The FZ1000 has been announced and you can already preorder it at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here). While this is not a MTF camera it’s going to be a very popular camera for travellers. It has a super useful 25-400mm F/2.8-4.0 lens with a large 1 inch sensor and 4K video recording. And it costs $400 less than the Sony RX10!
A first impression review can be read at Dpreview, Photographyblog, Pocket-Lint, Cameras.Reviewed and ePhotozine.
82 Responses
Amazing Price!
The true entry level DSLR killa!
Considering how close the Sony 1″ sensor is to the best mFT at low ISO { under 1600} it is more likely to be a mFT killer.
http://www.dxomark.com/Cameras/Compare/Side-by-side/Nikon-D5300-versus-Olympus-OM-D-E-M1-versus-Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-RX100-II___919_909_896
The Sony RX100m2 is a lot closer to the E-M1 than the E-M1 is to the Nikon APS models.
What? The APS sensor is 216% larger in area than the RX sensor and represents a 24% score increase. The EM1 sensor is 94% larger and represents a 9% score increase. Relatively it is pretty much same, the larger the better.
And if you want to use Dxomark like that, do you know that the larger the sensor the less effective each mm square of sensor will be?
RX:0.576791
EM1:0.324589
D5300:0.226405
What is the reason to buy big sensor again if this rule is absolute? But it’s not. The grade system follows a log function so even when the independent variables increase a lot the dependent score will not improve much, This comparison only makes sense when the lowest grade is 0.
The D5300 sensor is the best ….I got it ,)!
Cheers!
I am replying to the original poster.
The Nikon gains 1.2 stops DR on the EM1 { 1.5 on the RX} it also gains 0.8 of a stop in high ISO over the EM1 and { 1.6 on the RX} . So at the risk of repeating myself the sensor in the RX is a lot closer to the EMI only 0.3 of a stop behind in DR and just over 0.6 of stop high ISO. So the bottom line remains that a low ISO mFT shooter will lose only a fraction of a stop in DR .
For a low ISO shooter such as me, the losses compared to mFT for a camera with the Sony 1” sensor will be totally negligible .I am not in the lest interested in this behemoth but the RX100mk3 and the LX8 when it comes are most definitely on my interest list. I use mFT mainly for travel and climbing I can easily see the RX1003 or LX8 taking this role. I have an extensive FF kit { D800e} for when I want the best image quality and I am prepared to carry the heavier gear.
That’s the DR at base iso, check for yourself and you will see that the ISO range for EM1 constantly overlaps D5300 in higher iso and constantly higher than RX for the rest of the graph. This gap is clearly visible despite Olympus’s ISO lower than what it should be. This is about 1.5 to 2 stops and significant if you claim that you don’t need ISO and just DR.
I am only interested in low ISO shooting, personally I never go above 800 ISO with mFT. looking at the available RAW samples for the RX100mk2 { same sensor as mk3} for most normal output , say prints up to 18×12″ , web etc . The 1″ sensor does pretty well even at 800ISO the detail noise etc are competitive with mFT. This is straight RAW comparison between RX1002 and EM1 at base then at 800 ISO. The RX100m2 still has 11 stops of DR at in camera 400 ISO which is fine for most scenarios.
At the wide end the RX100m3 is equivalent to an F2.4 on mFT there is only one native 12mm faster than that ,the £548 Olympus 12mm . Even the smallest mFT cameras with built in EVF and smallest kit lens are much larger than the RX100mk3 combo. With a lens that is 2/3rds of a stop slower in real equivalent terms at the wide end and over a stop slower at the long end.
WTH “scores ” are you raving about ? all that matters is the colour depth, dynamic range and high ISO . As mFTdude states the 1″ sensor is a lot nearer the EM1 than the EM1 is to the Nikon. The performance per sq mm is irrelevant that is why total light gathered matters so much to final image quality.
Yes and that’s what I am referring to the first poster.
4K @ 30FPS @ 100mbit… IMPRESSIVE
The first time I see the DISP button not under the thumb-grip on a bigger Panasonic camera. I keep pressing this button when I do not want to on the G6. Even the new GH4 has it on the old stupid position. I think the position on this new camera is much better. Small details can make a camera much more pleasant.
RX10 = $1,299
FZ1000 = $899, so $400 less than RX10. 😉
and probably has a much better stabilizer
Wow! I expect that Panny will make something similar in camcorder form factor to compete with the Sony AX100. HC X949?
Would be (as always) important to know:
Is there (again) a time limit with european PAL models?
(And / or is it at least an international model which is switchable?
With NO limit in the NTSC and 24P Modes like with the european GH4)
AND: Is the HDMI out working in live view mode (while shooting)?
Two important points – But I am sure, that as always it´s a “NO” on both questions -.-
I don’t understand; how would Panasonic have anything to do with changing recording time limits dictated by the EU? You want unlimited recording like the rest of the world has, change the EU’s policies.
This is about money. If a manufacturer imports a camcorder without the limitation it pays a higher import tax. This is how I remember this ugly thing.
Well – It seems like the FZ1000 is now ALWAYS coming with the 30 min time limit (also the NTSC models – As it´s also mentioned in US online shops) – Maybe overheating prevention – Maybe not ^^. So no EU only limitation.
And yes – As “Tom” wrote: The taxes are the only problem (only the costs) – As you can build as much cameras with unlimited recording time as you want ^^. But you need to pay for it (I would love to pay 50 to 100 bucks additionally for unlimited recording time) – As it´s annoying if you need it quite often and if you don´t want to use a camcorder instead …
BUT the best point: Why not bringt it (like the GH4) with a frequency switching option (as an international model)? (24, 50 and ~60Hz with only the 50Hz modes time limited so it´s “fitting” the EU laws without paying additional taxes) – Same with the (for sure again missing) live view HDMI out – The FZ1000 is a great camera (feature wise) – No doubt – But these two features are essential for more advanced video shooting – At least for me.
Really amazing. I love it.
One thing that interest me is will the EVF finally be without color tearing, since I ve noticed it even on GX7.
According DPReview:
“The FZ1000 features a high-resolution OLED electronic viewfinder, whose
2,359k dots give a working resolution of 1024 x 768 pixels. Unlike the
company’s GX7, this doesn’t appear to be a field-sequential panel,
meaning it’s free from the RGB ‘tearing’ that undermined that model’s
shooting experience (for some people).”
Cool!
I held GX7 once to my face at Gatwick store, loled and said WTF Panasonic to myself.
Evf felt 3gen behind the rest if the camera.
Felt the same – Now I am happy with a GM1 ^^.
I wonder if the “problem” with the GX7 EVF is to do with specific eye positions of some users. I have never experienced the issue that some complain about
And DC.watch says FZ1000 has no orion-ring effect. It means we can see smoother bokeh like Nocticron 42.5. 🙂
See this: http://www.imaging-resource.com/news/2014/05/02/the-end-of-onion-ring-bokeh-panasonic-beats-the-curse-of-aspheric-lenses
In the DPR forums I have seen people complain about every possible defect with their lenses, both real and imagined. I never saw anyone complain about onion ring bokeh. It is nice they improved their manufacturing process but this is more marketing than a real advance.
the complaining started when someone talked about the onions i guess, lots of complaining started ofcourse when internet became part of our lives, the problem is that many people take over the complaining when they prefer to focus on one partical way of lens rendering…which is sad imo
Before I have to fix the word ‘orion-ring’ to ‘onion-ring’. It’s my mistake. 🙁
I also didn’t complain about it before the article of imaging resource, because I hadn’t known it is problem. I suspect most of us didn’t know, so didn’t complain it. Of course onion-ring is not problem in the most situation, but if there are someone to try any scene with bokeh, he/she can meet that situation. After that, and if they know any lens without onion-ring, they can acknowledge it is a problem. 🙂
Panasonic is killin it. Over and over and over!
Fanbois much?…Panny tat?
I KNOW that’s right!!
Does it have full-sensor readout for video? This is key. And no built-in ND filter? WTF??
Yeah, this is the real question, full sensor readout is way bigger than 4K, which is just the same dumb algorithm with a mightier processor slapped in.
http://www.compactcamerarumors.com
This is anything but compact :).
8MP sensor! that’s bold and possibly awesome!
137 x 99 x 131mm ??? My GX7 with 14-150mm lens is 123 x 71 x 135 mm. Yes, FZ1000 lens has larger apertures and more range, but the size of the camera is ridiculous. It’s larger than RX10, it’s larger than GH4 with 14-140mm, it’s larger than E-M1. Someone got a bit carried away in Panasonic. I would pay that money for a compact with 1″ sensor, such lens range and more modest apertures, but there’s no way I’d carry that tank around.
OTOH it’s nice to see 1″ sensors becoming widespread. That’s a favour phone manufacturers have done to photo enthusiasts or else we’d still be stuck with lots of useless P&S with 1/2.3″ sensors.
For this purpose, size is not really what matter the most and you were not going to buy it anyway, were you? Why are freaking out like that?
Isn’t the LX8 coming with the size that you want?
Size yes, but not lens zoom range.
So then you should ask yourself that it might be not possible to build your dream camera (I am assuming that it should have “24-300 F2.8-4″-ish lens in G6 with 14-45mm size and at least 1” sensor).
No, the range is OK for me, but if they went a bit conservative with the apertures, for example F3.5-5.6, the lens would be much smaller. F2.8 on 1″ sensor is nothing special anyway. They wanted to make Jack of all trades camera and ended up with a tank that still doesn’t have exceptional light gathering capabilities.
But this moving towards 1″ sensor by many manufacturers (Sony, Fuji, Nikon and now Panasonic) gives hope that someone will make a sensibly small superzoom. Maybe FZ1000 will be top of the line camera with some smaller and less capable models coming in the future. Let’s see what will Fuji X30 brings…
Okay, I understand. On the other hand 5.6 is already one stop slower than 4, so that means either slower shutter or higher ISO. Thus, I am fine with this, personally. 😉 (Though, the RX10 is still quite interesting, especially because F2.8 at 200mm and the weather sealing.)
Wrong. f2.8 on 1″ sensor FOR VIDEO is something very, very special. Hell, for video it should have been f2.0. It’s not about bokeh smokeh, it’s just for the pure light gathering capabilities which you NEED in video because the shutter speed in video is a constant (you can only change aperture and ISO to get the right exposure you need, so you need the biggest aperture you can get)).
Miroslav….. are you in a smal country…0,2345 sqmkm?
You get the thing for less money.
Australia – we’ve got 0,2345 people per sqkm. But to carry this camera around, I need a large ute and with these petrol prices it’s all just too expensive ;).
And waht will be next? hmmm.. right
a 4k G7 ( old g6 runns out)
ohh my good i must call my…
This is probably why there has been no G7. Panasonic may have felt there
would be too much overlap in product appeal dividing both products’
potential market, along with the LX8 (reason for no new GF?) and
competitors 1″ sensor offerings. So they stick with GH for high-end DSLR
style, GX for high-end range-finder style, and GM for super compact but
with interchangebale lens facility. Personally, I think there should
still be a cheaper entry level m43 model to bring new users into the
system with, but it needs to appear less P&S-like than the GF has become.
if the ois works then i would find this rather interesting but my experience with Nikon 1’s video performance holds me back from 1 inch sensors in low light
But Sony’s sensor seems better than Nikon1’s in low light, it seems to handle surprisingly well.
cool that sounds promsing already then!
Have you checked the RX100MKIII low light performance? It’s to Micro4/3 as Micro4/3 seems to be to APS-C, it’s closer than one would imagine.
it’s all crap… wake up.
The Sony 1″ sensor results are much closer to the best mFT than the best mFT is to the best APS. In fact for a low ISO shooter under 800ISO the differences are tiny .I have the RX10 along with EM1/GH3
http://www.dxomark.com/Cameras/Compare/Side-by-side/Nikon-D5300-versus-Olympus-OM-D-E-M1-versus-Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-RX100-II___919_909_896
that’s debatable and that’s why there is no need to get into that, because that was not my point. it was just about how sensor tech has evolved a lot lately.
I checked a lowlight videoscene with the MKIII which looked not quite concincing. but i found a MKII lowlight sample which looked great. I dont like the fact that the popup evf needs to be on in order to work with the camera. I might go for the MKII version later when i want to document a future concept with my fav model Aneu again (this time with a mamiya ZD medium format for the sake of looks in rendering)
they are not really made for low light but to think that you would get this result for a small sensor, it’s quite good, not so many years ago you couldn’t get usable ISO 3200 from DSLR, but my point was that overall smaller sensors evolved further than big sensor – also because being smaller has its advantages as well.
The resolution at 400mm looks somewhat mediocre on a whim, but it should be fine for 4K.
It’s certainly competitive with DSLR / mirrorless superzooms.
I’m interested in this 5 – axis Power OIS, how does it compares to Olympus’ 5-axis IBIS?
i want to know too
100 MBPS 😀 😀 😀 all sonys camera killer (by bye RX100M3). I wait for LX8 same specs and 100 150 less price. Good job panasonic I’m blown away by this specs.
It has GH4 VIDEO SETTINGS AND QUALITY O.O
Not all of them.
Sensor too small…hey….WAIT ….this is a MFT rumor and news site…what is this junk-science doing here????
Yep, camera sure is interesting, but getting way too much non-related posts.
The post on this website is non-related…it does not belong here! 🙂
check the banner. It says “Panasonic & Olympus Digital Camera News”.
Not your call to make. Just shut up and learn.
It’s nice to know what Panasonic and Olympus are doing in other areas of photography, since it impacts their overall financial health and likelihood of continuing to produce MFT cameras in the future. In this case it shows how Panasonic continues to take on Sony in the 4k hybrid photograph/video niche. This is a counter to the RX10, the way that the GH4 is an answer to Sony’s E mount 4k cameras.
Looking good for the LX8; but LX7 has built in ND filter, Sony RX100 also has it so why none is this beast?
WOW!! Awesome new offering from Panasonic. The FZ1000 camera will give most tourist and family photographers/videographers 95% of what they need. Just a few short years ago one would have needed at least 2 separate camera (one for stills and one for video), to deliver all the image acquisition available from this camera.
The ONLY true fall-down with the FZ1000 as compared to the Sony RX10 will be in the marketing arena. We will probably see the Sony RX10 in Best Buy stores, whereas the FZ1000 will only be known of by camera enthusiasts who visit m4/3 websites and DPReview.
I think Panasonic did a good job with this new device! I would say its fast & furious! 😉 Together with the Rx10 the Fz1000 seem to open a new segment: in terms of old bridge camera segment they will be high performers with focus on image an video quality. Of course, due to the nature of these devices they are less flexible than any other system camera but they start with a big box of flexibility from scratch. I believe they will fit into a lot of situations and make the capturers life easier (less to carry) – and they will find they customers.
It was mentioned that the price of the Fz1000 will be much lower than the RX10 but it looks like this is due to missing weather sealing features? Or did anyone find a hint on the net regarind this?
It is not a 25-400mm F/2.8-4.0 lens, it is 9,1-146mm F/2.8-4.0
Perhaps in your pin-headed world it’s only a (whatever) but Panasonic says it’s a 25-400mm lens. Who are we supposed to believe, . . . Panasonic? …. or some flame-trolling geek on the internet?
It says on the front element of the lens. 25-400 is with the crop factor, but then you can’t say F/2.8-4.0 anymore.
is out of focus terms, that’s correct but in light gathering terms yes you can say that. in light gathering terms it is f/2.8 to 4.0.
C’mon, every manufacturer says in 35mm equivalency, why nitpick on such a small and meaningless thing? They give it as a point of reference, who would even understand the FOV of 9,1mm in a 1″ type sensor – which is smaller than 1″, actually. Getting lost in technicalities is such a waste of time.
Yes, we can also _read_ not only write. 25-400 is the FF eq. and it is to give an idea of the FOV (field of view/angle of view). It could be (and sometimes is) given also by the real angle range but in practice nobody get used to it and it’s harder to interpret it.
How on earth is it possible that there was no rumor regarding this camera before the announcement?
Perhaps Panasonic has decided that if they announce a product any earlier, it would be subject to the same old vicious garbage on this and other forums by trolls in the employment of Canikon.
Even with the announcement of this fine FZ1000 the troll outnumbers genuine Panasonic buyers. Even 6 weeks leaves adequate opportunity for the trash-talking troll to utterly destroy their products even before any customer ever sees or tests one.
To those who think outside of the box (marketing niche) – can you somehow compare this camera to GH4 or Blackmagic Pocket from the point of cinematic documentary production and indie-movies? No interchangeable lenses, ok, but 25-400mm sounds pretty “all inclusive” for me, especially if you are on the road and can’t carry a lot of gear with you. Can someone explain me why FZ1000 fits only for a sweet weekend in Disneyland? How much “cinematicness” you can get outside of its picture? (at least colorwise)
There are several cameras with 1″ sensor and F2 and larger aperture lenses, but no compact superzoom.