FZ200 vs. FZ300

[Paul Pasco]

Hi everyone, I have an old FZ28 that served me well some years ago and have since been happily using the Nikon N1 system along with various DSLR gear. I am thinking of simplifying again and going back to a quality bridge camera. I am looking for a little advise on user experience differences between the FZ200 and 300. I can look up the specs and read the reviews but what I really want to know are real life things like AF speed and accuracy, EVF quality and handling. In other words, why should I pick one over the other? Any advise would be appreciated.

 

[Gal Root]

Much better viewfinder, much better screen and articulating, weather sealing, post focus (amazing feature for macros), touch , 4K video, 4K burst (to catch frame in action), better build quality, not such a big price difference. I'm sure there are other differences but these are the main differences I can think of right now. Also, as I told before, you can get it for 399 euros from Amazon Italy right now, that's a good price if you're from Europe and around..

 

[saudidave]

Hi everyone, I have an old FZ28 that served me well some years ago and have since been happily using the Nikon N1 system along with various DSLR gear. I am thinking of simplifying again and going back to a quality bridge camera. I am looking for a little advise on user experience differences between the FZ200 and 300. I can look up the specs and read the reviews but what I really want to know are real life things like AF speed and accuracy, EVF quality and handling. In other words, why should I pick one over the other? Any advise would be appreciated.

--
Regards, Paul
Lili's Dad

Paul

I had an FZ200 some years ago but I haven't had a 300.

What I do know is it's the same lens and sensor (s I understand it) so the IQ is unchanged. The EVF though is a different ballgame altogether - it is much better in the FZ300, so worth it for that alone.

Dave

 

[saudidave]

Much better viewfinder, much better screen and articulating, weather sealing, post focus (amazing feature for macros), touch , 4K video, 4K burst (to catch frame in action), better build quality, not such a big price difference. I'm sure there are other differences but these are the main differences I can think of right now. Also, as I told before, you can get it for 399 euros from Amazon Italy right now, that's a good price if you're from Europe and around..

Gal

The FZ200 also had an articulating LCD and the build quality is, to the best of my knowledge, the same for both cameras. Sure the 300 is weathersealed but that is an enhanced feature, not one of build quality.

Dave

 

[Sonyshine]

I have owned both and the FZ300 is all round an improvement.

Yes, some obvious betterments like OVF and 4K.

Also subtle differences, the sensor may be the same size but is BSI.

The image processor is much faster so you can squirt away happily even in RAW.

The subtle button and control differences are all good. The electronic shutter now fires at silly speeds ( Nikon 1 style) so over exposed shots are history.

The weatherproofing is a big plus, my FZ200 used to suck in dust, the FZ300 withstood an extremely dusty Tankfest display recently at the National Tank Museum.

 

[Paul Pasco]

Much better viewfinder, much better screen and articulating, weather sealing, post focus (amazing feature for macros), touch , 4K video, 4K burst (to catch frame in action), better build quality, not such a big price difference. I'm sure there are other differences but these are the main differences I can think of right now. Also, as I told before, you can get it for 399 euros from Amazon Italy right now, that's a good price if you're from Europe and around..

Sounds a lot better actually. Post focus?

 

[Paul Pasco]

Hi everyone, I have an old FZ28 that served me well some years ago and have since been happily using the Nikon N1 system along with various DSLR gear. I am thinking of simplifying again and going back to a quality bridge camera. I am looking for a little advise on user experience differences between the FZ200 and 300. I can look up the specs and read the reviews but what I really want to know are real life things like AF speed and accuracy, EVF quality and handling. In other words, why should I pick one over the other? Any advise would be appreciated.

 

[Paul Pasco]

I have owned both and the FZ300 is all round an improvement.

Yes, some obvious betterments like OVF and 4K.

Also subtle differences, the sensor may be the same size but is BSI.

The image processor is much faster so you can squirt away happily even in RAW.

The subtle button and control differences are all good. The electronic shutter now fires at silly speeds ( Nikon 1 style) so over exposed shots are history.

The weatherproofing is a big plus, my FZ200 used to suck in dust, the FZ300 withstood an extremely dusty Tankfest display recently at the National Tank Museum.

--
Stupidity is far more fascinating than intelligence. Intelligence has its limits...b

Having had N1 gear you know where I'm coming from, thanks for the input. Out of curiosity I see that you tried the P900; any comparative thoughts?

--
Regards, Paul
Lili's Dad

 

[Gal Root]

Much better viewfinder, much better screen and articulating, weather sealing, post focus (amazing feature for macros), touch , 4K video, 4K burst (to catch frame in action), better build quality, not such a big price difference. I'm sure there are other differences but these are the main differences I can think of right now. Also, as I told before, you can get it for 399 euros from Amazon Italy right now, that's a good price if you're from Europe and around..

Sounds a lot better actually. Post focus?

 

[Gal Root]

Much better viewfinder, much better screen and articulating, weather sealing, post focus (amazing feature for macros), touch , 4K video, 4K burst (to catch frame in action), better build quality, not such a big price difference. I'm sure there are other differences but these are the main differences I can think of right now. Also, as I told before, you can get it for 399 euros from Amazon Italy right now, that's a good price if you're from Europe and around..

Gal

The FZ200 also had an articulating LCD and the build quality is, to the best of my knowledge, the same for both cameras. Sure the 300 is weathersealed but that is an enhanced feature, not one of build quality.

Dave

You are right about the articulating screen but i heard many times that the build quality is better on the FZ300. Feel sturdier. Also, the FZ300 doesn't have the wheel/dial that breaks after a while. I honestly don't think there is a reason to consider the FZ200 right now unless it drops under 200$.

 

[Sonyshine]

P900 is fun and capable BUT it doesn't do RAW and is not so good in low light or for close ups. Still an interesting camera.

 

[hwvlover]

I have both of these excellent cameras although I have not used the 200 since the 330 arrived. The particular plus for me is the eye sensor on the 330.
Regards,
David
***************************************
Growing old is inevitable; growing up, however, is optional.
And I have opted out.

 

[Castaway]

Much better viewfinder, much better screen and articulating, weather sealing, post focus (amazing feature for macros), touch , 4K video, 4K burst (to catch frame in action), better build quality, not such a big price difference. I'm sure there are other differences but these are the main differences I can think of right now. Also, as I told before, you can get it for 399 euros from Amazon Italy right now, that's a good price if you're from Europe and around..

Sounds a lot better actually. Post focus?

--
Regards, Paul
Lili's Dad

Yes. Shoot now , focus later by touching the object you want in focus. If I'm not mistaken it is limited to 8MP. Helps in macro as it is usually very hard to get the correct focus on the head of the insect for example.

Actually Paul it is a little more than Gal Tood suggests and it was one reason that I chose this camera over others.

With Post Focus the camera takes a very quick 4K video, takes about a second. During that time it focuses on all possible points within the frame.

The frames can easily be selected and saved in camera, or later in post, then the various frames so saved ((Each with a different point of focus) can then be merged in PP software to give an image where all points are in focus. Yes it is only 8k but that seems satisfactory to me.

Apart from that the FZ300 is head and shoulders above the FZ200, that I also have, in build quality, added features, speed and accuracy of Focussing and more particularly in the ergonomics of controls.

I fully recommend the 300 over the 200.

See also this post about the Focussing.

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/59836516

Post Focus images stacked in Affinity. Helicon Focus also recommended for stacking







--

Malcolm the Old Sea Dog
Galleries at http://www.pbase.com/oldseadog/galleries

 

[geepondy]

It is the EVF a huge leap forward? I recently bought a used FZ200, my first experience with an EVF and especially with my poor eyesight, it's very tiny. After using better, the low-res LCD screen is a disappointment as well. I was looking online for some sort of visual comparison of the two EVFs but can't find anything.

Paul

I had an FZ200 some years ago but I haven't had a 300.

What I do know is it's the same lens and sensor (s I understand it) so the IQ is unchanged. The EVF though is a different ballgame altogether - it is much better in the FZ300, so worth it for that alone.

Dave

 

[Paul Pasco]

Much better viewfinder, much better screen and articulating, weather sealing, post focus (amazing feature for macros), touch , 4K video, 4K burst (to catch frame in action), better build quality, not such a big price difference. I'm sure there are other differences but these are the main differences I can think of right now. Also, as I told before, you can get it for 399 euros from Amazon Italy right now, that's a good price if you're from Europe and around..

Sounds a lot better actually. Post focus?

 

[windmillgolfer]

The FZ200 was a great step forward for its constant f2.8, I had mine a while and planned to run with it until I handled the FZ440. . The FZ330/300 represents quite a leap forward in terms of speed, Fn buttons and other controls, 4K, weather sealing and the EVF (I use it with spectacles on, which was not the case with FZ200). It is noticeably larger and heavier than the FZ200 but feels great in the hand - mine at least.

You might also consider the FZ1000, no touchscreen unfortunately, but even better IQ from its 1" sensor. Use the comparison feature under the Camera menu option above to select and then compare the 200/300 and 1000.

See link below for many FZ330/300 images OOC and with PP

 

[geepondy]

FZ200 image shot just a couple of hours ago.

 

[kkardster]

Nobody has mentioned what I consider the most significant (to me) improvement in the FZ300: DFD AF. I miss a lot of shots waiting for my FZ200 to focus - especially birds or bugs in flight. I recall some posts stating that the difference is negligible, but I'd actually pay for a firmware upgrade that adds DFD to my FZ200 but I know my only option is to upgrade to a new model. I'll wait until my FZ200 dies and see what's available then.

--
Bruce
You learn something new every time you press the shutter