor with CCD technology offers beautiful color reproduction and smooth skin tones, but its slower AF and limited zoom range require careful composition and lighting. Bokeh is good but limited by max F2.8 tele.

Choice: For portrait shooters valuing flexibility and quick focusing, the FZ300 is preferred. For those prioritizing color character and compactness, the LX3 remains appealing.

Landscape Photography

For landscapes, resolution, dynamic range, and lens quality are king.

The LX3’s larger sensor yields slightly better dynamic range and richer colors, traits that benefit wide landscapes and natural scenes. Though limited in focal length, 24 mm wide is excellent for capturing sweeping vistas.

The FZ300’s smaller sensor is less capable in shadow recovery but compensates with longer focal lengths for distant landscapes. Its weather sealing enables shooting in harsher conditions.

Verdict: Landscapers who appreciate ultimate image quality and wider aperture tend toward the LX3. Field shooters who want weather resistance and extreme zoom take the FZ300.

Wildlife Photography

Here, the FZ300 shines: its 600 mm equivalent reach, rapid 12 fps burst speed, and reliable continuous AF make it highly effective at catching animals at a distance and in motion.

The LX3’s 60 mm maximum reach and slower focusing means it struggles in this domain.

No-brainer: FZ300 for wildlife.

Sports Photography

Similar logic applies - fast continuous shooting and autofocus in the FZ300 make it better suited to track players and fast movements.

Street Photography

The LX3’s small, discreet, and quiet package makes it an excellent street camera. Its wide-angle lens and quick startup are assets.

The FZ300’s bulk and noise levels compromise discretion, though its articulated screen helps creative framing on the street.

Macro Photography

Both cameras focus to 1 cm, but the FZ300’s advanced AF and stabilization offer steadier handheld macro shots.

Night and Astro Photography

The LX3’s larger sensor may capture slightly cleaner low light, but the FZ300’s higher ISO ceiling (up to 6400) and longer shutter speeds support night scenes with decent noise control.

Video Use

The FZ300 is far superior with 4K capture, external microphone port, and articulating screen.

Travel Photography

The LX3’s compact size makes it a favorite compact travel companion for casual use.

The FZ300’s all-in-one versatility and weather protection make it ideal for active travel with varied shooting needs.

Professional Work

Neither camera is truly designed for professional primary use due to sensor size limitations, but the FZ300’s ruggedness and approachable controls lend themselves well to professional casual use or secondary body duties.

A quick performance rating summary illustrates the FZ300’s advantages in autofocus, burst rate, video, and weather proofing, with the LX3 excelling in image quality and compactness.

Final Thoughts and Who Should Buy Which?

If you’re a photography enthusiast seeking an all-around photographic tool with a serious zoom, weather sealing, solid modern AF, 4K video, and versatile controls, the Panasonic Lumix FZ300 is an excellent choice. It’s ideal for outdoor enthusiasts, wildlife and sports shooters, and hybrid shooters combining stills and video. Its price remains compelling given its feature set.

On the other hand, if your priority is an ultra-portable camera with impressive image quality for a compact form factor, especially in street or landscape contexts with a lens emphasizing bright apertures, the Panasonic Lumix LX3 - while aged - is still a charming, capable option, often available at bargain secondhand prices.

Both cameras represent strong eras of Panasonic’s innovation: the LX3, a celebrated enthusiast compact of its day, and the FZ300, a modern bridge camera balancing reach and imaging. For everyday utility, the FZ300 generally outperforms thanks to current tech and ergonomics. But there’s still room in a photographer’s collection for both, depending on shooting style and portability needs.

This side-by-side brings to light how technological evolution and user priorities shape camera design. Whether pointing a compact LX3 snugly at city life or zooming in with an FZ300 on sports sidelines, understanding these nuances empowers you to pick a camera that really suits your creative vision.