12Jun Panasonic Lumix FZ1000, 4k for $897?
The announcement for the Panasonic FZ1000 happened at midnight last night but it’s been bouncing around the rumor mill for a few weeks now. The Fz1000 looks like it’s designed to compete directly with the Sony RX10. Both cameras are crossover “all in one” super zoom hybrids and both cameras share the same sensor. Where the Panasonic FZ1000 moves things forward is in it’s very impressive zoom range (25-400mm f/2.8-4 35mm Equivalent) , it’s ability to record 4k internally just like it’s bigger brother the GH4, and, of course the price.
At an MSRP of $897, the Panasonic FZ1000 is $400 less than the Sony RX10 and it brings many of the features from the GH4 to the table. With a very attractive EVF, flip out screen, and most of the key video features like focus peaking, (UHD) 4k recording, clean hdmi out, and zebras, the FZ1000 looks like a pretty attractive camera for the price.
Here’s a quick look at the specs.
- 20.1 megapixel 1″-type MOS sensor
- 25-400mm equiv. F2.8-4 Leica lens
- 5-axis ‘Power OIS’ stabilization
- XGA OLED electronic viewfinder with 2.36M dots
- 3-inch fully-articulated LCD with 920K dots
- 4K (3840×2160) video at 30p, 100Mbps MP4
- 1080p at up to 60p, 28Mbps (MP4 or AVCHD)
- 120fps quarter-speed 1080p
- 3.5mm microphone socket
- Clean HDMI output
- Zebra pattern and focus peaking
- Wi-Fi with NFC
Where I’m a little skeptical on the FZ1000 is the 1″ sensor. I understand that Panasonic is using the same sensor as the Sony RX10, but it would have been great if they could have lowered the MP count and increase the low light performance. Also shooting on a 1 inch sensor is a far different experience in terms of DOF when compared to APS-C or even an M4/3 body. At the same time $897 is a really good price for something that records 4k. As a video camera it’s nearest 4k capable competitor the Sony AX100, is more than twice that price and as a stills camera the Sony RX10 is a $400 price jump. Hopefully a camera like this will put some pressure on other manufactures to start including 4k as a standard feature. Canon are you listening?
Even with the shortcomings of a 1 inch sensor, the Panasonic FZ1000 is going to make a very attractive option for those looking for an all in one device. I’m sure it’ll sell out fast. You can get on the preorder list at B&H or on Amazon, like the GH4 I think the FZ1000 will probably see a price jump once the initial stock runs out.
June 12th, 2014 at 11:14 am
Are you sure about the 120 fps at 1080P? Haven’t seen that spec elsewhere.
June 12th, 2014 at 11:21 am
Here’s the quote from the press release “switch to manual operation in Creative Video mode and dramatic slow motion in full-HD 120 fps video**. ** The recording format is 30p.”
But in the specs they list a max of 1080p 60 fps, not sure what they mean by “recording format 30p”. I think maybe it might auto conform 120 fps to 30 fps in camera, but i’m not 100% sure.
June 12th, 2014 at 12:37 pm
I see UHD at 30 fps on the B&H specs. I don’t see any 24P at UHD 4K,
just for 1080 24P
June 12th, 2014 at 12:51 pm
From what I understand it’s 30 only, no 24p in UHD. They want to make the camera good, but I think they left a few things off so that it doesn’t hurt GH4 sales.
June 12th, 2014 at 2:14 pm
What memory cards would you need to record 4k?
June 14th, 2014 at 6:21 pm
Hi deejay I had a few questions that I wanted to ask you- 1) does the lcd turn off when you plug in by hdmi and 2) does the shutter close while left in live view? Canon closes after 30 mins then reopens. Thanks for all the posts you make- it makes our lives alot easier