Panasonic DMC TZ10 vs Fuji Finepix F300EXR Comparison
Panasonic DMC TZ10
Fuji Finepix F300EXR
The Panasonic Lumix DMC TZ10 and the Fuji Finepix F300EXR are two of the most versatile digital cameras around. Their compact body size belies the fact that they have a wide range of features. It is this combination of smaller size and extra features that has made this type of digital camera increasingly popular with people who are travelling or taking a holiday.
Basic Specification
Panasonic DMC TZ10
12 megapixels
12x Optical Zoom
3 inch LCD screen
Macro Focus: 3cm
Wide Angle Lens
High Definition Movies
Dimensions 103.3 x 59.6 x 32.6 mm?
Weight: 196g
Fuji Finepix F300EXR
12 megapixels
15x Optical Zoom
3 inch LCD screen
Macro Focus: 5cm
Wide Angle Lens
High Definition Movies
Dimensions 103.5 x 59.2 x 32.6mm
Weight: 195g
Features
Reading thorough the specifications I can see all the features you would expect to find on this type of digital camera. These include image stabilisation, 3 inch LCD screens and High Definition movies. As you can see from the table above the Finepix F300EXR offers a little more when it comes to length of zoom compared to the Lumix DMC TZ10.
There are very few cameras that offer GPS positioning like the Lumix DMC TZ10 does. This can be a big plus point if you are travelling. It can be heavy on your battery, but you can opt to turn it off. A further advantage the Lumix DMC TZ10 carries over the Finepix F300EXR is its ability to record stereo sound with a movie.
The features Fuji have built into the Finepix F300EXR are a bit different. They include special features for boosting the dynamic range of a photo. This means the camera should be able to show extra detail in the lightest and darkest areas of photos. In order to use this feature you need to halve the number of megapixels you are shooting at. Likewise there is a mode for reducing noise in lowlight pictures. This works in a similar way using half the available megapixels.
Fuji have introduced a 360 degree motion panorama with this camera. All you need to do is swing the camera through a full circle and the camera will stitch a shot together for you.
Two other modes worth mentioning are a Pro Focus mode and a Pro Lowlight mode. The Pro Focus mode throws backgrounds out of focus. This can come in handy when you want to emphasis your subject. The Pro Lowlight mode combines four photos to produce one higher quality photo.
Design
Both of these cameras will fit into a larger pocket. Build quality is good too. When it comes to the way these two cameras look I have a slight preference for the Finepix F300EXR. I feel it has an extra touch of style.
Power Supply
Both cameras are powered by lithium ion batteries. Batteries and chargers are supplied as standard.
Shutter Lag
The more I look at these cameras the closer matched they appear to be. When it comes to shutter lag they both recorded average times in all my tests. The Finepix F300EXR is a split second faster, but that is about it.
Picture Quality
Although both cameras performed well in my tests I felt the Lumix DMC TZ10 just edges it when it comes to picture quality. This is a very good all round camera and I struggled to find any obvious weaknesses. I was particularly impressed by the sharpness of the shots the camera produced.
The Finepix F300EXR follows closely behind, but there were one or two instances where the camera did not produce quite the same clarity as the Lumix DMC TZ10.
Ease of Use
There are lots of features to get to grips with, so there are plenty of digital cameras around that are easier to use than these two. How easy you find them will depend to a degree on the number of features you are planning to use. Both cameras allow for fully automatic operation.
There is not much to choose between the two cameras in determining if one is more straightforward than the other. They both offer similar dials and buttons. The Finepix F300EXR does have fewer menu options to get to know, but this reflects the fact the Lumix DMC TZ10 has a few extra features.
Verdict
When it comes down to performance I cannot split the Panasonic Lumix DMC TZ10 or the Fuji Finepix F300EXR. They are both capable of producing high quality snapshots and their response times are too close to really matter. At the time of writing there is not a great deal of difference when it comes to price either.
In fact these cameras are so similar there are barely a couple of millimetres difference in size and just 1g difference in weight.
Therefore your choice is likely to be based on the features that are most attractive to you. At least in terms of features these two cameras have some subtle differences.
Where to Buy - Panasonic DMC TZ10
Where to Buy - Fuji Finepix F300EXR
Product Shots
Front View
Panasonic DMC TZ10
Fuji Finepix F300EXR
Back View
Panasonic DMC TZ10
Fuji Finepix F300EXR
Top View
Panasonic DMC TZ10
Fuji Finepix F300EXR
