Hi all. I'm considering the Panasonic FZ2500. Mostly for 4k video work. I would be using it mostly at full zoom, following boats in the bay, on the river. Need good auto focus. Harsh light at times so also need the ND filters. Finally replacing my old faithful Canon XH A1. Any feedback/advice would be much appreciated. I have a Nikon D750 for stills. Had hoped the FZ would be a replacement for both but after reading some of the threads, I don't think that will be the case.

Hi Bill

Zoom is actually amazing!! The intelligent zoom uses the 4K sensor to give you a lossless zomm up to a 35mm equivalent of over 1000mm ..brilliant for long shots. The Leica glass is very sharp ..I found it way better than the Sigmas I used on my Nikons !! Just keep iZoom on in the menu and you will get shots that considered out of the question before!

Thanks Chris. I was looking at the RX10 m3 but lack of ND filters put me off.

I replaced my FZ1000 with a FZ2000. I wanted a lightweight portable camera which complements my GH4s and now GH5.

Things I like about the FZ2000 are ability to match camera settings to those of GH4/5 (more so with GH4).

Variable frame rate (slow motion) which better than FZ1000

Ability to use a field monitor on "live view" which essential for most of my work. Using both eyes instead of just the one.

Built in ND filters, a real boon, wish my GH5 had them.

I think the image quality using iZoom,1440mm on FZ2000, 1100mm on FZ1000, is better at maximum zoom on the FZ1000 but degrades a bit at maximum zoom on the FZ2000, so I just wind back a bit.

Here's a few rough clips, first no iZoom, second iZoom to about 1200mm, third iZoom to max., 1440mm.

Ron


https://youtu.be/FHThJGKjTHU

"Dislikes" - short battery life - twist on lens hood - clip on lens cap - image stabilisation via menu not via an external switch on the camera.

Ron

Hi Ronald

My hood has never given me an issue at all and shamefully I don't use the lens cap! My battery does pretty well and usually I get a good hour from it ....You can use an adapter and a power bank ..go back in this thread and Mark has some details about being able to run virtually all day!!

Thanks Ronald. Those clips were very helpful. I'm locking onto larger objects... boats on the move, and moving away from me, so I have to pan with them. Easier to work with auto focus so hope this will not be an issue. Decided to buy the FZ2500 but now find they are out of stock in the stores in my area.Might have to wait a while. Might get a FZ300 in the interim if I can chase up a variable ND filter for it.

If it were me, and not bothered about live view HDMI out, GH4 style camera settings, variable frame rate, built in ND filters but simply wanted good quality high telephoto images with/without auto focus then I'd buy a FZ1000 rather than a FZ2/2500.


Ron