Graham - again I am indebted to your great knowledge, experience and clear teaching style. In a world of so many RUclips 'unsubstantiated opinions' the facts (& insights) you present are refreshing and very instructive :) Thanks Peter
Useful review. Been trying to decide whether to swap from FZ1000 to FZ2000. Just had it pointed out that it has side loading card access - that did it.
My first digital camera was Olympus Z 3040, I still have it and use it sometime with cage for underwater filming, It has only 3MP tinny sensor, bare minimum of features, i paid for it $1000 and it was not that long ago, on my time scale of course :), it is amazing how fast technology is progressing and how some people can be bitching that it is not enough for them. Recently I bought FZ2500 and I cant stop being blown away what this camera is capable of , it delivers on every promise, it is not just some selling sound bites, it really does good job with all of the features it has. This camera, besides that it takes great footage, will make any one who learn how to use it, to be a great and confident filmmaker, just because it packed with so many features that only high end pro cameras have. Thank you for your videos, they are very helpful, it is a lot to learn but with your help it will be much faster.
Typed in "DMC-FZ2500 video test" into search, got some results. Thought who am I kidding and added "Graham" to the search. Always good to hear it from the man who knows the Lumix cameras inside out. Doing great work mate. How is the low light capability of this camera? As you know the Lumix is usually pretty bad with this and that is my main qualm with an otherwise great camera.
Graham.. Great video. I bought this camera recently and noticed that Panasonic finally placed the tripod screw mount exactly centered under the lens barrel where it's supposed to be. Unfortunately the previous fz1000 and fz300 models did not have the tripod screw mounted in this way.
I have a few months experience with mine now, having used the FZ200 and 300 before. It seems a bit bulky at first but the effective new features helps one forget the size quickly. I simply love the focus accuracy, neutral density selectors, video improvements and post focus capability.
Excellent review as always Graham. The FZ2000 looks excellent in most aspects. I suppose it's biggest rival is the Sony RX10 iii. I like the inclusion of ND filters, smooth zooming & focusing plus mic and headphone ports. For me, the only negatives seem to be a non weather-sealed body and I would have liked a longer zoom like what is on the FZ200 with a constant f2.8 aperture. But hey, there is always a trade-off in photography anyway.
Thank you for your great video. I have a confusion and a question on this. Currently I am using FZ200 for 2.8 at 600mm. FZ200 is great for bird photography. But FZ200 has a huge noise problem. Quality of the picture also not that much compare to 1inch sensor. Is FZ2500 worth to upgrade for me. FZ2500 has 1 inch sensor, though it's focal length is 480mm. Is there option to use multiplier (2X/4X) like FZ200-300 has. Please help.
Hi Graham, I had a FZ2000 for the first weeks 2017 and was not convinced by the video characteristics. Compared to the FZ300 the stabilizer was significantly worse at 4k. Furthermore, one must experience the size and the weight of the camera. This is also the lenshood very conspicuous.
Thanks, Graham. FYI. I use Helicon Focus for stacking FZ300 images shot in Post Focus. It does an amazing job and it's fast. The new version 6 allows a RAW-in-DNG-out mode
Yes I use it too even though my trial licence has expired I can still do screen grab of the final image which is normally good enough for my illustrations etc.
I'm in a similar predicament in exactly the same Jessops in Manchester. Fz2000, Gh4 or GH5. Video is my interest here. I have a Nkon D7100 for stills and doubt that the FZ2000 will be as good?
I’m curious how this FZ 2500 compares to the FZ 300? Not so much the 1000. I want the longer zoom, and weather sealing since I’ll be in harsh, windy desert conditions and more zoom to film sailplanes /gliders in flight! But this beast has a more video centric bells & whistles for sure. Thanks for well put together videos!
Graham, hope you feature a few videos on how to operate this camera to its full potential like you've done with the fz300 and fz200. It's a shame that there are no second party guidebooks available for this new camera or the fz300.
to my mind, in practical terms for wildlife.. the FZ2500 (AU$1250) seems to exceed.. in 4K video modes at least (max 720mm).. a Nikon D7500 (AU$2200) + Nikkor 200-500f5.6 (AU$2000) lens + NIKON AF-S 16-80MM VR F2.8-4 ED VR (AU$1300) (total $5500). I'm sure there's a "huge" difference, but with a 1" sensor would I ever notice the stills quality difference except in the dark?.. apart from not needing a guy walking behind carrying all the gear of course... Although I'd guess the FZ2500 is vastly superior in video too until you upgraded to a 4K Nikon D500 ( + AU$1000).
Thanks Graham for yet another informative, well-presented video. I've been following you for a while though in the end didn't opt for a Panasonic (bought a 2nd hand Canon Legria hf g30) because an audio-port was essential for me. I did think seriously about the fz2000 and your video half makes me regret it!... However, I've always been intrigued that you haven't - to my knowledge - made any videos about the gh4, or comparing the fz300 or fz1000 to the gh4. Here, you mention the gh5 and your intention to buy it: could you tell us what you think are the advantages of the gh4 or gh5 over say the fz2000, or disadvantages ? Thanks !
I have the GH2 & GH3 and was tempted by the GH4 but decided against it in the end. The GH5 will offer 4k from full sensor read out which will overcome the loss of field of view in wide angle shots as the FZ2000 uses a cropped portion of the sensor - which was done with the benefit is a complete absence of scaling, thereby allowing the 4k mode on the FZ2000 to avoid the undesirable moire artefacts of most cameras. GH5 has a full size HDMI port which is essential for pro use with an external monitor/recorder.
Kia ora Graham from New Zealand, i recently just got my fz2500 and i have waited along time to get this. I shoot mainly video and as we speak i am shooting a lengthy time lapse. I am mainly a video guy who about 10% of the time shoots stills, i have a vitesun 5v to 2a converter cable with appropriate dummy battery and i am trialing as we speak a lengthy timelapse, my powerbank is is a toughtested 1500mah powerbank with 2.4a max amp on usb 2 port and 1a on usb 1 port. What i would like to know from your knowledge is it ok to shoot video on any or so format or frequency using the electronic shutter with manual SS or ISO or Apeture. Any help would be appreciated, cheers
Kennie MusicLovers interesting. I was in a Panasonic store in Hong Kong today and they said the G85 is discontinued! I said 'what?!!! It's on the website as new' Discontinued he repeated.
You mention you will buy Panasonic gear. I thought you are one of the "sponsoreds" by Panasonic all along. Sorry for my mistake. I do hope you buy the GH5 or more uspcale gears to review on. Cheers.
Thank you so much for the continuous explanation videos of the FZ2000/2500. I purchased it for mostly video use and would appreciate if you can share your favorite settings of this camera for video.
Hai Graham, very pleased with your video and explanation. Thanks! I have two questions, I'm currently owner of the FZ300 and I would like to know if the photo's are better IQ with the FZ2000? And my second question I have read that some FZ2000 have lens problems, if this is true how can I figure out before buying, for example a serie number or the month when they where produced? I'm doing mainly nature fotografie and video.
Graham Houghton yes that's what I've found, would have liked them to have given it 600mm but you can't have everything, it's still a big improvement on the 1000
Hello Graham. Nice video. I am user of Fz1000 and the biggesst problem I observe in my camera is radical loss of image sharpness at the long end of the zoom. This was not present in my previous Fz200. With Fz1000 getting sharp moon images when I go to 400mm or more (8M pixel images) is simply impossible. Was this problem solved in Fz2000?
Not entirely, the longer reach of the lens extends the sharpness of the mid range zoom but again the lens falls off at the extreme telephoto partly I suspect as a result of both hand shake and subject motion blur. These long zoom cameras do need mechanical support IMHO to get the sharpest images but zoom lenses are always compromises.
@@GrahamHoughton12 Thanks Graham. However this summer I tried to make a series of moon photos from the tripod with the fz1000. Unfortunately none of these was sharp, which was no problem on my old fz200 even hand held.
I love the focus bracketing and post stacking feature. However there is absolutely no reason this could not have been done at full resolution with a series of shots rather than the limited 4K video mode.... and one can do it manually. However automating the process of focus bracketings at full resolution would make it a extremely more useful feature even if one needed to do the post processing stacking on their computer. It gives one the impression that focus stacking is just an accidental artifact of the 4K (8 Mp) photo processing rather than something that was planned. I am NOT impressed by the lack of forethought that went into this feature. That is very poor design engineering.
I am a big Lumix fan but I don´t get the strategy on these bridge models. This camera is just too big to lug around and now with the lens permanently extended, c´mon, and no weather sealing ?? The FZ300 form factor would have been ok but with the current mini sensor.... no thank you
Weather sealing absence I agree on but too big? It depends on what you are coming from. I am buying one to scale down for vacations from a Canon with a load of lenses. My 100-400mm L lens from Canon weighs 3.46 pounds alone!
One important point you forgot to mention is that this camera has unlimited video recording - no 29m 59s limit as on many other cameras.
Graham - again I am indebted to your great knowledge, experience and clear teaching style. In a world of so many RUclips 'unsubstantiated opinions' the facts (& insights) you present are refreshing and very instructive :) Thanks Peter
Thank you for such clear explanations without the annoying and totally irrelevant background music that so many people use. Keep it up!!
You are an unbelievable reviewer! You should have over a million subs!! Thank you I'll buy that beast
A cute feature that I learnt about on another youTube video - holding down a Function button (F3 to F6) will bring up the Button Set screen.
Useful review. Been trying to decide whether to swap from FZ1000 to FZ2000. Just had it pointed out that it has side loading card access - that did it.
My first digital camera was Olympus Z 3040, I still have it and use it sometime with cage for underwater filming, It has only 3MP tinny sensor, bare minimum of features,
i paid for it $1000 and it was not that long ago, on my time scale of course :), it is amazing how fast technology is progressing and how some people can be bitching that it is not enough for them.
Recently I bought FZ2500 and I cant stop being blown away what this camera is capable of , it delivers on every promise, it is not just some selling sound bites, it really does good job with all of the features it has.
This camera, besides that it takes great footage, will make any one who learn how to use it, to be a great and confident filmmaker, just because it packed with so many features that only high end pro cameras have.
Thank you for your videos, they are very helpful, it is a lot to learn but with your help it will be much faster.
THANKS GRAHAM FOR THE REVIEW ON THE FZ2500, I CURRENTLY BOUGHT ONE, WAITING FOR IT TO ARRIVE. THANKS AGAIN GRAHAM..MP
thanks, I hope you find the rest of the tutorials useful as well.
Typed in "DMC-FZ2500 video test" into search, got some results. Thought who am I kidding and added "Graham" to the search. Always good to hear it from the man who knows the Lumix cameras inside out. Doing great work mate.
How is the low light capability of this camera? As you know the Lumix is usually pretty bad with this and that is my main qualm with an otherwise great camera.
Graham.. Great video. I bought this camera recently and noticed that Panasonic finally placed the tripod screw mount exactly centered under the lens barrel where it's supposed to be. Unfortunately the previous fz1000 and fz300 models did not have the tripod screw mounted in this way.
Great video, Graham! Lots of interesting information about this camera. Thank you!
Great detailed video as always Graham. I am very tempted by this camera as the gh5 is out of my price range :(
I have a few months experience with mine now, having used the FZ200 and 300 before. It seems a bit bulky at first but the effective new features helps one forget the size quickly. I simply love the focus accuracy, neutral density selectors, video improvements and post focus capability.
Great video Graham. One small mistake: actually even the FZ1000 already has 120p at 1080p for slow motion.
Excellent review as always Graham. The FZ2000 looks excellent in most aspects. I suppose it's biggest rival is the Sony RX10 iii.
I like the inclusion of ND filters, smooth zooming & focusing plus mic and headphone ports. For me, the only negatives seem to be a non weather-sealed body and I would have liked a longer zoom like what is on the FZ200 with a constant f2.8 aperture. But hey, there is always a trade-off in photography anyway.
Sorry Graham, you do mention the unlimited recording in your blog. So where is the sweet spot? Is it at f4.5? It wasn't clear from your blog article.
Thank you for your great video.
I have a confusion and a question on this.
Currently I am using FZ200 for 2.8 at 600mm. FZ200 is great for bird photography. But FZ200 has a huge noise problem. Quality of the picture also not that much compare to 1inch sensor.
Is FZ2500 worth to upgrade for me. FZ2500 has 1 inch sensor, though it's focal length is 480mm. Is there option to use multiplier (2X/4X) like FZ200-300 has.
Please help.
Hi Graham, I had a FZ2000 for the first weeks 2017 and was not convinced by the video characteristics. Compared to the FZ300 the stabilizer was significantly worse at 4k. Furthermore, one must experience the size and the weight of the camera. This is also the lenshood very conspicuous.
Thanks, Graham. FYI. I use Helicon Focus for stacking FZ300 images shot in Post Focus. It does an amazing job and it's fast. The new version 6 allows a RAW-in-DNG-out mode
Yes I use it too even though my trial licence has expired I can still do screen grab of the final image which is normally good enough for my illustrations etc.
I'm in a similar predicament in exactly the same Jessops in Manchester. Fz2000, Gh4 or GH5. Video is my interest here. I have a Nkon D7100 for stills and doubt that the FZ2000 will be as good?
I’m curious how this FZ 2500 compares to the FZ 300? Not so much the 1000. I want the longer zoom, and weather sealing since I’ll be in harsh, windy desert conditions and more zoom to film sailplanes /gliders in flight! But this beast has a more video centric bells & whistles for sure. Thanks for well put together videos!
Great Video Graham great Camera.
Cracking good review. Thanks.
Graham, hope you feature a few videos on how to operate this camera to its full potential like you've done with the fz300 and fz200. It's a shame that there are no second party guidebooks available for this new camera or the fz300.
I'm hoping to get my extensive FZ300 guidebook published during April. It's going to proof readers shortly.
Can you hear a motor sound when the FZ1000 (or the FZ2500) is turned on?
to my mind, in practical terms for wildlife.. the FZ2500 (AU$1250) seems to exceed.. in 4K video modes at least (max 720mm).. a Nikon D7500 (AU$2200) + Nikkor 200-500f5.6 (AU$2000) lens + NIKON AF-S 16-80MM VR F2.8-4 ED VR (AU$1300) (total $5500). I'm sure there's a "huge" difference, but with a 1" sensor would I ever notice the stills quality difference except in the dark?.. apart from not needing a guy walking behind carrying all the gear of course... Although I'd guess the FZ2500 is vastly superior in video too until you upgraded to a 4K Nikon D500 ( + AU$1000).
Thank you!
i was hoping you would get this camera
Do you recommend this one above the FZ1000 and FZ1000 II? What SD Card should we use for it? v60 v90. Thanks for the video!
Thanks Graham for yet another informative, well-presented video. I've been following you for a while though in the end didn't opt for a Panasonic (bought a 2nd hand Canon Legria hf g30) because an audio-port was essential for me. I did think seriously about the fz2000 and your video half makes me regret it!... However, I've always been intrigued that you haven't - to my knowledge - made any videos about the gh4, or comparing the fz300 or fz1000 to the gh4. Here, you mention the gh5 and your intention to buy it: could you tell us what you think are the advantages of the gh4 or gh5 over say the fz2000, or disadvantages ? Thanks !
I have the GH2 & GH3 and was tempted by the GH4 but decided against it in the end. The GH5 will offer 4k from full sensor read out which will overcome the loss of field of view in wide angle shots as the FZ2000 uses a cropped portion of the sensor - which was done with the benefit is a complete absence of scaling, thereby allowing the 4k mode on the FZ2000 to avoid the undesirable moire artefacts of most cameras. GH5 has a full size HDMI port which is essential for pro use with an external monitor/recorder.
Thank you, Graham. The 7" external monitors work on mini hdmi's, don't they ? Or are you thinking of a tv-sized monitor ?
Kia ora Graham from New Zealand, i recently just got my fz2500 and i have waited along time to get this. I shoot mainly video and as we speak i am shooting a lengthy time lapse.
I am mainly a video guy who about 10% of the time shoots stills, i have a vitesun 5v to 2a converter cable with appropriate dummy battery and i am trialing as we speak a lengthy timelapse, my powerbank is is a toughtested 1500mah powerbank with 2.4a max amp on usb 2 port and 1a on usb 1 port.
What i would like to know from your knowledge is it ok to shoot video on any or so format or frequency using the electronic shutter with manual SS or ISO or Apeture.
Any help would be appreciated, cheers
forgot to mention using the same aforementioned power options
Is it OK to buy ? its 4K video but is quite right BUT heard that Panansonic is Sizing down their cameras operations in Asia ? Is this TRUE ?
Kennie MusicLovers interesting. I was in a Panasonic store in Hong Kong today and they said the G85 is discontinued! I said 'what?!!! It's on the website as new' Discontinued he repeated.
You mention you will buy Panasonic gear. I thought you are one of the "sponsoreds" by Panasonic all along. Sorry for my mistake. I do hope you buy the GH5 or more uspcale gears to review on. Cheers.
Hey Graham!
How good is this camera in action shots such as football or any other sports?
That's what I want to know-can it track birds in flight etc?
Hi Graham , have this camera now use C4K 4096 x 2160p mode. video.
Thank you so much for the continuous explanation videos of the FZ2000/2500. I purchased it for mostly video use and would appreciate if you can share your favorite settings of this camera for video.
As soon as I have had a chance to use it in a variety of both HD and 4K modes I will probably do an updated video on this.
Hai Graham, very pleased with your video and explanation. Thanks! I have two questions, I'm currently owner of the FZ300 and I would like to know if the photo's are better IQ with the FZ2000? And my second question I have read that some FZ2000 have lens problems, if this is true how can I figure out before buying, for example a serie number or the month when they where produced?
I'm doing mainly nature fotografie and video.
Did you decide? The FZ2000 is a huge improvement over the FZ300.
Graham been hoping you'd purchase one, how do you find the stills iq?
early days however this particular lens is sharper than the lens on my FZ1000 so i'm hoping for some great shots as I do like the IQ from the FZ1000.
Graham Houghton yes that's what I've found, would have liked them to have given it 600mm but you can't have everything, it's still a big improvement on the 1000
+Graham Houghton I'm confused.. Do you actually like this camera or not?
Hello Graham. Nice video. I am user of Fz1000 and the biggesst problem I observe in my camera is radical loss of image sharpness at the long end of the zoom. This was not present in my previous Fz200. With Fz1000 getting sharp moon images when I go to 400mm or more (8M pixel images) is simply impossible. Was this problem solved in Fz2000?
Not entirely, the longer reach of the lens extends the sharpness of the mid range zoom but again the lens falls off at the extreme telephoto partly I suspect as a result of both hand shake and subject motion blur. These long zoom cameras do need mechanical support IMHO to get the sharpest images but zoom lenses are always compromises.
@@GrahamHoughton12 Thanks Graham. However this summer I tried to make a series of moon photos from the tripod with the fz1000. Unfortunately none of these was sharp, which was no problem on my old fz200 even hand held.
@@alternatywnetestyinsidera8868 try to turn off the stab in your camera. with proper shutter speed may be you will get better results
cool.
can you do a 2017 review if the Lumix fz300? thank you
Gabriela Lamberti check his videos he already has
peter thomas > I know, I'm asking if he can revisit the fz300. I need to know if it's still relevant today. I'm thinking of buying one.
Gabriela Lamberti yes it would be relevant, it's a smaller sensor but it's still probably the best in its class
Gabriela Lamberti I've got the FZ330. highly recommended.
I love the focus bracketing and post stacking feature. However there is absolutely no reason this could not have been done at full resolution with a series of shots rather than the limited 4K video mode.... and one can do it manually. However automating the process of focus bracketings at full resolution would make it a extremely more useful feature even if one needed to do the post processing stacking on their computer. It gives one the impression that focus stacking is just an accidental artifact of the 4K (8 Mp) photo processing rather than something that was planned. I am NOT impressed by the lack of forethought that went into this feature. That is very poor design engineering.
Selling Canon gear? I'm buying Canon gear! (Or rather, I was - I'll have to take a break now.)
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ2500 in NORTH AMERICA
I am a big Lumix fan but I don´t get the strategy on these bridge models. This camera is just too big to lug around and now with the lens permanently extended, c´mon, and no weather sealing ?? The FZ300 form factor would have been ok but with the current mini sensor.... no thank you
Weather sealing absence I agree on but too big? It depends on what you are coming from. I am buying one to scale down for vacations from a Canon with a load of lenses. My 100-400mm L lens from Canon weighs 3.46 pounds alone!
!!! :)
Bye byer Canon. ;-)