After a long time, I am thrilled to have the opportunity to review the Panasonic FZ1000, a premium superzoom camera that was introduced nearly a decade ago. Surprisingly, the premium superzoom market has not seen many groundbreaking developments in all those years, apart from the updated Sony RX10s and Panasonic FZ2000 (which is not significantly different than the predecessor). This begs the question: Is the original and least expensive FZ1000 still a viable option to consider in 2023? Let’s find out.
Build quality and ergonomics
The lens housing boasts a sturdy metal construction while the body is made of plastic with a textured finish that feels great to the touch. The ergonomically designed grip provides a comfortable hold, but at 800 grams, the weight of the camera might prove to be a challenge to use with just one hand. One minor issue to note is the poor placement of the ISO button, which can be quite a stretch to reach comfortably.
User interface, LCD, Electronic Viewfinder
The screen is fully articulated and boasts great quality, with no issues even in direct sunlight. However, it doesn’t seem to have a protective layer, so better to handle it with care to avoid scratches.
The electronic viewfinder is even better, with impressive magnification, good colours and contrast, and superb resolution that’s still up to date even after a decade.
Image quality
In terms of performance, the FZ1000 does not disappoint. Out-of-camera stills are great, with accurate and natural color tones, decent dynamic range, and a satisfying level of detail. No standard superzoom with 1/2.3″ sensor can even come close to this. Whether you’re taking photos of your family, nature, or wildlife, the FZ1000 is an excellent all-in-one performer that can deliver sharp and vibrant images.
The stabilization in stills is also impressive, allowing you to shoot even the furthest objects at maximum zoom with full ease. While autofocus could be slightly more precise and faster, it’s still far from bad either.
Although, it’s worth noting that the lens is not perfect. Sharpness reduces when you increase the focal length, and at 400mm and a bit below, the picture can get slightly milky. While this may not be a dealbreaker, it’s something to keep in mind, especially if you plan on shooting in low-light conditions where this optical disadvantage would be more noticeable.
Speaking of low-light performance, the FZ1000 actually performs quite well in this regard. If you keep the ISO below 1600, you can get really clean pictures with minimal noise.
Video quality
When it comes to video recording, the age of the Panasonic FZ1000 becomes slightly more apparent. Although it does have 4K30 recording capability, it unfortunately comes with a significant crop (with the widest focal length point being 37mm – from 25mm) The stabilization and autofocus also seem to work less effectively compared to Full HD mode, being a bit jumpy.
Despite these limitations, the video quality itself is quite decent. The camera captures good levels of detail, color accuracy, and dynamic range, making it a useful tool for recording faraway objects, given the reach of almost 600mm that the crop provides. Overall, while the FZ1000 may not be the best option for videography, it can still serve you well, especially if you don’t mind that crop.
Conclusion
In conclusion, despite being almost a decade old, the Panasonic Lumix FZ1000 still holds up surprisingly well. While it may not have the newest features or technologies (not that we have many today…), it offers a great shooting experience with a responsive user interface and quality electronic viewfinder. It is also the cheapest way to enter the premium superzoom segment, especially if you can find it used for around $300-$400.
However, if your budget allows for it, it may very well be worth considering the Sony RX10 Mark III or IV, which have the largest zoom among all 1-inch sensor cameras, or the Panasonic FZ2000. Both of these cameras are more expensive than the FZ1000, but offer additional features and capabilities.
Overall, the Panasonic Lumix FZ1000 is a solid option for those looking for a step-up superzoom camera without breaking the bank.
