For those who poo-pooed the rumours about a successor to the FZ1000 ...here are the new camera specs and review ... It will be the FZ2000 in Europe and FZ2500 in the USA

https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonic-lumix-dmc-fz2500-fz2000-first-impressions-review

Nice new features!!!

I think we all knew a successor was coming, I only am not such a fan of guessing specs based on rumors only.
Still need to see how the IQ will be as the fz1000 had a too limited DR for my purpose as all I could see in videos was easily blown highlights. For the rest it seems like they added some nice upgrades like the ND, a paid vlog (which might help with protecting the highlights but remains to be seen), a better full hd codec and 4:2:2 10 bit out but unfortunately still a lens that ramps once you start zooming.

I really like the fact for video they have added the dolly focus and some decent zoom speeds. Not sure if I'll be using 4K as opposed to UHD but nice it's there ... We are doing a LOT of live stuff now so the added ability to record to card and output HDMI is a big plus.

My Nikon still cameras are starting to show their age now so I use an FZ1000 for backup stills and it does very well indeed and a lot better ISO too than my old tired D90's ... I just might keep the FZ1000's for stills and get rid of the Nikons and all the lenses too ..only thing is a really need a wide lens for the odd real estate shoot. The stackable focus points are also interesting but I wonder if they will actually be practical during a shoot?? Video with the ne w codecs should be better but as you say the lens could have easily been dropped to a 10X or 15X instead of a 20X and made F2.8 right through the range!!

Hmm, no video record time limit!!!!!??????

Love to find out if the new FZ2500 lets us use HDMI out to an external monitor.

Love to find out if the new FZ2500 lets us use HDMI out to an external monitor.

All the tech specs are on the Panasonic website DMC-FZ2000 Bridge Cameras - Panasonic UK & Ireland (http://www.panasonic.com/uk/consumer/cameras-camcorders/lumix-digital-cameras---point-and-shoot/bridge-cameras/dmc-fz2000.html?gclid=CJn8uf_8ns8CFaoK0wodmZYBiA)

It quite clearly says HDMI monitor output and additionally unrestricted recording time in all 4K and HD formats, files will be recorded continuously for unrestricted recording time, but split for playback. Been waiting a long time for that :-)

Roger

The camera outputs HDMI 4:2:2 10 bit from the port if you don't record to a card at the same time. If you want to record to SD card and also send HDMI out then the HDMI drops to 4:2:0 8 bit ... I'm not sure how that would affect your monitor but with the new cameras you certainly can record as normal and send the signal at the same time to an HDMI monitor but it will be 4:2:0 8 bit not the higher quality 4:2:2 10 bit if you don't record to card.

I'll certainly be getting one - if only it was a little better in low light I could shoot an entire wedding with one - how easy would that be!

I don't really need the extra zoom ..not at weddings anyway but the new features are geared towards better video. Love the Dolly Zoom especially ...that will be awesome at weddings! It was hinted that they would use the GH4 sensor but obviously not. I still find that my video with the FZ is still better than my Sony EA-50's with an F2.8 lens in low light. With the Sony I eventually needed to go to a Sigma Art lens in manual so I lost all the neat Sony features!! I wonder when it will appear in Australia. B&H are already taking pre-orders but that's the NTSC model FZ2500 ... They are not PAL switchable are they?? I'm assuming we will have to wait for the FZ2000 here.

It's a great all-rounder; really wish I could fit it into my style of filming. Alas the 5 axis doesn't apply to 4K, making even its use as a personal rather than business camera less attractive. Still I'd say its now on the way to being the top hybrid camera out there.

Hmmm .. we have the FZ2500 on pre-order here now. I thought that the 2500 was for the USA and the 2000 for Europe??? (which includes Australia) Obviously not ... Pre-Order price retail here is AUS$1499

I wonder then if the 2000 will be any different ..the 2500 has both 24, 25, 30, 50 and 60 frame rates

I wonder if the first run of FZ2500's will be Japanese made as were the first FZ1000's, Hate doing the pre-order thing but worth considering to get a Japanese camera.

All our dealers here have the FZ2500 (no FZ2000) now on pre-order so one has to assume that our camera in Australia will be the FZ2500 not the FZ2000

What is being offered in the UK guys??

According to the Panasonic UK web site and Jessops, the FZ2000. The Jessops pre-order price is £1099 and they're offering the v-log upgrade free.

Dave

In Belgium it's also the fz2000, it's 1250euro (21% tax incl) while the fz1000 is currently 685euro.

I don't really need the extra zoom ..not at weddings anyway but the new features are geared towards better video. Love the Dolly Zoom especially ...that will be awesome at weddings! It was hinted that they would use the GH4 sensor but obviously not. I still find that my video with the FZ is still better than my Sony EA-50's with an F2.8 lens in low light. With the Sony I eventually needed to go to a Sigma Art lens in manual so I lost all the neat Sony features!! I wonder when it will appear in Australia. B&H are already taking pre-orders but that's the NTSC model FZ2500 ... They are not PAL switchable are they?? I'm assuming we will have to wait for the FZ2000 here.

Chris what ISO are you shooting at with the FZ1000?
I find that I can go to a higher ISO with the EA50 than my FZ1000. As 3200 starts to fall apart on my FZ1000. If Panasonic was able to get their sensors in low light tot he quality of Sony, Panasonic would have a slam dunk with their cameras in my opinion. As low light is my only real complaint about the Panny GH/FZ cameras.

Hi Michael

I used to run both cameras on auto ISO and to be honest I found the EA-50 had more noise at 3200 ISO than the Lumix ..Technically the Sony should be a lot better due to the bigger sensor. I loved the Sony technology but the lenses really sucked and you have to use e-Mount lenses to use all the camera features. I honestly never liked the soft image the EA-50's gave me, the colour was always wishy-washy too but remember that's just personal taste ..no offence to Sony!! Forgetting any technical numbers I seriously find that the FZ1000 gives me way sharper and brighter images ..I find I need to reach for my LED very rarely now so really for me that is way more important than tech data. I would have NEVER attempted to do wedding speeches with the EA-50 with an F2.8 manual lens mounted with only the dim venue lighting, yet with the FZ1000's I do it all the time and get really nice footage.

Hi Michael

I used to run both cameras on auto ISO and to be honest I found the EA-50 had more noise at 3200 ISO than the Lumix ..Technically the Sony should be a lot better due to the bigger sensor. I loved the Sony technology but the lenses really sucked and you have to use e-Mount lenses to use all the camera features. I honestly never liked the soft image the EA-50's gave me, the colour was always wishy-washy too but remember that's just personal taste ..no offence to Sony!! Forgetting any technical numbers I seriously find that the FZ1000 gives me way sharper and brighter images ..I find I need to reach for my LED very rarely now so really for me that is way more important than tech data. I would have NEVER attempted to do wedding speeches with the EA-50 with an F2.8 manual lens mounted with only the dim venue lighting, yet with the FZ1000's I do it all the time and get really nice footage.

There was quite a bit of debate about the low light performance of the FZ1000 when it first appeared, mainly quoting specs and camera comparisons. Like Chris, I use my FZ1000s for my business of mainly wedding videos and also like Chris I have had no problem with low light, particularly with first dances, where the light is often low or with red and blue leds which have always been a problem on other cameras I have previously used. I noticed a very big difference in the dynamic range and overall brightness of footage from the FZ1000s alongside two other SD800s that I have always found very useable in the frequent lower light levels of school productions, first dances etc.Where I was using 4 cameras recently in a low light stage production, I had to reduce the brighness of the FZ1000 footage in post as I couldn't lift the gain of the other footage without it becoming noticeably grainy.

However I do set the auto iso to a maximum of 3200 and if the light is particularly low, I shoot at 25p rather than 50p (PAL land). For stills work, I also get wider DR and sharper pics in low light from the FZ1000 than I do from my Canon D60, which surprises me.

Roger

Thanks Roger

I did the maths too .. An APSC sensor with an F3.5 stock lens HAD to be better than a tiny 1" sensor on an F2.8 lens ..anyone knows that. I ended up with a Sigma ART lens on the Sony ..F1,8 right thru the 18 -35mm range and cost me more than my FZ1000 !! However the proof of the pudding is still doing a practical shoot and that convinced me to change, Dunno how they do it but the results are staggering from this camera and I'm always as pleased as punch when I see results, As far a ISO goes my wedding 2 weeks ago was in a badly lit Church that worried me a lot yet the camera gave me a clean sharp image and barely made it to ISO1600 when I zoomed up to the lectern during the sermon so that was at F4.

I'm seriously looking at using the FZ1000's as my stills cameras as well now ..they give me a cleaner and sharper image than my fancy Nikons (they are getting old anyway) I'm going to double up at tomorrow's photoshoot ( we are doing stills and video) and use the FZ and Nikons during the shoot to see just how good they are! Could be interesting!!

Hi Michael

I used to run both cameras on auto ISO and to be honest I found the EA-50 had more noise at 3200 ISO than the Lumix ..Technically the Sony should be a lot better due to the bigger sensor. I loved the Sony technology but the lenses really sucked and you have to use e-Mount lenses to use all the camera features. I honestly never liked the soft image the EA-50's gave me, the colour was always wishy-washy too but remember that's just personal taste ..no offence to Sony!! Forgetting any technical numbers I seriously find that the FZ1000 gives me way sharper and brighter images ..I find I need to reach for my LED very rarely now so really for me that is way more important than tech data. I would have NEVER attempted to do wedding speeches with the EA-50 with an F2.8 manual lens mounted with only the dim venue lighting, yet with the FZ1000's I do it all the time and get really nice footage.

Chris in order to get relatively clean video at iso 3200, are you running anything special in the menu?
I normally run my camera at Natural and run manual (either in Manual or Movie Mode) for most of my filming.

I worry about low light for my weddings as much of the time for reception here the lights do go down low or off for receptions. I normally try to run 2 small off camera lights (TorchLed Bolt 200r) (self powered, remote control, dimmable power on/off) on light stands for supplemental lighting by the dance floor so I can possibly avoid on camera lighting when possible.

Hi Michael

If I'm shooting 1080 I use MP4 which I feel gives a better output and result than AVCHD ..dunno why it just ends up better and also is easier on the editor ..You do have the clip limit but I'm used to that and with the FZ2500 it's not an issue any more. Apart from that STD profile works for me and shooting 25P in low light at receptions ... Outside I tend to shoot UHD so if I downconvert to 1080 I get an effective 4:2:2 due to chroma sub sampling Yes I do use a video light very occasionally when the stupid staff turn the dance floor lights OFF instead of down but on most receptions it's not necessary. I think it's also fairly obvious that if you get in close and shoot wide you will do better in low light as the lens doesn't ramp to F4 but stays at F2.8 I honestly think profiles make a huge difference to low light too!! On the Panny STD works well for me ..On the EA-50 I found default was great outdoors but terrible indoors so I used to use PP3 so it was an issue following a bride from bright sunlight into a dark Church !! Since you are in the USA I'm assuming your FZ1000 is an NTSC model so you only have 30P ?? Our slower frame rate of 25P can add quite a bit of extra light so have you tried 24P which both the NTSC and PAL units share?

If I shot my receptions at 50P (you would use 60P right?) then I could see the camera having to push the ISO pretty hard .. I think also we have to realise that if you artificially make a room darker than it needs to be and manually set ISO to 3200 ..you will get noise as the sensor simply doesn't have enough light to produce a noise free image and the gain has been lifted higher than the natural light level??

Chris thanks for the info.
I shoot 24 1080p on all of my cameras (EA50M, FS100, FZ1000), so I can get a bit more low light latitude out of the cameras. I don't usually shoot at full wide as I don't like being on top of my subjects so I am usually zooming in which means that I am at usually at f4. True on the trying to raise the image brighter while you are shooting. But I wish that they increased the sensor sensitivity and size i the FZ2500/2000 then for me it would be a no brainier for an upgrade.

I haven't shot yet at UHD for a wedding but am curious as I could get more low light out of the camera as the noise would be reduced and look more organic when scaling the image from UHD to 1080 HD.

As for continuous recording, I did the hack a few months ago and have continuous recording so this isn't a big deal fro me compared to the FZ2500.

It was rumoured that Panasonic would put the GH series sensor into the bridge cameras but alas that never happened! I had a lot of issues matching my Sony and Panasonic footage while I was in "transit" with one EA-50 and one FZ1000 at wedding ceremonies. I would have thought that a Sony bride camera would have been a better fit (and more light with the faster lens too) Just for interest the FZ series actually use a Sony sensor so both bride cameras have identical chips!!

I guess it's a delicate balance from a marketing point of view ...you never want your flagship camera to be overshadowed by a cheaper model.

I used to struggle with my EA-50 sensors ...changing lenses was a pain as the sensor got dirty so easily! I had to learn to find a wind free/dust free area and tip the body so it was facing the floor so no rubbish entered the front ...I once even did a stedicam shoot and had grass clippings on the sensor blown in from the wind and freshly cut lawn when I changed lenses sitting in the trunk of the car!!

Just had me maulers on one at a local "Birdfair".

Panasonic bloke on the stand had no idea about video, "4K Photo" (yawn) seemed to be main selling point.

Very similar to FZ1000 in shape and size. but those lovely built in ND filters and, so he said, live view HDMI out so one can use a monitor without screen blanking out when "record" is hit.

Pricey, £1000 odd though that will presumably drop albeit GBP a bit wonky post Brexiters most of whom won't have got past the Box Brownie stage.

I put the cam into 4K video mode and activated the "Intelligent Zoom". Gave 1440mm which excellent for those like me whose target is wildlife.

FZ2000 out any time so he said. GH5? a sardonic sort of snigger.

I had a look at a new tiny 4K camera, LX15 would it be? Too tiny in fact for my largish bony mitts. A ladies camera perhaps?

Ron

I had a look at a new tiny 4K camera, LX15 would it be? Too tiny in fact for my largish bony mitts. A ladies camera perhaps?

What do you call a gopro then, a children's camera? :) Didn't know the size of the camera determines if it's a male or female thing.

An attempt at a joke, Noah, obviously not a successful one. I thought GoPros for attaching to things, a friend used one on a yacht race from Brazil to Australia. The cam I looked at was tiny to one like me with biggish hands and used to cams like GH4 and FZ1000 as well as my old XLHI and EX3 (and various Nikons long ago).

As I said to the Panasonic bloke, would be okay for my wife who Japanese with small hands.

Ron

I was joking too :)

One thing to keep an eye on this FZ2000/2500 whenever it comes out is the AF. The AF on the FZ1000 for me, to put it mildly, is very disappointing. Hunting proned and overall very fickle. Keeps pulsating too even when the subject is in focus and hardly moves. According to the published specs, the sensor still has no phase detection sites so beware.

How does this compare to the RX10 III

The AF on both my FZ1000's is awesome ..I have yet to have an out of focus shot at weddings even with brides walking down a long aisle so I really cannot complain about it at all. The FZ2500 has the same system.

James? The Sony has constant aperture compared to the FZ but I dislike the Sony "look" and sharpness ...very little compares to Leica optics (just my 2 cents of course) The Sony does have better specs too but costs a lot more. Interesting fact is that both cameras use the 1" Sony sensor so it's all in the processing I guess???

Hi Chris,

As there are a number of different focus settings available on the FZ1000 and presumably the FZ2000, with widely varying results, what do you have your's set at?

Roger

Hey Roger

For my run 'n gun handheld stuff at weddings I use continuous focus and the 49 point system and it never misses a beat. On my static tripod mounted camera I turn off continuous and use the customisable focus square as the bride and groom never move that much ...also the same on speeches at weddings. I have my focus square set so I can zap just the person making the speech and it's always in focus.

Do you have an issue??? I have never seen any of my shots out of focus

Hey Roger

For my run 'n gun handheld stuff at weddings I use continuous focus and the 49 point system and it never misses a beat. On my static tripod mounted camera I turn off continuous and use the customisable focus square as the bride and groom never move that much ...also the same on speeches at weddings. I have my focus square set so I can zap just the person making the speech and it's always in focus.

Do you have an issue??? I have never seen any of my shots out of focus

I was curious Chris as my settings are the same as yours and I also don't have an issue. I was wondering why others seem to, it must be down to the settings they are using is all I can think!

Roger

If shooting at 4K, I imagine the focus can be more unreliable. I'm only comparing it to the GH4, G80 and GX80 - so perhaps the 1" sensor causes this to be less prominent. In the cameras I own, HD is fine - not superb but acceptable for most uses. With 4K it does hunt a bit in some cases and is a lot slower than in HD to nail focus.

For those, like me, interested in the FZ2000/2500 but having a job getting fact as opposed to opinion from online "reviews" like those dated September 19th. downloading the Panasonic Instruction Manual can be helpful.

I did and found out that "Variable Frame Rate" is available seemingly identical to that via the GH4 and thus a big improvement on the FZ1000.

(Manual a bit of a jumble but that's Panasonic)

Ron

I haven't found one other camera that I'm more excited about for my planned use, as mentioned in another thread. However, I do have a few concerns, which may or may not be well founded. (I wasn't able to find the User Manual online.)

Weather Sealing - One of my favorite locations to shoot wildlife is on a small island. I never shoot with my canon 7Dii in sea spray and I always try to shoot with the wind at my back, but there's no escaping the saltwater air. Based on what I hear, the FZ2500 won't be weather sealed. Has anyone's FZ1000 died due to saltwater intrusion.

Cropping During 4K - I believe that a Panasonic Rep mentioned in one of the reviews that there would be a 1.7 crop factor when recording in 4K. I'm somewhat concerned about that because it means that I won't be able to get those nice wide shots in 4K. Would an external recorder allow me to get those wide shots in 4K.

Exposure - when recording I want to try to meet rec 709 (or some other standard which I really know very little about). From what I read, the best way to do that is with a waveform monitor which will help me prevent clipping the whites and crushing the blacks. I'm assuming that the FZ2500 won't have an internal waveform monitor. Maybe it would be worth buying one if it allows me to view waveforms and shoot wide in 4K. Don't really know where I'm going here. Just thinking out loud.

Upgrading - I like to use expensive equipment for a long time. I'm still using a 2008 macbook. I hate the idea that the FZ2500 will probably be overshadowed by a newer model in a few years and that its value will be that of my 60D. Can I expect the price of a new FZ2500 to drop considerably in 6 or 8 months after release.

The fz2500 focal length is 36 - 720mm in 35mm equiv. when you shoot 4K which it is decent wide but could be limiting depending on what your expectations are, using a external recorder won't make your shots wider.
About exposure, you should have zebra's and (not sure about this one but would be surprised if it was not included) a histogram in camera and if you use a external monitor, depending on which model you get you can even get more exposure and focusing aids.
About upgrading, If you are a early adopter you always pay a premium price, prices always drop after a few months though, they always do.
About weather sealing, if it's not weather sealed you should take precautions and maybe get a raincover that is designed for the fz2500

Thanks Noa

I was an early adopter of the FZ1000 and was getting great results with it while others were discussing what it might or might not be able to do. As regards price drops after a few months, the expectation is that prices will drop a few months after release, but so what! As an early adopter, my FZ1000s had been earning me a few thousands pounds before many others had even considered it. I bought the camera because of what it was capable of now, not as a financial investment. The FZ 1000s will continue to give me good service as they have proved to be solid and reliable and I'm sure the FZ2000/2500 will be the same.

Camera technology is continuously evolving and any camera bought now will soon be overtaken by new developments. The thing to remember is that newer cameras are getting better, but the camera you buy is still going to continue giving you the performance that you enjoyed when you bought it. Nothing is future proof, but the constant improvements are often insignificant when looking at your final output quality They tend to be improvements in convenience and speed of operation rather than overall picture quality. So although my FZ1000s allow me to film in 4K, my final output for the client is still in HD, the same as it has been for a number of years and will continue to be so for a few more years.

Roger

Agreed Roger

Funny thing is that I was comtemplating whether to get another FZ1000 or wait for the 2500 and our supplier had none in stock!! The price here for the FZ1000 after 12 months also remained the same and as you say, even if you pay a little extra ..it is earning you money straight away so the difference is easily offset. Sadly our shipment here has been delayed to mid - December now so I have to work with two cameras only which makes it tough when we are shooting video and stills at a wedding ceremony. I wonder if one shot wildlife in 4K if the content would actually be requested in UHD? The 37mm limit for me is an issue at cramped weddings so I tend to stay with 1080 ... I see the FZ2500 gives us an extra 1mm at wide angle too which might be useful for weddings!!

I guess I need to start a business and get some clients.

Hi Larry

People who are hobbists and people using cameras to make an income will always be different. I can easily pay for an FZ2500 with just one wedding booking so it's a no brainer to buy one. However IF I was just buying one to shoot private stuff at weekends with no financial return, sure I too would be counting my pennies and probably not even think about new cameras unless I came into some money and an urge to spend it. Things like weddings require an up front payment months before the event so more often than not, equipment purchases are in fact financed by the client!! I do appreciate your position where you have to stick to an income budget ..I can imagine what my wife would say if I spent a few thousand in one day on my "hobby" ... Is there a market for wildlife video??? maybe stock footage companies???

Hi Chris and Larry,

Chris you bring up some interesting points particularly the fact that hobbyists and professionals have a different slant on things. Like you, one wedding will pay for a new camera for Claire and I, but for Larry it is coming out of a different income that probably has other life requirements taking first priority.

Larry, you commented that you needed to start a business and get some clients, then Chris asked if there is a market for wildlife videos. It is quite clear from your posts that wildlife is what you want to be filming, but there is absolutely no reason why you couldn't consider a broader based business as a videographer, which will enable you to start sourcing clients from more marketable genres. Filming celebratory, corporate, live productions etc could start earning you money sooner, which you can put into equipment and will subsidise your requirement to film wildlife, whilst also honing your video skills.

Roger

I guess I need to start a business and get some clients.

You need to spend money to make money:) Although not the easiest to cover but by far the easiest to get paying clients is to shoot weddings, two fz1000's, a videolight, two cheap tripods and a couple of zoom h1's with a lav and your in business for a under 2K investment, do 2 to 3 weddings and you have earned back your initial investment.

Hi Larry

People who are hobbists and people using cameras to make an income will always be different. ... Is there a market for wildlife video??? maybe stock footage companies???

Hi Chris and Larry,

Chris you bring up some interesting points particularly the fact that hobbyists and professionals have a different slant on things. Like you, one wedding will pay for a new camera for Claire and I, but for Larry it is coming out of a different income that probably has other life requirements taking first priority.

Larry, you commented that you needed to start a business and get some clients, then Chris asked if there is a market for wildlife videos. It is quite clear from your posts that wildlife is what you want to be filming, but there is absolutely no reason why you couldn't consider a broader based business as a videographer, which will enable you to start sourcing clients from more marketable genres. Filming celebratory, corporate, live productions etc could start earning you money sooner, which you can put into equipment and will subsidise your requirement to film wildlife, whilst also honing your video skills.

Roger

You need to spend money to make money:) Although not the easiest to cover but by far the easiest to get paying clients is to shoot weddings, two fz1000's, a videolight, two cheap tripods and a couple of zoom h1's with a lav and your in business for a under 2K investment, do 2 to 3 weddings and you have earned back your initial investment.

Guys, Thanks for the suggestions. I guess my comment about starting a business and getting clients was a bit in jest. While my goal is to sell some nature footage (and Pat mentioned in another thread that he's had a little success doing so), I can't image that I would enjoy any part of filming weddings or corporate events, Not to mention my lack of experience with filming, lighting, editing, etc. I don't even have editing software yet.

You can get lightworks or davinci resolve which both have a free version if you are on a budget.

When I bought my Panny HMC cameras they came with a free version of Edius too otherwise you could revert to a fairly simple editor too. Not sure if Windows still include their Movie Maker software in the OS but an editor is fairly important and ease of use too so if you are wanting to seriously edit your video trying out all that is available, even as trial versions is a good idea! I tried a myriad of editors until I found one that suited me! You obviously want a camera that you feel comfortable with and the same goes for an editor.

As others have pointed out, you can get editing software free in trial versions and most versions of Windows has the free Windows editing software included, although Win10 seems to have dropped it.

If you enjoy wildlife and want to be able to sell your video footage, you really need to understand the other tools involved including editing software. The alternative is to work with an editor, but to do that, you will almost certainly need to have a track record as a cameraman, to get an experienced editor to invest their time.

Learning editing will also enable you to get the best from your footage, and to add a professional look to raw footage. You will also be able to produce a showreel of your best work, including sound track to enhance the visuals. A showreel will enable to present examples of your work to potential clients, maximizing your opportunities. Taking video footage is one aspect, but having taken it how will you deliver it, on DVD, USB, Hard drive etc? Also you may need to convert it to a different format for your client, requiring some understanding of different formats, bitrates etc.

There are a lot of competent people out there striving to reach the same goal as you, so the more skills you have, the better your chances.

Roger