I really wasn't expecting to see a new bridge camera like this FZ80D in 2024! But I heard there is a strong demand, and I think I understand why after shooting with this camera. So who is interested in buying one?
Definitely interesting . For me who can't use my left hand. So are bridge cameras the best option. And pretty much the only option for my type of videos if I have to use one hand and don't always have the opportunity to stand close because there are large vehicles in motion. I myself have used Panasonic bridge cameras since 2008 in my RU-vid videos the first was a FZ7 and today I use FZ300 and FZ2000 However, the choice of this falls away for me due to the lack of a microphone port sadly 😕A shotgun microphone is a superzoom camera's best friend. are many videos I was standing at a long distance but the sound and picture looked like I was standing 12 meters / 40FT away 😎 in addition to the usual sound improvement with wind noise etc So I hope they will come more bridge cameras preferably someone with 4K60 video to when many other cameras has it even action cameras etc. Take care from Sweden
yes this one is more towards the entry level end of the bridge camera from Lumix. Hopefully we will see something higher end with more features in the near future!
I've owned FZ200/300/1000 - all excellent. I know the FZ80 was sometimes criticized as not being as good as these models, mainly for being a bit blurry on its longest focal length, in part due to its image stabilization. I wonder if this has been improved in this model. I recently had a chance to revisit the FZ300, and use it alongside an APS-C Fuji setup X-T2 with a Tamron 18-300 (approx 28mm-450mm in 35mm equivalent). The FZ300 actually faired quite well in the right lighting, showing very good detail. The smaller sensors always lose out on color and dynamic range though, and that lends to a certain look that can appear washed out or blown out. Colors are not as vibrant either. In the bridge class, perhaps the best all-rounder are the 1" sensors. The FZ1000 (both I and II models) are incredible cameras, fast focusing with high-resolutions files with a good degree of dynamic range. IQ on these isn't too far behind some of Panasonic's micro-four thirds sensors from the mid-2010s - which is still very good. Bridge cameras continue to fetch high prices on the used markets, including even the old FZ200. Sony's last high-end bridge camera the RX10 IV still holds its value and quality, but I don't think we will see a new model from them. Leica has recently come out with the D-Lux 8, arguably a Lumix LX100 II with a few additions and quality-of-life upgrades. While it would be nice to see some sensor improvements on these types of cameras, I think we can now say that the biggest improvements to image quality are going to come from post-processing in terms of AI / neural net algorithms. Lightroom denoise and Topaz, are just scratching the surface. Soon you will be able to take quite noisy and blurry images and have them reconstructed with any type of lighting, detail, weather condition, lens type etc. Depends on how you want to create. For purists who want the best image quality straight-out-of-camera, they aren't going to be looking at these type of cameras anyways. My main reason for no longer owning a bridge camera are the flexibility/control an interchangeable lens body allows, better image quality, but also the availability of lenses like the Tamron 18-300. Not only can the Tamron 18-300 exceed the focal range of the FZ1000 but it will even match the range of the FZ300/330 once the overall pixel size of the image is factored in. Importantly, a lens like the 18-300 is a manual zoom rather than zoom-by-wire (common on most bridge cameras) so I find this much better suited for faster subject acquisition. The new Zoom acquisition on the FZ80D is a nice touch though, If I did own a bridge camera now, it would probably be a Sony RX10 IV or the Nikon P950, but the FZ80D deserves a look especially with these quality of life updates and given the continual improvements in post-processing technology.
Yes that's a bit disappointing. When I initially saw that, I thought it was a one off thing, but i re-tested a few time and it is still there. Doesn't matter though if you mainly use it for photos (or put it on a tripod)
I have this camera, and he is 100% right...having good lighting is an absolute must! The video is quite shaky. But the image quality is well worth, and exceeds the price given favorable shooting conditions.
I’m excited to get this camera. All my cameras are light, Nikon D5100, Sony RX 100. The FZ80D will be so helpful to help me identify birds during migration. If unsure I can snap a picture and figure it out later. That would be my main use.
I really wanted to support the Lumix line up but Panasonic won't be around in the future. Nikon, Canon and Leica will though😅 Sony is losing out to Canon but probably Canon and Nikon will be the sole survivors.
I’m hoping for a 1” sensor phase detect AF bridge camera from Panasonic, especially if it had great ibis for wildlife video. An fz2500iii would be fantastic. Or if I’m really dreaming, a completely new model: an MFT phase detect AF bridge camera.
I would like to see a new 1" bridge camera with Panasonic's latest technology too! But then the size/weight/price/range of the camera won't be quite the same. I don't think everyone needs 1200mm, so some compromises can be made in terms of range
@@TheRealRichardWong agreed. I’d be okay with paying as much as $1800 for a 1” bridge with pdaf and weather sealing, maybe in the 24mm-600mm focal range and good ibis on the long end. Especially if they could throw in the internal ND mechanism from the fz2500
I am looking for a camera with at least 100 fps for analyses in sports! I would like to be able to make several recordings of approx. 20 - 40 seconds. My old camera was a JVC | GC-PX100 (is now defective). Is there a good replacement?
Richard, are you able to check the sync speed for flash? Bridge camera tends to have leaf shutter, so even in low light situation or high dynamic range situation, we still can use flash
I just tried it with my Godox flash and disabled the high speed sync. Firing at 1/2000s shutter speed (fastest mechanical shutter speed) and flash seems working fine
Thanks. What a shame about that awful jitter making it unusable for video which basically makes it just a stills camera. Panasonic should have corrected that with this updated model, thats just lazy. Might as well just get a used FZ series camera and save a lot of money.
This is a very interesting release by Panasonic. Some odd decisions like dropping the WiFi in 2024! 😂 I'm tempted to get one for my son to get into photography without going for a mirrorless camera with interchangeable lenses. Thanks for the detailed review 👍🏻
Yeah who need wifi ? 😅🤣. Yes i can see it can be useful for younger people to get them to get into photography without buying a mirrorless camera and all the lenses
Great review. One of my favourite film cameras was a Chinon bridge camera back in the late 80s. I loved that camera (apart from the expensive batteries) because it let me take good photos in a fun way and had a zoom built-in. The same with digital cameras - the superzoom bridge cameras are just what some people need. They are fun, good in general situations, no issues with changing lenses, and can take some good photos, in much the same way as the Lumix LX and TZ cameras did. Nice to see an updated version. (Also, they seem to retain some resale value from looking around the place).
I actually have two older models very similar. Looks like thay have added some features but otherwise your review would seem to apply the same to them. Fun zoom, looks great in good lighting, low lighting don't bother unless you can use night mode long exposure on a tripod.
I tried to buy their Japanese version FZ85D in Tokyo but unfortunately the camera menu is only available in Japanese. My buddy advised not to buy a camera with such a small Censor. 😅 Another reason is that the Japanese local manufacturing standard is higher than the export version. 😢
I just wish Panasonic would make a bridge camera with a super-zoom tele length to compete with Nikon. I prefer Panasonic features, but the 2,000 or 3,000 equivalent focal lengths plus flippy screen means that one of the Nikon's is my only choice. No flippy screen has to be the most idiotic possible design choice. It is like they don't want to sell many cameras. It is now a vloggy world and a flippy screen is an essential basic feature these days for all cameras. What no one can understand is why Nikon discontinued the P1000. The fact that they now sell used for double their new price, suggests that the demand is there for this focal length, and is an opportunity for Panasonic.
I'm rather confused about why Panasonic even bothered with this release. This follows the same theme as the G100D, a similar rehash of a camera with only a new EVF and USB-C port. Still, these cameras are better to have as options rather than nothing at all.
I believe Panasonic has to replace some components to continue manufacturing, so they use the opportunity to update it with new EVF, new LCD, USB-C port and add the new zoom compose assist. So I think of it as a facelift model that car manufacturers usually do to their cars
@@TheRealRichardWong Agree...though this facelift is long, long overdue compared to that of cars. As such, I do not feel the need to upgrade mine, as I have gotten used to it just fine and will hold on to it for as long as I can.
FOLLOW UP: 07/16/2024 There is HUGE DEMAND for superzoom cameras for those who want the reach due to Yellowstone getting a lot of attention with selfies and animals. - The FZ300 with its 600mm/24x is great and its constant Aperture of F2.8 is perfect for filming BF. The fact that it is Weatherized is awesome but the Sensor is too small. The FZ80D would be fine if you could stack images (in camera up to 10x) for good DOF and IQ. If it was a constant Aperture of F2.8 at full zoom that would be dandy but NO, Lumix made another plastic brick. People will buy it because 1-It is cheap🎉 2-It is cheap🎉 3-It is cheap🎉 4-Did I say it is cheap?😂😂 5-It has longer zoom than their phones 6-it is cheap🎉 7-It films 4K video🎉 8-It has nice EVF and Touch LCD🎉 9-20mm-1200mm is YUUUGE!!😂🎉🎉 10-It is affordable to everyone I SEE PANASONIC SELLING MILLIONS AND BILLIONS OF THESE IN 2024/25
20mm without a tilt screen ? A travel camera without phone connection ? Are there actual photographers involved in developing these cameras ? Doesn’t seem so.
I have the Sony Equivalent to this camera and I also have the original Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FZ1000. So I don't get anyone's excitement about Panasonic bringing back the even smaller sensor Camera. It's going to cost about $480. I would not advise any newcomer to go back in time to those Tiny Sensor Cameras. Nothing less then 1 inch sensors cameras is Bare Bones these days. So I would rather see Panasonic focus far more on version 3 of the FZ1000. That and the LX100M, also version 3. I can't believe there is STRONG demand again for Tiny Sensor Cameras when folks already have their so called Smart Phones.
Different cameras for different users. For a lot of people, camera like this FZ80D provides similar or even better image quality than their phones (not everyone have latest iPhone) and allow them to zoom all the way to 1200mm focal length that phones can't do.
@@TheRealRichardWong I am quite aware of the different camera for different users. I am also quite aware that most buyers of this Camera will be ignorant to the fact of how low quality the images will be coming out of this camera. Let me repeat, I still have the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX400V Digital Camera with the 20.4MP 1/2.3" Exmor R CMOS Sensor with the 24-1200mm Equiv. Focal Length. Zooming out to 1200 is meaningless if the quality ends up being very poor. And I assure that is mostly what most folks will be getting. Most would be far better off buying used MFTs gear. Which by way, you know Panasonic also makes.
@@natureredux1957 thank you for bringing attention to the photo quality, i was about to get one actually either that or the fz1000 ii , if you were to recommend a beginner like me for a bridge camera in 2024 which one do you think will better suit a beginner, or should i just jump to mirrorless altogether, I'm just a hobbyist and this'll be my first. thank you in advance
@@alis1079 If your primary subjects are wildlife, and your budget would allow it, I would at the very least start out with a APS-C camera and determine just what amount your budget would allow for lens. If not, then the Fz1000ii is decent for getting your Feet wet but not nearly in the same class as the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 IV which has the same size sensor but will cost you almost Double the Price. But most Sony products will give you better AF. Which will be important. Then there is the used Market. Hobbyist don't have to RUSH in, so just take your time deciding and keep in mind that the upcoming Holiday Black Friday, there will be massive Camera Sales. It will be here before you know it.
I love bridge cameras from Panasonic and I currently have the glorious FZ200. It's a 2012 model which only saw a small upgrade (FZ300). I truly hope one day they will make a follow up with better image quality (12mpx is not enough), better ISO and 4k 60 video.
The cheapest integrated zoom lens camera with UHD 60 (or 50) is the Panasonic HC-X1500. It's got 24x zoom, dual SD slots, mic and headphone jacks, HEVC recording, 10-bit 4:2:2 UHD, and unlimited record time.
If you've had that fz200 long time, you should really move up to the fz300. The autofocus on the fz300 is a lot better. It has a touch screen and Wi-Fi. The image quality is better. It's still the same lens as the fz200. It does 4K video and new video features. It's operations are similar to G85
No 3.5mm mic input is a bit bummer. As well no usb-c power camera.... Overall not bad, but accumulating that little things here and there as a whole make it a bit questionable. And that's dumb because with little touch it could be really great camera, instead of "good". Doing "saving every cent" on little features will lead that it will be not that popular as supposed to be...
Thank you for your review and it was on this basis that I purchased the EU version - FZ82D. This version does NOT come with a PSU or a USB-C cable. My pet hate is lack of HDMI output unless in playback mode. This means you can't use a front facing monitor for Vlogging which is infuriating!
I owned 2 Nikon with 40 then 80 zoom. Both were crappy in taking pictures, with bad sensors. Both were good as Monoculars... Now im happy with an S23U and 2 binoculars, 10 and 16 zoom. I almost never used those Nikons on auto, i started taking photo long time ago with a russian Smena 8M.
I had the original Z80, not their best camera. I currently have aFZ330, 600mm 2.8 its heavy and the lens is poor, some models are good, some are bad. I would avoid anything with a 1200 mm range
We still use the Panasonic FZ330 bridge camera. Zoom range 24 to 600 mm but with constant F 2.8 Aperture. Has a flip screen. No motivation to change to this bridge camera.
This is awesome. I have the FZ300 and FZ2500. I never thought a new bridge camera would be developed after these. ❤ I have the S5ii but take the FZ2500 when I want to travel light.
Can we attach a lens hood with it? I had a Nikon B500 before. I am happy bridge cameras are coming from the ashes. Nikon also has registered a model, which is an upgrade of the P1000. I guess, Canon will upgrade its Powershot series soon.
Thank you for the quality review. I just purchased the Minolta Pro Shot 20 Mega Pixel HD Digital Camera with 67x Optical Zoom for my wife who just wants to take quality outdoor photos with zoom without knowing much about photography. Can you tell me how this new Panasonic will compare to the Minolta? I haven't opened the box yet and can still return it if it's worth the price difference. Paid $340 on Amazon. Thanks.
back to dfd and no 10 bit. and just 100mbps. could have been a good camera, instead it seems they thought they could get away with 8yr old tech or such.. kind of a joke of a camera, in 2024
Good work richard.But this cam is for my underständing unnecesseary.All wish from Panasonic a small mft camera and Panasonic make again and again mistakes in camera orientation. Best regards..
Impossible with a M43 size sensor. Thats why the largest sensor in a bridge camera is 1 inch. The optics take up far too much room for a larger sensor.
@@PavSZ It's a camera with smaller than 1" sensor, a huge (but slow) zoom lens, and relatively cheap price. Really can't directly compare with most other latest cameras in the market.
When I heard of this camera I was excited to be able to take it to the worlds largest airshow in Oshkosh Wisconsin but then was disappointed it doesn’t come out until after that. Not too disappointed though as I’ll be shooting with the Sony A9III with the Sigma 500mm f/5.6
Good review. Not sure if there's enough to justify upgrading from the original FZ82. Why drop the WiFi option in 2024? It seems a very strange decision
Les amateurs de photos veulent des appareils bcp plus petits et les fabricants nous sortent des engins de plus en plus gros. Cherchez l'erreur. Un appareil doit pouvoir tenir dans une poche, alors svp, mettez vous au boulot plutôt que de nous augmenter les pixels.
Richard, is the third registered camera (in China from Panasonic) an upgraded version of the FZ80/82? If so, then nothing new from Panasonic this year.
Thank you for your video and your work, I am enjoying it for years. but this footage made me sad . it remind me a disposable film camera quality. sorry for my English keep on the good work. ❤
oh ***** I shall have to save and get one now. I thought that was it, no more new bridge cameras. And I do love one to use instead of long heavy lenses on my other camera.
Lightweight Super Zoom == Super Fun, if it's has sharp quick auto focus it will be good, I hope they fix that weird shuddering roller shutter that coming through on your video footage before they release the camera
I was all excited when I read a new bridge camera for 2024. Not now. It misses the mark on too many things for it to be even remotely interesting. Why the tiny sensor?
Panasonic has/had 1" sensor bridge camera too. So if this camera uses a 1" sensor, it will be completely different price (2-3x), it will also be much bigger , heavier and it won't be anywhere near 1200mm optical zoom. Targeting very different customers.
I had an FZ72 for several years and I have always regretted disposing of it and going to Sony. I think I will be getting one of these, though the wider angle aspect of it means more to me than long telephoto. I have big hand ands the body of the FZ72 always sat well in theme. For my needs I think would be sensible cost effective choice.
Very surprising to see this! I have the old model. It's not bad but quite dated by now. The tiny EVF is painful and there's a common defect which causes the diopter to drift. Hopefully this new model doesn't have the same problem. If I was designing a bridge camera in a world where everyone has a 50+MP camera with a range of 18-100mm in their pocket, I'd relinquish that ground to the phone, start at ~100mm and use the savings for a longer reach, sharper lens, wider aperture and/or weight savings. A 12x lens would have far fewer compromises than a 60x. The same approach could be applied to the 1" bridge cameras like the FZ1000 or RX10. You have to find your niche, and zoom is all that's left at the entry level given how good phones are these days.
Hello, thank you very much for the video, I have a question, I am looking for a camera with good optical zoom but I want it to make 4K videos that I can mix with other 4K videos.. What do you recommend, the Canon SX70... the Nikkon P950 or this camera? which recently came onto the market...thank you very much...greetings from Chile
hi there, sorry it's a bit hard for me to comment as it depends on a lot of things like what is the other camera you use, how you shoot with this camera..etc. I think the FZ80D can capture great quality video during the day, apart from the jitters i mentioned in the review. I don't have much experience with the SX70 myself but the P950 is a nice camera and provides longer reach. But downside with the P950 is that it's a more expensive and bigger camera so there is a tradeoff. Note while i have done a review of the P950 that was many years ago and i haven't compare the footage of the P950 with this camera side by side
Excellent review, thank you for taking the time to produce this video! The view finder and screen improvements would be nice to have, but not enough for me to move up from my FZ80. One of the things I love about the Wi-Fi is the ability to use the Panasonic Image App. I have set up the camera next to a hummingbird feeder to capture images, and also being able to zoom and change the camera settings without touching the camera is perfect for different types of remote photography.
Single person use face detection it should work quite well. For multiple person I would do the same but get the camera to focus on the closest person. Then make sure the depth of field is enough to cover all the other people in the photo
finally a good bridge camera at a good price point. I thought they were a thing of the past... Crazy to see how expensive very old bridge camera were going second hand!!
Not everyone need AND not everyone have $2000 to buy a FF camera and lenses. So discontinuing all around compact and not expensive camera is a bit dumb. New camcoders should be next. X1500/X2000 are almost ideal, just add usb-c charging to complete.
Yes agree, a lot of people would be perfectly happy with images from a camera like this. Even I myself are very happy with some of the photos I shot with the FZ80D. Re discontinuing some compact cameras, very often the camera manufacturers were forced to do that when one or more of the components they need got discontinued, e.g. the EVF or LCD screen. Unfortunately it's not like they can just find another piece and plug it in without any rework. But if people are buying, then it gives a very good reason for manufacturers to keep investing and updating these cameras.
A few improvements from the original, it's just a shame they didn't add an articulating screen, or even a tilting one. But then I suppose they might be worried it would impact sales of the FZ300 if they did that. A very informative and thorough review, great work!
I think the reason they didn't add articulated screen is that they will need to design a new shell, and other changes required as a result which will drive the cost and hence price up further. Then it maybe hard for people to justify paying so much more as the sensor/lens etc appears to be same as the original version
quick question, That amount of blur and bokeh when birding, can you also replicate that when shooting portraits with super zoom camera? not just this model?
you can. but not to the same extend as you can't zoom in as much when shooting portrait (unless you want a REALLY close up shot of someone). So you would zoom out a bit which reduce the amount of background blur
@@TheRealRichardWong so technically, with super zoom having f2.8 or f2.9 on wide, is it better to shoot closer or move further away from the subject and make use of the zoom to get to 80-200mm?
I had a Canon 560HS with basically similar specs, same sensor size, 21-1360mm optical zoom. I decided to go for an M50m2 for these reasons: The small sensor. Aperture range at tele was 1 stop, at wide 2.5 stops, not good enough. I hated the motorized zoom, always over or under shooting. Then it had no touch screen but that i.s resolved with most of the new cameras. Basically I wanted a greater range of options and better image quality. IMO lenses over 400mm are for special cases and are difficult when used hand held both in terms of camera shake and following moving objects.
