- You CAN change the sharpness in-camera along with NR, contrast, Saturation, not to mention you can shoot RAW and process the file in the camera. - In regards to your wife's video, it looks like you had a multi focus setting. Either way your wife should have used Face Tracking for her tutorial. - To return to shooting after viewing an image you just have to tap the shutter button. - A Pro that should get honourable mention: lightning fast and accurate point to point focus, best in its class. - Excellent 60p footage at FHD that you can slow down to 50% slow mo - The camera can be set to remember your last focal length on startup
Additional tipp about continous focus and video. On my FZ-200 the manual focus is stable, so if you go to tele 600 mm make manual focus, go back out to 25 mm and back to 600 mm, the focus will stay and everything is sharp. That's because the area of sharpness of the tele is smaller. It's not perfect, but I often work in that mode. That's an old movie maker trick. Go to maximum tele, make it sharp and you are sure, that everything you will do is sharp. That of course only works, if the object doesn't change the distance.
Stabilization does not work beyond 400mm, it suffers dramatically at 416 and beyond. I get stars and Milky Way at 20sec, F2.8,25mm, Manual Focus (AF OFF) , Metering Matrix, timer 10 sec. Image Stabilization in 4K suxx, 1080 60 fps in P mode wonderful.
I've had mine (PAL) for a couple of months now and love it. One thing about the review, where you mention the auto focus issue during your wife's makeover shoot, did you try setting the autofocus to 1 Area or Face Recognition ? And as mentioned in another comment, you can retain the previous focal length between switch on/off's by selecting 'zoom resume' in the menu. Superb footage selection towards the end of the review, the quality versus price on this camera is truly staggering.
Great Video! Do you think it's worth me buying this model just for capturing time lapse videos of my artwork? or will cheaper models do exactly the same job?
Artology I use mine for time lapses all the time! If you're trying to save money, technically you could do time lapses with most smart phones, but if you want a nice upgrade to the quality, this camera is awesome. And if you're asking me, this thing provides much better quality video than most every other camera out there for this price.
Kevin Grote Thank you for your reply. I have been using my phone to record time lapse videos but I am not satisfied with the quality. I have a few more questions if you can be so kind to help me out. You demonstrated how you can sync your phone to it.. Can you pause and resume a time lapse recording from your phone? Can you connect an ac adaptor to it? Finally can the memory card be accessed while attached to a tripod?
Artology So I know a time lapse can be paused from the camera, but I'm not sure if it can be done from a phone. Unfortunately, there's no AC adapter for it. And the only way you can access the SD card from a tripod is if the tripod plate is thin. But if you've got a small enough tripod plate and head, and could swap out the SD card, you could swap out the battery too because it's in the same spot as the SD card.
Superb review, and I learned something that the four thirds sensor is bigger than the one inch. Thanks, I was hoping this camera would capture better night sky photography though.
Hi, came across your video, because with a friend we think about, what buying next, we also make videos and photos. Your video is really good, good examples, good explanation, I like it. I have the FZ-200, there it has a 25 to 600 mm Zoom with f2.8 over the whole area. Absolutely amazing. If you have problems with focus, also the FZ-1000 should have a face recognition, which places the focus on faces. And to make it better, you can make a photo of a person and registrate it for personal focus face recognition.
Hello Kevin, I bought the FZ1000 only for video. It is very noisy unless the light is really good. What I see from you is absolutely amazing low light video quality in 4K but I was not able to find that in my FZ1000 (for example ISO400, F2.8, 25p, 1/50 which should provide excellent results returns a lot of noise and detail loss if the light is not perfect - internal noise reduction does not help). The best video results in low light I had in IA (intelligent auto) which is so god but IA only works for HD. Also, trying to find similar settings in HD (in order to apply those in 4K), I could not replicate the low light video quality of IA no matter what I did. I get so much noise even at very low ISO (to be able to use ISO1600 with decent results would be a dream!)... Please let me know in detail what settings did you use in order to get so impeccable low light video quality out of your FZ1000. Thank you!
So I shoot in full manual mode for everything, and I don't use noise reduction. Have you adjusted your shadows/highlights? Because that can cause a lot of extra noise. But other than that, I don't know what to tell you. Mine works great and if I keep my ISO low, I get a really clean image. Maybe you should contact Panasonic?
Hello, thank you for info! FZ1000 is out of stock everywhere right now. I bought an unit which was a demo display in a showroom (initially they didn't want to sell it but I insisted in a polite manner). Maybe it is one of the incipient units (it had first firmware version but I've upgraded it to ver 2.2) and that can explain certain things, maybe. However, as long as I have an invoice and warranty, I will send it to service. Thanks again!
You are absolutely right, the same thing happens to me. I see tutorials, applied the settings but the quality is pretty bad. I do not understand what they do to achieve that level of quality. In my region (PAL Europe) I only reach 100fps. Slow motion in my case with a "standard" setting and a great light looks horribly. It looks like webcam quality, 320p. An absolute noise, especially in what is recorded black, the image quality does not reach that 1080p slow motion. I do not understand what I can do to be able to achieve the quality that Kevin achieves. His slow motion is supreme, especially when his brother jumps out and goes from normal speed to slow motion. Many are lost in the same, I have come to think that some departures from the camera have arrived with defective lenses.
Fernando TwoMarquez I'd contact Panasonic with a few sample shots you can send them. make sure they are shots with great lighting. Hopefully they can do something for you.
I own two of these cameras for my video production business and I use them in a slightly different way. I throw the 4K UHD footage on at 720 or 1080 timeline and this allows me to reframe, stabilize or pull camera move decisions in post-production, rather than the field for my TV commercial and web videos for clients. Though this can be used for holiday snaps by the casual consumer, put these cameras on a solid tripod or a jib arm and the FZ1000 camera is a beautiful production tool. Also, firmware upgrades have added more options, including 24p at 4K, although I don't need that for my business. At this price point, if you drop and break it, it is not the end of the world. Like a GoPro, these can be throw-away cameras for that one time only crash-cam shot. Great job on the review!
Optical Image and Video Stabilization 25-400mm, people don’t read the basic instructions. The Stabilization only works within the parameters of 25-400 then switches off after that. TheEX-L Mode, in the Menu, which offers an additional 162mm wil NOT have image stabilization. People need to be fair with the devices they have and need to try every mode and understand why it works or not. This camera, like all mass produced devices, will have issues because there are hundreds of thousands of them. QA is not there and so it will have caveats.
Thanks. I think the new FZ1000II have touch screen. I hope Lumix will update the FZ2500/FZ2000/FZH1, faster lens but same body size, 2 card slots (a premier for a bridge)... more specs from Panasonic 1" sensor 4K camcorder line, but still 20MP for stills ... This hybrid bridge is meant to please photographers and videographers. I hope they are developing it alongside the coming GH6.
I haven't tried it, but it won't work. If you take a single photo while shooting video, it will pause your video recording for a second in order to take the photo, so it can't really do both simultaneously. Is that something other cameras can do?
I like a lot this review, super professional I brought this camera for $128.50 dlls from KEH Camera (used) and I happy!!! The only issue is the pic have a lot of noise and no has the sharps like a Sony 7 II (full frame) but super ease to use the menus very intuitive, super video, and much better pics like a Iphone or phone .
15:20 I dont get it. Maybe you set something wrong? look here at these night sky timelapses with FZ1000 ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-JY-vLAjc5v0.html or this ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-fM6_d1x5SfY.html or this Milky Way with FZ1000 ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-pFmBnZs5eVE.html there is lot more stars at those videos than in your video. Try again maybe with different settings. Or maybe different location
+EpicBroNL the two camera served different purposes. 6D is a full fram DSLR that has interchangeable lenses, which is great for stills, especially its full frame sensor helps a lot in low light conditions. but when it comes to video, 6D is shit, it does not have a articulate screen, no AF in video mode, no 4K, 1080p video is very soft. FZ1000 on the other hand is a versatile camera, it does ok in still photos, but the real advantage is the video department, the 4K is awesome and it is just so much easier to shoot video on this thing. basically you buy the two cameras to do different things. hope that helps.
I agree with LookRain. The only real advantage to the 6D are the stills and the fact that you can change out to great glass. But the FZ1000 is such good bang for the buck it isn't even funny. Even with that argument, the glass on the FZ is pretty sweet
+Kevin Grote ...Regarding this "Element Movement" demonstrated at 8:15 of the video; Is this affected at all, by rough handling (and throwing uncushioned/unpadded/unprotected) boxes during the Package Delivery process? (I received one, put into a huge box, with several other items, all loose and freely moving around inside) from Amazon. No Air Packs, or even Paper Packing!) Note:they did this, despite my ordering it by itself, hours after other orders I placed, and noting "Gift" means nothing to them!
Nope. Has nothing to do with packaging. That's just simply the way the camera is made. The reason it does this is because of the stabilization of the lens. By leaving some space inside the lens, it allows the stabilization system to move the lens around and adjust for camera shake. A good stabilization system will hold the internal lens elements in place while the camera is turned off, but this is a fairly cheap camera and doesn't do that. I actually have a Canon L series lens that does the same thing if you turn the camera off while the stabilization is working. It cuts power to the stabilization, leaving lens elements free to move around. However, if the stabilization is not currently on when I turn off the camera, the internal elements of the lens are held tightly in place. Too bad the FZ1000 doesn't do that. It's always loose when the camera is off. Not too big of a deal though.
That exactly why FZ 1000 does't have an option of interchangeable lenses it has smaller sensor etc. It designed for certain price point consumer that is all. Of cause some brand trying to put more value into their product and FZ 1000 is an example of outstanding value proposition
Great review. You mentioned that low light performance isn't that great. I'm looking for a fast camera, with reasonably good low light performance. The Canon 7D Mark II would be ideal for me but when combined with the 70-200 2.8L IS it'll set me back 4 big ones which is just too much. I shoot videos and stills of my kids playing ice hockey. My old T1i just don't cut--too much noise at IS0 3200-6400. I need to shoot faster than 1/500 shutter speeds and ISOs of 3200 or higher due to the bad lighting. I wonder if the FZ1000 will do the job. Thanks.
After renting FZ1000 a couple months ago, which I'm glad I did, I am not impressed with the low light performance. Although I could capture the action, the images look weird flat. Probably okay if viewed on a tablet/phone but not full screen on a 24+" screen. The video is very good. Also I cannot edit the raw files on Adobe Photoshop CS5.5. I don't know about Lightroom.
what is canon guy? i am using canon 15 years and i am just a guy who uses canon cameras, and now i got 2 panasonic, so it's good that i am not a canon guy lol
***** That's the sound of the stabilizer on the lens. It's noticeable with almost any camera using a stabilized lens, although some lenses are louder than others. Very rarely will I use the audio from the camera, so it doesn't bother me. I usually use an external mic if I want to capture sound.
Thanks for the info on the FZ1000,i currently use the Panasonic X920 which i have 2 years I'm disappointed Panasonic didn't add a Viewfinder to the new HC-WX970 as i film a lot of Buzzards in the Sky and i would think they are Harder to follow just using the Screen.
Do you still use this camera today - or have you found something better with the extended zoom capabilities? I have a GH5 as my primary camera and am looking for a second camera with a strong zoom. Great review!
I do still use it. All the time, actually. I have never needed more zoom range, so I've been quite happy with this camera. If anything, I wouldn't mind a better max aperture...but if I need that, I pull out my GH4. I've been using those two cameras for the past 4 years and still don't see a ton of reasons to upgrade. The quality is phenomenal and still stands up to the newer cameras.
Really, really great in-depth review. Is the camera rocking the new Panasonic firmware, I read somewhere else that this allows the camera to shot at 24fps at 4K.
It's not in the same section where you select 4k 30fps or 1080p 60fps. It's a different setting called High Speed Video, I believe. You have to turn that on.
At the highest quality settings on 4K, it shoots video with a bitrate of 100Mbps. With a 64GB SD card, that will get you approximately 75 minutes of video. If you don't need high quality settings and just want to record for long periods of time, it can go as low as standard def (480p), which records at 4Mbps...giving you over 30 hours of footage on a 64GB SD card...however, it's standard def so it won't look very good at all.
If you shoot bright light. recording 4k 30frames. I set S 1/60 and A F11 (is the maximum) and ISO 100. You will see the problem. I can't not bring explorer down. Only ND filter will sove this problem. I talking video not photo. I have 2 Panasonic and I have the same problem Fz1000 and G7. My friend have FZ1000 have same problem.BH exchange me a new one and we go thrue with Panasonic service. They can not solve this problem.only ND filter can solve that problem. Your camera don't have the problem. hard for me to believe. I talk to people own Lumix in Vimeo they have same problem. Thanks for reply.
Alan Nguyen It's not a "problem". That's just simply how cameras work. It has absolutely nothing to do with Panasonic, or Sony, or Canon, or Nikon, or any camera company. If you're outside in bright light, shooting at 1/60th, you're probably going to have a very very bright image. Yes, an ND filter is necessary to get a properly exposed image, unless you're willing to shoot at a higher shutter speed. This is something all photographers/videographers deal with. It's not a problem with the camera.
Great video1 I just gothis camera. I find the focus is bti difficult in lowlght/dark scene cos it doesnt not have peaking colour to choose. What setting for night video? Why I cant choose the 4K option (its greyed out). For 4K video what mode (P. A, S, M, or P-video) do I use? Can I use all those modes or not?
All Panasonic have a problem when you shoot in sunlight. Exploser go very high , I can't bring them down. you need ND filter. Used ND you have to take in & out. When used ND filter grading don't look good. All new Sony have ND build in and ISO can go down to _65 and 50. Panasonic have vey good video quality. When shoot in the sunlight is bad. They need ND build in like sony. Sony ND when you grading they don't have any problem. I just sold my Lumix FZ1000. I complain panasonic they don't responsed.
Alan Nguyen I haven't had a problem with either of my Panasonic cameras. I think they look great, even in bright sunlight. And I don't use an ND filter.
I wonder why your video footage is so smooth in 30p without any shake in the film. Please skip ahead to 21:13 - 21:38. There is the night scene (4k, 30p) in a panorama movement. Is the original mp4 4k recording smooth, too? I have never seen such smooth movements in 4k. How can that be recorded with no vibration. I need 60p to get such a smooth movement. What are your FZ1000 recording settings? Which program do you use for rendering?
Well I had the camera on a tripod, which helped me pan the camera really smoothly. But other than that, I'm not doing anything special. I generally stick to the 180 degree rule when it comes to shutter speed. If you always shoot with a really high shutter speed, that could cause the video to look less smooth because it would be eliminating any natural looking motion blur.
I had a Sony trv-22 mini DV since 2003, it is starting to play up a bit, I am thinking of upgrading, I am not a professional photographer, and will be using it mainly for tourist , family moments videos, would you advice me to buy this as it would be interesting to have this kind of camera that I never had with the zoom, stills, and other stuff, which I might find interesting and would introduce me to take a new hobby of zooming on plants, nature, slow motion, etc..., I understand it can do video as good as handy cams, or would I be better getting a camcorder such as the Panasonic HC-WX970M or Panasonic HC-WX870M, what this be as good and even a more all in one investment or in other words what are the advantages vs disadvantages in getting the FZ1000 instead of the 4K Ultra HD Camcorder HC-WX970M.
oki uzz32 I think both cameras are great options. The image quality for video will be almost exactly the same, you probably wouldn't be able to tell much of a difference. I have a feeling the photo quality will be a little bit better with the FZ1000 though. It's really up to you. If you're more comfortable with a regular camcorder, then get the camcorder. If you're willing to try something new and get into the world of DSLRs, this would be a great camera for that. You'll get more depth of field with the FZ1000, which is nice. The FZ1000's max aperture isn't quite as good as the 4K camcorder. So if you're going to be doing many photos/videos in dim lighting, you might notice a little better quality with the camcorder. I hope that helps.
I've never tested that. I don't do long shoots very often, and never long enough to run through an entire battery. Plus, my batteries are over 5 years old now, so they probably don't perform as well as a brand new battery would. But...if I had to guess...I would expect it to last for about 3 hours of constant use with a brand new, fully charged battery.
THANKS FOR THE REVIEW LOOKS LIKE IT HANDLES LOW LIGHT VERY WELL I GOT THE PANASONIC FZ300 AND WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH THE LOW LIGHT AND NORMAL LIGHT SETTING IT WAS VERY FUZZY ..SO NOW IM IN A TOSS UP BETWEEN THIS OR THE G7 4K
Hi Kevin, Thank you for your review really appreciate the time and effort you put into it, bought a Leica type 114 which i think is the brother of the FZ1000, just wondering if you can do a review as to the difference , 1 thing I notice my Leica doesnt have 30 frames, bought it from a pawnshop , and all i have is 25fps and 50 fps plus the 120 fps, I didnt know that the ntsc and pal thing still exist in this time , I thought all cameras has the option to choose ntsc and pal, maybe you can shed a light on this. thanks
Hey James! I do not own the Leica Typ 114, so unless you want to send me one or convince Leica to send me one, I won't be able to create a review comparing the two cameras. I know that most higher end cameras all have the capability to switch between NTSC and PAL modes, but I don't think most consumer grade cameras have the ability to do this. After a bit of research, it looks like the Typ 114 has two models, an NTSC model and a PAL mode, which tells me that you cannot switch yours over to NTSC. Sorry. =(
I have two FZ1000's and they both DO zoom out to the previous setting when I turn them on!!...maybe that is a setting change, since some may see that as a hazard possibility.....?
Complaining on a fixed lens when reviewing a camera for which fixed lens was one of the basic design assumpsions is totally idiotic. It's like complaining on a ferrari becasue you cannot pack a family of five for a two weeks vacations in its trunk.
Oh, I wasn't complaining. Did you hear my comment at 9:10? I said "Despite everything I don't like about this lens, you cannot deny that it still takes beautiful images." And that is 100% true. This is a phenomenal camera for the money and I think the lens is actually quite nice, considering the whole camera and lens costs less than most professional lenses alone. Of course, there are times where I'd like to attach a different lens to get a different look or to have a better max aperture, but it's still a really affordable camera, and I'm perfectly happy with what it's capable of.
weird, i want to buy this camera because of its great in bad light compared to similar cameras in this price range, they have smaller 1/2,3 sensors. everybody on yt says that this is great camera for night.
I have not been especially impressed by it's low light capabilities. I have worked with many, many other cameras that handle higher ISOs much better than the FZ1000. It's not bad in low light, but I definitely wouldn't say it's good. Out of all the cameras in my collection, it struggles in low light more than any of the others. But it also has the smallest sensor.
Originally, it did not. But then Panasonic released a firmware update that added 24fps in 4K to the camera. Not sure about 25fps though, as I can't seem to find anywhere in the settings that will let me change the camera to PAL to check. I can change it with some of my other cameras, but it seems as though this one may be locked in to NTSC. But I could be wrong.
It has a max recording time of 30 minutes. So if you're going to be shooting short clips, it'll work great. If you're shooting for longer than 30 minutes straight, you'll need to stop and restart the recording.
I like my Nikon with 50mm 1.8g lens. But the 4K of FZ1000 is realy good! Autofocus in video mode is amazing for this class of camera in any condition, day or night. For me this is verry close to the GH4. Sound is no problem because I use the Tascam DR-60D.
It does do 4K 24fps, not sure which firmware upgrade but you do need to be in video mode on the top dial to select it in the menu. I just rented the GH4 for a week too and really did not see the need to drop an additional 1600 bucks for the added features of the GH4. If I want those features I will use my "video" camera which is meant for shooting video really. There are many times I could not use the FZ1000 or any DSLR for that matter because the normal ENG features are simply not there, e.g. servo zoom, XLR inputs, external hardwire zoom and focus controls etc.
That what I said. Sony build ND filter to solve that problem. Just one click ND turn on. When you go to beach you will see Sony doing very good job under bright light. That why I sold my FZ1000. So many people in forum hope Lumix will have ND build in. Put they don't do. Maybe copyright they can't copy Sony.
FYI--. -I just bought a new fz1000 June 2015. New firmware now allows the FZ1000 to shoot 4K video at 24p which is nice addition. If you have old firmware you can update it. As far as bit rates both the 4k options record at 100 mbps and all of the other avchd and mp4 modes max out at 28 mbps however even at 1080 the video looks really good. The slow motion 120 fps is fun but the quality / sharpness seems to suffer a bit---looks more like 720---- and controls are not adjustable while recording slo mo however it could be used. Hope this helps.
I have a Canon D5 Mark 3 but wanted a camera for my wife who shoots mainly stills. She is about 98 lbs so she would love a all in one camera that shoots great clear photos. Ill have to research the Sony RX10 ll out more. thanks again!
Great review. Just bought one of these used for $300, to take on an Alaskan Cruise. Was really considering the FZ300. But couldn’t pass up the FZ1000 at that price.
These are my complaints of my DMC FZ 1000, so far: The self-timer only works on single still shots. This is annoying because I like to use it for all video and still modes. Battery life is not long enough. UV filter should be supplied with Camera.
I would shoot a vlog at 30fps. You could shoot it at 60fps if you wanted to. Some people really like the south look of 60fps, but I, personally, don't think it's anything special.
Great review man! Excellent tutorial as well. You have covered so much here, I have to watch it several times, and I'm an experienced photographer.. (It's technical) I was knocked out; just wish you would explain each item on the camera individually, in just a little detail; so many settings on the right dial, you skipped over pretty quickly, without naming each one. But it was easy to sit through and didn't take too long, so there is that. Thanks!
Very nice review - thanks. I own the Canon G3X - it has the same sound of lens - for the video of wife you set up manual focus - not even more costly cameras would not be able to do AF in that situation - Price now $747 at B&H so even a better value - It is a very practical camera say for a family - super focal range and decent low light performance - and of course much much better then any other bridge camera ( except Sony RX10/20 which is only 24-200 ) - Single focus is super super fast - and tracking focus is decent for a camera in that price range - On the Cons - very common to hear that lens IS rattle in that type of a lens - like I said I have the Canon G3X and I can hear and feel it even more then the FZ1000 - but something to get used to just like the sound from the IBIS int he Olympus OMD-EM5/1 - Every IS will struggle at 400mm - even a $5000 lens will - at that focal length one needs to be on a tripod - end of story no matter the lens - On Aperture - a lens of 25-400mm and constant F2.8 it would have to be considerably larger - so Panasonic had to compromise - Sony just opted to go to 200mm on their constant F2.8 - but I would prefer 400mm F2.8-4 any day - but of course that is a personal preference - so for a 1 inch sensor camera with 4k and 25-400mm F2.8-4 and other great features for $747 it is a real good deal for the money for family's etc - my only gripe is not that it is not as good as the G7 or GH4 etc in video etc - but size - weight is not an issue - just the size - So I likewise have the Canon G3X - but it is smaller but has also a lot more compromises - No EVF for example - had to get an external one - no 4K -- but it also compromises on Aperture to achieve 24-600mm - but aperture is 2.8-5.6 - and stops down quicker then the FZ1000 - and the Canon is $799 - so bottom line - no perfect camera :) especially under $1000 - Lenses are very expensive now days so for one that opts to buy a interchangeable body and get a 25-400mm F2.8-4 range and aperture and a 1 inch back lit sensor would cost more -
Thank You. This is an excellent informative and extensive review (likely the best) on the FZ 1000. The demo shots at the end are priceless. - zoo footage at 1080/30p is amazing! Unlike McKinnan suggesting in his $1000 vs $8000 review, where 120 fps beats 4k footage, it seems here that 4k and 120fps features have their place within this lower budget. It is up to the owner to exploit the pros and diminish the cons. - which Kevin does really well I am torn now : a6500 or Fz 1000 ??? Amazon gripes about a mechanical ring coming loose inside the lens is disheartening.
Hello, Can you please tell me which is the best camera for vlogging, traveling, personal moments and adventure between these (Panasonic G7, Panasonic ZF1000, Samsung NX500 and Sony α6000)... Thank you very much..
Good tutorial! thanks for information! .. I have this camera Lumix FZ1000 for 3 years and it has been one of the best purchases especially for travel photography! ... let me tell you that two years ago on one of my trips to Sant Lucia in the Caribbean I was hit by a car and my camera flew meters ... I thought that it had damaged but still works like new!! Cheers!
