This is my second camera justu.faith/pLumixFZ80 The first one lasted seven years and it finally had too many drops from my saddle bags while riding my horses. This camera is easy to use, great action photos, a wonderful zoom and is very durable!! I have small hands ands comfortable enough for me to use one handed while riding horses. I just took it on an eight day horseback adventure in Israel and dropped it at a full canter on hard ground. Not even a scratch!! It’s a great camera for the price!
Hi Graham, I learned a lot. really. I bought the FZ300 more than a year ago and couldn't figure out how to use it. i wanted to sell it or donate it away. After i watch your video, I pick up the FZ300 and start snapping and video recording away. Thank you so much sir. you are a life saver.
Your videos sir have been very helpful. When I bought the FZ300 I didn’t expect to be so overwhelmed. You have made things much easier for me! Thank you.
Mr Graham I have had the camera for 2 years and over that time taken lots of pictures of wild life scenery and family. I did ok but was not really happy considering I did lot of research while buying it and was impressed with its capability but never could match it. I have seen your 4 part videos and am following them to improve my skills. It looks like I have picked up a lot of pointers. I will be using my camera next month on a trip to Iceland. I hope I like the results at that point. Thanks. PK
Hi Mr. Parikh. Glad to know you have the FZ300. Would you be willing to help out a bit if you are based in India? I have recently purchased it from the USA, but still a few months away from getting my hands on it. Thank you for your response. Regards, Parag
I have worn out two of these cameras and just bought a 3rd one. I did learn a lot of things that I didn't know about this camera from your video. Thanks!
You are an amazing and thorough presenter. I just bought this camera due to your videos. I will be purchasing your book on amazon. Thank you very much for a bit of nice in these challenging times.
Thank you Graham for this latest tutorial. I've had the FZ300 since early summer. Your videos have helped tremendously. I hope that the home projects were successful for you. Good to see you.
I like the 4K video recording option for more detail, but it certainly doesn't like it when transferring videos from the Lumix FZ330 onto my iPhone 14! In short, it can't! Have since returned to FHP50p to get around that problem and works a treat!
Thanks for this, before this tip i had motion blur bad color when i moved the camera while recording. To explain the experience, like if you had using a TN-Panel tried photoshop that bad with watered color. But what was my problem then. Forgett it, this guide helped me alot.
Hi Graham, thanks so much for this. Really helpful. I love the video quality from this camera in all formats. My only concern is that on some quiet videos I get a distinct clicking sound on the recording, although I am unable to recreate it consistently on later videos. I suspect it is a particular setting that is causing it but it evades my investigation. Any input to this problem would be most appreciated. Many thanks once again for your fantastic and exceptionally easy to understand instructional videos.
Thank You for this great overview! Well done, as usual on Your channel. May I ask You, how You did the selfie shots in this case? Would be nice to show the technical specs and the lightning, (sorry, if You did already in another tutorial). Regards, Steffen
I'm stumped, I followed Graham through part of this tutorial to set up the cine settings, etc. and I see the settings on the LCD screen or the viewfinder but cannot see through the lens to record a movie, Anyone know what's going on?
Thank you for these series of well explained video. As a beginner can you tell me if the video settings you have shown in this video remain set or need to be reset when next using video. Really appreciate the time and effort you put in to help beginners. Thank you
Thanks for sharing your expertise through these videos Graham; much appreciated. I am having a real problem getting my shotgun mic to work on my FZ300. Is using these types of mics the simple process of 1. plugging it into the camera, and 2. turning the mic on before recording? If so, then for some reason the volume on my videos is extremely low. Or, are there other steps I need to do (new settings to make etc) before using the shotgun mic? If additional steps are needed, would you do the HUGE favor of sharing them in a Comment? Thanks so much!
You are so great, Mr. Graham! What about some special recomendations for the FZ300 in situations with low-light, for video and photos, like when we cover our kids spectacles (dancing and on stage...)? I have some struggles because of the need to go up the ISO... 2000 ISO is not great but better that 3200, and it's not an option for Auto ISO.
The camera will struggle in low light. It is essential that you always use F2.8 aperture and keep ISO as low as you can. Light is the key to getting good images and video. With video you should choose a 25p (30p)mode and select creative video mode and set a shutter speed to 1/25 (1/30) and aperture f2.8 with auto ISO in the Manual mode. If the camera cannot capture video at this lowest frame rate/aperture and shutter speed without too much noise then LIGHT is your only option
I will try that set-up and also a recommendation you provided in other video that relies on using C1 and C2 modes. I've never customized my FZ300 but i think that it's the time because i need to change fast from good settings for video and other different ones for shooting pictures. Thank you Graham. Very appreciated!
For some reason I can't change the photo style when I'm in the video recording mode. Can somebody help me? There's also a Lock sign on my screen that I can't get rid of...
Hi Graham, Thank you for your videos! I use the FZ330 on a tripod to film my surf coaching clients for video analysis and technical feedback. jwc.surf I often wondered why I was getting lag or the camera was catching up to the surfer. I will take your advice turn off the stabilisation mode when using a tripod and see if that makes a difference.
Hi Graham, I have a fz300 which has given me a lot of ghosting problems. I have tried to follow various videos explaining how to get rid of the problem but to no avail. Can you please give advice on how to get rid of the ghosting problem?
hi mr graham how are you.i have panasonic dmc fz330 for couple of month today i hear making clicking /ticking sound while i recording video and i cant make the sound go away,would you please kindly tell me how to stop the sound.thankyou verymuch
Hi Graham - is there a setting on this camera which allows you to set the shutter button to start recording video rather than take a still....the reason I ask this....im looking to get started into wedding videography and looking to purchase a couple of the FZ330's to use for my additional angle cameras for ceremony and speeches...the thing is these can last longer than the 30 minute record limit on the camera so was considering using an intervalometer to set an interval of 30 mins 5 secs which will start the video recording again however these intervalometers only work where the shutter button is set to start recording video rather than take a still, if you can answer this that would be great.
Thanks for the comment, no I haven't seen any rumours about any upgrade. Apart from adding headphone output or higher resolution OLED displays I'm wondering what else the update could bring?
Hi does this camera have clean hdmi out at 1080p? I’m Looking for a budget multi camera setup to live stream for a church. I would need to buy four cameras with clean hdmi out going in to a switcher that feeds into a capture card for streaming. Thanks in advance
I know the recording limit is 30 minutes, is that per video clip or is that total recording time allowed on the sd card? I got this for filming my outdoor hunts so I will need more than 30 minutes (not at one time)
Only half of the video taken yesterday during a wedding is showing up on my SD card. The camera showed all was being recorded. Is there anything I can do to retrieve the first half? I shot the video in 4K 100M 30P quality. The SD card shows only 2 ½ minutes of a 9 minute ceremony. It is very frustrating since it was my brother's wedding, and I bought the Lumix 300 specifically for this purpose. (P.S. I watched several of your videos before using this camera; I've had the 200 for years).
Graham, loved the video but was curious for filming wildlife that is constantly moving, like a deer herd or wild turkey, what video mode is best for the camera to select the best ISO, WB, and Aperature? In this video your subject is stationary, and doesn't require zoom. For filming an object far away, that is getting closer to you what video mode would allow the camera to update settings as it needs for the best quality.
Graham, love the videos. I appreciate the comment about too much zoom on videos. I am though wondering if there is a setting I can't find that slows the FZ300's zoom rate when shooting video? I still need to use this function while shooting, but can't find a more subtle approach to zoom other then lots of practice. But it's not really working for me..
Thanks for another great fz300 video, Graham! (I must've watched them all soon) Can you please explain how it works when you have a shutter speed of 1/10 sec and the camera is capturing frames at a rate of 25 fps? Is it writing the same frame 2 or 3 times for as long as the shutter is open? I guess this would fall under 'the technical deep dive' that you are rightly avoiding in your brilliant videos. ;-) Thanks again.
thank you SO MUCH! This video saved me! I got the cmaera in today but withg the standard setting there was A LOT OF static during the video i recorded in the evening inside my home... I sadly dont have very good lighting.... BUT.... thanks to your video the quality rocked!!! On that note... what do you use for lighting you video... i make youtube videos where i talk to the camera
I have a different type of question about this camera and that is can we zoom the lens while taking video slowly and smoothly to get cinematic effect as slowly we can get by a DSLR lenses with the the zooming of those lenses can you do that with this camera slowly smoothly zoom in and zoom out
Oh dear, im so confused. This camera is lovely , but far beyond my needs. Had s fz100 which i used for 14 years...a gem until jy son,s wedding when it wuit. Bought the 300 ..so complicated. Tryinb to write doen your instructions and half the time you sre referring to things ive never heard of. So is there a simpler version of your instructions. Also given a photo opportunity, i dont have time to refer to a video to to L me what to do. Sorry Graham. Its just your videos are better than my brain speed!!!
The set up is almost the same as the FZ200 and on my photoblog site you will find some hints and tips cards which may help you select the settings for typical photoshoots www.grahamhoughton.com/download-section/ near to the bottom of the page - hints and tips
Hi Graham. I tried to post this comment yesterday but something happened, so if it appears somewhere else I apologize! First off, your videos are extremely valuable in helping me figure out this computer with a lens! I recently bought an FZ300, and I'd like to make a video with no sound to show in a class I teach. I have looked all over for a way to record without sound, but with no luck. Is there a way to record without sound?
Good video. Thanks!. How does setting the camera's AF Mode to "Tracking" affects tracking or interact with AFF, AFS and AFC in still and video recording?
Hi Graham, I have a fz300 on the way in the mail. I understand there is no headphone jack on this camera, so I'm wondering how I can otherwise have as much control over audio quality as possible, while I'm recording, including being able to set and adjust audio gain levels. Is this something you cover for the fz300 in any of your videos? Thank you.
Hi Graham, fisrt - thank you !! Honestly, your videos are such a great help ! Thens, I wanted to ask you, what setting should I focus on for a face cam video inside - my problem is there's clouds so the light keeps on changing ... Again, thank you for all your help !
the golden rule is always to control the light. Block out windows etc and use artificial light. If that's not possible use M mode and set shutter speed to 1/50 and your aperture to say f2.8 and then set auto ISO
This camera is very complex and I appreciate you taking the time to do these tutorials. However, they would have been much more effective with more interesting, and varied subjects. It would be great to see how the different settings would change the appearance in real world situations.
I have a question regarding simple auto video mode. Can I simply record in ( IA+) Mode for best automatic video results ? I've been using this camera for recording live hunting and I'm finding it difficult . Auto focus has a hard time adjusting on my subject if there are obstructions like branches,grass etc. Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks P.S. you can view my latest attempt on my channel using this camera.
When recording video is there a way to pause the video, instead of stopping the recording? So that when you start recording again it comes out as one longer video. Instead of several videos.
Thank you, Mr. Houghton, for making yet another informative video. Do you have any recommendation for video-recording indoors figure skating events? Another question: I'd like to extract stills from the figure skating videos I record. There is a "high speed video" setting under the video mode. Can I extract stills from videos recorded in this mode? If so, how would you compare stills extracted from such videos versus videos shot in 4K?
Well, here's my opinion on this. For stills extraction from video you need to have shot with a high shutter speed in order to reduce any subject motion blur. To achieve a high enough shutter speed would mean shooting at the widest aperture (f2.8) and then raising the ISO to get the correct exposure. Generally 1/250 sec would be a good starting point for the shutter speed. Indoors you are going to struggle with the low light. This will probably mean you are going to be shooting with ISO values of 1600 - 3200. In video our eyes are a little more forgiving on the "noise" but once you try to extract a still image it will be more apparent. High speed video uses a smaller image size to enable the 120 or 240 frames per second and again you will need a lot of light to get any usable images.
Thanks Graham but I'm confused and how .A) Have 2 macbooks .One very new which as you know I have still to get to grips with he IMovie..The other is older and snowlepoard and what I consider the best Imovie ever , I can't see that this camera brings me anything as all video shot in 4k would not be able to be viewed and no idea how to downscale it ...VERY complex for my mind .Still to return my FZ200 but wondering if the FZ300 which is good is of any use to me for quite some time .B) Finally I have no TV so never view in such .What to do. I really feel a brain block again and at this rate see me staying with my TZ30.As you know I love making video ( far more than jpegs ) editing I can do and enjoy BUT not in the new Mac which is ghastly . Feel at a loss. Must watch this over and over but that wont change my dilemma .:) *
The later version of iMovie is really much the same as the original version, just start a new project, import the clips, drop to the timeline and trim start or end of clips or split the clip to remove unwanted material. The use share as file to make new video.
start a clip to remove end of clip to remove easy ..when it is mid way and small piece it is a nightmare .In the old I can edit easch clip in the events library so simple and half second pieces any place in clip .To achieve such with new is far from straightforward .Only when had done this would I start the project above adding , playing to check and removing etc . On the new this is not such a slick operation . Depends what one is filming Birds especially are say 30 seconds out of which take some ..The 300 is fine but not so fine for me yet :))
hi graham is it still posible on the fz300 and/or fz2000 to set the mf mode and all focus from about a meter to infinity? if in afc mode with tracking on will the video track someone moving?.. and an extra tip to you.. i just saw a powerbank for laptops with 220v socket so you can power the camera with the dcc8 and ac-adaptor.. and you talked about a archerplate (don't know the real name) in a different video to mount the camera and still get to the sd-card.. where can i get that plate? ps long time fz200 user now looking for upgrading to one off these to new ones
In answer to your questions. Yes the manual focus will allow 1 metre at the full zoom setting and progressively closer at lesser zoom settings. Face detect will track moving subjects providing they are not moving too quickly. In video mode the AF speed is reduced to stop rapid movement of the focus point (especially on the FZ2000). I have seen the powerbank with 240v ac outlet however the efficiency of the units is quite poor and the run time is nowhere near as long as using the 5v to 8.4V step up modules. The plate is available from www.alzodigital.com/products/alzo-liberator-battery-door-clearance-plate-panasonic-fz-1000-fz-200-fz-300-fz-330
to get to 1200mm EFL you need to enable teh i.Zoom setting in REC set up menu. The maximum focus area can be set using the single area AF mode and then using the top control wheel to set maximum size.
Hi Graham, Where can I find an explanation about AFS/AFF and AFC ? When I record a video and I make a zoom in what mode I have to put the AF button to have a continuous focus. I have you pdf Manuel FZ300 and a read AF section but it is not clear for me. Thanks.
AFS/AFS/AFC really relate to the stills mode. AFS is autofocus single - the camera locks focus on the half depress of the shutter button. With AFF the focus is acquired at the half press but the camera continues to focus at this point - this mode is for subjects with random movement whereas AFC assume the subject moves in the same direction. To get continuous autofocus in video you will find this in the movie record set up men- Continuous autofocus.
As there are so many video editing packages on various platforms it is difficult to make a one size fits all video. I use an iMac with iMovie as my basic editing program but there are similar programs for Windows users.
I am thinking of upgrading my camera next year, mainly for video work next year, i am shooting a documentary next year whilst on my travels, i like the fz2500 for its rich video features and its decent photo capabilities, i love the specs, 1" sensor and have had a chance to play with it whilst at my local camera shop, Snapshot. Upgrading to a digital camera to this capabilities for both video and photos is huge for me as i still shoot 35mm film! and at the moment am still using a gitup git2 pro for my videos. How has your experience with the fz2500 being compared to the fz1000 been like? Thank you
The FZ2500 has been a very positive experience for me. There is so much for video shooters with this camera- its like a mini GH5 but no worries about changing lenses etc. In built ND filters are quick and easy to use if you need to drop the light level for wider aperture shots. The extended lens and internal zoom did get a little time to get used to but its now just second nature. Manual focus is smoother as well as the zoom under power if you need to use that.
I normally film in 1080 60fps as i like to slow down some of my footage. If i use the 180 degree rule and set shutter to 120fps, wont be video be too choppy and to dark in low light?
Hello. The 180 degree shutter rule applies to getting "fluid motion" similar to film based systems. It is achieved by setting a shutter speed which is twice the frame rate - so for 60fps a shutter speed of 1/125 is preferred. In low light you can reduce the shutter speed provided that the amount of subject motion blur from moving objects would be acceptable in your finished clip.
If i have the camera in A mode for photos and i hit the record button, will it record at the f stop and iso i have set? Or will it make its own adjustments?
It will assume the P mode settings as it reverts to semi-automatic recording but will retain any filters or photostyles. Creative video mode is the only mode whhere you can set parameters for recording as well as the cinelike profiles.
So if i was taking photos on A mode with an f2.8 and ss160 (just for example) and i hit the record button, will it record at f2.8 ss160 or default to P mode? In my videos i do alot of moving around and changing of light sources so i would like to use a setting that will give me creative control but yet will change automatically for the conditions. I think creative mode will only work if you have 100% control over lighting and subject. Hope that makes sense.
The sensor in this camera is very bad. I urge viewers to do their homework on sensor sizes. 4k is a gimmick at this price point. If you can't get the full frame 35mm on 4k your wasting time. All the image information needs someplace to go. This presenter knows this already. There are no shortcuts you either pay top dollar, or go for a basic bridge inexpensive zoom. Get one with HD or HD 1080P, and a reasonable amount of zoom. F2.8 is not a big deal with a toy size sensor.