Panasonic Panasonic Announces Lumix DMC-FZ1000 Digital Camera

Amin

Hall of Famer
Today Panasonic announced the FZ1000, the latest in their long, well-respected line of megazoom cameras. It is the second megazoom with a 1" sensor and costs far less. Compared to the Sony RX10, the Panasonic has a much longer zoom (25-400e vs 24-200e), significantly slower lens (2.8-4 vs 2.8 constant), and lower price ($899 vs $1299)

Highlights
  • 20.1MP 1" High Sensitivity MOS Sensor
  • Leica DC Vario-Elmarit 16x Zoom Lens
  • 25-400mm f/2.8-4 (35mm Equivalent)
  • 4K QFHD Video Recording at 30 fps
  • 0.39" 2,359k-Dot OLED Live View Finder
  • 3.0" 921k-Dot Free-Angle LCD Monitor
  • Built-In Wi-Fi Connectivity with NFC
  • HYBRID O.I.S. 5-Axis Image Stabilization
  • Light Speed AF with LUMIX DFD Focus
  • ISO 25600 and 50 fps Continuous Shooting

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Panasonic DFD Focus is making very strong impressions with the GH4. You can read more about DFD at Imaging Resource: Panasonic GH4 Review - A completely new AF approach

For a long time I've been thinking of picking up a megazoom to complement something like my E-M5 plus Pana Leica 25/1.4 or Leica M plus 35/1.4. A two-camera bag that can pretty well do it all without lens changing. The FZ1000 certainly has my interest.

Pre-order links:
B&H: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ..._fz1000k_lumix_dmc_fz1000_digital_camera.html
Adorama: Panasonic DMC-FZ1000
Amazon: Amazon.com : Panasonic LUMIX FZ1000 4K Point and Shoot Camera, 16X LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT F2.8-4.0 Lens, 21.1 Megapixels, 1 Inch High Sensitivity Sensor, DMC-FZ1000 (USA BLACK) : Electronics

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Really does sound like a great camera. It's unfortunate that, according to dpreview, the aperture drops off rather quickly after the widest setting, but it would also be ludicrous to expect Panasonic to fit a longer zoom lens of the same brightness in the same size sensor and body as an RX10. IQ looks quite good so far--the image samples I've seen look incredibly sharp for a superzoom--and the price is fair. Not a superzoom guy, but it definitely looks like a solid option.
 
It's unfortunate that, according to dpreview, the aperture drops off rather quickly after the widest setting, but it would also be ludicrous to expect Panasonic to fit a longer zoom lens of the same brightness in the same size sensor and body as an RX10.

True, but "drops off quickly" can mean different things to different people. DPreview also indicates the FZ1000 lens doesn't reach f/4.0 until about 150mm. Granted, it would be nice if one had f/2.8 all the way to 90mm or so. But at least it's not f/4.0 by 35mm. :)
 
I got into digital photography with an FZ3, so I'm all about super zooms. But this thing is big, real big. It will be interesting on the lens and sensor quality.
 
As an RX10 owner, I do like the low light performance of this Lumix..:)...But for a camera that's not weatherized, amazing how it weighs more than the RX10 :eek: (must be the big zoom)
 
Oh no! I bailed out of 'system' cameras because I was always playing catchup with the newest lens or body. Decided an RX10 would cover all or most of my bases. Now there's competition for the RX10. :dash2:

Must stay strong and stick with my pledge to my long-suffering wife. :love:

Seriously though this new Pany looks promising.
 
I've taken a look at those FX1000's raw files with RPP, and I must say I'm impressed, at 3200iso it's quite good (much better than the dpr's comparison image). I don't know how RPP can manage that raw but it does...
 
I thought I would never want an FZ camera again, but that 1" sensor, plus a powerful focus system would make it amazing for birding and nature photography. Less so for the RX10.
 
I thought I would never want an FZ camera again, but that 1" sensor, plus a powerful focus system would make it amazing for birding and nature photography. Less so for the RX10.

You're right about using the FZ1000 for birding and nature photography. But, the more I think about it, I have my G5 and E-M5 and can use my Panny 100-300mm zoom on either body. I would have a 600mm equivalent focal length - longer than the FZ1000. I'm guessing the overall package size won't be much different.
 
And here's a Camera Size comparison between the FZ1000 and the G5 with both the 100-300 and 14-140 zooms. The FZ1000 is smaller overall than both G5 combinations although it's kind of close to the G5 with the 14-140 (and actually larger in some dimensions).

Compact Camera Meter

Thanks for reminding one of the other possibilities. These comparisons are great for getting a bit of a grip. I did one too, with my K5 + 50-200. Admittedly, not exactly the same, but it does give one a clearer notion of what makes sense, and for me, sticking with what I have and using judicious crops is what makes sense.

Compact Camera Meter
 
Hi Sue. I wish Camera Size allowed us to see the DA 55-300 on the K-5. But it's just over an inch longer than your 55-200 with 450mm equivalent at the long end. None of this is to say the FZ1000 isn't a nice piece of kit. I totally understand its appeal, especially if one doesn't have that focal length covered. But many of us may already own solid alternatives.
 
But many of us may already own solid alternatives.

Steve, you're not thinking like a superzoom purchaser here. :tsk: The joy of a superzoom is in knowing you have ALL the focal lengths covered (AND without ever needing to change a lens). One camera....no bag or extra lenses needed.

Certainly the size comparisons are good to know how big this guy is, but if you're going to compare how big the FZ1000 is, you can't just compare it the K-3 with the 55-300..... you'll need to add in another lens to cover everything wider than 55. And then if you want to be always ready, you better add in a second body, too. ;)

It took me a long time (and a fair bit of buying and selling) before I finally accepted the IQ limitations inherent in superzooms. But now when I think I'm going to be shooting a bunch of different focal lengths, I grab the superzoom and leave the house feeling relaxed. I don't need to plan out which lens to use....should I shoot wide or I should go with a tele lens. They are not the right solution for everybody. They are not the ideal tool for certain specific kinds of shooting. But for general photography, this new camera will be pretty great.
 
Steve, you're not thinking like a superzoom purchaser here. :tsk: The joy of a superzoom is in knowing you have ALL the focal lengths covered (AND without ever needing to change a lens). One camera....no bag or extra lenses needed... They are not the right solution for everybody. They are not the ideal tool for certain specific kinds of shooting. But for general photography, this new camera will be pretty great.

Oh, Luke... I moved from film to digital photography with a superzoom (for the time), the Canon S3 IS (36-436mm). And, even with its tiny 1/2.5" sensor, it was just fine for general photography. And I wouldn't rule out another superzoom in the future. The Fuji HS50 has had my attention recently and I might bite if the price drops some more.

I made the posts above for exactly the reason you found them useful: To get a handle on the size and functionality of the FZ1000 and to point out viable alternatives so the benefit-cost ratio might become clear. But I have no doubt the new Panny will be just fine - and maybe a bit better than that - for general photography.

At $900 for the FZ1000, my micro four-thirds and Pentax APS-C options will hold me over for now. An LX8 would come first. One never knows about the future. But I meant what I said about understanding the appeal of the FZ1000.

Just for jollies, here's a comparison of the FZ1000 with the Pentax K-5 with the Sigma 18-200 mounted on it.

Compact Camera Meter

If I already owned this combo, or the K-5 with the Pentax DA 18-250, I might think twice about buying the FZ1000. But if I didn't, I'd probably go with the new Panny superzoom.
 
What's that old saying; "a camera without a touchscreen should never be seen"? Well maybe not, but still it is a strange omission from Panasonic who provide an excellent touchscreen interface on even their cheapest Micro 4/3 cameras.
 
I guess this camera has some appeal to those as much interested in video as they are in stills. For photo shooters only, I don`t see how the FZ1000 can be of any advantage or appeal over a mft (used em5) with a selection of "mid of the line" zooms.
 
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