Panasonic DMC-FZ1000 vs Sony Alpha A6000 

I got my FZ1000 for a li'l over $700. I love it, particularly because I hate changing lenses

I've been a Canon guy since the days of film, and have owned a number of their DSLRs, including my current t3i and a hatful of lenses. Last summer, my wife bought me a Lumix fz200 - with the proviso that I use it on our upcoming European trip and leave the Big Rig at home. I took a chance, and discovered that, with careful processing of RAW files in Lightroom, I liked the shots I was getting. At least two of them are hanging in galleries in 12x18 sizes. I just sold my fz200, and got an fz1000. It really competes with my t3i, and offers some amazing features. I haven't made my final decision yet, but I just might sell my Canon outfit: The fz1000 is truly "good enough", and could have taken any of the shots I've turned into saleable prints over the past 20 years or so. Yeah, I still drool over my son's full frame Nikon, and his shots of eagles in flight, BUT I travel extensively, and the ease of taking a One-Piece camera was a huge plus for me in Europe: Scenics, Castles, Wildlife, Street Photography... the little fz200 was amazing. The fz1000 is knocking my socks off. I understand how cool it is to have a DSLR with a bunch of lenses, but now it's possible to do damned near as much with a camera outfit I can have with me at all times. I think bridge cameras have come of age. If more photographers were honest with themselves about what they really need for gear, and how they use the images, they just might see the benefit of downsizing.

Good, honest, informative review. Much appreciated.

Thanks for the information; they are really helpful. One quick question; do you think 4K recording is possible through firmware upgrade? I asked this question on StackOverflow web site and it seems its not possible through firmware because of the encoding/decoding which requires special kind of hardware. What is your point of view? That said, your point is valid that an APS-C sensor is more than enough for 4K recording.

Where are the real differences, perhaps putting the films of their respective cameras, one would understand better the differences.

Which camera did you find as noisier? I have a sony a6000 in front of me now and was excited about it till I saw your review and seeing the cost of a lens as much as the camera is scaring me. I take a lot of action shots for my sons sports team as well as low light stage shooting for musical performances w/ action (with quiet surroundings). And was trying to decide which will do the best job. When shooting w/ a6000 in a quite stage performance was concerned about the loud shutter clicking (but maybe that is the nature of this style camera) How is the fz1000? Is the zoom or shutter noise loud? Also on the 4K video being limited to 29 mins. Is that the same for lower resolution videos as well or is that for any video taping in general, that it stops at 29 mins?

I've got both of these cameras as well as a d800 and a rx100mk3. For the first time in my life I can't decide which 2 cameras have to go. Each one does something that the others dont! Probably the rx100mk3 will be the first to go. Getting back to the fz1000, Its a hard act to follow. Video is amazing. Great handling, Zoom range, AFspeed and feature set. The only area were it falls down a bit is in low light. For someone who only wants to own one camera to do everything this would be my recommendation ! The A6000 I love because I use it with my Nikon glass in MF mode and I like to use all the mirror less features. Impressive image quality and AF speed. The RX100mk3 I thought was the ultimate pocket camera and I still think that but the zoom range is very limiting and low light is similar to the fz1000. Low battery life is also an issue for me. Finally the d800 is starting to impress me a lot less than it did when I got it and really the only reason I keep it is because of all the expensive glass I have for it and the ability to crop images from that 36mp sensor. It also it looks more like the part when doing paid work. I have thought about jumping ship to the A7R but the thought of buying pro glass all over again scares me as its not really much cheaper than the Nikon glass and so far there is not much pro Sony glass on the second hand market.

TheDigitalDigest Hey,I'm planning on buying an APSC size sensor camera.Would u suggest the Sony A6000 over a DSLR(Canon EOS 70D,I dont mind the weight).Does a DSLR really wins a APSC sized mirroless camera?plz reply!

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..

Great review, especially for people like me, who consider stepping up to interchangeable lenses - or go for a versatile monster like the FZ1000. One thing that you could have highlighted a bit more is price and flexibility: The A6000 with this gorgeous 18-200 glass costs about twice as much as the FZ1000 - and you would still need at least a macro lens to even distantly match all the options you have with the FZ1000 (it's a 3cm macro built in, the 18-200 sport 30cm ... not to think of 4K ;-) And of course some sample pictures and videos to demonstrate the better quality of the A6000 would have been really nice :-) I was very much tempted to go DSLR or DSLM this time, but for my purpose, the FZ1000 seems unbeatable. It's heavy and big, but much lighter than any interchangeable set of equipment with similar features. When I bought my last camera (a small Nikon P300), it was hardly possible to get cameras with decently big sensors. I'm glad to see this has changed now (see also RX10, RX100, LX100 etc.)!

Should i buy the FZ1000 or a nikon D3200 with the kit lens and a 55-300 mm nikkor lens? I just need a camera to replace my crappy point and shoot. I don't want to buy mirrorless cameras because they are just too small for me.

Great comparison. The best one i've seen so far and i've watch a looot of them. Thank you.

Hi there, Thanks for the info. However, I was wondering about so many model numbers for the same A6000 camera; i.e., ILCE-6000L, ILCE-6000B, ILCE-6000LB, LCE-6000YB. Do you have any idea about the differences or variations in these model numbers.

Valid pointers. Subscribed!

I have the mfs G7 and now wanting to get a longer glass for it has me bawlking, I'm really pondering the FZ1000

Hi there I have a problem with 4k recording for some reason i can't zoom in up to 400mm goes from 37 to 111mm and i can't fix this.. it's a little pic for micro there i can't take it out too.. please help if u know how to go back to my original settings thanks

Very useful insight, well done!!!

TheDigitalDigest Could u do a comparison about Sony Rx10 and Panasonic FZ1000?Or which would u recommand me to buy?

To look at a sensor is like looking to an exposed brain, it gets me anxious. Cover that, some dust particle will fall into it!

lumix-dmc-fz1000 vs the a6000 any thoughts need the see if I should keep the a6000

Excellent comparison... -- Thank you so much...

Hi Love the reviews you put out. I have a question about which camera to buy. I knows it’s such a generic question and so many variables play into that. I will give you some background and try to answer basic decision variables so you can advise me. Firstly I’m not a professional or amateur photographer. I belong to the lot who have been shooting pictures with point and shoot cameras but love a nice snap. Try out interesting angles and try to capture great architecture with my family in the frame on vacations. Love taking pictures during my travelling and also love taking pictures of my 19 month old daughter playing and doing random stuff…I love the DSLR results that people take and share with me, but I don’t know much about ISOs or aperture etc. plus I don’t like the bulky body in terms of carrying it around. I think I would like to learn more to make my photos better but I don’t see myself being a advanced photographer with multiple lenses. My budget is under $800 dollars. As I don’t want to spend too much but yet want DSLR type results (especially low light photo results). With the research I did I came up with the Nikon D5300 with 18-55mm VRII lenses, Nikon 1 AW1 (as its water & Shock proof and not bulky) and Fuji film XM 1 (cause not bulky and amazing pictures I think cause it has the best sensor??) or Sony Alpha A6000. Some say A6000 is the best entry level mirror less camera out there! Does it have a better sensor than Fuji M1? Are the pictures as good as the M1??? . other two that came highly recommended are Olympus OM-D E-M10 and Samsung Galaxy NX What would you recommend out of these? Based on my user profile please suggest best 2 out of these. Will highly appreciate your support for me to make this decision.

I have question.... For daily use, holiday, street photography, portraits and boudoir pictures.... which one?

I've had the G7 for awhile, bought with the kit lens.. then when I want some really serious zoom, the price gets ridiculous 100--400mm, that's why I'm looking a bridge cameras again...

Very nice comparison sir. One comparison that has been on my mind has been the Panasonic LX1000 vs the Sony Alpha 6000 w/kit. Similar size and viewfinders, LX1000 has 4k and better glass, but Sony has bigger better sensor. I wonder how IQ washes out? If you ever get a LX1000 to review, maybe a comparison to think about.

exactly, excellent. thankyou. Im not finding what Im looking for, I want the video features and lens etc etc of the fz100 or the a600 and at least 20x zoom but in a compact body with fixed lens (and would be a dream if it were weather resistant). there, ive said it. If you know of one pleaase feel free to answer with a link to buy from that helps you too. Will I ever find this discrete camera Im looking forward to put into my medium and small purses? For safety, for practicality... I also film rugby matches on a tripod partly as hobby/gift for the club and partly, minimally, paid, but its getting better; last year it was even fewer bucks. With very good camera features like these two, I will be free to do and receive more. I couldn´t care less if a camera doesn´t look pro, doesn´t look dslr. And I shouldn´t carry heavy stuff for long, little bit of fibromialgia or whatever in hands and arms. Have a find guys??

Could you do review of the song 70-200 f4 on the a6000 haven't found much other reviews on it

You said the a6000 goes for $650.00 with kit lens. Where have you seen that deal from a reputable source? Looks like most retailers have an instant $50 rebate but thats it.

This is great, these are my two cameras. Thanks! Actually, I have the Leica v-lux typ 114, which is the same as the Panasonic DMC_Z1000. I use the Leica as my "super-zoom" because I only have the 16-50mm lens for the sony A6000, which I already had. For me it's not an either or. I can't get out to 400mm with an e-mount lens and 300mm e-mount is much slower and lower quality than the Leica lens. And I guess since I traded off using Nikon dslrs with APS-C size sensors in favor of the smaller, mirrorless Sony's starting with the Nex 7, I'm not willing to rely only on a camera with a 1" sensor. And I can't imagine having no option to change lenses because I like using a very wide angle lens, 12mm, with my Sony, which I already had from earlier cameras, when I go out to shoot architecture and landscapes, even though I don't like changing lenses. I use these two cameras for different projects and different situations.

Great review - nice to hear someone give Panasonic heads up - I really think they are underrated - I love my Sony's - although I still have not gotten the A6000 but maybe soon - just so disappointed with lens selection - Sony branded - as I find the Zeiss expensive and not all are as good as price should suggest - my favorite camera are my GX7's - ( have 16 cameras ) - just a nice interface and many Fn buttons and great Touch LCD and Touch To Focus etc - of course M43 sensor struggles in comparison to the APS-C of the A6000 - just wished Sony would get some queue from Panasonic as interface and the many Fn buttons and C1 C2 C3 etc - I think the Fz1000 is a great family camera - no changing lenses and great range and good grip - but of course large as all bridge cameras are - you really know your stuff and give great reviews - thaks

Thanks mate great review

How many feet or Meters can the panasonic shoot?

9:03 => a $1500 piece of glass.... I think FZ1000 does a great job at $700

Can you shoot sports with the FZ 1000?

so if i am are looking for a camera to use it on a holiday . which one would you recommend sony a6000 , canong7x , or panasonic fz1000 .knowing that i am not looking for an interchangable lens one . my impression is that fz1000 has very vibrant images much more than other similar cameras

Recently found your channel. Besides, the issue of not having as wide angle as one might want when shooting in close quarters especially at 4K, as you pointed out, The FZ1000 does not have a headphone jack for monitoring audio. Also the placement of the tripod mount, in my opinion, will make it impossible to change batteries while the camera is placed on a tripod. It seems to me if you are recording a lecture or other type of similar event, might cause you to lose too much time swapping out batteries. Not perhaps a show stopper, but something to consider because it is likely to happen at some point or another. I love the quality of the work your doing. Among some of the best shot video I've seen on RU-vid. The quality of your audio, is excellent as well.

i will choose the panny over the sony in this case. with the lens, the sony is just as bulky as an dslr. better to buy a standard dslr. the bridge camera will at least give you a good lens with a big zoom range, something you have to pay extra to have that for the mirrorless. really different target audience, me thinks

does the sony a6000 offer 4k because I've been seeing different things that say it does I want to make sure before wasting money on it

A camera that changes lenses is never more expensive compared to a premium bridge camera. In the longterm is always cheaper to have these lenses. These lenses last and you only need to change the body. But the bridge camera, after 2 years, will be completely outdated and without any value. You need to put the time parameter in the comparison.

Image stabilisation is way better on the FZ1000 though. And image quality is better than the Sony Ax33 IMO

The fz1000 records 120 fps at 1080, not 720.

Definitely shoots 120fps at 1080p. Source: I own it and use it regularly.

That A6000 looks like a great buy.

Simple...you can´t compare fixed lens with mirrorles. Sony a6000 have a APS-C sensor, Panasonic Z1000 have a 2/3" sensor! You just need an adaptor for the Sony model, and thats all about the "zoom thing", besides, its no necesary an adaptor to the same brand, can use generic brands for use another brand lenses. I choose a6000 without thinking

Medium format? Who needs that? It's expensive and the cameras are HUGE.

I would rather get a Nikon D5300 kit 18-140mm ($1000) over both these camera's. I almost purchased the a6000 when it first came out for it's compact size but just like you mentioned once you add quality lenses onto it the size/weight increases considerably. Plus now you have an awkward setup with a small body and huuge heavy lens. So now you will have to walk around with the same size camera bag as the Nikon D5300 18-140mm would use? Defeats the whole purpose of light, small compact mirrorless camera? Nikon has the much better lens selection and versatility. I love the size of the D5300. It's not a huge camera but fits comfortably in my hands and is small/light enough to take on vacation and social events. As for the FZ1000. The Nikon will beat it in low light and image quality. I will wait until a few years to buy a 4K camera so it is of no interest to me. 4K is still very, very new so not very popular. Like how much people even have a 4K tv, not much? Also don't get me started on only 30mins of video time on the Panny as well as loud zoom motor during vid ..

Thank you for this video but my option is Panasonic .

Not a fan of fixed lens cameras....period.

mega zoom!!!!! ya mean super zoom.....There's a huge difference