Panasonic has just announced the latest entry into their popular Lumix camera line. This latest camera is the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1000 Superzoom.
Superzoom cameras are also sometimes called bridge cameras because they bridge the gap between compact, pocket-sized cameras and larger DSLRs. Superzooms are the best of both worlds, a veritable jack-of-all-trades because they handle much like a DSLR, but are smaller and lighter in weight. Superzoom cameras feature a powerful but fixed (fixed meaning that it isn’t interchangeable like on a DSLR ) zoom lens with a very large zoom range, going from wide-angle to telephoto.
In the case of the new Panasonic, that zoom range is impressive. The FZ1000 sports a fixed, built-in F2.8-4.0, 25-400mm equivalent Leica lens. This is a lens that gives lots of shooting flexibility at both ends of the focal length range, from wide angle to telephoto. And the large maximum aperture means that that you’ll be able to snap shots even in low light conditions.
The Lumix also sports a 1″, 20.1 MP CMOS image sensor. The size and resolution of this sensor means less image noise even at high ISO settings.
But what really sets the FZ1000 apart is its ability to capture Ultra HD 4K resolution (3840 x 2160) video at 30p. This resolution level means that you can grap 8MP still images directly from video you’ve recorded. There’s also a built in mic as well as a 3.5mm audio port for capturing audio.
The Lumix DMC-FZ1000 is expected to be available in late July/early August and will sell for $899.
Press Release
Panasonic Announces LUMIX DMC-FZ1000 – The World’s First Digital Compact Camera with 4K Video Recording Capability
One-Inch, High Sensitivity MOS Sensor and 16x Optical Zoom for the Ultimate Picture Quality
*For a digital compact camera as of June 12, 2014
The integration of a newly developed LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT 16x optical zoom lens achieves high resolution edge to edge. It also produces stunningly beautiful defocus together with the large-sized MOS Sensor.
The 1-inch large 20.1-megapixel High Sensitivity MOS Sensor dramatically improves S/N (signal to noise) ratio, making it possible to capture a clear image with minimum noise even when it is shot at a high ISO. The Venus Engine is also newly developed to feature multiple noise reduction systems such as Multi Process NR, Random Filter and Aperture Filter, to achieve high color reproduction and high image quality with a natural look.
The FZ1000 incorporates 4K (QFHD 4K: 3840×2160, up to 30 fps in MP4) video recording capability for the first time with a digital compact camera*1. Panasonic is also proposing a new solution to capture 3840×2160 8-megapixel equivalent images from the 4K video footage which is normally difficult to photograph. Also, videos can be recorded in full-HD 1,920 x 1,080 60p in AVCHD Progressive (MPEG-4 / H.264) format or MP4 at 60p. A powerful 16x optical zoom with 5-step speed control enables smooth zoom adjustment even while video recording. The 5-axis HYBRID O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer)+ with Active Mode effectively compensates for vibration.Creative Video mode, High Speed video in full-HD at 120fps, Time Lapse Shot and Stop Motion Animation are all available for a variety of video effects.
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