The Panasonic Lumix FZ2000 joins the line-up of premium bridge cameras with a larger than normal 20 megapixel 1inch sensor, and the camera features a new 20x optical zoom lens equivalent to 24-480mm with an f/2.8-4.5 aperture. The FZ2000 is designed to be the ultimate hybrid video and photo camera, and is available now for £1099.
Panasonic Lumix FZ2000 Features
The 20x optical zoom lens gives the equivalent to 24mm wide-angle to 480mm telephoto zoom (in 3:2 aspect). The Leica branded lens has a bright f/2.8-4.5 aperture, features optical image stabilisation, and can focus down to 3cm. The Panasonic Lumix FZ2000 is also known as the FZ2500 in some countries.
The lens has an inner zoom structure so that the lens doesn’t extend once it is switched on. The design means that image shift is suppressed by 80% when using zoom. There is a stepless IRIS control, and the lens uses a guide pole mechanism for high quality zoom. The lens has 9 aperture blades, for smooth bokeh. There's a built in ND filter that can be selected manually or set to Auto, and Off, for use in both stills and video.
Designed to be a hybrid video / stills camera, with unlimited 4K (CINE and UHD) video recording, the Panasonic Lumix FZ2000 has the same video features as the Panasonic Lumix GH4R, but uses a 20 megapixel 1inch CMOS sensor from Sony. For those who's main priority is video, a V-Log upgrade is available for £79, giving 12 stops of dynamic range.
Photographers don't need to worry, as the camera offers everything a photographer could want as well. Including full manual controls, intelligent auto modes, creative effects, rapid focus, plus raw editing, diffraction compensation, Low-light AF, Starlight AF, and more. 4K Photo lets you shoot at 30fps, and select your best shots, plus there are focus stacking and post focus options.
From left to right: Panasonic Lumix FZ330, FZ1000, and FZ2000
The ultra zoom range from Panasonic now features five different models, with the previous models staying on the market, and two of the cameras feature a 1inch sensor:
- FZ200 – 12mp, 1/2.3inch sensor, 24x optical zoom (f/2.8)
- FZ82 – 12mp, 1/2.3inch sensor, 60x optical zoom (variable aperture)
- FZ330 – 12mp, 1/2.33inch sensor, 4K, 24x optical zoom (f/2.8)
- FZ1000 – 20mp 1inch sensor, 4K, 16x optical zoom (25-400mm)
- FZ2000 – 20mp 1inch sensor, 4K, 20x optical zoom (24-480mm)
We can also compare the FZ2000 to the FZ1000 and nearest competitors, the Canon Powershot G3X and Sony Cyber-shot RX100 III, as all of these cameras feature a 20 megapixel 1inch sensor, and offer a large optical zoom lens:
| Panasonic FZ1000 | Panasonic FZ2000 | Sony RX10 III | Canon G3 X |
| f/2.8-4.0 aperture | f/2.8-4.5 aperture | f/2.4-4.0 aperture | f/2.8-5.6 aperture |
| 16x (25-400mm) | 20x (24-480mm) | 25x (24-600mm) | 25x (24-600mm) |
| 4K video (UHD) | 4K video (UHD + CINE) | 4K video (UHD) | FullHD |
| 2360K dot EVF | 2360K dot EVF | 2360K dot EVF | No EVF |
| 12fps continuous | 12fps | 14fps | 7fps |
| 360 shot battery life | 350 shots | 420 shots | 300 shots |
| Weight 780g | 966g | 1095g | 733g |
| £629 | £1099 | £1549 | £599 |
Wi-Fi is built-in letting you remotely control the camera, as well as transfer images to your smartphone or tablet. Panasonic's Image App is available for both Android and iOS devices.
Key Features
- 20mp 1inch BSI CMOS sensor
- 20x optical zoom lens, 24-480mm equivalent, f/2.8-4.5 aperture
- Built-in ND filter (1/4, 1/16, 1/64)
- 5-axis Image Stabilisation
- 4K video / photo, unlimited recording
- ISO80 (Low) to ISO25600 (extended)
- 3inch tilting vari-angle touch screen (1040K)
- 0.74x OLED electronic viewfinder, 2360k dot OLED
- 12fps continuous shooting (45 raw, 300 JPEG)
- 350 shot battery life (LCD)
- Aperture / Focus bracketing
- Raw editing / clear retouch
- New aperture filter / diffraction compensation
- Lowlight AF / Starlight AF / DFD AF
- Post focus / focus stacking
- 3cm macro
Video Features
- 4K (3840x2160) video at 30/25/24/23.9fps
- 36 - 720mm equivalent when recording 4K
- 25 - 500mm equivalent when recording FullHD (OIS Off)
- 27 - 540mm equivalent when recording FullHD (OIS On)
- CINE (4096x2160) at 24fps
- FullHD 200Mbps (ALL-I)
- FullHD 100Mbps (IPB)
- MOV, MP4 (AAC, LPCM), AVCHD progressive
- Unlimited recording time
- Dolly Zoom (vertigo effect)
- Time code output / Rec/Start stop (Atomos compatible)
- HDMI 4:2:2 8bit (with simultaneous SD card reading) and 4:2:2 10bit HDMI output
- Slow zoom (Fn1/Fn2)
- Variable frame rate video (slow/fast motion)
- 4K live cropping (FullHD cropping from 4K)
- Mic / headphone sockets
Panasonic Lumix FZ2000 Handling
The Panasonic Lumix FZ2000 features an excellent handgrip, with DSLR-like styling, that makes this bridge camera easier to hold. The camera feels well built, and the rubber grips give the camera a reassuring feel, making it easy to hold on tightly to the camera. There are also a number of controls on the left side of the zoom barrel, making it easy to change settings such as the ND filter, and there are three customisable function buttons here. There are a large number of other customisable function buttons dotted around the camera, giving 7 function buttons in total. The lens features two control rings around the lens barrel, and these can be customised.
The camera has a large lens, due to the sensor size, the lens is larger than your standard ultra-zoom bridge camera, and the FZ2000 is similar in size to a Digital SLR with similar looks. There is a drive mode dial on the top right of the camera, giving you quick access to the different modes. There's also a mode dial on top (with a custom setting), as well as top and rear control dials, making it easy to change settings.
The Electronic Viewfinder (EVF) is large and matches the rear touch-screen for colour reproduction. Panasonic like to call it an LVF / Live ViewFinder, and there is an eye-detection sensor so that the camera will automatically switch to the EVF when you hold the camera up to your eye. The viewfinder has a 20mm eyepoint with a wider viewing angle, that is better for glasses wearers. The rear touch-screen looks good with a high resolution, and great colour re-production.
The camera feels well-built, and size access to the memory card slot means you can change the memory card, while the camera is still mounted to a tripod. The dual-axis electronic level helps keep your shots straight.
Menus – The menus are well designed, with a clear layout, and there is built-in help. You can use the touch-screen to select options, and the Q. Menu (Quick Menu) gives you quick access to options and controls. Wi-Fi connectivity is easy to set up using a QR code. The Panasonic Image App lets you remotely shoot as well as transfer images to your smartphone or tablet.
Battery life - Battery life is rated at 350 shots according to Panasonic / CIPA test results when using the rear screen, or 270 shots when using the EVF. Video recording time is said to be "Continuous 115m (screen)" or "Actual 60min (screen)" when recording FullHD, 60/50i, AVCHD. This gives you good battery life for shooting stills, and a good length of time for video recording.
Panasonic Lumix FZ2000 Performance
The performance section is where we look at the image quality performance of the camera. Additional sample photos and product shots are available in the Equipment Database, where you can add your own review, photos and product ratings.
Speed - We took a number of shots to test the camera's responsiveness, from switch on to first photo, shot to shot, focusing speed etc. We take a number of shots and then use the average to ensure accurate and consistent tests, making it easy to compare with other cameras.
| Shutter Response | <0.05secs |
| Wide - Focus / Shutter Response | 0.1secs |
| Full zoom - Focus / Shutter Response | 0.1secs |
| Switch on Time to Taking a Photo | 1.3secs |
| Shot to Shot without Flash | 0.4secs |
| Shot to Shot with Flash | 1.1secs |
| Continuous Shooting - JPEG (shots before slow down) |
12fps (100 shots) |
| Continuous Shooting - Flash | N/A |
| Continuous Shooting - RAW | 10-11fps (34 shots) |
The camera can shoot at 12fps when using the mechanical shutter, for more than 45 raw shots, or more than 300 JPEGs when using a fast memory card. You can also shoot 30fps in the 4K Photo mode, although this does reduce the image size down to 8 megapixels.
Panasonic Lumix FZ2000 (FZ2500) Sample Photos
Sample Photos - The Panasonic Lumix FZ2000 has reliable exposure and good colour. For better results you can shoot raw and process the files yourself, if you have access to a program like Adobe Photoshop CC, particularly if you prefer warmer skin tones. There are also options in the camera to improve dynamic range, using the iDynamic option or the HDR shooting mode. The built-in pop-up flash is useful for fill-in flash and there are no signs of red-eye in the photos we took using flash. The camera has face and eye-detection, so that when you're taking photos of people, you can be sure that the camera is focused on the subjects eye(s).
Panasonic Lumix FZ2000 (FZ2500) Lens test images
Lens Performance - As you use the zoom, you quite quickly lose the bright f/2.8 aperture, with the lens stopping down to f/4.0 when you reach 80mm equivalent. The camera gives good levels of detail, particularly at the wider end of the lens. The lens is softer at the telephoto end, but photos are still quite good, and the camera controls purple fringing and chromatic aberrations well. The lens is resistant to flare, even without the provided square lens hood fitted to the front of the lens. There is minimal distortion visible, with the camera automatically correcting this in-camera. When shooting close-ups you can get close to the subject and produce pleasing background blur (bokeh). Focus was excellent, with 99% of shots in focus, and image stabilisation helps ensure shots were sharp and free from blur.
Panasonic Lumix FZ2000 (FZ2500) ISO test images
ISO Noise Performance - The camera gives good noise performance from ISO80 up to ISO800, with some noise becoming visible at ISO1600. Detail is still good at ISO1600, and drops at ISO3200, as noise increases. Images taken at ISO6400 may still be useful for use on the web or resized, but are quite soft. Images taken at ISO12800 or above show high levels of noise and these ISO speeds are best avoided.
Panasonic Lumix FZ2000 (FZ2500) White-balance test images
White Balance Performance - Under tungsten lighting auto white balance (AWB) gives a warm result. The camera gives slightly better results using the Tungsten preset. The camera gives quite good results under fluorescent lighting, and there is no fluorescent preset available. For more accurate results, you can use manual white balance.
Panasonic Lumix FZ2000 (FZ2500) Digital filters
Digital Filters - There are numerous creative effects available, as shown above.
Panoramic | 1/200 sec | f/4.0 | 8.8 mm | ISO 125
Panorama mode - The camera features an automatic panoramic mode, where you simply press the shutter release button and pan the camera from one side to the other. Results are good, with a fairly high-resolution image produced, with good stitching.
Video - Designed to meet the needs of professional videographers, the Panasonic Lumix FZ2000 offers unlimited video recording, in resolutions up to CINE 4K (4096x2160 at 24fps with a fast SD U:3 card). The crop factor, or amount of sensor used when recording video depends on whether you're recording FullHD video or 4K video, as well as what options you have selected. When recording using FullHD video, you get almost the full zoom range of 25-500mm equivalent, and when recording 4K video you get a much less wide-angle view, with the lens giving a 36mm equivalent (roughly 1.44-1.5x crop).
Lens range in video modes:
- 25 - 500mm equivalent when recording FullHD - OIS Off
- 27 - 540mm equivalent when recording FullHD - OIS On
- 30 - 600mm equivalent when recording FullHD - OIS On, Level shot on
- 36 - 720mm equivalent when recording 4K
MOV or MP4:
- Records CINE 4K at 24fps (4096x2160, 100mbps)
- Records 4K (UHD) at 30/25/24fps (3840x2160, 100mbps)
- FullHD at 60/50/30/25/24 (up to 200mbps)
You can also select up to 120fps at FullHD resolution if you select from the slow-motion variable bit-rate option. The maximum ISO speed available for video is ISO6400, and using this high ISO speed resulted in quite soft video results.
There are numerous video options including: Master pedestal level (31 steps), Luminance level, Synchro scan, Time code, SS/gain operation, Colour bars / 1khz test tone, Cinelike D / V gamma, V-Log L (with optional upgrade software key DMW-SFU1), Zebra pattern, Mic level and more. The camera can also output 10-bit 4:2:2 4K video via HDMI to an external recorder if you don't need to record to the internal SD card.
5-axis Hybrid Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS), works in all videos modes except for 4K video, variable frame rate or dolly zoom video recording. In 4K video mode you have to rely on the standard optical image stabilisation, which still does a good job. The zoom lens is very smooth when zooming, as well as being quiet, and the camera has good audio quality.
Additional videos can be found on the ePHOTOzine YouTube Channel.
Value For Money
The Panasonic Lumix FZ2000 is available for £1039, which makes it quite expensive compared to the FZ1000, however, if you compare it to the Panasonic Lumix GH4R body only at £939, then the FZ2000 represents quite good value for money. Alternatives to look at include the following ultra zoom cameras with a 1inch sensor:
Panasonic Lumix FZ1000 - 16x, 12fps, EVF, vari-angle screen, 4K video, £629
Panasonic Lumix FZ2000 - 20x, 12fps, EVF, vari-angle screen, CINE/4K video, £1039
Sony Cyber-shot RX100 III - 25x, 14fps, EVF, tilting screen, 4K video, £1399
Canon Powershot G3 X - 25x, 5.9fps, no EVF, tilting screen, FullHD video, £599
You could also have a look at other ultra-zoom cameras in our Top 10 Ultra Zoom Bridge cameras, or have a look at our Top 10 4K Video Cameras. You'll also need to buy a (large and fast) memory card, and a case or bag to keep your camera safe and protected - have a look at our complete guide to camera bags.
Panasonic Lumix FZ2000 Verdict
The Panasonic Lumix FZ2000 offers a 20 megapixel 1inch CMOS sensor, and a new 20x optical zoom lens, with a bright f/2.8 aperture at the wide-angle end of the lens. The camera has a great 3inch tilting touch-screen, as well as a large, bright, high-resolution electronic viewfinder, with a comfortable rubber surround. Build quality is very good and the camera has a lot in common with the Panasonic Lumix GH4, which means that the FZ2000 would make an excellent second camera to anyone familiar with Panasonic's other cameras.
The camera will record 4K video, including CINE resolution, and has a number of advanced options and controls. The biggest drawback is that as you use the zoom, the lens stops down to f/4.0 from 80mm equivalent, which reduces the camera's low-light performance. Due to this, you may prefer a different camera, with a brighter lens, or interchangeable lenses if you have the budget available. If you mostly shoot in good light, or can add light to a scene then this limitation may not be such an issue for you. Video quality is very good, and there are numerous options and controls available, making this an excellent all-in-one camera for those that want both high quality video and stills.
Whilst we were expecting slightly better image quality, the results were good with generally good colour, and exposure. The camera also offers impressive focus performance, with rapid focus that is reliable, ensuring every shot is sharp. The camera also gives good noise performance, with images staying quite sharp until you reach ISO1600 and above. Images were also slightly softer at the telephoto end of the lens.
There are numerous external controls and buttons, as well as full manual controls, and if you're a beginnner, you can also use the camera in auto mode, or one of the scene modes and still get great shots, as well as very high quality 4K video.
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The Panasonic Lumix FZ2000 delivers excellent 4K video with no limitations and a great zoom range. |