Panasonic FZ2500 (FZ2000) Hands-On Field Test 

Outstanding review, I don't think folks realize how much time it takes to shoot and edit and narrate something like this. I actually use some of your ideas when I do my own photo gear reviews respect.

Thanks for the field test review of the Panasonic FZ2500. Note to self: :) Full flip touch screen :) Quick Autofocus :) Touch-screen autofocus :) Dedicated Movie Mode :) built-in ND filters :) time-lapse feature built-in (no app required) :) 10 bit 4:2:2 broadcast quality :) mic jack :) headphone jack :) bad ass lens hood :| 1-inch sensor :| Slo-mo 1080p 120fps :( starts to look noisy for video at 1600 ISO in low light (native 400 ISO) :( Some delay in on-and-shoot (must wait for lens to extend) - vs RX10 Mark III (bigger zoom range, lighter weight, lens aperture ring, slo-mo 1080p 240fps, no ND filters)

I just got mine, yesterday and spending a lot of time learning it, there is so much there! Can't wait to use it on a up coming assignment.

I pre-ordered this camera from you and got it on Monday. So far it is living up to the hype and I'm very happy with it. Thanks for all your reviews and my experience with the shop was very pleasant (online sales dept). Will be picking up the V-log soon too!

Always happy when your video drops.

I always like the reviews that come from The Camera Store. They're generally honest appraisals and don't pull any punches or hedge in an effort to avoid saying anything too negative about other camera brands that they might carry. I also like the way the reviews focus (no pun intended!) not just on image quality, but overall usability, along with any potential pros and cons.

Really lovely colors in this weedeo!

I have watched a few of your camera review videos and I think your channel is the best when it comes to reviewing.

You guys do some of the best camera reviews ever and I really appreciate it :-)

Chris, after a zillion articles and comparisons online your video and evaluation put me over the line, I just ordered the FZ2500. Don't get to handle cameras every day, most show rooms around my area don't even have a Panasonic FX2500 for me to hold and understand what is good and not so good about the camera. You, on the other hand, get to do that all time, and that reinforces my decision making. Thank you for your reviews.

I have so been waiting for this comparison! Thank you! :)

I bought this. very impressed with its video quality

finally....a full review on this camera! I love it. I think this would be a great vacation camera to go with my gopro.

Another great review - detailed for stills and video without pretention, and straight to the point!

You guys are hands down the best reviewers. Thanks guys

That was a perfect review, you covered everything anyone need to know about that camera. Great stuff :) The 10bit 4:2:2 is just amazing, perhaps this is the start of 10bit era for Panasonic cameras.

I sold my FZ1000 last week and got the FZ2500 yesterday. Have only played with it for a few hours but already find out this is a nice upgrade. The new features make this camera a great all-around Run & Gun video camera.

Great review! Thanks for sharing - the backlit seagull was priceless :)

Awesome just got the g⑺ looking forward to it

Thank you! Best review until now!

Was just looking desperately for a good review on the FZ2500. How cool is that!

I've had the FZ1000 for a year now and absolutely love it. Kind of wish I held out and got this, though. The video improvements look fantastic. Just wish it was weather sealed.

Thanks for such a great review! You guys have been so helpful with your informative videos that I decided to go with this camera. I’ll see you in store very soon!

You guys deserve more views and subscribers.

What I really want is a LX200 though. The LX100 is a diamond in the rough. Would like to see it properly cut, polished and shining.

Thanks for the effort man. I've gotten some very good new insights.

Excellent job! Thank you for such a wonderful review! I'm going to buy an Fz2500 now...seriously.

Awesome camera. Panasonic got it right. This maybe my 4K camera. Nice review Chris.

Great Review!! touching all the important stuff.

Just 2 words for 4K photo and no words for auto zoom without noise function

Fantastic camera.

I'm buying this ( in stead of Sony RX10 III) after watching ur video, although I've many cameras e.g. FUJI XT1, XT2, FZ200, GH2 and LX15 etc. I'm getting old (65) and and I travel a lot. So Fuji XT1+XT2+lenses etc for home use only, but FZ2500 for travel as I don't need to carry lenses. Thank you guys, love your videos!!!!!!

Great review. Does it have IBIS? How does the stabilization compare to the new dual IS?

I second Raychristophers' comments. Kudos. You really need to step up to broadcast TV and or movies. If you haven't already lol. Your on-camera presence is one of the best Ive seen in a very long time.

Very nicely done Chris! This was the info that we have been searching for! Following you on Instagram.

Great review - was still tossed between the RX10 III and this FZ2500 - Looks like the bridge camera to get into the 4K is this FZ2500.

No love for jordan in this video :D

awesome review. I've been considering getting one of these, I rent the GH4 alot and this def helped me. Thanks.

This video convinced me to buy it! Not hard when Canon are left behind in terms of 4K features... Just uploaded a video mucking about with the insane zoom range

Very helpful information. Thanks 👍

I wish you would have gone more in-depth on the video capabilities. Maybe talked about it's ability or lack of shutter angle. Thanks for all the videos you guys do put out. TheCameraStoreTV is almost always my first stop to find out more about cameras.

Good job, thanks.

Thanks for the review, very helpful. The FZ2500 looks a chunky, solid camera. Like the touchscreen etc-the stills images look crisp, colourful and detailed, although it seems the highlights get clipped on some pictures. I wish that it had a longer, constant aperture zoom, like the FZ200.

In short, I've done a lot of research on what I want, and my timing was perfect with this release.This is a BIG purchase for me (2k NZ), but I've waited years for something like this. I think I'll be the first in New Zealand with this camera (hard to hunt down, 'nuff said). I'm also a Canuck/Calgary ex-Pat, and your accent was music :-). There was a store with the same name I used to go to about 35 years ago in the CBD; just wondering. Well done, and thanks again.

Excellent review! Love me a Panasonic Camera!

You make great review videos.

Good Job, very informative

Thank you Chris I enjoyed the review and It was useful ?Great Camera, is really good than other cameras with sensor "1

I didn't realize it could output 10bit 4:2:2. thanks for the review. Glad I didn't pull the trigger on the RX10. I have a Canon 70D for stills and some video but am looking at getting something like this for travel video.

Like to begin saying I love your reviews. Just the facts in a well presented "story" as you go out shooting and using the device. BTW, I'm a Canon man and this is definitely on my "next to buy" possibilities. Totally amazed at how well thought out the design and functions are (like the extended viewfinder so the touch screen is thumb/finger accessible) plus even as a pro I'm wanting to explore fixed lens and mirrorless 1" and see if I can unload these heavy pro cameras of mine. Thanks "Thumbs Up"

Awesome vid as usual! I suspect that the Panasonic was more accurate at autofocus in your test in significant part because its ISO or F Stop (or both) were set to expose much brighter. Consider the difference in (1) exposure that you see on the brick wall in each and every one of the Panasonic vs. Sony frames from 9:20-9:55 in the video. Moreover, notice (2) how much more the background (e.g. the car) is in focus in the Sony's frame; it's clearly shot at a higher effective F Stop. Without equal light hitting the sensor (due to differences in F Stops) or equal gain (through ISO settings) there cannot be an equitable comparison. Thus one would need to re-do the test to compare the relative autofocus capabilities. But awesome video and thank you again, "Crushin' it" Chris and "Jammin" Justin!

Great review, agree on every point. Bought this camera mostly for video and corporate filming, great feel in the hand, fantastic menus (my first Panasonic besides for and old camcorder years back), love the autofocus and customizable buttons. Of course one always loooves his last and newest camera but I did a long research before hitting that order button. Was watching preview videos, your review of RX10 III and many others, GH4 would have been too expensive in the end, with a GH5 around the corner.... I was just watching your G7 review again because I'd need a B camera for filming the interviewer, and I'm mostly thinking of having the same video profile on both cameras (both Lumix, right?) and save some editing time, as well as the G7 still being a great device.

Really excellent in depth review. I came here today after the #dpreview of the Sony RX 10 IV (which came out today) and they mentioned in that review the Panasonic dmc-fz2500. I have to say I really like this camera :-)

Thanks for the add

What do you think is better for the subject of shooting video in 4K? A6500, Sony or Panasonic fz2500?

that has really helped me out - thanks - Ella (uk)

Thank you sir

This was 7 years ago. I was waiting for maybe another upgraded camera since I had the fz1000 (original). Of course now the mkii is out and newer but ultimately I decided to still get the 2500 for extra reach, faster burst mode, ND filter etc. The 2500 still sells for 1249 CAD and up. I did look at Sony rx10 mk iv but it's almost double the cost for not much more benefit (a bit more reach and a tiny bit better aperture settings is not worth 1000.00 to me. Selling my fz1000 and going with fz2500 with the fl550l external flash and lumix remote shutter release (eliminates camera shake alltogether). Also got a good cold shoe mount shotgun mic for video. This is honestly best balance of sensor size vs zoom range. A dslr with several lenses to cover up tp 480mm equiv would cost way more (I ultimately sold my dslr and lenses for the fz1000) and be much more bulk to carry around! As they say best camera is the one you have with you all the time and all in one for me is best.

I have used the Fujifilm S1 for the past 3 years, ok it's slow but the 50x zoom range and picture Quality are excellent. I also use a Nikon D5300, Nikon P900 and a Panasonic TZ80. Until the camera manufacturers start producing a minimum 50x zoom with a 1 inch sensor I'm sticking to my Fujifilm S1. Great review by the way. 👍

Damn that seagull was inspiring.

I like this camera as a second body for video.

Looks like a good option for vloggers, especially with the LCD that flips out to the side, so you can still use external mic on the top and have it on a small hand-held tripod. Plus mic jack AND headphone jack FTW. Plus ND filters. This is really making me look forward to the GH5; Panasonic's products have really matured in the video game. I wish they'd make a video-rich APS-C camera to allow for much better low-light performance, but no idea what mount they could use. Someone needs to come up with another open mount format for APS-C like they did with m43. That might've saved Samsung's NX camera line.

happy newYear...

The video comparison on 9:35 between FZ2000 and Sony RX 10 iii. Wow that's a dark video on the Sony. No wonder they removed the built-in ND filter.

Hello, which of the two cameras FZ 2000 and FZ 1000 M2 has better autofocus, is it for taking pictures of sports day and night? thank you

Common amateur photographers love the power zoom but with interchangeable lenses the power zoom isn't very common. With bright expensive lenses it is very rare. However during the film era Minolta has a Xi series of a-mount lenses with motorized zoom. The 28-80mm xi f4-5.6, 28-105mm xi f3.5-4.5, 35-200mm xi f4.5-5.6, 80-200mm xi f4.5-5.6, 100-300mm xi f4.5-5.6.

I have one of these and I use the crap out of it. One point that is really important to me is the unlimited record time. I have a Sony rx10 Iv as well and I forget about the 29/30 minute recording limit. I’m a solo creator and it really stinks when you don’t realize that you just lost the last 10 minutes because the camera stopped recording. Anyway, I love the FZ2500. For all the reasons you talked about in this video. Cheers Rick / AirgunWeb

I'm ready for that lx10/lx15 review :)

I'm so looking forward to the "The Best and Worst from 2016" video!!! Don't get too drunk though ;D Stay cool!

Great video, thank you. I was kind of disappointed that you just discussed features, but didn't show or talk about the quality of the images. Cheers.

You guys really deserve more views and subscribers...... Fantastic work 10/10 Hey I want to know is this camera has built in time-lapse mode feature?

Which is the best AF setting for moving objects

I Currently own its smaller sibling the FZ1000, fun camera but mushy quality compared to the larger Micro 4/3 sensor. Video and Time lapse are great though on FZ1000.

What is the manual focus like during a zip zoom? If you auto focus on a far distant subject at maximum zoom, then switch to manual focus mode and fast zoom out to wide and back in again at close up, does the lens maintain focus throughout the range and hold it at the wide angle end? Almost performing like a par focal lens ( although I think the lens itself is not actually a par focal lens?) Thanks

Where is the famous Alberta snow?!?!?! Great video, a great alternative to the delirious price of the Sony RX10 ...

0:46 that was a smart trick eye shot

I can't afford the cameras they review but I just enjoy the content xD

Guys, nice vid! I remember Jordan talking about limited dynamic range - any further thoughts on that?

The half-press to shoot customization is genius for avoiding that camera shake. Can you please mention some interchangeable lens cameras (DSLRs and mirrorless) which also have this feature?

How did you grade this? The FS5 colour doesn't have that typical greenish yellowish skin tones!

Beautiful review. I had the FZ1000 and RX10 2. My god, Sony needs to take some lessons from Panasonic as far as usability. Great job.

Great and informative video, I really like this camera. Is the Dynamic range good compared to say a G85? What would you pick for travel between this and a X-T2 with the 18-135?

The RX10 II is still the best in my opinion. Can't beat that constant f/2.8 zoom. The variable aperture just kills it for me on any camera. I hate that. btw if you want even better camera than the FZ2500 at less than half the price take a look at the FZ300. That camera is the best all around camera on the planet right now at the lowest price. The FZ300 is a camera for everyone even more so than the FZ2500. That's what I believe. And I'm surprised TCSTV hasn't review that excellent camera. It really deserves praise. Very underrated.

How about the 5 axis stabilizer ? This is a very important advantage and I think many of us are curious about practical usability...

I'm holding on to my FZ 200, although I miss RAW as I am shooting RAW now on my Sony a6000 as Snapseed does RAW now on my Ipad Pro 12,9.

What's with the 400 ISO in bright daylight, you've got a 1600th of a second :)

Thumb up for the motivational poster.

The 1" digital image sensor (13.8mm X 8.8mm) with the Nikon 1 mount mirrorless cameras or the Samsung mini NX mirrorless cameras was considered very small and was the main reason of these cameras failure. However with compact cameras the 1" sensor is considered large and very successful.

I have looked long and hard about the V-Log upgrade and think it's a poor show on Panasonic that it's not included it in the price, as I'm sure the GH5 will include this profile, however moving from the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera where you had no option but to grade the image, this camera is a joy to use and to get broadcast quality images at 4K straight out this camera has to be commended, It's by far the easiest I've used in years and love it to bit's.

Please help 😅 Would the 80d be a good enough camera and how is it compared to the 7d and the 5d on the image quality. I saw your review of it and I got excited about getting it because the 5d is not good with telephoto lenses and the 7dii doesn't have a practical screen. Thanks 😃

Hello, When you take a photo during filming you have the option to take it in resolution S or in the resolution that was set in the camera manually. When I do this last option the video falters when I take a picture. Is there a solution for this? Or is the only option to take photo's in S if you don't want your video to falter? Thank you very much.

Man. I guess I haven't been in the loop, because I thought the RX10 series was around the $1,000 mark. I don't think I could buy any camera with a one-inch sensor for that. But quality-wise, I think it will be quite good. Also, I do like the menus and ease of use with Panasonic cameras.

Hi and thank you for the very well done review. I own a FZ1000 and I'd like to upgrade to the FZ2500. How do you think the two lenses compare talking about sharpness? Some say the FZ2500 lens is softer than the FZ1000. What do you think? Thank you very much.

Would've liked to have seen the 400mm 100% pixel peeping comparison you did on the FZ1000 vs Rx10iii vid to see if the lens/sensor has improved.

Question for you? While in the city shooting what shooting mode did you use mostly? P/A/S or M?? Thanks

Hello! One question, do you know what clipping factor does the Panasonic FZ2500 have? The GH4 and GH5 have a 4/3 sensor and this camera has a 1-inch sensor, I guess that makes a difference. Thanks in advance!

Updating my comment, some things are puzzling me. Why doesn't the silent shutter mode stay after changing the photo or filming modes. Each time I have to activate it again. I could understand that this choice gets forgotten when turning the camera off oand on again (although I'd prefer the camera to remember it was off and leave it there). Also, the FZ2000 wouldn't remember my custom WB settings: I change the customizable settings options to different K temperatures and when I get back, they're gone. Maybe I'm doing something wrong, not sure, it's still a very new device for me.. Still love it, great images, even in low light.

Great report what's it like now would you still go for it and do you think it is due to be replaced stay safe

just got my fz2500 what editing program is best used for editing the 4k footage

God forbidd a traditional interior interview scenario! ;)