Very impressed by my new Panasonic Lumix FZ1000

If you've been reading the reviews of this camera you'll know already that there is nothing quite like it in the Canon lineup. So although I've had Canons ever since the G1 came out, and am totally at home with Canon style menus now and like my G15, SX50 and 60D, I took the plunge and got the FX1000 a few days ago.

Now after two days of intense experimenting with menus, options, customizing buttons and getting used to the unfamiliar layout, I am finding it more than lives up to my expectations.

One feature that I really wanted was the unique ability to shoot in 4K video and easily extract high quality stills. It works! Combined with the 400mm zoom lens this will be most handy for bird photography and, although I don't shoot sports myself, it would seem ideal for that as well.

One example of several unexpected nice surprises: in contrast to my 60D, this camera makes AEB a breeze. Up to 7 exposures, with a choice of EV spacing, and when the shutter button is pressed the 7 shots rip off like a machine gun, so fast I thought it hadn't worked.

I could go on, but you get my drift. Now....wanna buy a 60D with three fine lenses...?

That still extract from 4K is neat, isn't it. I've this on the G7 to pull stills of dragonflies landing. Taking reflex and timing out the equation opens up all sorts of possibilities.

If I'm not mistaken, the same camera is refirmwared and rebadged as the Leica V-Lux (typ114)

had a quick play with one at my local dealer and was very impressed, fast AF, 400mm (35mm equivalent) on the long end

Here's an example: a frame extracted from 4K test video I shot this morning. It's SOOC, full size, handheld at 400mm zoom, shutter speed 1/1000.

Too big to embed, so click HERE to see it

teekay wrote in post #17672856
Here's an example: a frame extracted from 4K test video I shot this morning. It's SOOC, full size, handheld at 400mm zoom, shutter speed 1/1000.

Too big to embed, so click HERE to see it

That kid in the back looks like he is going to fall off. Where's that frame?

It is a neat little camera. I've had mine for a couple months now and every time I pull it out of it's bag I can't wait to use it. The short battery life is my only gripe but I bought 2 batteries for it so I'm OK with that. My other gripe is the limit of f/8. But I only go smaller when I want to get a long exposure shot. I guess I won't be doing that anytime soon unless I get an adapter for my 77mm ND filter to use on it.

All in all though, it's a great little camera.

tandemhearts wrote in post #17673330
That kid in the back looks like he is going to fall off. Where's that frame?

He is indeed in the process of falling off, but that's the only frame I extracted since it was just a test and I've since deleted the video. One can see the possibilities for sports photography with this camera, even for pros, since it also has the ability to send off the shots quickly by WiFi.

CameraMan wrote in post #17673338
...All in all though, it's a great little camera.

Not exactly little, I think - it's about the size of a small DSLR!

teekay wrote in post #17673543
Not exactly little, I think - it's about the size of a small DSLR!

Compared to my gripped 40D and gripped 5DMII it's little. Its close to my gripped Rebel XT.