- Lumix ZS300 / TZ300 updates 2018’s Lumix ZS200 / TZ200
- Both have a 15x optical zoom, 1-inch sensor and 20MP stills
- USB-C charging has been added, but a key feature has been removed
Following on from last year’s Lumix ZS99 (known as the Lumix TZ99 outside the US), Panasonic has brought back another of its classic travel zoom compact cameras – the premium Lumix ZS300 / TZ300.
It updates the Lumix ZS200 / TZ200 from 2018, which we gave a 4.5-star rating and labeled “the most advanced travel zoom camera you can buy right now”. That was eight years ago, mind you – so what’s new in the 2026 update?
Not much, is the simple answer. The Lumix ZS300 / TZ300 has the same core specifications as its predecessor, with a stabilized lens with a 15x optical zoom for an effective range of 24-360mm and a 1-inch sensor for 20MP stills and 4K video recording.
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To be fair, these specs still compete with other, much newer compact cameras. And USB-C charging has been added, a super-handy feature for travel that brings Panasonic’s premium range of compact travel zooms into line with today’s mainstream charging regulations in Europe.
But as with the Lumix ZS99 / TZ99, where one feature is gained, another is lost – Panasonic has done away with the electronic viewfinder.
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The classic is back, but it’s missing something
To be fair, in our review of the ZS200 / TZ200 we described the function as “crampy”. Nevertheless, keen photographers tend to like the option of a viewfinder, especially in bright light when screens can otherwise be difficult to see clearly.
As mentioned, Panasonic made the same move with the Lumix ZS99 / TZ99 (which updated the Lumix ZS80 / TZ95). It’s probably a cost-cutting exercise and/or a reflection of how most people now tend to rely on monitors to compose images.
What’s striking, though, is that with very little added to distinguish it from an eight-year-old model, the new Lumix ZS300 / TZ300 still looks like a compelling choice today.
In addition to the aforementioned core specs, it records 120fps slow-motion video in FHD, has a macro setting with close focus down to just 3cm, 22 creative filters for on-the-go in-camera effects, plus wireless connectivity to a smartphone via the Panasonic Image App.
The Lumix ZS300 / TZ300 is available in black or gray (see below) from early May 2026 and will cost £869 — I’ll update this page with prices and availability in the US and Australia when I get that information.
Would I have liked to see some of Panasonic’s latest features included here, such as its improved autofocus and Real Time LUTs? Sure – Canon is a brand that makes really new products in this space with modern features, such as the PowerShot V1. That said, I’m glad this Lumix line is back and available for purchase again – I think the design and features of the ZS300 / TZ300 will appeal to a lot of people.
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